So, you are just a few days late on your car payment. What’s the big deal, right? Well, it is a huge deal and as a matter of fact, your car can be shut off, meaning the engine is turned off.  This could happen if you are late on your car payment. Now, I guess I would assume that if you are late one time, this probably isn’t going to happen, but be careful. I wouldn’t fool with this. How embarrassing. You are on a dinner date, and after dinner you go to drive her home and wham! your car won’t start. Oops!

There are several companies out there that make these shut off devices according to aol.com.  One manufacturer’s, Passtime, sales have gone up 33% this past year.  They are selling about 2000 units a month, but expect that to go up to 14,000-15,000 a month by the end of the year.  Right now, the shut off devices are mainly being used for subprime auto loans.  That means loans that are given to people with bad credit.  They are higher risk loans. Therefore, it makes sense that something needs to be done in order to try to ensure that the lending company doesn’t lose too much money on these loans.  Another feature of these shut off devices is a GPS system.  That way, if needed, the company can find these vehicles easier when they are repossessed.  I won’t be surprised though if more dealerships and lending companies start using these devices as well. Why wouldn’t you really?  I guess they are probably expensive to install, but it definitely lowers the risk.  Also, there are more and more people that are having problems paying their bills. Unfortunately times are changing and maybe in the future it will be standard to have a shut off device on your vehicle.  Who knows…..   

So, for those of you that may have been wondering what happened to me and the blog (more importantly) the last week, I was sick and then went away for Easter. But don’t worry, I’m back and so is the blog (more importantly!)  So, the New York Auto Show started last week and runs through this Sunday April 19.  Anyways at the auto show, BMW introduced a new model to their 7-series lineup; the BMW 760i.  According to autoweek.com this car is some serious luxury.  The BMW 750i costs roughly $96,000 to own, and the experts expect that the 760i will cost upwards of that. That’s a whole lot of dough for a car, but after I give you the specs, you may try to scrounge up some money, because this car is awesome!

So, here are the important details that you should know.  The BMW 760i is the “first BMW model to receive a new 60-degree twin-turbocharged V12 direct injection gasoline engine-the same unit earmarked for Rolls-Royce’s upcoming production version of the 200EX concept car.  Supposedly, this car can deliver 500 hp at 5000 rpm and can go from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds. That’s fast!  The top speed is 155 mph.  The fuel economy isn’t great, but that’s not really expected on the luxury vehicles many times. It gets about 18.2 mpg. 

So, there you have it. The basic information that you need to get your money together and get ready to buy your dream car! 

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The new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has people talking.  Among those people are General Motors hoping that the Camaro can help out the hurting automotive company.  The Camaro’s biggest competitor is the Ford Mustang, and GM is hoping that the Camaro can compete if not win the competition from the Mustang.  The specs are impressive.

The prices begin at $22,995 (which includes $750 in freight) for the V6 model and the V8 model starts at $30,995.  It’s fuel economy is decent as well.  It should get 18 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with the six-speed automatic transmission and 17 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with the six-speed manual.  The 3.6-liter V6 engine produces 304 horsepower.  The V8 engine gets 422 horsepower.  XM satellite radio, OnStar, bluetooth connectivity will all be features in the Camaro.

The Chevrolet Camaro is being advertised as a classic car that is getting a modern makeover. It is said that the Mustang and the Dodge Challenger are borrowing “heavily” from their 1960s predecessors, but the Camaro is not.  According to G. Chambers Williams III of the San Antonio Express-News, the Camaro is “a modern interpretation of the muscle car with a few basic styling cues from the 1969 model.  For the baby boomers that loved their Camaros, you may want to check out this new one.   

Do you want to know which cars are said to be the demise of Detroit and the “Big Three?”  Well, I have the answers (I think.)  At least these are the answers according to U.S. News and World Report.  General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford Motor Co. are in trouble, for those of you that have been living in a bubble unaware of your surroundings! 

1.  Ford Pinto - Ford rushed to produce this car to compete with others making cheap cars, and there were quality issues.  Personally I never knew anyone who had a Pinto, but the only thing I can remember about this car was that some guy driving a Pinto tried to pick up a child in my neighborhood. I know it’s stereotyping, but it’s the truth. 

2.  Chevrolet Cavalier - This car was very popular with great sales in the 1980’s, but then GM didn’t update the model for 10 years. In the 10 years, the competition, Honda and Toyota, updated this models twice over. That’s a problem, and then the Cavalier sank. 

3.  Chevrolet Astro - Yet again, GM dropped the ball. Everyone else were updating their minivans in the 1990s, but GM was still offering their “truck-based van gussied up with carpeting and cupholders.”  “It drove like a bread truck.”

4.  Ford Taurus - Ford had the same problems are GM. They had a bestseller in the Taurus, and then sank their money into the SUVs and trucks, and let this model go by the waste side. Now, the new 2010 is getting good reviews, but why did it take this long to make the Taurus better?

5.  Chrysler Sebring - A very boring car.  Point blank. 

So, here’s alittle list of vehicles that gave ”The Big Three” same problems. There are more in the article if you want to read about the other cars. I’m sure most of you that read this blog are not surprised by the models that are on this list. I know I wasn’t.         

You know what I find really annoying about vehicles….the limited editions.  There are many cars that have limited editions but all that can mean is ”new paint job, interior trim, and an engraved plaque,” according to autoweek.com.  Autoweek then gives their list of the worst “offenders” of limited editions.

1.  Chrysler PT Cruiser - according to the article there are at least 8 limited editions. Personally, I think the car is ugly whether it is a limited edition model or not. 

2.  Mazda MX-5 Miata- “nowadays, a new limited-edition Miata gets us about as excited as looking at a beige Toyota Camry.”  There are at least 10 limited editions of this vehicle.  I at least like the look of this car. I wouldn’t really want one, but I like how it looks nonetheless.  

3.  Ford Mustang  - You wonder why I unique car like the Mustang needs to have 100 different editions. I guess some Mustang lovers, probably buy the limited editions as well as the regular ones as well. 

4.  Scion xB - every limited edition of this car has “exclusive” paint color, optional rear spoiler, special hub cabs, and a numbered interior plaque.  There are 6 of these limited editions!  Alittle too many for me. 

5.  Scion tC - same as the Scion xB. Too many editions with not so many changes.  I really don’t like the car either way. 

So, here are 5 vehicles with numerous limited editions. I bet many people that read this blog have gone down the limited edition route and currently or have in the past owned one. I have not, but I think I’m more of the minority then the majority.  Let me know. 

The talk around town (or at least in San Antonio as reported by the San Antonio Express-News,) if you’ve missed it, is the survival of Volvo.  Volvo is a Swedish automaker, but a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co.  There is rumors that Ford might try to sell Volvo or there will be a spinoff.  This is very concerning for many Volvo lovers who gathered in San Antonio for an annual statewide club get-together last month.  Many people feel that the cars “will live on” even if the brand is no longer run by Ford.  Many of these Volvo fans have had many Volvos throughout their lives, and they will tell you that Volvos are ”sturdy, rugged, reliable, safe, well-made, comfortable cars.” 

Volvo should be able to survive in my opinion as well, because they have a good reputation of well-made vehicles. Therefore, someone will probably want Volvo, if Ford cannot keep them.  I know a couple of people who have had Volvos, and they lasted FOREVER with alittle bit of maintenance, but not crazy stuff.  I hate to see any auto company, or any company for that matter, go under, so hopefully the reputation will keep Volvo alive and the Volvo lovers happy!