New Cars

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2024 Mazda CX-90 Review: New, worthy flagship SUV

The three-row sport utility vehicle segment is refreshingly competitive. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 debuts impressively in the field of all-stars including recent additions like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade and Volkswagen Atlas. The long-standing Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot have maintained their top rankings for decades. Mazda hadn’t offered a new generation of its flagship CX-9 since 2016. With competitors always improving, the CX-90 is the manufacturer’s new front-and-center offering. The CX-9 is gone. The new vehicle’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer and the engine has also grown and is more versatile. Key Takeaways Plug-in hybrid: 2.5-liter four-cylinder, electric motor and 17.8-kWh battery, with 26 miles of electric-only range. 329 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic; 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds.

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First car? Learn the basics of maintenance, repair

Buying your first car or truck can be an expensive and daunting experience. But once the vehicle is in your ownership, it’s a common practice to open the engine compartment and view how it operates. Cars and trucks are amazing machines that run on incredible technologies, and curiosity is a common occurrence in new vehicle ownership. If you recently purchased your first vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ll need to understand the required maintenance and repairs. Here are some common and effective ways to learn more about car maintenance on your own. Start Working On Your Car With Small Maintenance Tasks Changing the oil, replacing filters and checking tire pressure are often good starting areas for proper car maintenance. While

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2022 LA Auto Show: A look back in images

The recently concluded 2022 LA Auto Show featured its annual array of new cars with new colors and plenty of innovation as the industry moves toward all-electric mandates. As always, there were automotive surprises: some good, others awful. A smaller show welcomed the media and the public for 10 days at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The absence of recent mainstays, Rivian and Tesla, as examples, was part of the show’s smaller stature. Manufacturers had more room to display their new editions. Subaru presented its usual lineup of utilitarian, all-wheel-drive sedans and SUVs. And the manufacturer, which markets its vehicles for owners who have dogs, again created a national park-type setting with a few dogs on site to attract potential

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Car Subscription Services: Pros, Cons, Costs; Worthy?

Forget about fitting winter tires to your loan car this year. Instead, take out a car subscription on an SUV for six months when the weather is at its worst. In the spring, exchange it for a convertible. It costs the same or less than a loan vehicle, and you don’t have to worry about servicing costs, insurance, road tax or breakdown cover. These are taken care of in the lease agreement in some car subscription services. What Is A Car Subscription Service? Around 6 1/2 billion people globally own a smartphone, which translates to around 90 percent of adults. What this means is the vast majority of the population is familiar with the subscription model used by smartphones, as

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New cars are fine, but vintage wheels always better

Not too far into the future, 300 million cars will be registered in the United States. More than 30 current manufacturers have new cars currently available; plenty of other carmakers are defunct and either revered or best forgotten but with models still driven. The staggering number of vehicles on the road and hoarded in garages further dilutes an often-asked question: “If money were no object, what car would you buy?” There’s no right answer, but vintage simplicity is far more appealing than impress-the-neighbors bling. A 1954 Kaiser-Darrin, 1967 Mercedes Benz 250 SL Convertible or a 1991 Nissan Figaro? Yes. Any new Tesla, Hummer or tank-sized family SUV? No. A $15,000 Chevy Spark and its 40 miles per gallon have plenty

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Favorite car? Old or new? It’s in the eye of the buyer

Who can pick their favorite car? Not too far into the future, 300 million cars will be registered in the United States. More than 30 current manufacturers have lineups currently available; plenty of other carmakers are defunct and either revered or best forgotten and still driven. The staggering number of vehicles on the road and hoarded in garages further dilutes an often-asked question, “If money were no object, what car would you buy?” There’s no right answer, but vintage simplicity is far more appealing than impress-the-neighbors bling. A 1954 Kaiser-Darrin, 1967 Mercedes Benz 250 SL Convertible or a 1991 Nissan Figaro? Yes. Any new Tesla, Hummer or tanked-sized family SUV? No. Favorite Car?  Old or New? A $15,000 Chevy Spark

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#208, 2021 LA Auto Show debrief, hydrogen woes, new RV

After a 10-day public run and a two-day media preview, the LA Auto Show ended Nov. 28. It was the industry’s first major show since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Weekly Driver Podcast was on site to take in the sights and sounds. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I drove from Sacramento to Los Angeles round-trip in a 2020 Hyundai Nexo. Despite being two years old, the hydrogen-propelled SUV had been driven only about 1,500 miles. We added another 900 miles, give or take a few miles. In this episode of the podcast, we review the highlights and lowlights of the show. We discuss our experiences in the Nexo. And we abruptly switch topics in the second half of

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2022 Mini Cooper Review: Lots of driving fun, logic removed

Twenty-two years ago, several years after it acquired the naming rights, BMW reintroduced the Mini. It was different but with a heritage still affixed to the original two-door compact city unveiled by British Motor Corporation in 1969. The traditional Mini became an icon of British automotive culture. It’s the best-selling British sports car in history. It’s had starring automotive roles in movies and a successful racing career. Its sporting cuteness and unabashed driving fun defined its popularity. Key Takeaways 1.5-liter turbo inline three-cylinder with 134 horsepower, a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic. $22,900 starting MSRP for the two-door hardtop; Signature starts at $26,900 and Iconic at $30,900. 27 mpg city and 37 highway. Four-door hardtops cost $1,000 more than the

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2023 Corvette Z06 Preview: A power broker

Not too many years ago, even purists began to wonder. What was up with their beloved Chevrolet Corvette Stingray? The styling was off, a conspicuous look like General Motors’ designers ran out of time. Was the Corvette’s label as “America’s Sports Car” no longer valid? Could the many-time Indianapolis 500 pace car have become an also-ran? 2023 Corvette Z06: More power, better style Annual sales were down for several years, dipping below 20,000 for the first time in 2018. Ah, but just in time, the mid-engine C8 arrived in 2020 after years of planning. The brand was revived. Automotive industry honors flowed. And now it’s happened again with the recently announced, much-ballyhooed and coming-to-a-dealership soon 2023 Corvette Z06. Like its

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#197, CarInsurance.com picks cheapest, best companies

Ashlee Tilford is the managing editor of QuinStreet.com, the marketing and search engine service company. It recently released a consumer-based post detailing a new study by CarInsurance.com: the cheapest and best car insurance companies. Tilford is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Tilford the CarInsurance.com, one of QuinStreet.com’s companies, compiled the resource guide. While considering what’s available in major and small auto insurance companies, the report includes information vetted by experts in several categories, including driver’s age, location and driving habits. “We compared rates among 35 different insurance providers,” Tilford explains. “But before we did that, we created 11 different driver profiles because almost anybody is going to fit

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Subaru WRX, the third generation of the compact sports sedan, features improved performance and the most advanced features in the car’s nearly 20-year history. Powered by a new 2.4-liter, turbocharged 271-horsepower engine, the WRX has either a six-speed manual transmission or new automatic transmission. New also are a high-definition tablet-style 11.6-inch multimedia system and the latest generation driver-assist technology. The WRX adds a new top-of-the-line GT trim with a new automatic transmission, the Subaru Performance Transmission, as standard. The new WRX GT offers a first-ever for WRX, new electronically controlled dampers that can tailor the dynamic performance to the driver’s preferences with Comfort, Normal, and Sport settings. The Drive Mode Select also offers additional options to configure steering

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How to prepare to choose the right new car to buy

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Besides buying a house, purchasing a car is likely the most expensive personal expense. So, it’s important to make the right choice. But what’s the best way to make the best choice? Questions can vary greatly. How much can I afford? What’s the best car for family travel or for long journeys? What’s the best value or most dependable brand? If you’re partial to certain manufacturers you right asked where is Jeep made? Are hybrids or electric cars good choices? Is a sedan a better option than an SUV? Determining what car will serve your needs best can be daunting, so here are some guidelines: Review Your Budget Before you start test-driving vehicles and researching the latest technologies

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22 ways to update and customize a car if you want to

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT One great thing about owning a vehicle is you can customize it.  If you decide to do so, lots of choices are available for many parts of the vehicle. Here’s a list of areas to consider: Tires Choosing high-performance tires can improve the car’s grip on the roar and reduce fuel costs. Big Brake Kits Car owners who opt for bigger or modified wheels are increasingly installing bigger brake kits. Often, bigger brake kits are more attractive. More important, larger options improving stopping efficiency, withstand higher road temperatures and keep brakes cool longer. Wheels Aftermarket wheels are a great way to customize your car. if combined with a new, larger brake it and higher-end performance and tires, and

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Buying a car? Plan properly, buy it, maintain it

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Buying a car is an achievement, and it’s often a substantial detailed investment. But the transaction can be more straightforward than expected. If the buyer is prepared, the purchase can be successful with little or no stress. Still, if it’s your first or second car, a new or used car, just don’t take this kind of investment lightly. Plan the purchase properly so it occurs smoothly and you get the ideal vehicle. Once you buy a new car, what’s next? How long do you plan on using it? Do you know how to maintain it and prolong its lifespan? Buying a Car? Know Your Needs Here’s a list of the best ways to buy a car and to

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College students’ best approach to buying a used car

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Enrolling in a college or university is among the most important steps of a young adult’s future. Your life may significantly change, particularly if you continue your education far from home and are interested in buying a used car. But not only is it necessary to find the best accommodations you’ll need to meet financial obligations, including paying tuition and buying books. Many new university students also buy their first car while attending college. But what’s the best way to choose a car while attending a university? What vehicle best suits your needs? Here’s a checklist to help you buy the best vehicle for a reasonable price. Before You Start  Purchasing a car can be time-consuming. There are

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LA Auto Show back after two Covid-19 delays

The LA Auto Show has a unique position in the automotive industry. It’s the yearly first major industry show to view new cars, trucks and occasionally motorhomes. It’s always held in November, except for when it was supposed to be held this spring. Back A Year Later But the coronavirus has altered the show again. After being rescheduled from last November to May, the pending spring dates have also been scrapped for a return to November. With a two-day Auto Mobility media event as its preamble, the public show is scheduled Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Dozens of manufacturers annually either have global debuts or North American debuts of new models, the much-touted Rivian electric truck to

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