Cars
Wheel and Deal
The average sticker price now tops $30,000. But don't be put off: Smart shopping can save you thousands.
By Mark Solheim, Senior Editor
From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, December 2004
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Carmakers are finding ways to eke more mileage from gas engines, too. The Dodge Magnum RT, Honda Odyssey EX and Honda Accord hybrid shut down half the cylinders when you're cruising. Dodge says its system can improve fuel economy by 5% to 20%, depending on how you drive.
One surefire way to improve mileage: Go small. Korean and Japanese carmakers are heaping on a lot of choices, from sedans to hatchbacks to wagons, most of which reside in our under-$18,000 category. The Mini Cooper and Scion brands have even courted cult followings. Frances Iglesias, a 21-year-old from La Mirada, Cal., and her sister, Fay, 24, wanted to buy an inexpensive, fuel-efficient car for their mother, Priscilla Arzadon, 57. They caught the Scion buzz and bought an indigo-ink pearl xA ($12,995). "We liked it because it was cute and small and different from other cars," says Frances. She also likes the fact that Scion is a division of Toyota, which has a reputation for reliability.
The tables show the latest Environmental Protection Agency numbers for fuel efficiency. But beware: EPA's methodology relies heavily on laboratory tests. The numbers routinely overstate fuel efficiency, as frustrated drivers of hybrids have discovered.
A need for speed
Among the highlights of 2005 are the redesigns of three sports-car icons: the Mustang, Corvette and Porsche 911 Carrera. Scott Malo, a 32-year-old digital artist from Orlando, started following the Mustang news a couple of years ago, after Ford unveiled its concept car at auto shows around the world. In May, he visited Greenway Ford to put a deposit down for a Mustang GT, then tracked the progress of his leather-upholstered, thousand-watt-stereo-equipped coupe as it hit the assembly line. The car finally arrived in October to replace his 1992 Chevy Camaro.
"It's cool because it looks like a Mustang from the '60s," says Malo of his new pony car. Featuring a 4.6-liter V8 with 300 horsepower, the 'Stang GT ($26,330) gets a significant boost in power over the old model. The base V6 Coupe Deluxe starts at $19,410. A convertible is planned for next year.
The Corvette also debuts a new design -- the sixth generation of the venerable, 51-year-old sports car -- and wins our Best New Sports Car award. The new 'Vette ($44,245) is five inches shorter and an inch narrower than the previous generation, but power has grown to 400 hp from the six-liter V8 engine. The car races from zero to 60 in 4.2 seconds. One notable styling detail: no more hideaway headlamps. There's also a convertible version ($52,245).
The downsized Corvette is more on par with some European high-performance vehicles -- particularly the Porsche 911 Carrera ($70,095), which also was redesigned for 2005. The Carrera is a bit more urbane than the 'Vette and is powered with a mere 325-hp, six-cylinder engine, so its zero-to-60 time lags the 'Vette's by a half-second. A Carrera cabriolet appears next year.
Nissan's popular, affordable 350Z is Best in Class. The Touring model ($32,360) costs $5,000 more than the base model, but it comes with standard stability control, heated leather seats and an upgraded audio system. The Z also comes in a roadster.
Year of the sedan
For the fifth year in a row, the Lexus LS 430 ($56,300) edges out stiff competition for Best in Class in the $40,000-and-over price category. The surprisingly quick and quiet Mercedes-Benz E320 diesel wins Best New Car honors -- the diesel version has been available in the U.S. only since spring. Another new entry in the luxury class is the redesigned Acura RL ($49,470). The RL is packed with high-tech goodies, such as a navigation system with real-time traffic information beamed from XM Radio satellites. It also features first-of-its-kind all-wheel drive that distributes torque not only between the front and rear wheels but also between the left and right rear wheels.
Other new luxury sedans include the Cadillac STS ($40,995), which replaces the aging Seville. The STS looks a bit less edgy than the carmaker's CTS and SRX, and its generous front- and back-seat legroom and elegant interior should appeal to Cadillac's more senior clientele. The redesigned Audi A6 ($41,620) is larger and more powerful, with added safety features and high-tech gizmos. The BMW 645Ci coupe ($70,595) and convertible ($77,595) arrived in March, marking the return of the luxurious, high-performance 6 Series after a 14-year absence.
Chrysler's dramatic 300C ($33,495) wins Best New Car plaudits in the $30,000-to-$40,000 category. Bold styling, lots of room and plenty of power -- not to mention Mercedes-Benz touches at a value price -- are winning buyers over. The Acura TL ($33,470) earns Best in Class, boosted by a healthy horsepower-to-weight ratio, strong resale numbers and standard safety equipment. As noted earlier, Honda's Accord hybrid arrives in December. The roomiest hybrid sedan to date, it's priced just over $30,000.