Snappy handling, smart styling, 39 mpg fuel economy, and a starting price of $16,050. No wonder the Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car of its size on the planet, and a top choice for first-time buyers and for millennials here in the USA. I just had the chance spend a day test driving the 2014 Ford Fiesta, arriving now in dealer showrooms, and was suitably impressed. It's a lot of car in a … [Read more...]
Best cars under $16,000: 2013 Honda Fit subcompact
While other manufacturers are raising prices, Honda is keeping the MSRP for the 2013 Honda Fit the same as the 2012 model, a base price of $15.325, and that includes some upgraded features. The Honda Fit is an award-winner for its fuel economy, residual value and overall safety scores. And now, it's won the award in its class in the "$16,000 Subcompact Shootout" competition by Cars.com, USA … [Read more...]
Go Further With Ford green living trend conference
Normally, the automotive events I attend, which include test drives of the newest models, are just for us automotive writers. But Ford has a different idea. Their Go Further With Ford safety, environment and design trend conference at company headquarters in Dearborn this month included an interesting mix of writers and bloggers on fashion, technology, design, home decorating, architecture … [Read more...]
Best road trip convertible: 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata
It's top-down weather. Time to feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your face on the open road. Which is the best convertible for a road trip? According to KBB, that would be the 2012 Mazda Miata MX-5, which also has the distinction of being voted the best sportscar for total cost of ownership, including a starting price under $25,000 and its fuel-sipping MPG. The Miata is also rated as … [Read more...]
Best affordable electric cars to drive now
There are several affordable electric cars you can drive now, which are not named Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, eSmart, or eMini Cooper. These plug-in EV models have been driving under the radar and deserve a look. In alphabetical order, Coda, THINK and Wheego. Most of us drive less than 75 miles a day, so an EV is a cost-effective second car, especially with federal tax credits up to … [Read more...]
January 2012 Car of the Month: 2012 Acura TL sport sedan
The 2012 Acura TL is the January Car of the Month, named by NADA for its updated styling, improved performance, fuel economy and upgraded technology. If you are in the market for an affordable performance sport sedan, the 2012 Acura TL holds up well against more expensive competitors like the BMW 3 Series. I love the TL. I got to test drive it recently, and found it to be fast, fun and … [Read more...]
Best cars under $15,000: 2012 Nissan Versa, starting price of $10,990
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 to drive. Even for that astoundingly low price, you get air … [Read more...]
Best 2011 Cars Under $20,000: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta
Simply, the 2011 VW Jetta is great car. This is a family-friendly, budget-friendly sedan that does double duty as a peformance sedan. This all-new, redesigned model is precision German engineering and safety features, lots of cabin and cargo space, and what I call 'creature features'. Combine that with fuel economy of up to 42 mpg highway, depending on engine, at an astounding base price of … [Read more...]
2011 Best Buy Car: 2011 Chevrolet Malibu Mid-Size Sedan
The eagerly-awaited extended range hybrid Chevrolet Volt has been getting all the headlines lately, along with many of the top car awards. But so has the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu, which the Volt looks like and even feels like behind the wheel, although the fuel efficiency of the two models is very different. I test drove the Chevrolet Volt recently, and the driving feel -- steering, braking and … [Read more...]
Electric Cars You Can Buy Now: Wheego LiFe
Wheego has been under the radar while all the attention and headlines about electric cars has focused on Tesla, Fisker and the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt, even though the Volt isn't an EV at all, but a plug-in extended range hybrid. Wheego makes two-passenger sub-compact EVs that are about the same size and style as the Smartfortwo. Wheego is a US-based company, with headquarters in … [Read more...]