New Cars Sales

First Factory-Built Fisker Karma

2011-02-09T23:57:00.000-08:00

The showroom debut of the oft-delayed Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid has been pushed backed to spring 2011, which should provide Universal Technical Institute (UTI) with ample time to train Fisker's 100-plus technicians. Earlier today, UTI announced that it will provide technical training for Fisker's dealership personnel at its campus in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

UTI will train Fisker techs in common areas of automotive repair, including routine maintenance and body work. In addition, UTI will prep techs to diagnose and repair Karma-specific hybrid components, engine management and electrical systems.

New Suzuki Alto SZ2 Car Review

2010-05-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

Suzuki Alto SZ2 Car Review

Facts At A Glance

CAR:
Suzuki Alto SZ2

PRICE:
£7,495 – on the road

INSURANCE GROUP:
1E

CO2 EMISSIONS:
103g/km

PERFORMANCE:
0-60mph 13.5s / top speed 96mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
(urban) 51.4mpg, (extra urban) 74.3mpg, (combined) 64.2mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES:
twin front and side airbags, ABS

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?:
length/width/heightmm 3500/1600/1470:

Performance:

Comfort:

Handling:

Economy:

Image:

Styling:

Equipment:

Build:

Depreciation:

Insurance:
VISUAL BASIC
Suzuki’s entry-level Alto SZ2 has a lot riding on it. Steve Walker reports.

A lot of very clever people have thought long and hard about the future of the automotive industry and the consensus seems to be that cars are going to have to get smaller. That must be music to the ears of Suzuki, a company with half a century of experience in producing small cars. With the age of the gas-guzzler apparently all but up, the market should be moving in the Japanese marque’s direction and the Alto city car could be a major beneficiary, particularly in entry-level SZ2 form.

Check out the advertising campaign being run for any new car and the quoted prices should be taken with a pinch of salt. It’s certainly true that you will be able to get the model in question for the measly sum that leaps off the page or out of the TV screen at you but it’ll be the car at it’s most disappointingly Spartan. Equipment levels that would be outshone by a wheelbarrow and the wow factor of a boiled potato will be major turn-offs in the showroom but it matters not because by this stage the entry-level car has done its job. Some customers will buy at this basic point but only a few because, as the sales staff will delight in pointing out, for only a few pounds more, they can get the plusher, higher spec model that looks and feels so much more satisfying. In the Suzuki Alto range, things are a little different, it’s the SZ2 model that acts as entry-level bait but despite the low price, it’s not the empty shell you might imagine.

All Suzuki Altos get the same 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine. It’s a modern unit boasting four valves per cylinder and aluminium construction which helps to keep weight down. It generates 66bhp at 6,000rpm and although it can struggle on inclines or when there’s a heavy load on board forcing you to stay on top of the gears, it’s adequate for travelling one-up around town as most city cars tend to do. The engine noise is quite prevalent but it’s not unpleasant and even sounds mildly sporty at higher revs. When cruising, it settles down well and only the wind noise is really noticeable.

"The Alto has the capacity to do well in this market but it will rely on its value proposition"

The Alto isn’t a particularly slick operator on the road, the gear box has a nice short throw but there’s a notchy quality to the shifts and it sometimes seems reluctant to slot into reverse. The steering lacks precision when you’re making small adjustments around the straight ahead and, although it’s well weighted to inspire confidence through corners, it can feel heavy during low speed drills. The suspension doesn’t respond well to poor surfaces but is comfortable enough on good roads and the Alto turns neatly without too much body roll. We’ve come to expect quite a lot from our city cars where driving dynamics are concerned and the Alto doesn’t quite match up to the class leaders but customers in a market for a nippy urban runabout shouldn’t be put off.

It’s no longer enough for city cars to be space efficient wheeled boxes. Customers have come to expect a certain cheeky style and the likes of the Fiat 500, smart fortwo and Toyota iQ have delivered it. The Alto isn’t in this league in terms of its cute factor or its price but it’s a far from unappealing proposition with its big teardrop headlights and rising side window line. The C-pillars are rather large and this doesn’t help rear visibility but the five-door body style offers decent practicality. With a couple of six-footers in the front, there’s adequate space for a couple more to squeeze into the back seats. Head room is good and there’s a boot behind of a reasonable but not spectacular 129-litres that can increase to 367-litres with the seats folded flat.

The interior design of the Alto is rather less successful than the exterior. The grey plastics that used to be the staple of budget small cars a few years back no longer quite cut it and some of the Alto’s aren’t of the best quality. The controls are chunky and simple to operate in the best Suzuki traditions and the stereo is well designed with nicer finishes than you’ll encounter elsewhere. A wide, deep pocket on the passenger side takes the place of a glovebox providing useful storage and there’s a neat illuminated shelf in the centre console where you can stick your mobile phone or wallet in the spotlight. The wafer thin door pockets will be of little use except for paperwork or items that you’ve recently run over.

Equipment wise, the Alto turns in a strong performance, even in this entry-level SZ2 form. Power steering, electric front windows, a tilt-adjustable steering column, an MP3 compatible CD stereo, remote central locking and a 50:50 split rear seat are all standard. The £500 it costs to upgrade to the SZ3 model only gets you air-conditioning, so cost-conscious buyers might feel inclined to stay put. The safety equipment includes four airbags and ABS brakes but you’ll need to shell out for the SZ4 model to get ESP stability control.

A split is developing in the city car market between the trendier offerings like the Fiat 500, Ford Ka and Toyota iQ at one end and the more utilitarian and affordable ones at the other. The Suzuki Alto is firmly in the later camp alongside the likes of Citroën’s C1, Hyundai’s i10 and Kia’s Picanto. The standards we’ve come to expect from such models are higher than ever but the Alto is equipped to compete, particularly at the SZ2’s sub £7,000 price point.

The Alto’s lightweight design allows it to get the most of its 1.0-litre engine and in terms of fuel economy, very few petrol powered cars can touch it. The Alto can average 64.2mpg on the combined cycle and 51mpg around town where most owners will use it. Accompanied by emissions of just 103g/km and the lowest possible insurance grouping, it makes the Alto one of the most cost-effective purchases in the sector.

With the Alto Suzuki will be looking for its expertise and perseverance over half a century in the small car market to pay off. It’s never had the sector to itself, though, and as buyers turn to more compact and efficient vehicles in growing numbers, so rival manufacturers will be driven to compete more fiercely for sales. The Alto has the capacity to do well in this market but it will rely on its value proposition, so there’s a lot riding on the SZ2 entry-level models.

The Suzuki’s offering feels off the pace in some respects but it’s a good looking little car that’s well-equipped and attractively priced. Outstanding fuel economy and low emissions also count in its favour, as does a practical five-door bodystyle yielding the genuine ability to carry four adults. City car buyers are faced with an increasing array of options these days but this entry-level Suzuki shouldn’t be overlooked.

Insurance & Finance
You have read the review now, so the next step is to find out the cost of financing and insuring this Suzuki. You can use our simple quoting methods below - Good Luck.

Equipe brings the auto-inspired timepiece

2010-04-16T05:43:00.000-07:00

Equipe Watches – Click above for high-res image gallery

The shared themes between watches and automobiles are nothing new to enthusiasts of either – or more often, both. Like a high-end automobile, the finest timepieces incorporate finely-crafted mechanisms encased in evocative metalwork, and serve for many as a sort of status symbol, representing their passion for all the world to see.

Trouble is, the top examples of European automotive timepieces like Chopard's Mille Miglia line and Bernard Richards Manufacture (B.R.M.) often carry equally car-like price-tags topping the thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. But now the average Joe looking to get in on the action can take heart, because like the Fords that took on the Ferraris of yore and the Corvettes that take on today's Porsches, a decidedly more accessible challenger has arisen from Detroit.

MoTown's own watchmaker, Equipe just came back from displaying their debut collection at the Baselworld watch show in Switzerland where it took on Europe's finest. But unlike its Swiss counterparts that incorporate one or two racing-themed pieces in their catalogs, Equipe's entire range draws its inspiration from the automobile. Offerings carry names like the Hemi, the Dash, the Octane or the Rollbar, and bear design features that'll be instantly recognizable to any gearhead.

Each packs a Miyota/Citizen Japanese quartz movement, surgical-grade stainless steel construction, water resistance to 100 meters and its own VIN-style serial number. Best of all, most of the models are priced in the $299-599 range, making them decidedly more accessible – if less exclusive and prestigious – than its Old World competition. Check out the full collection of 15 models in the gallery below, the details in the press release after the jump and the website after the link for more information and a closer look.

Equipe Watches

Empty Nesters May Still Need to Purchase Life Insurance

2010-03-24T22:05:00.000-07:00

Couples who believe they no longer need life insurance after their youngest child “flies the coop” on his or her 18th birthday could leave their family vulnerable to serious financial problems, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). This is especially true in the event the sole income-earning parent dies.

“Term life insurance is a product traditionally purchased to protect the financial future of a surviving spouse and children under the age of 18, and term policies that end might not be replaced as a couple's youngest child reaches that milestone,” said Dr. Steven Weisbart, senior economist at the I.I.I.

Yet even couples with grown children, who have set aside college tuition monies and are close to paying off a mortgage, ought to discuss with their insurance agent or broker the benefits of purchasing a new term life insurance policy when their existing one ends.

Following are 10 good reasons to consider owning life insurance after your kids have left home:

1. To meet goals
If your children are in college and/or not completely financially independent, life insurance can help “finish the job.” Although you may have saved enough for tuition, the kids’ living expenses (e.g., room and board, laundry, entertainment/activity costs, etc.) continue, but not Social Security benefit payments for the surviving spouse and children—those stop when the kids leave high school.
2. To support other dependents
If you have parents, disabled adult children, or others who depend on you for financial support, life insurance would continue this support if you should die before they do.
3. To cover the Social Security “blackout period”
One of the greatest concerns—particularly for women, who survive their husbands in roughly three-fourths of all marriages—is Social Security's so-called “black-out period.” That is the period of time that normally elapses in survivor cases between when the youngest child turns 16 and when the widow or widower turns 60 (assuming that neither the widow(er) nor any child is disabled). Social Security widow(er)'s benefits ordinarily end when the youngest child reaches age 16 and cannot begin again until the widow(er) reaches age 60. Having a life insurance policy in force can help replace Social Security benefits during this period.
4. To offset reduced Social Security survivor’s benefits
If a survivor begins receiving Social Security survivor benefits earlier than the full-benefit age (66-67, depending on when the survivor was born), the Social Security benefit amount is permanently reduced. Moreover, because of the deceased’s early death, he or she would not have gotten salary increases that might have boosted Social Security benefits further. A life insurance policy can help offset the effect of these “lost” raises.
5. To offset other “lost” retirement savings
Also, because of the deceased’s early death, he or she may not have gotten salary increases that would have boosted employer pension benefits and/or IRA contributions. A life insurance policy can help offset the effect of these reduced retirement savings.
6. To meet commitments based on two incomes
Most two-earner couples make financial commitments (e.g., home mortgage, loans, leases, etc.) based on their combined income. Life insurance on each earner enables the survivor to continue to meet those commitments.
7. To pay unplanned expenses caused by an early death
Young people don’t generally plan to have savings available to pay for funeral and burial costs, final medical expenses, estate administration and transfer costs, and federal and state income and estate taxes. Life insurance can cover these costs, which can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars.
8. To create a financial “safety net”
Conventional wisdom says each household should have an emergency fund equal to about half a year’s income, to meet surprise unavoidable outlays. Following the death of a principal earner, a household without an emergency fund will be even more financially vulnerable. Furthermore, it might be more difficult for the survivors to obtain credit. Life insurance can solve this problem.
9. To offset lost income if a spouse dies after beginning Social Security retirement benefits
When a couple retires and begins receiving Social Security retirement benefits, each one receives an income. The earner with the larger pre-retirement income gets a benefit based on that income, and the person with the smaller (or no) pre-retirement income gets either a benefit based on his or her own earnings record or half of the spouse’s Social Security benefit, whichever is greater. When one spouse dies, the larger retirement benefit continues but the second benefit stops—in effect, a 33 percent income reduction. Life insurance can offset this income drop.
10. To provide bequests to heirs and charities
If you want to be sure that your heirs and/or favorite charities get money after your death, you can designate some or all of your life insurance benefits to go to them. This is particularly useful if, without the life insurance, your executor would have to liquidate other assets to meet this objective.

“Having life insurance is important for estate planning,” noted Weisbart. “The federal estate tax exemption—the amount you may leave to heirs free of federal tax—has changed often. Last year the estate tax exemption hit $3.5 million in 2009 and was phased out completely for 2010, but only for a year. Unless Congress passes new laws between now and then, the tax will be reinstated in 2011 for estates of $1 million or more,” he said. “Besides the federal estate tax, many states levy taxes at death and in some cases the threshold is lower than the federal number. If your estate is large enough to be subject to federal and state estate taxes, life insurance can help provide the money to offset these taxes.”

In determining how much life insurance to buy, the I.I.I. recommends assessing the need to replace “hidden” income that is lost when an income-earning spouse dies. Hidden income is money an employer contributes to an employee's 401(k) or similar savings plan, or to pay the premiums for a family's health insurance coverage. These savings plan contributions and subsidized insurance premium payments cost the employer thousands of dollars a year, a financial commitment that, in most instances, reverts to the surviving spouse.

For those looking to move away from term life policies, permanent life insurance-such as whole, universal and variable life-or annuities can be an attractive alternative.

More information is available in the Life Insurance section of the I.I.I. Web site.

New cars from Peugeot

2010-03-08T19:48:00.000-08:00

geot models including:

Peugeot 107

Designed for the city, but also at home on the open road, the Peugeot 107 is a three or five door hatchback packed with the latest technology. With a one litre 68 bhp engine under the bonnet, the 107 is available with a standard five speed manual gearbox or optional 2-tronic gearbox that offers the choice of manual or automatic transmission.

Peugeot 206

There are seven models to choose from in the Peugeot 206 range, all with the choice of manual or automatic transmission, the option of three petrol and two diesel engines and a full range of active and passive safety systems.

Peugeot 207

The Peugeot 207 is one of the most spacious small cars around and is packed with the latest ‘next generation’ Peugeot technology. EURO NCAP awarded the 207 with 5 stars for adult passenger protection, 4 stars for child occupants and 3 stars for pedestrian protection.

Peugeot 307

Featuring a range of performance petrol and diesel engines, the New 307 is packed full of clever technology and intuitive features, such as lights that come on when it goes dark. The latest security features protect your 307 when you’re not in it, whilst the advanced active and passive safety features protect you and your passengers when you are.

Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Highline (Petrol)

2010-03-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

	The petrol variant is equipped with a 1.2 litre engine that delivers an output of 75 Ps at 5400 rpm and a torque of 110 Nm at 3750 rpm.

Summary
Specifications
Features
Details
Photos

Specifications
Transmission Type		Manual
Fuel Type		Petrol
Seating Capacity		5
Gearbox		5 Speed
Engine Description		1.2L 75bhp 3-cyl.
Engine Displacement		1,198 cc
Maximum Power		75 @ 5,400 (PS@rpm)
Maximum Torque		11 @ 3,750 (kgm@rpm)

Features
Air Conditioner		Standard
Power Steering		Standard
Anti-Lock Braking System		Standard
CD Player		Standard
Power Windows - Front		Standard
Central Locking		Standard
Automatic Climate Control		Not Available
Leather Seats		Not Available
Driver Airbag		Standard
Passenger Airbag		Standard

Should I Lease or Buy a Car : Lease Buy Car

2010-02-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

Leasing a luxury car imposes lower costs, generally comparable to the interest rate of financing a loan. However, if you terminate a lease early or default on a monthly lease payment, you can face major financial penalties and ruin your credit rating. The decision of whether to buy or lease a vehicle also depends on your unique lifestyle. If you drive many miles each year and don't mind paying repair bills, you probably should purchase your car. If, on the other hand, you exceed the mileage limitation or if the car shows considerable wear and tear at the end of the lease, you may find yourself paying large end-of-lease costs.

When you are thinking about getting a new car, one question always comes up: is it better to buy or lease? There is, of course, no one single answer. Each choice has benefits and disadvantages, so the choice depends on your own particular personal and financial circumstances.

A key issue is affordability. Is your job situation stable? Are you in overall good financial shape? The short-term monthly expense associated with leasing a car is much lower than the monthly payments required when purchasing a vehicle. With leasing, you pay only for the part of the vehicle's cost used during the period of time you drive it. If you have the cash on hand, and you can pay the down payment and sales taxes – either in cash or via a loan – as well as the interest rate buying a car gives you that feeling of ownership and may be the best financial option.

If you want to get your hands on a luxury car, but you can't afford the initial costs associated with buying one, leasing is your best option. Leasing a luxury car imposes lower costs, generally comparable to the interest rate of financing a loan. However, if you terminate a lease early or default on a monthly lease payment, you could face major financial penalties and this could ruin your credit rating. Before you decide to lease, make sure you adjust your budget for the monthly lease payment for the duration of the contract.

The decision of whether to buy or lease a vehicle also depends on your unique lifestyle. What does it mean to you to own a car? Do you bond with your car, or do you like having something new? If you plan to drive a vehicle for more than five years, buying it – through careful negotiations – is probably your best bet. On the other hand, if you would rather drive a new car every two or three years, leasing is for you.

You should also consider your actual transportation needs. Think about how many miles per year you drive and how you handle car maintenance. If you drive many miles each year and don't mind paying repair bills, you probably should purchase your car. With leasing, contracts are made with assumptions of limited mileage, typically between 12,000 to 15,000 miles driven per year, as well as considerations of wear-and-tear on the vehicle. If you can stay within the stated mileage limits and keep the automobile in good condition throughout the duration of your lease, leasing is a reasonable option. However, if you exceed the mileage limitation or if the car shows considerable wear and tear at the end of the lease, you may find yourself paying large end-of-lease costs.