green living, smart spending
Rudolf and the reindeer are on strike – they want more work than just one day a year. Santa needs wheels to deliver millions of toys, games and electronics to little little boys and girls, and to grown-up kids around the world. So what should Santa drive? Reliable is a necessity, because all those little
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How much a vehicle costs when you buy it or lease it is just one part of the equasion. You also need to factor in how that vehicle rates for operating costs, maintenance costs and resale value. Since depreciation — or loss of value — is typically a car buyer’s biggest cost expense during ownership,
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The upcoming 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is the biggest in years, with more than 50 North American and world debuts of new cars, SUVs and trucks. The intros show that the auto industry continues to be a surprise bright spot in the overall economy. Green cars, including electric cars, diesel cars and extended range
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The all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a three-door, front-wheel-drive sporty hatchback that delivers up to 40 mph on the highway, 29 mpg in city driving, priced from $17,300 for the six-speed manual and $18,550 for the six-speed EcoShift dual clutch automatic transmission. The 2012 Veloster shares a platform with the Hyundai accent compact sedan, but
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The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic is GM’s newest addition to what’s called the 40 Plus mileage club. The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic delivers an EPA-estimated 40 mpg on the highway, it’s fun to drive, and has a starting price of just $14,995. No wonder sales of this well-designed subcompact are booming. Also, it just happens to be
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Even the top-of-the-line fully loaded 2012 Toyota Yaris is under $20,000, and will save you money while you drive it, since it gets an estimated 30 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Safety features — Equally important, the all-new Yaris is loaded with safety features, some of which are unusual in a car this size
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Pardon the pun, but the 2012 Scion IQ is a smart buy. This feature loaded premium micro-subcompact four-seater starts at just $15,265. The Scion iQ is only 10 feet long, making it the world’s smallest four-seater, but it’s big on safety and technology — including the world’s first rear window airbag — plus other functionality
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The 2012 Nissan Versa is the least expensive car in North America, with a starting price of just $10,990 MSRP and a budget-saving fuel economy of 33 mpg combined city/highway. Now that I have your attention — The 2012 Nissan Versa is no upholstered roller skate, no stripped-down entry-level tin can that you’d be embarrassed
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The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is an icon, a bargain, and fuel efficient,too. The redesigned third generation of the classic “people’s car” will start at just $18,995, for a stylish, sporty, four-passenger car that’s fun to drive , and loaded with what I call creature features. The 2.5 liter base model has a 170-horsepower in-line five-cylinder engine
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Seats five, gets 40 mpg highway and 28 city, has a fun, sporty driving feel, a top safety rating, and a base price of $16,500. Even the fully-loaded top-of-the-line model clocks in at just $22,500. No wonder the Ford Focus is one of the bright stars in the Ford garage. The Ford Focus has been
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