In 2010, Ford was among the top 10 auto brands in Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Reliability Survey, with more than 90% of its models rated average or better by CR readers. But in the two years since, the shine has gone off the Ford brand, and in the newly released survey, it now comes in next to last place. [More]
Ford Continues To Sink Toward Bottom Of Consumer Reports’ Reliability Ratings
By October 29, 2012
EPA Announces New Fuel Efficiency Standards American Automakers Must Institute By 2025
By August 28, 2012
While many American automakers are already shifting toward more fuel-efficient vehicles to please consumers aiming to save at the gas pump, the White House has made an official move in that direction. A new rule announced by the Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today says the U.S.’ fleet of vehicles must average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. [More]
Investigation Finds Car Dealers Basically Setting Customers Up To Fail So They Can Repossess & Resell Vehicles
By August 15, 2012
A new investigation into California car dealerships using the Buy Here Pay Here method of financing is revealing some shocking statistics about car sales. Namely, the practice of “churning,” or selling the same car multiple times, is frequently being used to basically set customers up to fail so the dealership can score a bunch of cash down payments, repossess the vehicle when the buyer can’t pay on time and then sell that car again. [More]
Luxury Cars Aren't Doing So Well In New Crash Tests But Hey, Check Out That Leather Interior!
By August 14, 2012
There you are, rolling along in your nice luxury car with custom leather interior, awesome speakers and one of those voice-activated virtual assistants offering to find you a late-night taco joint and all is well with the world. Unless maybe, you get in an accident and discover that just because your car is fancy, it might not hold up so well in a crash. A new test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has resulted in some failing grades for luxury and near-luxury automakers. [More]
New Law Would Forbid Rental Car Companies From Renting Recalled Cars
By August 2, 2012
For years, consumer advocates have been calling for legislation that would make it illegal for rental car companies to rent out or sell vehicles that are currently under a safety recall. That notion is inching closer to becoming a reality with the introduction of the Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act. [More]
Annual Consumer Complaints Survey Says Car Problems Really Grind Our Gears
By July 31, 2012
There are plenty of things out there to complain about — after all, fighting back against the companies and industries that let down consumers is why we’re here in the first place. And according to a new survey from the Consumer Federation of America, the area we’re most cranky about is (drumroll, please)… car shopping! Of course, there are plenty of other consumer woes as well. [More]
Fiat Wants You To Make A Nice Steaming Hot Espresso From The Comfort Of Your Car
By July 16, 2012
Just think of those times you actually had to stop and buy hot coffee to later spill all over your lap in the car. That’s the worst, which is why Fiat is introducing espresso makers in its 500L model, so you can make your own hot beverage in the comfort of your vehicle, to then precariously balance while driving. Brings new meaning to the idea of a to-go coffee. [More]
Chevrolet Hopes No-Haggle Pricing & 60-Day Return Policy Will Lure Car Buyers
By July 10, 2012
General Motors knows July and August will be important months for Chevrolet, as it’s the time when many vehicles make the switch from 2012 models to 2013 models. That’s why the company is rolling out two new plans to try and bring customers to its dealerships, including a no-haggle pricing plan and a 60-day return policy on certain vehicles. [More]
It Takes A Lot Of Road Trips To Rack Up Almost 3 Million Miles In A Single Volvo
By July 9, 2012
Forget those million milers flying around in airplanes, sitting back and letting the pilots do all the work — we’re pretty amazed that one man has had the time and desire to drive not one million, not just two million, but almost three million miles in the last 46 years in a single car. He and his trusty 1966 Volvo are only 34,000 miles from crossing the three-million mile threshold together. That’s a lot of road trips. [More]
Massachusetts Voters To Decide If Car Dealerships Have Exclusive Rights To Necessary Repair Info
By July 3, 2012
Earlier this year, the Massachusetts state Senate passed a “Right to Repair” bill that would allow your local mechanic to have access to info that is now only available to car dealerships. But the legislation has stalled in the state House. Sick of inaction, 16,000 Bay State residents petitioned the state, and everyone will have a chance to vote on it come November. [More]
Owning An Electric Vehicle Could Get You A Sweet Deal On Car Insurance
By May 21, 2012
Drivers of electric vehicles might have to hand over a bigger wad of dough to buy their cars, but it could be worth it, if they get a good deal on insurance due to their status as EV owners. It could partly be due to the fact that often, EV drivers are more careful and tend to get in less accidents. [More]
Average Price For New Cars Hits High Of $30,000
By April 13, 2012
It’s not just the used car market that’s hopping right now — new cars are selling for the record average price of $30,748. That’s 6.9% higher than a year ago, because consumers are feeling fancier these days and choosing expensive options for their new vehicles. [More]
Brace Yourselves: Gas Prices Are Going To Climb Even Higher This Summer
By April 11, 2012
So maybe you thought the gas prices had finally stopped ticking upward, but if you were entertaining that line of wishful thinking, well, you’re likely to be disappointed. The Energy Department is predicting that gas prices will rise about 6% this summer, up to 24 cents more a gallon during the peak driving season. [More]
Because It's Such A Great Time To Sell A Used Car, Don't Try To Buy One Now
By April 10, 2012
There’s a dearth of good used cars out there, so if you’ve got a particularly fine example you’ve been looking to unload, now is a good time to sell it, say experts. On that note, if you’re trying to find a cheap previously-owned vehicle, prices are probably not going to be in your favor. [More]
Study Says Hybrid Owners Probably Won't Be Back For Another Car
By April 10, 2012
Hybrid cars have earned some admirers, but it turns out once customers buy an electric-gas model, they’re unlikely to come back for another one when it’s time to purchase a new car, according to a new study. [More]
Flying Car Will Debut At New York Auto Show Piloted By Marty McFly
By April 3, 2012
Fire up the flux capacitor and tell Doc you’ll be back in time for dinner — a so-called flying car is scheduled to be debuted at the New York Auto Show this week. And while it won’t travel through time and Marty McFly won’t actually be driving it (George Jetson will be! Kidding, again), we’re still pretty excited. [More]
Fisker To Replace Karma Battery That Quit During Consumer Reports Testing
By March 26, 2012
Consumer Reports couldn’t even get their $108,000 Fisker Karma test car through its first round of tests before its battery went kaput. And now, Fisker says they’ll be replacing said defective parts in the luxury electronic vehicles. [More]
Consumer Reports Spends $107K On Fisker Karma; It Breaks Down In Parking Lot
By March 9, 2012
As many of you probably already know, our kin at Consumer Reports buy everything they test at retail. Which means that they aren’t testing a product that has been optimized or checked out by the manufacturer in advance. It also means that every once in a while, a $107,000 car breaks down in the parking lot. [More]
