Matthew Wilde

Articles by Matthew Wilde

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Scion FR-S 2013 quickly gets best sports car for the money honor

It only took a year for the once unheralded but promising Scion FR-S to gain national recognition via its lauded combination of performance and value. Introduced in 2012, the 2013 FR-S has been named Best Sports Car for the Money by U.S. News & World Report. The annual award recognizes value, quality and critical acclaim across 21 vehicle categories. To evaluate the FR-S, U.S. News & World Report judges looked at the sports coupe’s safety record, reliability and opinion from industry experts. Additionally, the expected five-year total cost of ownership and average vehicle price at the time of publication contributed to overall scores. The FR-S costs $25,255 MSRP with a six-speed manual transmission or $26,355 MSRP with a six-speed automatic

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Some weird autos become legends, other cars just fade away

Some automakers have long lives. General Motors, Aston Martin and Alfa Romeo all recently became centenarians. And there are plenty of infamous manufacturers. Some, like the DeLorean have attained cult status, while others like the Bricklin have largely faded away as complete failures. The Bricklin was shortlived. One of the early investors in Subaru, Malcolm Bricklin manufactured the Bricklin from 1974-76, and were touted as safety cars were made in the odd colors Safety Orange, Safety Green and Safety White. The gullwing doors trapped occupants and overall poor constructions prompted low sales. Bricklin’s misfortune had only just begun. He later introduced the equally disdained Yugo to the United States market. Cars with odd legacies like the ATS, Bricklin, Davis, DeLorean

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Ford Edge SE overtakes minivan dominance, tops lowest annual insurance rates

Minivans, once the go-to car for family versatility and insurance friendliness, have been overtaken in 2013 by crossovers and SUVs, including models from Ford, Jeep, Kia and Hyundai, according to a report by Insure.com. In its recently announced findings, the insurance website noted the Ford Edge SE has the country’s lowest annual insurance rate. “The SUV is the new minivan,” said Russ Rader, spokesperson for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which performs crash tests on vehicles. “These are vehicles used largely by families. They’re going to the mall, taking kids to school and driving to sports practices on the weekends. They’re not getting into a lot of crashes.” The only small among the least expensive top-20 cars to insure

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Kelley Blue Book: 2013 Scion iQ Cheapest U.S. car to own for five-year tenure

Kelley Blue Book, like many other automotive sites, likes car lists. Arguably the enduring site’s most popular list is its annual compilation of the cheapest cars to own. The new list covers 22 categories for 2013 models. The new list is collaboration with Forbes.com and winners of the Kelley Blue Book Total Cost of Ownership Awards. The list considers many factors: depreciation, fuel, insurance costs, registration fees and maintenance. Add up all the factors and the amount is the cost of the vehicle over five years. Here’s the list in 22 categories with the segment vehicle name, Base, MSRP, 5-year cost and cost per mile: Subcompact, Scion iQ, $16,250, $27,011, $0.36 Compact, Hyundai Veloster, $18,395, $30,581, $0.41 Hybrid/Alternative Energy, Honda

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Toyota faces $1.1 billion settlement in runaway car lawsuit

The strange, twisting and lingering litigation against Toyota has been settled with the Japanese automaker agreeing to pay more than $1 billion to settle U.S. litigation via claims its vehicles suddenly and unintentionally accelerated. According to court documents the deal, pending California federal judge approval, includes direct payments to customers as well as installation of a brake override system in about 3.25 million vehicles. The terms include a $250 million fund for former Toyota owners who sold who sold or turned in their leased vehicles between September 2009 and December 2010 at reduced prices because of bad publicity. And there’s also a separate $250 million fund for owners not eligible for the brake override system. Plaintiff attorneys are slated to

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Nissan withdraws cycling sponsorship from RadioShack team

Nissan wasn’t the first carmaker to sponsor a cycling team, but it has just joined the increasing list of major companies withdrawing sponsoring from the highest level of the sport presumably in the expanding wake of the Lance Armstrong doping scandal. According to a report in the Luxembourg newspaper Le Quotidien and confirmed by officials at the manufacturer’s North American division on prominent cycling websites, the Nissan name will not appear on the jerseys or bikes the RadioShack team for the 2013 season. Nissan, which became a full-time sponsor of the squad that features prominent riders Andy Schleck, Chris Horner and Fabian Cancellara, will also no longer supply sponsor and staff vehicles to the team. Nissan has also been a

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Ford F-150 will again lead U.S. vehicle sales 2012

With the end of the year near, the automotive industry will soon again tally its numbers and the best-selling car list will reveal how much has changed and how much the habits of the public have changed in the past 12 months. Just as it has been for many years, the Ford F-Series will again be the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2012. The Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Pickup will again likely be in the top 10 and the Toyota Camry should retain its perch as the country’s best-selling car. But will green cars be represented in the top-20 for 2012? And will the Hyundai Sonata continue its strong sales year in December to not only boost Hyundai’s

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Hyundai, Kia face additional scrutiny from national consumer group

Hyundai and Kia are under further scrutiny. The nonprofit consumer group Consumer Watchdog is asking U.S. House and Senate Commerce committees to investigate false vehicle miles-per-gallon (mpg) claims against the two carmakers. The non-partisan group called the revelation about some Hyundai and Kia vehicle mpg stickers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “the first time in American history large numbers of vehicles carried window stickers with false mpg claims.” Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America currently face two U.S. civil suits seeking class-action status after the companies admitted to making bogus fuel-economy claims. Consumer Watchdog said it wrote to the EPA a year ago calling for retesting of the Hyundai Elantra after Hyundai’s self-tested mpg estimates “were far

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2014 Ford Fiesta by the numbers: 1 liter, 3 cylinders, 40 mpg, 123 hp

The 2014 Ford Fiesta, which will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, will feature the smallest engine sold in the United States a — a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder with EcoBoost. Currently available in Europe and described by one car review site as “tiny enough to fit into an airplane carry-on bag,” the new Ford Fiesta will go on sale in the U.S. at an yet-to-be announced date next year. According to a report on GreenCarReports.com, the new Fiesta will have 123 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of peak torque at 1,400 rpm. Ford didn’t quote projected gas-mileage ratings, but it did say the 1.0-liter EcoBoost in the 2014 Fiesta would get the highest gas mileage rating “of any non-hybrid

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2014 Mitsubishi Outlander: New design for economical SUV

The newly designed 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, the fuel-efficient seven-passenger SUV, will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show via a press conference and unveiling November 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Outlander, according to the manufacturer, features a new design that emphasizes exterior aerodynamic efficiency. The engine is a new version of Mitsubishi’s MIVEC continuously-variable valve lift timing system for increased fuel economy. The new interior design and new technologically-advanced features include Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), the sharply-styled all-new 2014 Outlander elevates the level of efficiency, safety, comfort and convenience in the value-oriented compact SUV segment. Joining its new larger sibling at the LA Auto

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Chevrolet Corvette 2014 set for Detroit debut with global social media

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, which has been described by the manufacturer as “precisely sculpted” will be unveiled January 13, 2013 in Detroit and with a vast social media campaign. Chevrolet has heavily touted the new design and the manufacturer says the car “delivers more than just stunning good looks – every line, vent, inlet and surface has been optimized for performance.” “The all-new Corvette integrates more high-performance aerodynamic features than ever before, many taken directly from Corvette Racing,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “For example, the front grill and radiator flow paths reduce lift, improving vehicle stability at high speeds by keeping the car pressed to the pavement. In addition, functional vents increase track capability by channeling air to

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eBay expands auto channel, launches eBay Garage platform

eBay Motors has launched eBay Garage, an online community and personalization platform that allow auto enthusiasts to interact in several ways. In addition to showcasing their vehicles, enthusiasts can connect to share information of purchase new parts and accessories. The new eBay Garage platform significantly builds upon the functionality of My Vehicles, a feature of eBay Motors where enthusiasts have virtually parked more than two million vehicle profiles. Fresh features that car fanatics will notice in the new eBay Garage include:* eBay Garage Community Page: A single destination for enthusiasts to find a continuous stream of vehicle photos and profiles to explore;* Favorites: Users can favorite vehicles within the community that inspire them, helping them keep tabs on a project

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Buyer beware, prepared when seeking auto loans

Many buyers walk into auto dealerships with only a vague idea of how auto loans and financing work — and it’s dangerous. While the mortgage market has learned its lesson, many auto markets remain rife with predatory lending, scams, and unwise deals that can trap unwary consumers. Prepare to buy your next car by learning the law. Years ago, the federal government dedicated a handful of laws to protecting your information and preventing fraud during the auto loan process. The more you know about these laws, the more ready you will be. So start reading, take notes, and walk into the dealership knowing what you can do – and what lenders cannot. Truth in Lending Act The Truth in Lending

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Chevrolet Corvette, 2014: Out with the old, in with the new in January 2013

The seventh generation Chevrolet Corvette will be introduced Jan. 13 in Detroit, a few days prior to the North America International Auto Show, and will feature little from previous editions of the iconic sports car that debuted in 1953. The new Corvette will have only two parts from the sixth-generation Corvette — a cabin air filter and the rear latch for the removable roof panel. The current generation Corvette, or C6, was introduced as a 2005 model. As as tease to the 2014 Corvette, the automaker revealed the vehicle’s new crossed flags logo. The new logo was selected from more than 100 logo candidates. General Motors said production of the 2014 Corvette will begin in the third quarter of 2013.

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California motorists encouraged to re-think oil change practices

Should motorists change their vehicle’s oil every 3,000 miles? Not necessarily, according to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). With its “Check Your Number” campaign, CalRecyle encourages drivers to rethink their current habits and only change motor oil as needed. “With significant advances in auto technology, it’s important for drivers to understand that changing motor oil every 3,000 miles is an old default that may not be relevant for their vehicle,” said CalRecycle Director Caroll Mortensen. “Frequent oil changes do not necessarily mean better performance or longer engine life. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you will not only do right by your ride, but you’ll also benefit the environment by using fewer resources.” A recent survey by CalRecycle

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Honda Civic Sedan, 2012: Economic, reliable, enhanced elegance

By Mary Ellen Ash Honda’s flagship Civic has been hugely popular since its debut in the early 1970s. For years, it’s been the benchmark for compact car manufacturers and its name is synonymous with long-term reliability, low running costs and high economy. For 2012, Honda introduces the redesigned ninth generation Civic which continues to refine the winning combination of reliability, economy and value. Interior/Exterior Styling Our test vehicle was 2012 Civic EX-L with a Taffeta White exterior. It's stunning and sharp at first glance. The newest Civic bodywork has sweeping, angular lines with increased aerodynamics giving the care an air  elegance and luxury. This theme is also visible with flowing interior paneling and dashboard layouts. The dash materials are textured,

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