1. FIAT 500 and MICROSOFT A HIT at CES 2010

    January 8, 2010 by mycarlady

    I found the FIAT 500 in the Microsoft booth at 2010 CES next to a hulking Ford F350 DEWALT edition (more next time) it held it’s own with clever lines and cool technology.  It’s this combination and fuel economy that will win over the skeptics (me) if it delivers. For now I was awed my the TECHNOLOGY of the BLUEandME® which offers an awesome stereo sound system and the newest wave in manufacturer integrated driving systems.

    While the FORD SYNC is a long way ahead of everyone in the SAFe Driver campaigns to keep your hands ON the wheel , i.e. voice activation (more to come in next post).

    ECO:DRIVE is unique because it goes beyond the available FUEL ECONOMY trackers in today’s iPhone apps.  This system plugs and plays, stores the data and analyzes your carbon footprint.  I’m hoping they will add the SPEECH RECOGNITION software for email and text to the package by the time the car arrives next year.

     I have to say, the car felt heavier and more solid (when you slam the door) than the SMART car, however, my judgment will remain open until I get one to test drive in the 110 heat of Las Vegas. Then I’ll do the obvious 4 way comparison of the FIAT 500,smartpassioncoupe MINI COOPER,VW BEETLE and SMART PASSION. (shown here) 

    Until then, enjoy this snap shot of ECODRIVE and check out the software at www.fiat.com/ecodrive.

    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

    Buying & Selling Automobile Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory

    Category: FIAT 500, FUEL ECONOMY, MINI COOPER, NEW CARS under 15k, NEW TECHNOLOGY, SMART, WOMEN BUYERS, WOMEN DRIVERS
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  2. President Obama to automakers; “RE-INVENT”

    February 24, 2009 by My Carlady

    2/24/09   corvette

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The President told the country and the nation’s automakers what they needed to hear tonight: the unvarnished truth.  No bailouts for failed policies, corporate padding and misdirection.  The car buying public has been voting with their pocketbook for years, but Detroit wasn’t listening.

    The impending reorganization of Chrysler and GM will undoubtedly “re-invent” the American icon of prosperity, technology and youthful exuberance.  The new age of automobiles has been thrust upon us by a decade of oil addiction and zero interest loans.  Welcome to cheerful restraint, eco-conservatism and consumer debt modification in every aspect of our lives.

    Gone are the days of no money down. 700 FICO scores get ready to open your wallet for 10% down payment on your next car.  Don’t be shocked, dismayed or rudely appalled when the finance manager tells you the interest rate is 6.99% for 72 (6 years) months.   The banks are taking President Obama’s lead and calling for accountability and restraint.

    If you are “upside-down” (you owe more than the car is worth) on a trade-in, expect to cover the majority of the negative equity in cash down payment, many banks are not advancing the difference  (letting you roll the extra on top of the selling price) on the loan amount.  This is another form of accountability and loan-to-value relationship.

    The coming months will see more dealerships close, or consolidate, as our appetite for consumption falls into line with our ability to manage our debt and the dealership’s ability to buy new cars are hampered by credit lines now tightened where the car manufacturers once gave dealers carte blanche . “If dealers can’t borrow money to buy cars to fill their lots, “you’re out of business,” said Charles Oglesby, chief executive of Asbury Dealer Group, of Duluth, Ga., which operates 87 retail auto stores. “It backs up the whole process of selling cars.” Cheaper loans for dealers also mean cheaper deals for consumers, he said, adding he gets financing from a consortium of lenders and isn’t concerned about his own dealers’ ability to borrow.” (as reported in the Wall Street Journal.)

     This is healthy “re-invention”, just as a “market correction” puts everything back into perspective.  The automobile will survive, and the industry as a whole will emerge smarter, faster and economically wiser.

    Fasten your seat belts and grab your shifter, the mandate has been set, our roadmap is clear and the car of our future is ready to GO!

    Read more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for NEW Car  buyers, click Here.

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    Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writers 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

    Category: AUTOMOTIVE, Auto Finance Loan, CARS, CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, DODGE, FORD, FUEL ECONOMY, GMC, Hybrids, SMART, WOMEN BUYERS, WOMEN DRIVERS, women car buyers
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  3. NO AUTO TAX BREAKS for Used, Lease or CASH car buyers.

    February 9, 2009 by My Carlady

    2/10/09 Las Vegas, NV 

    SORRY Joe the PLUMBER, your leased work truck, used car for your teen driver or cash car purchase for mom-in-law, won’t get you anything under the proposed: American Reinvestment & Recovery Act!

    Senator Miluski’sAmendment for the deductibility of interest and sales tax on auto LOANS misses 30-40% of the car buying public.  Can you guess who wrote this legislation?  While USED cars help the economy as their value improves with demand from American’s that can’t afford, or can’t get approved for a new car loan, the factory mavens haven’t figured out that helping people buy used cars will drive demand from the folks making those trades.

    Leasing, typically a work-related purchase, also stimulates the economy,  but since the finance arms of the Big 3 got clobbered with plummeting residuals when the price of gas strangled the demand for big SUV’s and trucks, you can appreciate their reluctance to endorse leasing. However, leasing actually stimulates the manufacturing at a faster rate than a 60-72 month loan, as most leasing clients turn their cars in 36-42 mos. intervals.

    So, as you consider the latest pitch for saving the auto industry, please consider yourself dissed if you lease, pay cash or prefer to buy a used car.

    OR, you can write your congress person or Senator using the letter below (Thanks Grant Cardone) and get yourself some tax deductions on your next car. Contact them at: www.house.gov. or Senate

    HURRY WE STILL HAVE TIME!!!!

    SAMPLE LETTER, FREE TO DOWNLOAD, EMAIL or CALL !

    Dear ____:

    The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act being considered today contains a provision that would allow families to write off the sales tax and interest paid on a new car loan. While I agree with the premise of the bill, it fails to take into account the 30-40% of car buyers who either lease or pay cash for their vehicles. This bill as written does not offer any benefit nor incentive for these consumers to make a new car purchase.

    Given the fact that many families lease their cars in order to keep monthly payments within their budget, wouldn’t it make more sense to incent new car transactions without regard to how it is financed? A tax credit that is a percentage of MSRP would include not only those who purchase their cars via a retail finance contract, it would also include the 30-40% of Americans who lease or pay cash.

    In addition, a tax credit based upon MSRP would be easier for the public to understand and therefore better motivate them to consider getting a new vehicle – which I assume is the real objective of this bill.

    In addition, maybe we could go back to President Obama’s position on oil independence and suggest a focus on vehicles getting better than 21mpg, as long as the American public is driving this initiative?

    Yours truly,

    _____________

    btw: I nominate Sarah Lee: aka: MY CARLADY for CAR CZAR!
    . www.mycarlady.com

    Category: AUDI, AUTOMOTIVE, Auto Finance Loan, BMW, CADILLAC, CARS I OWN, CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, DODGE, FORD, FUEL ECONOMY, GMC, HUMMER, HYUNDAI-pronounced hun-DAY, Honda, INFINITI, JEEP, LEXUS, LINCOLN, MERCEDES BENZ, MINI COOPER, NISSAN, SMART, TOYOTA, VOLKSWAGON, WOMEN BUYERS, WOMEN DRIVERS
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  4. Auto Sales and Interest Tax Breaks 4 who?

    February 7, 2009 by My Carlady

    2/7/09 Las Vegas, NV 

    2009- Lincoln mkz

    2009- Lincoln mkz

    AUTO TAX BREAKS 4 WHO?

     

    So the newest round of automotive bailout theory involves giving tax breaks to anyone making less than $250,000 a year, BUYING a NEW Car for less than $49,500.00

    Okay, Car, truck, minivan, suv or crossover. Dodge, Chrysler, GMC, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Pontiac, Saturn, Mercury, Lincoln, or any other brands are eligible.

     However, for the millions of folks that won’t qualify for a car note on a NEW vehicle or elect to LEASE or PAY CASH for a new 2009 model, this latest automotive stimulus effort means NOTHING. That’s right, $0.  This is a TAX DEDUCTION for the SALES TAX and INTEREST paid on the car loan. 

    Matt Hardigree of CarpocalypseNow writes; “Senator Mikulski’s amendment, the Auto Assistance Ownership Amendment, makes interest payments on car loans and state sales or excise car tax-deductible for new cars purchased between November 12, 2008 and December 31, 2009, which, in turn, will help more Americans afford cars during these tough economic times and spur investment in America’s ailing automobile industry.”

     

    I get the fact that buying a USED car doesn’t keep plants stamping, or automotive plant workers, truck drivers, parts manufacturers assembling, but I do think this latest proposal is amazingly one-sided.

    As the automotive industry as a whole employs 1 in 4 jobs directly or indirectly, let everyone participate in the program.  Give used car buyers, cash buyers and leasing customers a credit too! Why should only those able to qualify for the loan, be rewarded? Why do those with exemplary credit who qualify for a LEASED vehicle lose out on the tax credit? What about the folks that have saved and scrapped to pay cash or use the 0% offers, they should be rewarded for their fiscal resourcefulness, not penalized.

    Here’s the MYCARLADY AUTO STIMULUS AND TAX CREDIT PROPOSAL…

     Given that the average car loan is 72 mos. (6 years) and the average interest amount on that auto loan is $5,000… 

     Include all makes and models; 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 purchased between 12/31/08 and 1/1/2010.

    1. Leasing customers, including FLEETS, get $2500.00 income tax credit per unit.
    2. Customers paying cash for a car get a $5000.00 tax credit.
    3. Small Business can take the interest credit or the Sec. 179 deduction for capitalized equipment purchases, not both.
    4. Small Business owners can take the mileage deduct or the depreciation, plus the interest credit or the flat lease amount.

     What happened to the TARP money the car makers got?  Why wasn’t that money earmarked for car loans to consumers?  SO many folks need cars, want to buy, and can’t get a car loan, even at a 25% interest rate.  Realizing that credit has become so tight that many clients with formerly great 700+ credit scores are now suffering as their scores plummet, we need to get that money into the auto lending system so dealers can “move the iron”. The tax credit doesn’t mean anything if the consumer can’t buy, because there are no auto loan banks left. 

     This bill is misguided, rewarding a small percentage of the population.

    The proposed auto tax break initiative needs to be bundled with a serious directive to make the funds already provided to the automakers get funneled to the lending institutions that make car loans; prime and second chance.

     Now before you start screaming about “second chance” car loans, unqualified buyers, and predatory lending, hold on and breathe.  The banks already hold the dealers to minimal rate mark-up, and carefully “screen” every buyer. (SCREEN= call the person and grill them on everything from features of the vehicle to date of employment.). Second chance lenders often install kill switches and GPS devices to track errant car owners missing a payment. The systems are in place to monitor the situation, if dealers had the finance support to sell cars. There are buyers, like the housing market, but no banks to carry the loans.

     The “Minnows” as Senator Mikulski (Maryland) refers to the targeted public of this bill, needs a loan before a tax break.

     

    Sarah Lee writes about all things car related, is a constant car consumer advocate and car buyer’s agent. www.mycarlady.com for a great no hassle, deal on your next “tax break” car.

     

     

    Category: ACURA, AUDI, AUTOMOTIVE, Auto Finance Loan, BMW, BYD Chinese car, CADILLAC, CARS I OWN, CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, Credit repair, DODGE, FORD, GMC, HUMMER, HYUNDAI-pronounced hun-DAY, Honda, INFINITI, JEEP, LEXUS, LINCOLN, MERCEDES BENZ, MINI COOPER, NISSAN, SMART, TOYOTA, VOLKSWAGON, WOMEN BUYERS, WOMEN DRIVERS
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  5. 1 National Emissions RULE NEEDED.

    January 28, 2009 by My Carlady

    1/26/09 Las Vegas, NV   

    ZAP-it electric car

    ZAP-it electric car

    President Obama is well on his way to making the planet a friendlier place to live, however, allowing individual states to regulate their car emissions is a bad idea.  Our fifty states have shown they can’t handle their own budgets, so why would we want to give them something else to police? SMOG check revenue won’t balance the books.

    Several years ago car makers manufactured vehicles for California, Maine, NY, MA or RI  and cars for the rest of the states. They put stickers under the hood proclaiming these models to only be sold and registered in those states.  Invariably a vehicle from a contiguous state would be sold to an unsuspecting customer, by an equally unaware salesperson, and all hell would break loose when the car was ready for registration. Car companies tried to control their inventory by selling these “special emission” vehicles only in those “special emissons” states.  Dealers marketing to border towns complained that they were being discriminated against, so the car companies let the cars flow. It became a logistical nightmare for everyone. Consumers got screwed when the states charged more for a NON-APPROVED EMISSIONS (read: CALIFORNIA ) car to be registered in it’s home state. Customers hated the “special emissions” models, noting poorer fuel economy, thanks to the EXTRA emissions equipment. 

    Now I’m all for clean air, lower greenhouse gas emmissions and saving rain forests, but, if you don’t think these extra EPA requirements kill your MPG, ask the DODGE, GMC andFord Diesel owners now suffering with DPF issues that cut power, burn more fuel and have had the exact opposite effect on the environment than was hoped for.

    MY suggestion is the country adopt ONE NATIONAL EMMISSIONS STANDARD that California and every other state can live with. A benchmark utilizing technologythat won’t kill our fuel economy and will meet the production capability of our ailing automakers.  As the car companies are pushed to deliver 35 MPG rated models by 2012 including electric cars by 2015, the planet will thank all of us and we will be able to afford to buy these cars because the manufacturers will still be in business and our states will too! 

     

    READ more about Dodge Cummins 6.7l diesel problems at: http://everythingcars.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/dodge-cummins-67l-problemsdodge-cummins-67l-problems/

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    Sarah Lee writes on all things cars, books, art, food and is a passionate auto industry car consumer advocate. If you want a no hassle deal, go to www.mycarlady.com and learn how a car buyer’s agent can save you thousands of dollars on your next car.

    Category: AUTOMOTIVE, CARS I OWN, CHRYSLER, CUMMINS DIESEL TRUCKS, DODGE, FUEL ECONOMY, GMC, HUMMER, HYUNDAI-pronounced hun-DAY, Honda, Hybrids, INFINITI, SMART, WOMEN BUYERS, WOMEN DRIVERS
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