Listen to this radio interview with Sarah Lee and Radio host Lars Larson. LARSON asks… “WHAT is Ray LaHood trying to do to Toyota? Does GOV. MOTORS have a dog in the fight?”
Ralph Nadar accuses Toyota of complacency.
Will GM and Chrysler sell more cars as a result of the TOYOTA scare?
Honda, Nissan and Mazda dealers see significant showroom traffic upsurge.
Meanwhile Toyota increases rebates $500.00 on their best-selling models: Camry, Corolla and Tundra, offers 0% financing for 60 mos. on Toyota Tundra.
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com or by calling 702-898-1465.
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
Many people are asking, including national radio show host LARS LARSON, (listen to my interview here); “Is this non-stop berating of Toyota nothing more than the current administration trying to deflect consumers to BUY AMERICAN?” I start to wonder why Transportation Secretary and NHTSA head, Ray LaHood felt it was necessary to say anything more than; “Toyota is well on their way to treating every car,” when asked by the investigating committee. A committee quickly assembled by…politicians in an election year.
Is it fair for OUR government to denounce a company that makes a product similar to the one the US TAXPAYERS just spent $70 BILLION buying? I know Chrysler and GM still owe us (the US taxpayers) money, but is this the way we want our government “marketing” the automotive industry.
Is this what we want them spending their time on?
I think astute Americans know two things for sure…
#1. If their car isn’t operating correctly they should take it to the dealership to be fixed.
#2. If the government tells them to do something, they need to ask more questions.
The truth behind the recall. Less than 1% of 1% (16) of all the cars sold last year (11 million) are involved in this recall. No deaths reported. The Toyota company has been out in front of this issue before NHTSA investigated any complaints. Toyota has done everything to maintain calm and even refrained from responding to the hyperbole caused by the government’s assault on their integrity.
LaHood says he MIS-SPOKE during the committee hearing. I learned, “Think before you speak,” in 3rd grade. What LaHood should have said was; “If YOU own one of these vehicles with this problem, take it to the dealer.” Yet when asked specifically by a Senator, “how HE would stop a car experiencing this problem, i.e. put it in neutral and press on the brake hard,” LaHood couldn’t explain what to do, and dismissed the point with “I believe that information has been disseminated”.
Of the thousands of Toyota’s sold in LAS VEGAS in the past three years, not one customer has reported an issue to his/her dealership. REALLY? Yup. As a matter of fact, the local Toyota dealers in Las Vegas have more parts available for this 15 min. fix than they have customers asking for it! Not to mention that all the affected models that were “no sale” last week are already fixed and available for immediate delivery. I am still selling Prius’ and all the other models as if nothing was happening, which is exactly my point…
Except that Toyota stock dropped huge today. Thanks Ray, I may make more money on Toyota stock than on my car deals this week.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
KIA takes a shot at the auto world by releasing the first 2011 product of the year…in 2010 Debuting 9 months early, they slam it down with outstanding lease offers, rebates of up to $2000 and 0% for 48 mos or 3.9% for 72 mos. Combined with the 10 year 100k power train warranty, you ask, what car is this?
Enter the all new, completely redesigned 2011 KIA SORENTO.
The fact is the new 2011 KIA SORENTOis a solid choice in a market crowded with no less than 155 choices between SUV and Crossover models, according to Edmunds.com IF you own a competitive product, KIA will give you $1000.00 to switch, add mini-vans and you have 200 autos to choose from.
All that aside, the new Sorento offers 3 package choices; Base, LX and EX in a 2wd and 4wd drive configuration. Skip the 172hp 4 cyl and grab the v6 with 273 hp. While fuel economy is not this models strong suit, neither is it a pig compared to Jeep and other similar 6cyl selections. The towing capacity is down from 5000lbs in previous Sorento versions, but rarely does the family pull more than 3500 lbs. with this type of suv. 4wheelers, jet skis, snowmobiles, pop-ups and small boats will travel just fine on the tail of this versatile carry-all. Speaking of seven passengers seating, these are real seats, albeit for children under twelve. The folding back row works like any traditional rear split bench, and has real headrests, unlike the goofy Outlander.
Built larger than most in the compact SUV/Crossover field: TOYOTA Venza, HYUNDAI Tucson and Nissan Roque, the 2011 Sorento delivers a ton of features including double moon-roof, intelligent stereo with text and email reading capability coming in 3rd quarter, heated leather seats, touch-button start, dual climate control, 18” rims, hill descent, traction control and back-up camera with park assist. All these luxury features for under $32k, WOW!
Yet silly LITTLE things we take for granted, are missing… NO home link for the garage door, NO power lift gate, NO memory seats and NO mirror in the sun-glass holder option that let’s me see the kids fighting in the rear seats.
The Sorento is reasonably quiet on the road, delivering solid handling and smooth ride on average roads. The engine responds with a surge when you press it from third to fourth and settles out nicely when cruising 80mph+. Visibility is good, no outrageous blind spots with the third row up and the larger side mirrors with marker lights are a good idea. I can’t wait for every vehicle to get the vehicle approach sensors in the side mirrors (Ford/Mazda), they are very addicting. The front seats are lacking in the bottom cushion and bolster design but they do offer a modicum of back support for those concerned about long trips. Only the driver’s seat has 8-way power adjustments.
I wish KIA had given the 2011 Sorento some of the cool interior design touches of the Kia Soul: mood lighting/contrasting fabric/leather colors and blue backlit digital gauges like the Kia Forte Koup.
The 2011 Sorento will appeal to a wide variety of clients; it would be nice to have a few more of the hip styling components to go with the technology promised later in the year. This vehicle has not yet been safety crash test rated. 19-29mpg is the average for the 4cyl. vs. 6 cyl., 2wd/4wd. I didn’t take it off road, so I defer the outward bound limitations for another day. However, as a solid family sport-ute it delivers on many levels for a great price, especially with the current incentives.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
2010 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV or Crossover take your pick!My overall impression of this car is it packs a lot of features onto a relatively small chassis for a VERY REASONABLE price. Considering most 6cyl. SUV-types start at $35k and quickly graduate to $40k, this is a nice blend of all the features we want; iPod, hard drive, above-average stereo, 18″ rims, tow capacity, heated seats, paddle-shifters, leather, moon-roof, long factory warranty and a peppy engine, at 230 hp, this v6 delivers nicely without being a gas hog; 18/22 and 22/24 respectively. Add the 5 yr. 60k Basic Limited and 10 yr. 100k power train warranty and great financing options; 0% for 36 mos. or a super lease payment, and the car buying public will either love or hate this ride, given the unique styling of the front grill (NOSE).
However, when I dig deeper there are some things about this crossover that leaves me wondering, WHY?
Why have Heated seats and no Homelink?
Why cheap-out on the steering wheel yet add extra bolstering in the sides of the bottom cushion and seat back?, (makes the seat feel too small on a typical American super-sized butt!).
Why make this third row seat more difficult to manuveur than a Rubics Cube and as comfortable to sit on?
Why use the 18” rims, McPherson struts and four-wheel independent suspension but skip the Breamo brakes?
The Fosgate stereo is surround-sound sex-appeal but muffles out when the third row seat is up, passenger in place or not.
The towing capacity suggests 3500lbs, however, I need to see it to believe this rig can still blow cold air during Vegas summers while maintaining speed on the grades with a 3500lb anchor on it’s tail.
All in all, there is enough to like about the 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander to make it a worthy contender in a class that has serious competition from the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Outback, Mazda CX-7/Ford Explorer, Jeep Liberty and Hyundai Santa Fe or 2011 KIA SORENTO
Checkout my 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander AWD 6cyl. test drive here:
Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here: CAR DEALS
Dealerships will have to see what the true cost of CASH for CLUNKERS is, based on how long they are flooring the rebates form Uncle Sam. If the money takes more than 60 days to show, many dealers could be pushed to the brink of failing, as most manufacturers will NOT extend credit lines to re-stock the lots.
Meanwhile, dealers will continue to control overhead by keeping inventory to a minimum as they watch buying patterns post-CLUNKERS. The Used CAR LOT is the One dealer profit center crushed by the Clunkers program because most $5,000.00 “transportation cars” have been wiped out by the $4500-$3500 CARS trade-in rebate.Employees, students and those needing cheap rides have been pushed up to more expensive $6,000 to $10,000.00 models taking on loans that added to their debtor out of the market. Meanwhile, buyers who found themselves pushed out of the new car market for trade-in or credit reasons, quickly gobbled up the $10,000 to $15,000.00 late model, off-lease, rental, and program pre-owned cars. This situation at the low and high end of the used car market has left dealers empty, and the cash tied-up in CLUNKER rebates leaves little cash flow to buy more used car inventory.
This is a GREAT TIME for the NEW CAR BUYER willing to pounce on a early release 2010 model. By LABOR DAY, as 2010’s start to fill dealer lots and CLUNKER-summer becomes an after-thought. Owners of a nice trade-in, less than six years old and fewer than 80k miles, especially foreign name plates*;YOU will be able to enjoy a great deal on a new 2010, with reasonable incentives on interest rates: 4.99%-5.99% or rebates, along with a greater trade-in value. Dealers need nice trade-ins more than ever. Grab your best interest rate NOW as interest rates are expected to move upward by year end. BTW, forget the 0% days, they’re gone too.
This is the next “GREAT TIME TO BUY a NEW CAR”, and by extension, the used car buyer will find a wider variety of makes and models along with stabilized pricing by October through the end of the year. (Credit-worthiness will still be a major factor, so expect to put 20% CASH down on any purchase if your FICO AUTO score is less than 760.)
SO, get your engines REVVING and check out the latest 2010 models, they will be here soon. GRAB one before the lots start to fill-up and you could enjoy a great deal, especially if you didn’t qualify for the CLUNKERS program.
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at www.mycarlady.com
Top learn more about getting your best car deal click here:CAR DEALS
NEED AUTO FINANCE HELP or CREDIT report repair go to tell them MY CARLADY: Sarah Lee sent you. It’s a free consult and they do the right thing by you, fast, easy, cheap.
Posted to MYCARLADY.tv by MYCARLADY on February 04, 2010
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2010 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV or Crossover take your pick!
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