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Mitsubishi’s Fuel-Economy Issues Haven’t Hurt U.S. Sales

May 9, 2016 by tgriffith

2016_mitsubishi_Lancer_GT

Mitsubishi doesn’t sell a lot of cars in the United States.

The Japanese automaker has teetered for years on the brink of pulling out of the market, but has managed to sustain itself within a tiny niche of affordable entry-level vehicles. There was a time when the company offered a full stable of vehicles, including the Endeavor SUV, Eclipse coupe, Galant sedan, and, of course, the cult-favorite Evolution.

Today’s lineup includes variations of the Outlander small SUV and a couple of miniature cars, the Lancer and Mirage.

Mitsubishi has certainly flown under the radar in recent years, which could be why a new scandal involving deceptive fuel-economy claims has gone largely unnoticed in the U.S.

Six Cars Worthy of CarGurus Moms

May 6, 2016 by John Harrington

Sitting in the back seat of a Chrysler Town & Country on the way to the pool, eating Pepperidge Farm Goldfish and listening to the Evita soundtrack—her unfortunate obsession with Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals aside, some of our most prominent childhood memories include driving around with Mom. Mom drove us to school, to soccer practice, to church. Mom drove us to the grocery store, she picked us up from our friends’ houses. To put it simply, Mom is the best. Not only did Mom operate extremely valuable (but hardly lucrative) livery services for her children, but she managed to do so while also meeting the demands of a professional career.

CarGurus is lucky to have more than a handful of fantastic moms as part of our incredible company. With Mother’s Day this Sunday, we decided to interview some of our great Guru mothers and find out a little bit about their first cars, what they drive now, and what they’re hoping to drive in the future.

Fiat 500: The Least Popular Car in America?

May 3, 2016 by tgriffith

When the price of gas was getting close to $5 per gallon, Americans clamored for small, economical European cars such as the Fiat 500.

Fiat obliged after taking over Chrysler, and not only did it bring the 500 to U.S. shores, but it brought an entire family of 500-based cars including the 500L and 500X. Americans should have been thrilled. We should have flocked to our local Fiat dealerships and begged them to take our money.

That didn’t happen. Instead, dealers have struggled to even get the car in front of people, which has put the 500 among the slowest-selling vehicles in America. What happened? How did Fiat go from a desirable foreign brand to being shunned on dealer lots?

What’s the Strangest Car Problem You’ve Ever Had?

Apr 22, 2016 by tgriffith

Check-Engine-Light

I’m no stranger to strange car problems.

If something weird is going to happen to a car, there’s a good chance it’s going to happen to a car owned by someone in my family.

I had a 2004 Jaguar X-Type that wouldn’t rev past 3,000 RPM without the engine losing all power. My Grandpa had a Dodge Neon that wouldn’t run in the rain. My wife’s Subaru Legacy developed a high-pitched whistle somewhere near the sunroof, and, most recently, my older Audi filled up with water and now the tail lights won’t turn off.

Keep reading for the details, and examples of other strange problems people experience with their cars. As always, feel free to tell us your experiences in the comments section below.

Ford Mustang: The Most Popular Sports Car in Germany

Apr 18, 2016 by tgriffith

mustang_911_germany

The best way to validate the existence of the Ford Mustang is to offer it for sale in a land where it shouldn’t be popular.

The Mustang, of course, has been a hot seller for as long as it’s been on the market in the United States. In the past, however, foreign markets have seen it as an outdated and mechanically inferior excuse for a sports car. It’s a car that was built for straight-line acceleration and paled in comparison to true sports cars, most of which hailed from Germany.

Now, though, the car has a true independent rear suspension and can hold its own against any other sports car, no matter where it’s from.

Ford felt like it had something special with the latest Mustang and decided to roll it out in the country famous for producing Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Surely, if it could sell there, it could sell anywhere in the world.

The Germans, though, would have a superiority complex and shun the Mustang, right?

Not so much.

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