Bob Lutz, GM’s vice president and product chief, told reporters this week that new federal guidelines that require 35mpg fuel efficiency by 2020 (yes, more than a decade from now) are so stringent that it will end up costing an average of $6,000 more per vehicle. “That cost will have to be passed on to consumers,” he then threatened. We can’t help but feel sorry for GM. After all, this whole “better fuel efficiency” topic was only brought up, what, like two or three months ago? And GM only has twelve years to find cost-effective (we’d say “innovative” but don’t want to put too much pressure on such a backwards, fearful company) ways to lighten cars and improve engines.
cars
6 Confessions Of An Alamo Car Rental Agent
By 1.15.08
After reading these six confessions of a current Alamo car rental agent, you will learn:
Nissan Altima Takes Two Top Spots In Consumer Reports' Sedan Showdown
By 1.9.08
Because of a drop of nearly 10% in fuel economy in this year’s Honda Accord over the previous one, it lost its title as a “Top Pick” for midpriced family sedans in the Consumer Reports Auto Issue this year. The new winner is the Nissan Altima 3.5 SE (V6), which was reviewed by the magazine nearly a year ago. Both the Altima and the previous Accord got 23 mpg, while the new, 2nd-place 2008 V6 Accord gets only 21 mpg.
Complaint Ratios For Top 10 Auto Insurers
By 1.7.08
New York state has released its Annual Ranking of Automobile Insurance Complaints. Here’s how the 10 biggest insurance companies, as determined by market share, compare. The ratio is the number of upheld complaints filed with the state Insurance Department as compared to the company’s total consumer car business. Upheld complaints are the complaints where the state Insurance Department agrees that the insurance company was in the wrong.
Royal Farms Gas Pump Charges You Even After The Gas Stops Flowing
By 1.5.08
Royal Farms refuses to fix a broken gas pump that charges customers even after the gas stops flowing. The pump in Abingdon, Maryland has overcharged Tom on five separate occasions, and Royal Farms refuses to issue a promised refund.
7 Things To Regularly Check On Your Car To Save Money
By 1.4.08
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and the adage applies very well to keeping your car running right. Here’s 7 common sense things you need to be checking on your car on a regular basis to save yourself a lot of money in the long run. We found the tips in the summer 2007 issue of our USAA member magazine. They’re all pretty obvious, which is why you’ll be smacking yourself in the head if you don’t do them, so read up and make sure you’re on schedule.
Top 12 Most Gas Saving Cars
By 1.3.08
Consumer Reports tested some new compacts and a sporty car and found twelve cars with the most fuel efficiency. Some of them even bring in numbers close to what the best hybrids can offer.
SUV Sales Remain Strong In U.S. Despite Gas Prices
By 1.3.08
We guess the sort of person who wants a luxury SUV isn’t too concerned about the idea of gas approaching $3.50 a gallon in the coming months, because sales have only dropped 0.9% over the past year, reports BusinessWeek. “‘For a high-dollar car, people with that level of discretionary income can absorb gas fluctuations,’ says Brinley of AutoData.” But it’s not just the filthy rich who have SUV-fever: sales of small SUVs have increased by 22.7%.
EZ Lube Settles Massive Fraud Charges
By 1.3.08
EZ Lube of California has to install cameras in all its 75 locations and is forbidden from doing anything more than lube and oil and filter changes. It’s part of a $5 million settlement brought by the DA’s office after numerous consumers alleged that repairs and services were billed but never completed and following up on an undercover investigation by KNBC’s Joel Grover. The cameras are there so that customers will have a video record in case of future disputes. The chain also agreed to stop selling unnecessary services, as well as eliminate a policy requiring workers to sell certain amount of “services.” Most importantly, EZ Lube established a restitution fund requiring it to investigate every complaint and pay back anyone who was ripped off. Customers who think they’re owed a refund can call the Orange County district attorney’s hotline at 714-648-3637.
Indiana Man Buys Pickup Truck With Spare Change
By 12.26.07
Paul Brant of Indiana bought a 2008 Dodge Ram with quarters and gold dollars worth $26,670. The septuagenarian spent thirteen years collecting enough loose change to buy the new pickup, which will replace the Dodge he purchased in 1994 with 144,000 quarters. Brant’s revolutionary method for collecting spare change, after the jump.
General Motors Recalls 313,000 Vehicles To Plug Fluid Leak
By 12.23.07
General Motors has recalled 313,000 vehicles over concerns that a fluid leak could send motorists sliding brake-lights first into hedges. The recall, however, won’t begin until February 2008.
By 12.18.07
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Congress approved a bill mandating car makers improve fuel economy from 25 MPG to 35 MPG by 2020. Hopefully there will still be a planet left to drive on by that time. [Chicago Tribune]
You Can't Buy A Car Without Agreeing To Arbitration
By 12.18.07
Having failed at VW dealership, a Mother Jones reporter continued her journey to buy a car without signing an arbitration. She tried half a dozen dealerships over a month, and none of them would let her buy a car without signing an agreement waiving her right to sue. Finally, she found the car she wanted from a guy who was selling it on his own, but then the loan document from her bank contained a huge arbitration clause.
By 12.16.07
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Donna Tillman won a new Pontiac GTO coupe on The Price Is Right. The car she received was a different model that had, according to her mechanic, “major damage to its frame that had been repaired and concealed.” [Reuters]
AutoZone Recalls 140,000 Booster Cables
By 12.15.07
AutoZone is recalling 140,000 faulty Valucraft booster cables because the clamps were assembled incorrectly, “resulting in reverse polarity and causing an electrical shock and explosion hazard,” according to the CPSC. The official statement says that “AutoZone has received reports of four incidents of reverse polarity that resulted in minor property damage.”
Get Used Cars Inspected Before Buying
By 12.10.07
This month’s USAA member newsletter has twelve Car-Buying Secrets from a former car salesman who got out after 6 months in the biz. One of the things he advocated was when shopping for a used car…
…take your potential purchase to your mechanic for an independent inspection. A good tech will spot hidden problems. Independent inspections usually run $75to$100. It’s the best 100 bucks you’ll ever spend on a car.
That shiny apple may contain a lemon inside. Have an expert peel back the skin so you’re not stuck with unexpected and costly repairs down the line.
Ford Recalls 1.2 Million Diesel Trucks
By 12.6.07
F-series Super Duty trucks, E-series vans and Excursion SUVs from model years 1997 through 2003 equipped with 7.3-liter diesel engines are being recalled by Ford because of a computer software problem that causes their engines to stall. Several minor accidents have been caused by the defect, but no injuries.
By 12.6.07
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Ford is recalling 1.2 million vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks “because of a flaw in an engine sensor that could cause sudden stalling.” [Reuters]
