Car Shopping

Will Volkswagen’s Atlas Rise?

Nov 3, 2016 by tgriffith

volkswagen_atlas_front

Two interesting things happened this week that must be a crazy coincidence, but make me wonder if Volkswagen and Metallica have some kind of secret marketing deal in place.

First, the legendary metal band released a rocking new single called “Atlas, Rise!” Shortly after, Volkswagen unveiled a new SUV called the Atlas.

Coincidence?

Perhaps.

Both Metallica and Volkswagen are staging a comeback of sorts. The aging band finally seems to have gotten back to its roots, and the German automaker desperately wants to leave its diesel scandal in the past.

Could Atlas save them both?

IMPA Test Days: We’ll Be Back

Oct 28, 2016 by Steve Halloran

The spectacular trees of New York State’s Catskill Mountains had to settle for backdrop status early last week. The New York City-based International Motor Press Association assembled a magnificent collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles as well as a bunch of car and motorcycle writers at the Monticello Motor Club‘s (MMC) racetrack and extensive off-road course for IMPA Test Days 2016, 48 hours of intense on- and off-road testing.

The Changing Purpose SUVs

Oct 26, 2016 by tgriffith

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Sport utility vehicles entered the automotive scene as 4×4 alternatives to station wagons, sedans, and minivans. They quickly became the go-anywhere, haul-anything preference for families across the United States. These were the vehicles that allowed drivers to skip the Holiday Inn and venture deep into the woods if they so desired.

They were large, heavy, and capable rigs that rode high and gave drivers a commanding view and comforting presence in the midst of the surrounding Civics and Corollas. The fact that early V8-powered SUVs sucked gas fast enough to watch the fuel gauge drop didn’t matter, because gasoline was cheap and the economy was strong.

Then the bottom fell out in 2007 and the game completely changed. Large SUVs became symbols of excess and waste. Filling their gas tanks required a second mortgage. Falling sales inspired a new breed of SUVs, one that could still haul up to 8 people, but compromised some off-road ability for more civilized fuel economy numbers.

It’s an evolution that continues into this day and is embodied by the new Audi Q7.

The Times They Are a-Changin’

Oct 14, 2016 by Steve Halloran

Everyone knows someone who regularly gripes about “the end” of the manual transmission, uncovered V8 engines, and our ability to get away from it all. We prefer to drive with a stick, thank you, but we know manuals aren’t always faster, cheaper, and less expensive anymore. And while we love the sound and power of a V8, a turbo four can go a lot farther on a tank of gas and lets a driver get more value out of the car’s stereo. And we think our newfound inability to really escape has more to do with smartphones and the Internet than the advance of car technology.

So we’re going to take a look at some new and different cars that mark big changes we hope all drivers can agree are positive. We’re not sure they’ll end up on as many high-schoolers’ bedroom walls as the GTO Judge and the Lamborghini Countach did, but we expect to see plenty of them on the road, and who knows which 2016 might just become a sought-after collectible to today’s hipsters.

Tesla: No Discount for You!

Last updated: Oct 23, 2019 at 11:56AM
Published on: Oct 7, 2016 by tgriffith

2016-tesla-model-x

One of the joys of shopping for a new car is knowing that the price you see on the window sticker is just a starting point for negotiation.

It’s exciting to see how far under that MSRP your sharp negotiating skills can get you. Two thousand dollars? Four thousand? More?

Of course, the flexibility of the dealer depends on a lot of factors. Is the car in high demand or has it been sitting on the lot for months? What kind of kickbacks does the manufacturer offer? Is the vehicle a high-priced luxury pickup or an economy car?

Whatever the vehicle, consumers rarely find themselves paying the full MSRP.

That is, of course, unless they’re buying a Tesla.

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