GM's FlexFuel Vehicles list

GM is moving forward on the flex fuel front, meaning some cars can burn 85% ethanol, made from corn and other renewable sources.

GM has more than 1.5 million FlexFuel Vehicles on the road today in all 50 states, able to operate on gasoline or on a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. So you can choose the fuel that's best for you. Important, because E85 fuel is not yet widely available. And vehicles running on E85 have a 5% to 25% shorter cruising range than the same vehicle operating on regular gasoline. Yet when you can choose E85 ethanol, you make a difference. This renewable fuel, made from U.S. grown bio material (like corn or grain products), helps reduce our dependence on petroleum and greenhouse gas emissions. GM FlexFuel Vehicles operating on E85 fuel can help:

• Gain increased horsepower for better engine performance because E85 ethanol fuel has a higher octane rating than premium gasoline
• Lessen engine wear
• Support the domestic agriculture industry in the U.S.

GM Flex Fuels Vehicle list

Are American cars really that bad?

CNN Money asks a great question, "are American cars really that bad?" The perception comes via a J.D. Power survey and the "facts" come from Consumer Reports "average predicted reliability."

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How to not get ripped off on your next car loan

Some new rules for car loans go into effect in California soon. Check it out before you buy, no matter where you live.

With the passage of the Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights (Assembly Bill 68 from 2005), beginning on July 1, 2006, car dealers will not be able to jack up a consumer’s interest rate by more than 2.5% for most loans and 2% for loans longer than five years. This is a modest step forward, but consumers can do better. To protect yourself from phony financing, follow these ten tips:

Link to full article

First Drive: North American VW GTI

Glad to hear a new VW GTI is coming...and it's a very fine vehicle. Here's a first-hand account of the new Volkswagen GTI.

First Drive: North American GTI

Dealer holdback car price guide

Here is a handy "Dealer Holdback" car price guide which shows you how much car companies give back to car dealers for selling a car. Knowing dealer holdback isn't going to save you thousands of dollars on your next new car purchase, but as they say, "it can't hurt."

Dealer holdback is a percentage of either the MSRP or invoice price of a new vehicle (depending on the manufacturer) that is repaid to the dealer by the manufacturer. The holdback is designed to supplement the dealer's cash flow and indirectly reduce "variable sales expenses" (code words for sales commissions) by artificially elevating the dealership's paper cost.

Dealer holdback at Edmunds car price guide

California Motor Vehicle Warranty and Lemon Law - Consumers

A friend asked about the California Lemon Law. Here's a handy link if you live in California and your vehicle, "does not perform as provided under an express warranty."

Motor Vehicle Warranty and Lemon Law - Consumers - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

Getting your call ready to sell

Consumer Reports put together a concise guide to getting your car ready to sell. Check it out before you try to sell your car and get more money.

Consumer Reports Article - MSN Autos

2006 Acura TSX - Test drive

I'm a sucker for Acura's. TSX is a great car, near the top of my current car lust list.

2006 Acura TSX - Test drive and new car review - 2006 Acura TSX

Car Shoppers Don't Always Know How to Get the Best Auto Finance Offer

Did you get the best auto finance rate you possibly could on your last car purchase? Survey results and tips on how to get the best finance rate on your next auto loan.

Survey Indicates Car Shoppers Don't Always Know How to Get the Best Auto Finance Offer

The Ultimate Geek Car?

Wired magazine reports on a new Mercedes-Benz that features an onboard radar system, automated acceleration and braking controls and night vision display, among other features. Wow, James Bond lives.

Wired News: The Ultimate Geek Car?

Car Buying Scams - The $2,295 Key Chain Caper

A dealer in California had the nerve to give a consumer a "free" key chain and then add it to their loan at a price of $2,295. Other scams to watch out for include purchase to lease switch-out. You think you're buying the car but you actually leased it...at a very inflated price. This story ends well, the bad guys pay restitution AND get to spend some time in jail.


Read the whole story here

Honda Fit

Straight from Honda's own web site, details of the new Fit. Don't call it a hatchback...it's a "5 door." Looks like Scion is going to get a little competition from it's neighbor. The Fit sports a 109 hp engine (more ponies than my VW Rabbit had) and will be priced around $13,500.

Warning: The web site features an 8-bit video game look with lots of corny writing to make it look extra hip. They shouldn't have bothered, they had me at "60/40 Magic Seat" and "steering wheel mounted paddle shifters."

Honda Fit - Official Honda Site - Info on the Fit, Coming in 2006

Toyota Yaris reviewed

USA Today's James Healey test drives the Toyota Yaris, the fresh new small car from Toyota. Honda is coming out with a new small car as well. Watch the blog for links to reviews.

USATODAY.com - Yaris pleasant enough to drive

Tax Breaks for Hybrid Vehicle Owners

Here's the details on tax breaks for hybrid vehicles including a list of qualifying hybrid vehicles and the amount of your tax break.

Hybrid Cars and Vehicles - MixedPower.com - Tax Breaks for Hybrid Vehicle Owners

GM to cut its sticker prices on most autos

General Motors is cutting the sticker prices on 75% of their cars and trucks by an average amount of $1,300, starting today.

COST COMPETITION: GM to cut its sticker prices on most autos

The Rise of Craigslist and How It's Killing Your Newspaper -- New York Magazine

Great background article on Craig Newmark of Craigslist. If you want to sell your car, list it on Craigslist for free.

The Rise of Craigslist and How It's Killing Your Newspaper -- New York Magazine

Highest and Lowest to Insure by Category - Kelly Blue Book

Kelly Blue Book has a handy quide showing the highest and lowest cost to insure vehicles by vehicle category. Bad news, the Saturn L300 Sedan is cheaper to insure than the Lexus IS 300. Duh! This list should have been normalized for vehicle price...still helpful though.


Kelley Blue Book - Highest and Lowest to Insure by Category • Tips • Advice

Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) 2006 - MSN Autos

Hey, before you buy that next car or truck, check out what's new at the biggest auto show around, the Detroit Auto Show a.k.a North American International Auto Show. MSN Autos is a sponsor of the show and has some great coverage beginning today. Plenty of streaming video and pics.

Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) 2006 - MSN Autos

Test drives of the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

So you're thinking about a new SUV. Here's a new retro-look SUV from Toyota, the 2007 FJ Cruiser. You'll feel like you're on safari, even if you're just running a few errands around town. Much cooler than a Hummer H3 and more practical too.

Here's two test drive reviews of the Toyota FJ Cruiser:

Autos.MSN.com Toyota FJ Cruiser review

About.com Toyota FJ Cruiser review

Tags Car - Selling - Buying - Shopping - Tip