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Scion tC 2011 gets top NHTSA safety rating

The Scion tC sports coupe is the latest 2011 vehicle car to receive a top five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), a consumer information program created by NHTSA, rates vehicles to determine crash and rollover safety. The test ratings are gathered during controlled crash and rollover tests conducted at the NHTSA research facilities. All Scion models meet or exceed safety requirements of the federal government and NHTSA. The Scion tC features include: 180 horsepower, 6-speed transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels and a 300-watt 8-speaker audio system. Also standard are

Ford Focus, 2012 car review

A small family car that debuted in North America in 2000, the Ford Focus is now in its third generation. Until the 2012 model year, the Focus was globally popular despite its underwhelming presence and lackluster overall performance. But the car’s status as a reliable, inexpensive choice has resulted in success. About 10 million Ford Focus vehicles have been sold globally since the Focus arrived Europe in July 1998. With its new styling, longer wheelbase and largely complete makeover, the Focus is gathering increased attention in an increasingly crowded market segment. The Weekly Driver Test Drive A solo, long trip

BMW Z3, PT Crusier, Audi TT collectors' cars of the future?

One standard guideline in the automotive industry is that cars 25 years or older are considered “vintage.” Now, Josh Max, a writer for AOL Autos, believes several current or cars formerly in production in the last decade like the Chrsyler PT Cruiser and BMW Z3 could be collectors’ cars of the future. In the article, Max writes: “It’s hard to imagine, but once upon a time, a 1946 Packard, ’57 Chevy or a ’68 Ford Falcon didn’t cause a major stir on the highway any more than a Honda Accord, Audi A4 or a Dodge Ram would today.” Here’s what

Nissan reports starting issue with electric Leaf

Nissan, the No. 2 carmaker in Japan, said Monday it’s investigating complaints from Nissan Leaf owners the electric car on occasion fails to start. A Reuters report detailed Nissan is looking into the exact cause, which it’s traced to the Leaf’s air-conditioning unit via component or programming issues. Nissan does not have a recalled planned, but is determining its next step after it identifies the source of the problem. Nissan has received complaints in the United States and Japan, although the volume of complaints has not been released. Nissan launched the five-seater Leaf, its zero emissions electric plug-in vehicle, in

Ferrari, Nissan, BMW chosen on 2011 All-Ugly car list

It’s not often Ferrari and Mazda or Lotus and Nissan are featured in the same car discussion. But all of them, and several other surprising choices, have been selected on the list of the 10 ugliest cars of 2011. John Pearley Huffman, who writes the appropriately titled Taking Blame column for the Inside Line feature on Edmunds.com, has strong and clever opinions. And he has a good share of detractors because of his selections. Huffman believes the Ferrari California is a ugly as the Mazda3 sedan. And he lumps the Dodge Caliber with the BMW6 series. The trio of newfangled

Honda, Lexus get top best resale honors in new study

Vehicles manufactured by Honda, particularly the Accord sedan, CR-V crossover, Civic compact and Odyssey minivan, retain their value better than any other brand, according to a new study by Edmunds.com. The renowned automotive assessment website announced the result of its study five months after rival Kelley Blue Book named Subaru the top non-luxury brand and BMW the best luxury brand. “A lot of consumers just see (Honda) as a value-oriented brand that has good resale (value) and a good history of reliability,” said Danny Zhou, senior analyst for Edmunds.com. Edmunds calls the new evaluation, the Best Retained Value Awards. The

Fiat 500, 2012 car review

The new 2012 Fiat 500 is cute, fun to drive and fuel thrifty. Many young drivers interested in the 500 may never have heard of Fiat’s reputation for selling troublesome cars here decades ago. But then, Italy’s Fiat wasn’t the only troublesome foreign car, and it’s a whole new auto world now. The 500 is built with modern equipment that didn’t exist in Fiat’s spotty old days. when some joked “Fiat” stood for “Fix it again, Tony.” The 500 is hardly unproven. Chrysler-controlled Fiat says more than 500,000 Fiat 500s have been sold in 80 countries since 2007. The 500

Toyota Prius milestone: 1 million U.S. sales since 2000 debut

The Toyota Prius, introduced in the United States 11 years ago as the first mass-produced gas-electric hybrid vehicle, has reached 1 million units in sale, the automaker announced. It is the third milestone for Toyota’s hybrid lineup in the last six months. Last October, global sales of Toyota Prius surpassed two million. And in February this year, overall global Toyota hybrid sales surpassed three million. “Since the Prius went on sale eleven years ago not a year has gone by when it hasn’t been the number one selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice

Hyundai Sonata, Buick Regal among best 'budget luxury' cars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (113.5KB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe once standard belief a luxury car was defined by price is no longer valid. The current average price of a new car in the United States, slightly more than $29,000, is also slightly less than the former $30,000 launching point for a luxury vehicle. More pertinent today for a vehicle to be considered a luxury car are its features, comfortable interior to smooth ride to quality lists of option packages. Which is why CNNMoney.com has listed the Buick Regal, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Taurus, Kia Optima, Subaru

Hyundai, Kia plan plug-in hybrids for 2013 models

Hyundai and its automotive sibling Kia plan to respectively introduce plug-in hybrid versions of the Sonata and Optima sedans with 2013 models. Plug-in hybrids can be recharged at home from the mains supply, unlike conventional gasoline-electric hybrid cars are recharged only when the driver applies the brakes. Hyundai and Kia until now have focused more on fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles rather the trend toward electric vehicles. Hyundai plans to launch its hybrid version of the Sonata, its first global hybrid model, in South Korea in May. Kia is expected to debut the Optima Hybrid the same month.

Ferrari formerly owned by Charlie Sheen 'winning' on eBay

Charlie Sheen apparently took better care of the Ferrari he once owned than he has other possessions in his volatile life of fame, fortune and misfortune. The controversial actor purchased new a 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello. But Sheen sold the car, according to Internet reports, to pay for his wedding to former wife Denise Richards. Now the current owner of the car has placed it for sale on eBay. Sheen’s former Ferrari, according to the eBay listing, has been driven 25,725 miles and features, among other options: leather seats, CD player, anti-lock brakes, driver airbag, passenger airbag, air conditioning, power

Toyota gets favorable court ruling in faulty floormat suit

After deliberating for approximately 45 minutes, a jury in a U.S. District Court in New York has ruled in favor of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. in an alleged unintended acceleration case. The suit was brought by Dr. Amir Sitafalwalla, who claimed an unsecured driver’s side floor mat was the primary cause of the crash of his Scion vehicle in August 2005. During the course of the week-long trial, Dr. Sitafalwalla’s primary expert, Dr. Anthony Storace, withdrew his assertion that the Electronic Throttle Control System in the Scion could also have been a cause of the accident based on his

Toyota, Lexus, Scion announce 2011 price increases

Toyota has announced manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) increases today for most 2011 Toyota, Scion and Lexus models. Price increases on Toyota models range from $200 (Yaris Liftback) to $900 (Land Cruiser, Sequoia), Lexus models range from $600 (GX 460) to $900 (IS F, LS and 450h sedans, LX 570 SUV) and for Scion model $65 (xD five-door luxury utility). The MSRP for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma compact pickup truck, Yaris sedan, Scion tC sports coupe, Scion xB urban utility vehicle, the Lexus CT 200h hybrid premium compact and 2012 LFA supercar remain unchanged. The new prices for North American-produced

Chrysler 200, Ford Fiesta among safest rental cars

Car buyers likely consider vehicle safety as part of the purchase process. But is the same consideration as important for those renting cars? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is the auto industry standard for determining vehicle safety, whether it’s for buyers or renters. And among cars readily available in major rental agencies, USA Today, via IIHS rankings, reports there are varying degrees of safety. The newspaper reported, 95 percent of 167 different vehicles in rental fleets are rated “good” in head-on collisions, the most frequent type of fatal crash. However, a half dozen 2011 vehicles and one 2010

12 great ways to save money on gas, repair costs

With the national average price of gas again approaching $4 per gallon, drivers can help their fuel consumption in many ways. Some approaches to better fuel efficiency are common sense, while others work well but may not readily come to mind. The automotive web site, www.carlocate.com, a portal headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, and a resource for locating best cars prices, has an informative list of 12 great ways to save gas. The site’s No. 1 way to save fuel — a tune up. ” A properly tuned engine can improve fuel economy about 4 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental

Rodeo Drive Concours honors Italy and its legendary cars

The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance will celebrate “The Art of Italian Motoring” on June 19, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. The annual event will take place as the country of Italy marks the 150th anniversary of its unification. In celebration, Rodeo Drive will pay tribute to some of the most famous names in Italian design and lifestyle. “The annual Father’s Day event will highlight a WORLD CLASS combination of automobiles, motorcycles and designers featuring Italian makes and models,” said Bruce Meyer, event chairman. “We hope to curate the best selection of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lancia and Maseratis from