A lot of good stuff for some at the time but terrible when you like back happened in the 80’s. Horrible music, big hair, bad jeans, Miami Vice was awesome!  There were some great cars in the 80’s, and the good news is that you can still get some of these beauties!  Autoweek.com wrote an article about some 80’s favorites and their current prices according to Kelley Blue Book.  Of course even though autoweek included like 10 of these 80’s cars, tons of people commented on this article naming great 80’s vehicles that autoweek forget or didn’t include.  I’m going to just mention some of my favorites from that time and if you want to see more, check out the article.

1988-1989 BMW M3 - high price according to Kelley Blue Book $65,000 (for a car that’s 22 years old!) and the low price is $14,500 with the average being $24,417. It has a 2.3 liter 200 horsepower engine, which was big for that time.

1981-1989 Porsche 911 Turbo - high price $78,500, low $24,900, average $40,669

1987-1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - high $22,900, low $4000, average $10,293. The 1987 Trans Am had a Tuned Port Injection V8 engine with only 210 horsepower.

1985-1989 Volkswagen GTI - high $5995, low $4100, average $4865 - My favorite!!!

The article is interesting and kindof cool to remind you of the different cars of the 80’s and the favorites for different people. Check it out.

Forbesautos.com compiled a list of the world’s most expensive cars.  I know that the majority of us cannot afford 1/4 of these cars but it’s still fun to read about them and their enormous price tags!  I still would love to meet someone who buys these cars, because they probably don’t even really drive them. I’m sure they are “summer cars” or used on special occasions. These most expensive cars are REALLY expensive. I know that sounds dumb, but they are a lot of money.  By the way, the tax is not included in these prices.

Lamborghini Reventon - $1,454,400, horsepower 650, 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds, top speed of 211 mph. 20 will be made.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Coupe - $1,738,080, horsepower 678, 0 to 60 3.3 seconds, top speed of 217 mph.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 - $1,738,080, horsepower 1001, 0 to 60 mph 2.5 seconds, top speed of 249 mph.

Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster - $1,882,920, horsepower 678, 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds, top speed of 355 mph (yup 355 is what I said!) only 5 will be sold.

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - $2,027,760, horsepower 1001, 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, and top speed of 253 mph.

AND THE WINNER IS…………………………………..

Koenigsegg CCXR - $2,173,950, horsepower 1018, 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds, and top speed of 250 mph. 4 cars are currently being built.

I know that this is just mindless information really, but sometimes mindless is good.  Plus, it’s fun to see how the “other side” drive!!!!!

I have the top or bottom 5 vehicles of 2010 according to U.S. News and World Report.  Now of course this is just one group’s opinions of the newest vehicles, but I like what U.S. News and World Report normally has to say.  They did the research that we all need to do before we consider buying a new car. I would definitely not consider the 5 worst vehicles of 2010 and put the 5 best vehicles on my list to check out when I’m ready to buy, maybe you should too.

Best 5

Hyundai Genesis Coupe - MSRP $22,000-$31,000

Ford Transit Connect - MSRP $20,780-$22,350 great choice for the small business owners

Mercedes-Benz E-Class - MSRP $48,600-$58,800 this is a redesigned model that is supposedly a better car all around than the one it replaced.

GMC Terrain - MSRP $24,250-$31,000 a very affordable compact SUV

Cadillac CTS Sports Wagon - MSRP $39,830-$53,620

Worst 5

Honda Accord Crosstour - not much cargo space, expensive, and not living up to hype of its competitors.

Dodge Caliber - Dodge has cut back the warranty and one of the models of the Caliber.  Not good news.

Lexus HS hybrid - it supposedly doesn’t excel as a Lexus or hybrid.

Chrysler Sebring - “same bad investment as it ever was.” Yikes!

Land Rover LR4 - expensive car with bad fuel economy and poor reputation for reliability. Not worth it.

So there are the good and the bad.  If you want more details on each vehicle, read the article. May be worth it for you.

The Chicago Auto Show starts tomorrow.  Are you excited? I’m alittle excited because I really want to hear what Toyota will say at their press conference tomorrow.  After the Toyota Prius was recalled in Japan the other day, the problems continue for Toyota, but I really think that their reputation is strong and they will recover with these recalls just being a distant memory soon.  They just need to say the right things at the press conference.  So, that’s one thing I’m anxious to see at the Chicago Auto Show. After that…..hmmm not sure there is anything standing out that interests me about this show, but I’m sure there will be some interesting pieces from the Chicago Auto Show as it begins tomorrow and opens to the public on Friday.

Honda plans to unveil a new Honda Odyssey concept and Toyota supposedly will be showing us some new stuff as well. I like to check out all the new models and upgrades that are unveiled at these shows.  The concept cars are the best though.  Hopefully there will be some funky concepts to check out.  There always are.  I also like to read the winners and losers of the shows.  I’m hoping the Chicago Auto Show will continue to show promise and excitement for our auto industry this year.  Stay tuned for updates from the show.

In case you haven’t had the time to check out the auto news lately, I thought I would give you some things of importance (at least in my mind!)

1. The Detroit Auto Show is over and the Chicago Auto Show will begin in the middle of February.  Lots of concept cars were unveiled with certainly more to come at the Chicago Auto Show.

2.  GM is finally getting rid of Saab. Spyker is going to be the new proud owner of Saab. Good news for Saab lovers that desperately did not want to see Saab die.

3.  After the latest recall for Toyota, they have “halted” sales of all models that were recalled.  This continues to be bad news for Toyota. They are a good company so I bet they will find some way to get back on top, but some work will definitely need to be done.

4.  GM will start making their own electric motors for their vehicles in 2012 lower costs and improve quality.

Keep up to date with important/interesting auto news here at centercaps.net!

There were 6 (of the many more) 2011 models that were unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show that according to cnnmoney.com are “worth waiting for.”

1.  Honda CR-Z - It goes on sale this summer and it will be a hybrid.  It will get 36-38 mpg on the highway with the automatic transmission and alittle less with the manual. This will be safe small car.

2.  Ford Focus - You’ve heard a lot about this car. The anticipation is great. Hopefully this car pans out as everyone expects it to.  It should get about 33 mpg combined city and highway and the engine will be more powerful than the current Focus.

3.  Lincoln MKX - This is a crossover with a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine. That’s power!  Lots of interior upgrades and technologies for this luxury vehicle.

4.  Mercedes-Benz E-class Cabriolet - This car goes on sale this spring.  This is a cloth top convertible.

5.  Ford Mustang GT 5.0 - another one that we’ve heard alot about.  5.0-liter V8 engine with 412 horsepower.  If you want to buy a Mustang, hang on and wait for this one I gues. It’s better than the 2010 model out now.

6.  Cadillac CTS-V Coupe - This is a supercharged 556-horsepower with the same engine as the four-door CTS-V sedan.  It will be available with either a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.

So hold on to your old cars until these new 2011 models are for sale. Might be worth your time. 

 

Well the Detroit Auto Show is underway to the public now and some auto websites already have been there done that and have some opinions as well (of course!)  Autoblog.com said the auto show was smaller, like last year, than years past and less vehicles or concepts unveiled.  Autoweek.com spent a lot of time there this past week and they came up with the four best vehicles of the Detroit Auto Show, in their opinions of course!  The four categories were Best in Show, Most Significant, Most Fun, and Best Concept.  And the winners are……

Best in Show - Audi E-tron - this is actually a concept car but autoweek hopes and expects it to become a sporty two-seater that will be awesome to drive.

Most Significant - 2012 Ford Focus - this is the European Focus that many have been hoping would come to the U.S. It’s coming!

Most Fun - Mini Beachcomber - a concept that is a preview of the Mini’s new SUV.  This vehicle has huge tires, no doors, and no roof.  That makes it fun already!

Best Concept - Volkswagen New Compact Coupe - Autoweek loved the fact that this concept was “so polished, and how finished” the car looked for a concept.  It looked very ready for production.

There were many finalists in each category, but the staff at autoweek.com hashed it out and came up with these winners.  I’m sure the Detroit Auto Show doesn’t really care who wins what awards, they just want a lot of people there. The automakers want to win awards, but more than that they want there models out there and hope that the economy keeps turning around and people buy their cars. I think that will happen in 2010.  I’m an optimist.

Even though leasing is not as popular these days, there are still a great deal of leasing programs out there and some good ones at that.

Smart Fortwo are running a special through February 28 to lease their vehicles for 24, 36, or 48 months on any 2009 model.  The rates are as low as $169 a month for a 36 month lease.  Smart is hoping to jump start their sales.

I’ll give you the best lease deals for January, according to autos.aol.com in each category.

Minivan - Toyota Sienna $279-$399 mth for 36 mths with $399-$2999 due at signing

- Honda Odyssey $299 a mth for 36 mths with $2499 due at signing

-Volkswagen Routan $379 a mth for 36 mths nothing due at signing

-Mazda5 $299 mth/36 mths with $2894 due at signing

Small cars -Honda Insight $199 mth/36 mths $1799 due

-Mitsubishi Lancer $179 mth/36 mths $2728 due

-Volkswagen Golf $269 mth/36 mths zero due

-Nissan Sentra $149-$179 mth/39 mths $2449 due

Sedan - Honda Accord $199 mth/36 mths $2199 due

-Toyota Camry $169-$199 mth/36 mths $239 to $2899 due

-Subaru Legacy $209 mth/36 mths $1909 due

-Nissan Maxima $299-$329 mth/39 mths $2999 due

Crossover - Honda CR-V $249 mth/36 mths $2099 due

-Mitsubishi Outlander $239 mth/48 mths $2488 due

-Volkswagen Tiguan $339 mth/36 mths zero due

-Acura RDX $399 mth/36 mths $3599 due

SUV - Cadillac SRX $479 mth/39 mths $4054 due

-Kia Borrego $269 mth/39 mths $3364 due

-Acura MDX $499 mth/36 mths $3999 due

So you have a lot of good choices in each category if you so choose to lease this month. Hurry up half of January is already gone by! Can you believe that????

I found an article written by cars.com that gives a list of 10 vehicles that can possibly make or break the Big 3 (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) in Detroit.  In my opinion, I don’t really think that Ford especially needs any big vehicle to save it. I think it’s doing alright through this storm.  They didn’t need any buyout money and are posting positive sales recently.  GM also is surviving, and at this point in the auto industry, survival I think is just fine. Chrysler on the other hand. That’s a different story. That’s the company that might turn the Big 3 into the Big 2. Sorry Chrysler.  So anyways, this article gave some of the vehicles that will be big releases coming up.

Ford - Company Savers - Ford Fiesta, Ford Taurus, Ford Explorer - Cars.com thinks that Ford needs to redesign the Ford Escape to help the company as well.

Chrysler -   Company Savers - Jeep Grand Cherokee (the only thing I really think that can help Chrysler!)  Fiat 500, Chrysler 300. Cars.com says that Chrysler needs a successful compact car. They have tried several that have failed.  Keep trying.

General Motors - Company Savers - Chevy Equinox/Traverse, Chevy Cruze, Chevy Volt. Needed….a new Chevy Aveo.

Let’s see just how right, if at all, Cars.com is.  Time will tell.

Ford has been given the honors of receiving the Detroit Free Press 2010 Car and Truck of the Year.  The Ford Fusion and Ford Transit Connect are the lucky winners of the 2010 Car and Truck of the Year awards.  Great news for Ford.

The Car of the Year - Ford Fusion - this is a front or all-wheel drive midsize sedan with a base price of $19,620.

The 2 runner ups of this award was the Chevrolet Camaro and the Buick Lacrosse.

The Truck of the Year -   Ford Transit Connect - front-wheel drive compact van with a base price of $20,780.  It has a 136 horsepower 2.0-liter engine.  It will get 22 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

The 3 runner ups (2nd place was a tie) of the Truck of the Year were the Chevrolet Equinox, Lincoln MKT, Cadillac SRX.

Maybe I’m a loser (I am!) but I am really excited about these new vehicles. I think that Big 3 in Detroit are coming back!  I think Ford is the leader of the pack for sure and do to all of their awards are clearly making a better name for themselves these days.