> Home / December 1969

Pricing Announced for 2011 Nissan GT-R

December 31, 1969

The 2011 Nissan GT-R supercar will start at $84,060. With the 2011, you get 485 horsepower from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that’s paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
This represents a bump in price from last year’s model, which started at $80,790.
The price range for the competition is vast because base models can start relatively low but skyrocket when you start adding goodies. For instance, the 2010 Porsche 911 starts at $77,800, but the price climbs rapidly once you start moving up the trim levels.
The 2010 Chevy Corvette Z06 has a starting MSRP of $74,285, but it can hit north of $100,000 just as easily as the GT-R or 911.
The 2011 Nissan GT-R can be found at select Nissan dealers.

continue article > > .

Traffic Deaths At Record Lows

December 31, 1969

It’s been 55 years since road deaths were as low as they were in 2009. Fatalities in 2009 fell 3,300 from 2008 to 33,693. That’s the least amount of deaths since 1954, and traffic deaths have fallen nearly 10,000 since 2005. Not only did the total number of deaths drop, but the rate of fatalities is at its lowest level ever, at 1.16 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and others attribute the drop in deaths to the recession and folks driving less. But because the rate is also lower, it’s likely that safety improvements to new cars are another reason. Others have pointed to safety campaigns for wearing seat belts and drunken driving prevention as well.  Traffic deaths at lowest level since ‘54 (Detroit News)

continue article > > .

Man Uses Cars.com to Buy Seinfeld’s Minivan

December 31, 1969

We just love this story.
Otis Raring of Austin, Texas, went shopping for a minivan on Cars.com and found a 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring with only 2,600 miles on it at a dealership in Riverhead, N.Y. This already sounded like a great deal before the salesman said that the minivan had just been returned on a two-year lease by Jerry Seinfeld.
For anyone who doesn’t see the absolute majesty of this story, there is a classic episode of “Seinfeld” in which George Costanza buys an ’83 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country because he thinks it used to belong to actor Jon Voight. (Turns out it belonged to a dentist named John Voight.)
Despite living in Texas, the barely used Odyssey was too good a deal to pass up for Raring — whether it was owned by Jerry Seinfeld or Gerri Seinfeld.
So he flew out to New York and used uShip.com [...]

continue article > > .

Dog-Friendly 2010 Honda Element Video

December 31, 1969

Honda takes aim at a very specific niche with the dog-friendly 2010 Honda Element. Cars.com reviewer David Thomas has his dog Roxy test out the $1,000 worth of doggy amenities, such as a rear-cargo kennel and all-weather floormats, and they get a big thumbs up. Still, the dog will never have to drive, so we have to ask: How will humans feel about it?

continue article > > .

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mazda5

December 31, 1969

The Mazda5 inhabits a strange place on the minivan landscape: It’s really a microvan. Far smaller than a standard minivan, it occupies a niche, but is anyone interested in that niche. Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder sizes up the 2010 Mazda5 to find out if it can find its place as an alternative to larger, roomier competitors.
2010 Mazda5 Review

continue article > > .

Ford Unveils Taurus Police Interceptor

December 31, 1969

Ford just unveiled its replacement for the aging Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which has been a law enforcement staple for decades. Taking the Crown Vic’s place in your rearview mirror will be what we know as the 2010 Ford Taurus — a particularly awesome version of the Taurus in police spec, if you ask us.  Police departments across the country won’t be piloting just any Taurus off dealership lots. Ford says approximately 90 percent of the interior has been redesigned for police use. Some features you won’t find in a regular Taurus that your local police department will have include:

Anti-stab plates built into the front seatbacks
Column-mounted gear selector
Heavy-duty brakes
Heavy-duty alternator
Larger radiator and purpose-built cooling system
Vented wheels for brake system cooling
Back door hinges that open an additional 10 degrees
Vinyl rear seats

Like the Taurus you currently see on the road, the interceptor version [...]

continue article > > .

Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Acura TL

December 31, 1969

“Disappointed Acura Owner” from Washington, D.C., has a few kind words for the 2010 Acura TL, but found it lacking overall. Read the full review to find out why the TL let this owner down, and why he thinks he’ll be trading it in for something else in the near future. There are plenty of competitive vehicles in this segment, including sport wagons that have more room. After getting the lowdown on the TL, write a review of your own car here.

“First, I give major kudos for the technology side of the car and cockpit feel. Having owned a 2005 TL, I was looking forward to upgrading to the all-wheel-drive TL with Tech.
“Disappointments:
“1) The shape of trunk opening: not very functional. The angled edges makes larger boxes difficult, if not impossible, to get in. it’s a serious let down for the exterior design.
“2) Rear seat pass-through only: Even [...]

continue article > > .

NHTSA Seeks Greater Authority

December 31, 1969

It seems the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking for more power to regulate the automotive industry. The head of the agency said to a U.S. House panel yesterday that NHTSA needs to regulate “in a way that allows the auto industry to build and sell safe products that the consumer wants to drive.” Many lawmakers lambasted the agency for not moving fast enough and posited that brake override systems could also become a mandatory safety feature, and fines could be increased. In 2006, NHTSA proposed mandatory additions of black boxes or EDRs – electronic data recorders – to all cars. That rule will go into effect in 2012. Toyota and other automakers have asked for a one-year extension on that deadline. Congress considers NHTSA reforms in wake of Toyota recalls (Detroit News)

continue article > > .

BMW’s Spring Financing Offers

December 31, 1969

BMW is offering financing credits of up to $2,500 on certain 3 Series models and the Z4 roadster, as well as $1,500 on other models. Called the Spring Drive Credit, the cash is applied to reduce the total amount financed. On the 3 Series, the $2,500 can be applied on sedan, coupe, convertible and wagon versions of the 328 and 335. The sDrive30i Z4 and sDrive35i also get the $2,500 credit. The 1 Series also sees an offer, amounting to $1,500 on the 128i and 135i coupe and convertible. Also available are numerous interest rate specials as low as 0.9%.  These current offers are good until April 30.

continue article > > .

Lexus Introduces Accessorized IS 350C

December 31, 1969

The $375,000 Lexus LFA isn’t the only rare Lexus being released soon. OK, so it’s not nearly as exotic as the LFA, but the 2010 IS 350C F-Sport Special Edition will have a limited run of 100 examples and feature a slew of Lexus performance accessory parts. The F-Sport starts with the hardtop convertible IS 350C and adds 19-inch wheels, upgraded brakes and suspension goodies. The F-Sport sits on a suspension that’s been dropped an inch, featuring Bilstein performance shocks and upgraded sway bars. Capping off the package is a unique grille, badges on the outside and a numbered badge on the inside to show off its uniqueness. Besides the added accessories, you’ll find heated and ventilated front seats, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a navigation system with hard drive and a backup camera.
F-Sport models of the IS 350C start at $57,500, not including an $875 destination charge, and [...]

continue article > > .

Next Page »