James Raia

Articles by James Raia

Buick Regal 2011 car review

The new Buick Regal is derived from General Motors’ European-market Opel Insignia and initially is being built in Germany—although production shifts to Canada early in 2011. Does the front-wheel-drive Regal’s basically Euro design make it a genuine sports sedan? Not unless it has the upcoming $28,745 CXL Turbo version’s turbocharged 2-liter, 220-horsepower four-cylinder. The standard $26,245 Regal CXL has a 2.4-liter direct-injection four-cylinder with 182 horsepower. It provides less thrust than the turbo engine but delivers decent acceleration that should satisfy many Regal buyers. The CXL with the 2.4 engine comes with a six-speed automatic transmission tuned more for economy and smooth shifts than high performance. It has a manual shift feature that doesn’t allow upshifts or downshifts at inappropriate

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Hyundai surpasses 500,000 yearly U.S. sales for first time

For the first since it debuted in the United States in 1986, Hyundai Motor Co. has sold 500,000 vehicles during a year in the United States. The South Korean automaker previous U.S. sales record was 467,009, in 2007, and, surpassed the half-million sales point in early December. It expects to sell 530,000 vehicles in the country by the end December. Hyundai sold about 160,000 Excel compacts in 1986 when it launched exports to the U.S. The following year, sales improved to more that 260,000. Quality issues prompted a sales decrease and Hyundai sold only cars 91,217 in 1998, its lowest sales year. Hyundai launched a concerted effort to improve its vehicles in 1999. It began offering a quality assurance program

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Hyundai, Kia recall 2011 Santa Fe, Sorento for brake issue

Hyundai, the South Korean manufacturer whose popularity has drastically improved based on value, improved styling and extensive warranty, is recalling some 2011 models of its Santa Fe sport utility vehicle because of potential rear break flaws. The Korean car maker’s Kia unit, which shares the same platform and have many similar parts, is also recalling some 2011 Sorento SUVs. The rear brake calipers in both vehicles may not have been machined properly and could allow brake fluid to leak. If the leak occurred, it would trigger a warning light indicating the fluid level is low. If the driver doesn’t take corrective action, the symptoms could worsen to include spongy-feeling brakes and an eventual loss of braking power. The recalls affect

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Chevrolet seeks boom for Aveo after name change to Sonic

What’s in a name? Chevrolet is hoping there’s a lot since its changing the name of of its entry level Aveo to Sonic for the North American market. The Aveo, introduced into the U.S. market about a decade ago, has received mixed reviews, with some automotive publications naming it the worst car on the road. Consequently, the Aveo joined siblings Vega, Chevette and Prizm on Chevy’s under achieving list. However, Chris Perry, vice president of U.S. marketing for Chevrolet, calls the Sonic “a new beginning for Chevrolet in the small car segment” that warrants a new name. “The new car is roomy, stylish and fun to drive, and Sonic is a youthful, energetic name that helps convey what this vehicle

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Volvo maintains reputation for safety, innovation in 2011

Founded in 1927 in Gothenberg, Sweden, Volvo (Swedish for “I roll”) manufactures sport utility vehicles to sedans, coupes to compacts — all featuring the carmakers’ emphasis on safety. Volvo has introduced numerous new automotive technologies throughout its tenure, most notably laminated glass (1944), padded dash boards (1956), three-point safety belt (1959) central high-mounted stoplight (1986) and side impact airbags (1994). During the 1960s, the P1800 sports car debuted and Volvo received international attention when actor Roger Moore in the television series The Saint drove it. But the carmaker was also at the safety forefront during the decade when it introduced padded dashboards and energy-resistant front and rear seat crumple zones. In the 1970s, technology was again industry leading in Volvo

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Car buyers remain neutral with silver, black favorite colors

There’s Ferrari Red, of course. Bruce Springsteen sings the praises of a pink Cadillac. But those colors are the exceptions to the rule. Most car buyers opt for silver or black, with the two uninspired colors battling closely for the most popular vehicle color globally. According to the yearly survey by DuPont, only two percentage points separate silver from black as the leading vehicle color globally. White and gray are third and fourth among car colors choice. Red is the only non-neutral color in the top five. The top 10 global vehicle colors: 1. Silver, 26 percent 2. Black/black effect, 24 percent 3 (tie). White/white pearl and gray, 16 percent each 5. Red, 6 perecent 6. Blue, 5 percent 7.

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Michigan couple celebrates 25-year affair and more than 225,000 miles with a 1986 Honda Civic Si

Pamm and Rick Tarchinski recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their love affair. Mostly, it’s a one-sided romance, but it’s still epic. The Michigan couple paid $10,000 in 1986 for a new Honda Civic Si. But it’s Pamm Tarchinski’s car or at least it sure seems that way. The original sales brochure made the car appealing, but it’s not perfect. Yet the Tarchinskis are forgiving and appreciative. Through muffler problems, near-catastrophes with deer and a countless number of potential trade-ins when no one wanted the vehicle, the husband-wife still own the car. And they hope to drive it at least a few more thousand miles. If it happens, the Honda Civic will have been driven more than 238,000 miles —

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Author Patrica Cornwell donates rare Ferrari Superamerica for San Diego veterans' auction

Patricia Cornwell, the bestselling author, has signed over the title to her limited edition 2005 Ferrari 575 Maranello Superamerica, appraised at $250,000, to Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), to be sold for public auction on Dec. 9th, 2010 at 7 p.m. ET. The rare, 2005 Ferrari 575 Maranello Superamerica is one of only 559 produced. It boasts a 540 horsepower, V12 engine, and has a top speed of almost 200 miles per hour. Its condition is “showroom new,” inside and out, with only 5,865 miles on the odometer. With the flip of a switch, the car goes from a hardtop to convertible with the unique, rotating glass roof panel that hinges back over the rear deck for open-air motoring.

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Hyundai joins expanding auto industry 2011 PGA Tour season title sponsor list

Carmakers and other auto-related companies will have an increase presence presence on the PGA Tour in 2011, with Hyundai assuming a title sponsorship and BMW, Cadillac and Honda also remaining event title or co-title sponsors. In all, nine of the 49 PGA Tour sanctioned pro events in 2011 will included automakers or affiliated companies in their titles. Hyundai will debut as a title sponsor for the PGA Tour’s traditional early January start in Hawaii with Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Kapalua The PGA Tour season will continue through Nov. 27 with the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup in China. In addition to Hyundai, Farmers Insurance, Honda, Cadillac, Shell, Travelers, John Deere, Bridgestone and BMW will all be title sponsor in

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American Express will offer sweet daily wish: half-price BMWs

American Express, like other web sites, offers special prices to its online customers. But arguably the best deal ever available for new car buyers will occur Dec. 16 when two 2011 BMW 328i models will be sold for half-price. Similar to Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com, DailyWish.com, American Express’ online marketplace, leverages the power of group purchasing. A limited/fixed number of items are offered at a deep discount and once the last item is sold out, the deal is over. In this instance, only two BMWs will be available for half-price $17,262.50 (regularly $35,975). The BMW 320i deal, like all a DailyWish.com offerings, can only be purchased by American Express Cardmembers. Here’s a sample of rules and regulations of the BMW deal:

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Honda announces Element will cease after 2011 model

Some car manufacturers would be pleased with a 2.5 percent market share. Not Honda. It will stop making the Element crossover after the 2011 model year because of diminishing sales. The box-shaped Element was introduced in the U.S. in December 2002 and more than 325,000 been purchased, according to the manufacturer. But sales of the versatile SUV crossover have steadily slipped while sales of its sibling, the CR-V, have increased. Honda also makes a large SUV, the Pilot. The Element accounted for nearly 10 percent of all crossover sales in the United States 2003. But the Element has accounted for only 2.5 percent of the crossover sales in 2010, according to Edmunds.com. Compared to last year, Element sales are down

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Most Unsafe Cars in History: Ford Pinto to Chevrolet Corvair

The Chevrolet Corvair earned the dubious honor in part when the book “Unsafe At Any Speed” paid homage to its horrible reputation for crashing disasters. The Ford Pinto is on the list because its gas tank was in the optimal place for exploding after even a minor accident. What these cars and eight other infamous vehicles have in common is that they’ve been selected as the Most Dangerous Cars In History. The websites, The Consumerist. and Auto Shippers.com have combined to present a list of common vehicles and some not so common that earn honors they’d prefer not have. The subjective list, according to The Consumerist.com, was compiled when “Auto Shippers combed through the auto industry’s storied history of catastrophic

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Mercedes-Benz turns age 125 with tradition, innovation

Mercedes-Benz, now 125 years old, was founded in 1886 with the introduction of Karl Benz's first gas-fueled car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen. Much has happened since. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the carmaker now has manufacturing plants around the globe, easing car dealer cost on popular Mercedes Benz models — coupes to sedans, sport utility vehicles to crossovers, roadsters to supercars. Mercedes-Benz also manufacturers trucks and vans as well as arguably the world's most unique vehicle, the current Popemobile. The new Mercedes-Benz SUV is a modified Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Twenty-years after the manufacturer first marketed its automobiles, the Mercedes-Benz brand name debuted in 1926. Mercedes-Benz is now a publicly traded as Daimler AG. In the United States, Daimler AG offers Mercedes-Benz automobiles

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Vogue Tyre and Rubber Co. announces new signature model

A leading manufacturer of custom-built tyres for more than 96 years, Vogue Tyre and Rubber Company has announced the debut and availability of its 20-inch Signature V to retailers, wholesalers and new car dealerships. With its sidewall sporting a raised gold V and an asymmetrical tread design (10/32 inch tread depth), the new tyre features enhanced driveability and a quieter drive while returning longer wear. The mud and snow rated Signature V allows enthusiasts to purchase only one set without sacrificing performance or safety and eventually saving money. The Signature V is the first all-season luxury performance blackwall touring tyre the company has produced, capable of more than 40,000 miles without being replaced. With the Signature V tyre, drivers can

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BMW reaches 95th birthday with new models, more U.S. production

For nearly 95 years, BMW has been synonymous with luxury, value and performance automobiles. With MINI and Rolls Royce Motor Cars also under the BMW Group umbrella, the manufacturer founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeug- Werke (BFW), has vast and diverse offerings across its three-brand canvas. BMW car prices range between $30,025 for the entry level 1 series to $103,225 for the top-of-the-line M6 model. Beginning with its first brief tenure as a small company building military aircraft engines, BMW experienced rapid growth throughout its history. In recent years, BMW's commitment to "sheer driving pleasure" as a top priority throughout its lineup, has dramatically increased the popularity of the carmaker headquartered in Munich, Germany. In fact, from the year 2000

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Mazda MX-5, 2011 review

Since its debut in 1989, The Mazda MX-5, still often known to purists as the Miata, has maintained a strong reputation as among the leading small two-seat convertible sports cars in the United States. Substantially refreshed for 2009 and updated for 2010, the Mazda MX-5 is unchanged for 2011, keeping its same fun factor and value pricing from previous years. Change isn’t always a good anyway, and it must present a dilemma for Mazda. With the Mazda MX-5, appropriate updates have been warranted through the years. Then again, since 850,000 Mazda MX-5/Miatas have sold (the most of any sports car in history) why mess too much with a good thing? The Weekly Driver Test Drive My test vehicle for the

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