The Ford Mustang vs. the Chevrolet Camaro

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There is an intangible quality about American-made performance cars that put them in a class all of their own. Today’s muscle cars are not just for middle-age men; a brand new driving generation that is bored with the current market’s compact cars is joining the ranks of performance-car lovers. The biggest difference between the today’s and yesteryear’s muscle cars is that modern models keep the integrity of the older versions’ body styles while incorporating the latest technology. This means drivers get to enjoy performance and fuel savings: It’s the best of both worlds.

In most cases, a muscle car was simply a coupe variant of the bigger cars that were driven on American roads through the 1960s-1970s. But there are two distinct makes and models that were a cut above the rest – the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Even though each was designed by seperate manufacturers, both auto makers borrowed the features of one another’s model.

The Ford Mustang



Back in April 1964 when Lyndon Johnson was the current President of the United States, General Motors was thought to be the ruling auto maker in the nation. At this time, Ford was still one step behind the greatness that was GM, mostly due to Ford’s failure with the Edsel model manufactured in the 1950s. Regardless, the World’s Fair was popular at the time and Ford took a place at the fair to promote their new model – the Mustang.

This 2-seater, 2-door coupe borrowed the design features of the Falcon and the Fairlane. The first model in 1964 was credited as being one of the best introductions in terms of new vehicles. It came with a standard V6 engine, and an optional V8, helping it to quickly surpass previous selling records and become one of America’s hottest cars. And when Ford created the retro Mustang in 2005, this model yet again caught the interest of car enthusiasts throughout the nation. Its high level of popularity brought back the public’s fascination with muscle cars and prompted General Motors to build a competing model.

The Chevrolet Camaro

Although it’s sad to say, General Motors took awhile before it responded in kind to the Mustang. Three years after the Ford Mustang’s introduction to the market, GM designed not only the Chevrolet Camaro but also the Pontiac Firebird. Even though both automobiles had an impressive level of sales, neither car could quite compare to the Mustang’s sales records. During the Camaro’s last year in 2002, production quickly dwindled. Although the Camaro enjoyed a long 35-year history, the public again became interested in this Chevy model after the retro 2005 Mustang was introduced. This prompted GM to once again fire up the Camaro production lines in 2010.

Five Fun Cars for 2012

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The Fiat 500 Convertible is slated to hit the market this June. This supreme compact car, along with the coupe varieties, and will be here just in time for open-top drives around town and trips to the beach. The starting price for the Fiat 500 is $15,500, which makes it an excellent buy for people who want a fun car but have a tight budget.

Rumor has it that the Ford Focus ST Hatchback will not be available until early 2012. However, its turbocharged, 247-horsepower engine and eye-popping Tangerine Scream color make it well-worth the wait. The Focus ST is said to rival the Mitsubishi Lance Railart and the Mazda 3. Its direct injection, EcoBoost, 2.0 liter-engine coupled with its 247-horsepower performance allows this hatchback to shoot down the road. Yours for approximately $25,000.

Although most consumers do not consider the Honda Civic to be exciting in the looks department, the Civic has a reputation for being a strong seller each year. Those who drive Civic coupes love the fact that they can customize this car in many ways. In 2012, Honda plans to revamp the Civic and give it better fuel economy. In order to meet consumers’ demands for better fuel mileage, Honda has given the 2012 Civics 41 highway mpg. However, Honda has not forgotten its other models, which will have highway fuel mileages in the high 30s. The 2012 Civic will be dropping this April.

The Hyundai Veloster is said to be the new Tiburon. This is one special coupe that has two passenger-side doors and one driver-side door. The same underpinning that powers the little Hyundai Elantra will be featured on the Veloster. Thanks to this design, drivers will get a sporty-looking car that boasts 40mpg in highway miles. This winning coupe does not have a set release date yet but is expected to be featured in car showrooms before November with a price tag of $17,000.

The final car on the fun-five list is the Toyota Scion iQ. The iQ should be available for purchase this summer and has room to seat one child and three adults. We are eagerly waiting for the Release Date for Scion IQ. In terms of size, the Scion iQ compares to Smart ForTwo and is one of the two A-segment models available in America. With its 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission, this Toyota/Scion collaboration has the ability to get excellent gas mileage that reaches up to 50 mpg in highway miles.

Other 2012 cars worth mentioning include another Toyota sports car that has yet to be named, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, the Dodge Caliber, the Subaru Impreza, the Volkswagen Passat and several other models manufactured by BMW, General Motors, Kia, MINI and Mazda.

Six Toyota Hybrids to Keep Your Eye On

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Ever since their entry into the mainstream auto world, hybrid cars became a hot topic. These environmentally friendly cars produce less carbon emissions into the air than their gasoline and diesel counterparts and they have a better fuel mileage. The only downside to hybrid cars is that consumers do not have a wide selection from which to choose. However, Toyota has decided to solve this problem by releasing six different hybrid models for 2012. Take a sneak peek at what you could be driving very soon.

The Toyota Rav4 Hybrid

Many people have enjoyed the Toyota Highlander ever since it hit the market in 2001. And when this automobile maker came out with the hybrid version in 2006, the excitement over the Highlander was heightened. Now, Toyota has done it again by taking one of its most popular SUVs, the Rav4, and making a hybrid model. In 2012, the public will be introduced to the Rav4 electric version that will give Toyota a competitive edge over Ford’s Escape Hybrid. Auto experts feel that because Toyota collaborated with Tesla to develop the Rav4 Hybrid, this SUV will feature the functional aspects of the Prius.

The Toyota Sienna Hybrid



Minivan drivers have something to get excited about with the Toyota Sienna Hybrid. However, there is a question of whether or not Toyota will manage to release the Sienna Hybrid before Honda releases its Odyssey Hybrid. The minivan hybrid market has remained relatively untouched so far, which means the car maker who gets their hybrid minivan model to the public first will be in a good position to dominate the buying pool.

The Toyota Yaris

While the new Yaris is considered to have a more sporty design for its customers in Japan, where its called the Vitz, experts speculate that American consumers will soon see similar styles on their own turf. Between the horsepower and gas mileage, the Yaris is proving to be a big seller and comparable to the gold-standard of hybrids: the Prius. Read more »

The 2012 Audi A8: Where Form Meets Function

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In terms of style, the 2012 Audi A8 series does not disappoint. Audi knows exactly how to make luxurious, comfortable, high-performance vehicles and the A8 is no exception. This year’s A8 already has car critics’ attention with its amazing mix of efficiency and luxury. The 2012 A8 is similar in body style to the previous year’s model; however, new and exciting features were included in 2012 to add to the car’s overall efficiency. The total measurement of the A8′s body length is 17.29 feet, featuring bright LED headlights at the front that perfectly compliment the body style of this car.

Driving Efficiency and Safety Features

In addition, the Audi A8 has several safety features like its inside-trunk emergency release button as well as its tire-pressure monitoring function. And in the grand tradition of the Audi make of vehicles, the 2012 A8 is equipped with features meant to enhance driving efficiency: parking sensors, a navigation system and and heated front and rear seats. Because the 2011 Audi A8 received negative reports by consumers who did not like the car’s 17-inch wheels, Audi decided to tweak the wheel size on the 2012 models by giving them 18-inch wheels.

Engine Performance

One of the best features of the 2012 Audi A8 is the way it performs on the road. With its turbocharged V8, 4.0-liter engine, this car can give its driver up to 310 horsepower, making it a gold standard in terms of road efficiency and raw power. This kind of engine is very capable of providing driver’s with excellent handling. It’s worth mentioning that the hybrid models, which are slated for release this year, have Audi’s Valve Lift system in addition to a four-cylinder unit to take driving performance to a whole new level.

Acceleration and Fuel Efficiency

There are more impressive features to the 2012 Audi A8 series, such as its acceleration capacity. This fast car can reach speeds of up to 100 km per hour within seven seconds, making it unlike any other comparable model on the market. As if that wasn’t enough to catch your attention, the Audi A8′s speed capacity is 210 km per hour. Along with this car’s speed and driving performance, it has amazing fuel efficiency. This model is designed to take only 3.5 gallons of gasoline in order to go a distance of 65 miles. Therefore, the 2012 A8 is considered to be among the most fuel efficient cars in its class.

With the release date for the 2012 Audi A8 series being set for the late summer, the auto maker is still developing more security features for this model. Keep your eye’s peeled because this Audi is going to be worth every cent of its $78,050 MSRP.

Four Popular 2011 SUV Releases

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Now that 2011 is in full swing, car companies are working double-time to give the public bigger, faster and better cars. This year, there have been plenty of interesting SUV models coming off of the assembly lines. Take a look at what this industry is offering SUV shoppers in 2011.

The GMC Acadia Denali

The GMC Acadia Denali has already garnered a reputation for being sturdy, reliable and safe thanks to its uni-body construction. This stability feature along with its 270 pound-foot torque and 288 horsepower allow the Denali to handle steep roads with ease. While the Acadia Denali may be reliable, GMC has not sacrificed form. This SUV’s lavish design showcases an eye-catching front fascia and 22-inch chrome wheels in the popular six-spokes style. Of course, safety does not come cheap. The GMC Acadia Denali comes with a $43,995 sticker price.

The Infiniti QX56 4WD

This SUV has made a huge impact on the car industry. The Infiniti QX56 4WD’s engineering capability is extremely responsive in terms of steering. And considering its massive size and weight, the fact that QX56 can reach 60mph in as little as 6.1 seconds is something worth boasting. This SUV comes equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission and a large 5.6 liter, V8, 400 horsepower engine. Although these features seem rather excessive, a big SUV such as the Infiniti QX56 4WD requires a full load so its driver can enjoy exceptional balance and power.

The GMC Envoy SLE

Even though the GMC Envoy SLE is classified as an SUV, it performs more like a modern truck. The Envoy SLE’s truck-based underpinnings make this SUV suitable for heavy-duty transport and large workloads. However, these capabilities do detract from its fuel efficiency when comparing it to similar SUV’s noise levels and sizes. But the Envoy SLE makes up for what it lakes in fuel efficiency with its raw power on rough terrain and superior crash test results. With its 291 horsepower, 4.2 liter engine, this SUV can tow loads equal to its own weight up steep inclines. All in all, the GMC Envoy SLE is perfect for anyone searching for the perfect mix of pleasure and work.

The Cadillac Escalade 2WD

The final big boy on this list is the Cadillac Escalade 2WD. And when we say big, we really mean huge! This SUV is the epitome of spacious comfort and massive power. Within the Escalade 2WD’s 6.2-liter, V8-cylinder engine is over 400 horsepower of pure, intimidating muscle in a luxurious package. And the interior promises to not disappoint with its equally impressive features such as its multimedia functions, satellite navigational system and rear-view, on-board camera. If you are interested in getting one of these power-packed SUVs, be aware that your pockets will have to go as deep as $78,026.

Car Key with Leasing Tag on White

The Benefits of Company Car Lease Deals

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Taking a look at some of the information provided by the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) you’ll be able to see how private registrations have declined over the past few years. Registrations for fleet and business vehicles have been on the rise though; this is because many businesses find it much more beneficial to invest in financing and leasing options such as Company Car Lease deals.

There are a multitude of advantages that any business can expect to experience when entering a Company Car Lease deal. One of the most important aspects is the prestigious and positive impression a company will emit if they maintain an up-to-date fleet of attractive, modern vehicles. This gives off an extremely professional image and can also increase staff productivity as leased cars are perfect for motorway travel and long commutes (meetings etc).

One of the most beneficial gains from Company Car Leasing is the cost-effectiveness of the deal. Small monthly payments are immensely simpler to budget for than a large lump payment that needs to be paid up front. The depreciation of the vehicle’s future value will be of no concern to a business either as the leasing company takes care of the car after a contract has ended.

It’s obvious just how much a business can gain from taking part in Company Car Leasing; it’s a hugely valuable scheme to implement within a business and provides some worthwhile rewards to reap. If you’re interested and want to take advantage then dig a little deeper and find out some more about the options available.

Written by Jake who works for Balgores.co.uk – one of the most successful independent Car Lease companies. Balgores.co.uk also specialise in various finance packages such as; Contract Hire, Lease Purchase, Contract Purchase, Hire Purchase, Business Car Lease and Company Car Leasing.

All-Wheel Drive

Why Yes, You Do Want All-Wheel Drive!

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All-wheel drive. You can call it AWD or even 4WD (four wheel drive), and you still have the same technology. Generally speaking, most people think about this feature when it’s time to go car shopping. We want to make sure that we’re picking up the best car for our needs, and that means getting features that we want and need. All-wheel drive is prized because it can help you get through more snowy and rainy conditions, since every wheel has its own power. However, the more frugal set ask another question: is it even worth it?

This is a valid question to ask, because it goes without saying that this type of car is going to be a bit pricier than other versions. Yet it’s not only the sticker price that you need to be aware of — it’s also the maintenance costs. Since there are more parts involved, those parts can break down and wear out. This will cost you money to fix, and it could come at a time where money is tight.

Still, if you’re looking for something that’s going to be able to get you safely from one place to another, you definitely want to think about AWD. Added traction is the major benefit of these systems, and truth is that added traction is truly worth its weight in gold. If you live in an area where you’re going to experience a lot of snow and a lot of rain that added traction could make all of the difference when you are running the risk of being in an accident. If you wanted to go off road for any reason, AWD is going to be in play in a major way. Hey, that rhymes!

All joking aside, being able to navigate through slippery roads without a problem is something that makes AWD appealing. Some people downplay this feature, but at the end of the day, it’s about what you value. If you’re worried about the safety of yourself and your passengers on the open road, then you might want to invest in a 4WD/AWD system above another type of system.

There’s another benefit that you might want to think about: towing. If you want to tow a trailer or even another car, you have to realize that towing can throw off everything about your vehicle. You need to make sure that you really consider a 4WD system, since it corrects for the extra weight and lack of stability for the vehicle overall.

So, should you get a 4WD system? While the critics would argue that it’s largely unnecessary unless you live in a climate with harsh winters, the truth is that we don’t always buy everything based on need. We buy things on peace of mind as well. If you know that you’re going to have better peace of mind with the 4WD system, then you should pick that system above a rear-wheel-drive one. Nobody can put a price tag on peace of mind, after all!

Audi A8 - 2011

What’s All the Hype About the New Audi A8?

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You’ve probably seen a few commercials about the Audi A8, and wondered what all the fuss is about. After all, it’s just a luxury sedan, right? Incorrect. Audi has always worked on providing an amazing car from model to model, and it means that there are some new features and improved features that definitely deserve a guide all on their own.

Let’s start at the top. You can’t talk about a car without talking about the price. This is going to be the top of the line luxury sedan, so if you’re not trying to get the best of the best, you might want to shop elsewhere and look at another car that’s more into your price range. The 2011 A8 is on sale for $90,000 MSRP. This is going to be the car that professionals turn to when they really want a status symbol.

However, there are some things that aren’t going to be changed. There is one engine type offered in this car, which is going to be the 4.2-liter DOHC V-8. Having a V-8 means power, power, and power for days — as early reports have confirmed. You get 372 hp now, which is just too much fun. This is a car that could definitely race some American muscle if we were just comparing stock figures. If you get into the modification world, well…who said luxury couldn’t be fast?

Now, the A8 doesn’t win the top marks in the horsepower field — that field is left to the Mercedes-Benz S550. However, there are some goodies that make the A8 more appealing.

This is going to be an automatic, but it has manumatic shifting. This is a good way to get that feel of driving a standard without having to go through the hassle of driving a standard.

But that’s enough talk about the exterior. You don’t buy a car solely on the exterior. When you’re talking about a six figure car, you want to have a six figure interior. This is where the A8 definitely earns points and goes beyond the hope. You have beautiful wood, leather, and aluminum (if you really want it), which means that every time you step into this car, you will know that you’ve truly made it in life. That’s the feeling we want from a luxury car, right?

The entertainment system is called MMI touch, which combines the best of the navigation system, radio system, CD player, and GPS. Google search and Google Earth also make their debut. Since it’s a touchscreen system, you can actually write with your fingers in order to look up directions. That’s something that can definitely appeal to road warriors — did we mention the A8 gets 25 mpg on the highway for a reason?

There is a 3G data connection, which essentially turns the car into a Wi-Fi hotspot. This means that passengers don’t have to be bored. If they have a phone or a netbook or even an iPod Touch, they can still log on and surf the web. This can definitely take care of that long road trip boredom.

No matter how you look at it, the Audi A8 is definitely a car that is going to get attention. Aside from the copious amount of advertising being done, this is a car that’s definitely built to last. Since there’s a long-wheelbase version coming out soon, chances are good that the attention on the Audi A8 is going to skyrocket dramatically.

Thinking about picking this little car up for yourself? Go for it — you definitely won’t be disappointed in terms of power, performance, and features.

Porsche 918 Spyder

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For a wallet-friendly price of 645 000 Euro – you can be a proud owner of this innovative super-hybrid-car -  Porsche 918 Spyder.

A year ago, Porsche surprised all at the Geneva (motorshow) and showed off a brand new model. Since then, the 918 Spyder gradually crept closer to production and now it is ordering time for those who are interested in owning this super-car. The manufacturer of this amazing car told in a press release that only 918 copies will be built, and production would start on September 18, 2013, with delivery starting six weeks later. The price tag ended up at 645 000 euros.

In the sketches Porsche sent out, it seems that Porsche 918 Spyder will retain many of the lines and shapes that were found in all their previous models. This means that there will be a removable roof – same design that was used on the Carrera GT.

Porsche 918 Spyder will use a hybrid system based on a petrol V8 engine of over four liters and 500 horsepower- an engine that is based on the one sitting in the Porsche RS Spyder. Complemented by two electric motors (one on each axle), which together provides 218 horsepower – making it a total of over 700 horsepower in this super sport car. The power to the electric motors is stored in lithium-ion batteries and is able to power the car entirely on electricity for over 35 kilometers (16 miles). Recharging the batteries will take between 3-6 hours depending on the outlet used.

The performance of the 918 Spyder is also impressive, 0-100 km/h should be done in 3.2 seconds and top speed is over 320 km/h (top speed in electric-only mode is limited to 150 km/h in order to preserve battery life).

As the release of this amazing car is two and a half years away – Porsche is launching a special edition of its 911 Turbo S.  This special edition car – named as  “Porsche 911 Turbo S – Edition 918 Spyder”  – is only available for purchase for those customers who placed an order for a 918 . The price for the Coupe is 173 241 Euro and for the Cabriolet 184 546 Euro.

2011 Buick Lucerne Super

The 2011 Buick Lucerne – Why You Need to Check It Out

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Everybody likes cars, right? There’s a certain thrill knowing that you can walk out of your house, get in your car, and go just about anywhere that your heart — and your gas tank — can take you. There’s no reason why you can’t look at a new car, though. In fact, if you’re going to look at any new car this year, you definitely will want to make sure that you check out the 2011 Buick Lucerne.

Of course, the natural question here is why you would ever want to look at the Buick Lucerne when there are other cars out there. Here are a few reasons.

1. Fun to Drive

All of the initial reviews that have come out about the Lucerne all have one common theme — the Buick Lucerne is fun to drive. Whether that’s driving on rain, snow, or just a clear, sunny road, the Lucerne holds its own. This is an important feature to have in a car, because it means that you don’t have to worry about driving becoming a chore over time.

2. Affordability

It’s almost unheard of for a car to be under 50 thousand dollars, which means that regular people won’t be able to get a car that drives well. This is not so with the Buick Lucerne — even the most tricked out Lucerne of the line is under 45 thousand dollars. That means that with the right financing deal, you can get that Lucerne off the car lot and into your driveway without too much fuss.

3. Features and Style

This is one sexy car. Sure, it’s gong to be domestic — sorry, foreign car lovers. This car is pretty American, which might appeal to people that really like that classic American “boat” style. This is a car that’s going to be solid and sleek, yet big enough to please people that really prefer to drive a tank on wheels. When it comes to features, the Buick Lucerne definitely has plenty to choose from. You actually have a few different models to choose from. Read more »

Car Insurance Quotes

It’s a Great Time to Get New Car Insurance Quotes!

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Thinking about getting car insurance? Chances are good that you’ve probably already gone online and looked at some car insurance quotes. However, the truth of the matter is that even though you might have a few quotes under your belt already, it doesn’t hurt to keep looking.

Not sure what we mean? Well, let’s break it down a bit further. You see, the thing that a lot of car insurance shoppers don’t realize is that car insurance quotes change from month to month. This means that if you really want to get the cheapest deal on car insurance that you can, you will need to make sure that you really look at getting more quotes more frequently.

There are a few things that can change the type of quotes that you get. For starters, if you are improving your credit score, you might find that you are getting lower quotes. This is because you’re proving that you’re a safer risk than someone with a higher credit score. Now, it doesn’t seem fair that something like your credit score can be used against you like this, but that’s jut one more reason to pull your credit report and really look at what’s there. If there’s negative information that isn’t true, then you really need to get that corrected before you get serious about shopping for anything that’s going to be base don your credit. It might take a long time though, so if time is of the essence then you’ll have to skip this step. However, if you really do have time to get things done, then you might want to make sure that you take this step — it could really save you hundreds of dollars.

Another thing that can change your quotes is the fact that it’s more time that’s passed since you’ve had an accident. If there’s one thing that spikes your car insurance premiums, it’s definitely the amount of accidents that you’ve had. There’s no way to remove accidents from your vehicle report — only time can do that. Generally speaking, most insurance companies are only concerned with the last 3- 7 years. Some companies only care about the last 36 months, while other companies want a longer history, especially if they’re going to try to give you a fat discount. You just need to look at what you’re trying to achieve and go from there.

Even though we’re big proponents of looking online for your car insurance quotes, the truth is that sometimes you really do have to reach out to someone on the phone or even write a letter. If you’ve been comparison shopping for a while and you know that you can get a better rate, then you might want to call a company representative and see what else they can do for you. When a company knows it could lose your business, then they definitely want to make sure that they do everything they can to avoid that point.

Overall, there are a few things to look at when it comes time to get new car insurance quotes. Since you’re already online, why don’t you scoop up a few new quotes right now? You’ll be glad you did!

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