Cash for Clunkers from Chrysler

President Barack Obama’s “cash-for-clunkers” program expected to begin July 24 with the purpose of jump starting car sales. The initiative gives consumers a $3,500 or $4,500 credit at an auto dealership toward the purchase of a new vehicle when they turn in a low-gas mileage vehicle to be scrapped. The program is intended to replace older cars and trucks with newer, greener models, and the trade-in vehicle has to meet minimum requirements, including not being more than 25 years old and its replacement can’t cost more than $45,000.

Chrysler has set up a website to help you sign up for the program. At http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/qualifying-cars/chrysler-dealers

You can complete a form and they will connect you with a Participating Chrysler Dealer who can help you once the bill is passed into law. There is also a list of Chrysler dealers who have committed to deliver an accurate quote based on the current vehicle and the new car that you select.

2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Add comment July 22nd, 2009

Fiat buys Chrysler

Today, Fiat, a major Italian automaker, is the new owner of the majority of Chrysler’s assets. This clears the way for Chrysler to emerge from bankruptcy after shedding nearly 800 dealerships as well as billions of dollars in debt and labor costs.

Fiat plans to reopen most of Chrysler’s factories by the end of June which is great news for many of the workers (and our Economy.) Fiat specializes in a smaller automobile which will fill a gap in the Chrysler car lineup. Chrysler hasn’t announced which cars will remain in its 2011 lineup so for now we will have to wait and see how this changes the face of Chrysler.

On car we will no longer see in the future lineup is the:

PT Cruiser

Add comment June 10th, 2009

Sales on Chryslers

The only bright spot to the closing of Chrysler dealerships across the country is that they need to unload their product which may result in some steals and deals for car shoppers. Starting from June 9th, Chrysler is expecte to shut down 789 dealerships from the total of 3200 all around the US. The marked dealerships received the bad news May 13th via UPS mail and have the option to appeal in due time.

You may be worried about some aspects of purchasing a Chrysler like your warranty. Your warranty is valid through its term, regardless of where you bought your vehicle. In March, President Obama announced that the U.S. government would provide the backing for Chrysler and GM vehicle warranties under the “Warrantee Commitment Program.”

There will be deals, but if the 44,000 or so cars aren’t sold before June 9, Chrysler will work to redistribute them to other dealers. Approximately 10% of those remaining units are 2008 vehicles so be careful the car you’re looking at hasn’t been sitting on the lot inactive for too long.

So if you are in the market for a new car, go by your local dealer. It can’t hurt to check out the latest deals.

2008 Chrysler Pacifica Review

1 comment May 26th, 2009

GM recalls nearly 1.5 million cars for fire threat

General Motors is recalling nearly 1.5 million midsize cars from the 1997-2003 model years have a defect that lets oil drip onto the exhaust manifold and flame up, potentially leading to an engine fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The recall includes:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
BUICK / REGAL 1997-2003
CHEVROLET / IMPALA 2000-2003
CHEVROLET / LUMINA 1998-1999
CHEVROLET / MONTE CARLO 1998-2003
OLDSMOBILE / INTRIGUE 1998-1999
PONTIAC / GRAND PRIX 1997-2003

According to the recall notice, if the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

To remedy the default, dealership technicians will remove the spark plug wire retention channel at the front of engine and install two new spark plug wire retainers free of charge.

A Chevrolet car NOT on the recall list is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Check out a review by jayrone34:

Add comment April 14th, 2009

The Phantom Alert

The Phantom Alert works by users updating a Google Maps based system with information about the speed trap/camera; location, intersection and the speed limit for the road are all recorded by Phantom Alert. You can then sync your GPS device with Phantom Alert’s database to have up-to-date information about the speed traps around you. You must subscribe to the service at $9.99/month, $40/year or you can make a $99 Lifetime Purchase.

According to the site: How it works. First drivers & spotters report speed traps & photo enforcement locations on our web site. Then you simply download our location database in to your GPS & you will receive audio & visual alerts every time you approach enforcement areas. You will see them before they see you. Speed Traps, Red Light Cameras, Speed Cameras, DUI Checkpoints …

Check out some reviews of GPS devices like the Garmin nuvi 370 GPS Navigator:

Add comment March 30th, 2009

Tata Nano - The People’s Car

The Nano is being launched today. March 23, 2009. The car will be available in both standard and deluxe versions. Both versions will offer a wide range of body colors, and other accessories so that the car can be customized to an individual’s preferences.

With an expected starting price of about $1,945 for dealers, which doesn’t include a markup and other charges that consumers will pay, the 10.2 foot-long Nano will be one of the world’s cheapest cars.

Its mono-volume design, with wheels at the corners and the power train at the rear, enables it to uniquely combine both space and maneuverability, which will set a new benchmark among small cars.

The Nano has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminum, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine. This is the first time that a two-cylinder gasoline engine is being used in a car with single balancer shaft.

The Nano’s safety performance exceeds current regulatory requirements. With an all sheet-metal body, it has a strong passenger compartment, with safety features such as crumple zones, intrusion-resistant doors, seat belts, strong seats and anchorages, and the rear tailgate glass bonded to the body.

The Nano’s tailpipe emission performance exceeds regulatory requirements. In terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India today. The high fuel efficiency also ensures that the car has low carbon dioxide emissions, thereby providing the twin benefits of an affordable transportation solution with a low carbon footprint.

Want to check out more environment friendly cars? travelmom1 review the Conch Electric Car:

Add comment March 23rd, 2009

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The entire Ford Fusion line received a makeover for 2010. Up front, the grille and the hood’s power dome grow larger for the 2010 model year. Everything from the back of the hood to the trunk remains the same, but a pair of honeycomb lenses set the taillights apart from those of earlier Fusions.

Last October, Ford introduced the brand new SmartGauge system and you’ll find it on the Fusion Hybrid. It’s a huge technological leap in driver information, comprised of a large center analog speedometer flanked by two high-resolution LCD screens. The display can be configured to show varying amounts of information. The driver can choose from one of four configurations.

Inform: Fuel level and battery charge status
Enlighten: Adds electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer
Engage: Adds engine output power and battery output power
Empower: Adds power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption

As a bonus, anyone who purchases a Fusion Hybrid by March 31, 2009 will be eligible for a $3400 federal tax credit. Buyers who wait until April 1, 2009 will be eligible for only a $1700 credit. From October 1, 2009 until March 31, 2010, the credit will be reduced by half again, to $850. Anyone buying a Fusion Hybrid after March 31, 2010 will not be eligible to receive any tax credits unless there is a change in the tax code

Price: $27,995 (base)

Check out a review of the 2008 Ford Fusion by Socialbuzz

Add comment March 20th, 2009

The Peapod Electric Car

The Peapod from Chrysler is first of a new generation of GEM electric vehicles that will be more user-friendly and efficient. These vehicles use no gasoline and emit no pollutants. The Peapod is fully enclosed and designed to be more aerodynamic. It will have a built-in interface in the dash for iPod or iPhone and will interface with the iPhone for hands-free calling. The seats will be made of a mesh material to allow better air circulation and will be made of ecofriendly and recycled materials. GEM hopes to have the Peapod into production in 2009 and will follow it with more new models. For now, future plans include an electric light-duty commercial truck and a large city electric car with more range and performance, both of which GEM hopes to get into production next year along with the Peapod.

Check out more reviews of electric cars like this review of Conch Electric Cars by travelmom1:

Add comment March 2nd, 2009

Aptera: the 3 wheeled car?

In more fun and environmentally friendly vehicles, check out the Aptera 2e.

The three-wheel vehicle is technically a motorcycle, but it has met the safety requirements of a car. It’s lightweight, roomy, and it boasts more than 100 miles on a single full charge–an equivalent of 300 miles per gallon. The 2e, named for its two passenger configuration and electric powertain, is designed to provide safe, reliable transportation for the average consumer who tends to travel approximately 40 miles per day in their daily commute. The car is scheduled to be available later this year and will cost about $30,000.

Check out reviews of other environmentally friendly vehicles at Expo like this review of the Saab 9X BioHybrid:

Add comment February 20th, 2009

Magellan Maestro 3200 Automobile Navigator on sale!

There seem to be some great sales on the internet for the Magellan Maestro 3200 Automobile Navigator for $59.99!!

The device offers:
“Worry-free navigation with style! Affordable and complete: 1.3 million Points of Interest and built-in maps of the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Touch the simple menu on the brilliant 3.5″ color display to get an instant route with voice guidance to virtually anywhere. Ultra-thin, wireless and amazingly easy to use!”

It’s going fast so if you miss out on the sale why no check out some of the other Magellan Maestro navigation devices like the Magellan Maestro 3250 Auto Navigation GPS System reviewed by staylor

Add comment February 19th, 2009