Brake-O-Rama has the best auto mechanics in New Jersey! Here is an interesting article our mechanics in Brick New Jersey think you should read!

The 10 coolest high-performance cop cars

By Ben Stewart | Popular Mechanics

The urban myth is that American cop cars are packed with a mysterious collection of performance parts that eclipse anything you can find at your local dealer. In reality, history’s highest-performing cop cars are certainly quick, even if their ultimate performance is a little less dramatic than the lore would suggest.

2006–2013 Dodge Charger Police Package

When the Corvette-powered Caprice ended production in 1996, fans of high-performance cop cars were left with nothing but the lame-duck 250-hp Ford Crown Vic “Police Interceptor.” Although popular then, and still today, the Crown Vic can intercept a truck filled with doughnuts and not much else. Without no rear-drive competition from Chrysler or Chevrolet, Ford owned upward of 80 percent of the police car market for years.

Then, in 2005, Dodge launched the new Charger, a rear-drive, Hemi V-8 muscle sedan. Just one year later, the Police Package arrived to strike fear into the heart of every speeder. The best of the early ones had a 340-hp V-8 and could hit 60 mph in 6 seconds flat. Today’s even more powerful 370-hp Charger Police Package does the deed in 5.3 seconds and looks meaner than ever thanks to its menacing prow.

1983–1993 Ford Mustang SSP

In the early 1980s, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) requested a high-performance police package car that could reel in the perps at serious highway speeds. The result was the 1982 CHP Mustang—essentially Mustang GT components in the Mustang’s most conservative notchback bodywork.

In 1983, the Special Service Package Mustang (same basic car) went into national use. Under the hood was the legendary 5.0-liter V-8 paired to a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. The quickest ones came in 1990–1993, when Ford had its speedometers certified right up to 160 mph. Ford made about 15,000 of these awesome cop cruisers. Today, well-used SSP Mustangs are the perfect project-car platform.

(Photo: Rex Gray | Flickr)1969 Dodge Polara Pursuit

Chrysler practically owned the market for cop cars in the performance-heavy 1960s. The 1965 Dodge Polara Pursuit, for example, packed the mighty 413-cid V-8 that could do a quarter-mile in just 15 seconds, very quick for the time. But the real monster came a few years later.

The 1969 Polara, with the 375-hp 440 Magnum under the hood, was a beast. It was like a four-door Plymouth Road Runner muscle car in plain clothes. According to the book Dodge, Plymouth & Chrysler Police Cars 1956–1978 by Edwin J. Sanow and John L. Bellah, the ’69 Polara Pursuit for decades held the record for quickest top speed of any Chrysler cop car at the company’s Chelsea Proving Grounds high-banked oval—147 mph. That’s a remarkable speed for an American sedan today, much less one from the ’60s.

(Photo: Kurt Clark at Wikipedia)1991–2002 Chevrolet Camaro B4C

Chevy was not content to allow Ford to own the special pursuit market with the SSP Mustang. So the company developed a hot version of the Camaro expressly for high-performance police duty. The package, code name B4C, was basically a Z/28 Camaro hidden in the bodywork of a lower-performance RS Camaro.

The 1991–1992 B4C cars came at the tail end of the 3rd-generation Camaro production and were equipped with Tuned-Port Injection (TPI) 305- or 350-cid V-8s. But when the 4th generation Camaro arrived in 1993 packing the new 275-hp LT1 350 V-8 and an optional 6-speed manual, the B4C became a real monster, one capable of acceleration to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and a top speed well north of 150 mph. With that level of performance, the Camaro became the most potent American cop car of the 1990s. By 2001, just as the 4th gen Camaro was about to depart, the 310-hp LS1 V-8 became part of the package, making this already hot cop special a supercar.

1977–1978 Dodge Monaco Pursuit

In the heart of the so-called malaise era, Dodge was still packing a (relatively) potent big-block monster under the hood of its midsize police cruisers. When police forces opted for the top E86 option on the Monaco Pursuit, they got the heroic 230-hp 440-cid V-8 topped with a four-barrel carb that generated 330 lb-ft of torque. Car and Driver tested the car in 1977 and clocked it to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. That made this cop car one of the quickest American cars of the day—the top L82 350 V-8 in the Corvette made just 210 hp in 1977, so the Monaco was a serious performance car.

What sealed the Dodge’s reputation was a starring role as the police chase vehicle of choice in The Dukes of Hazzard. Any cop car that can keep up with the General Lee is pretty stout.

1994–1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1

The rear-drive sedans GM produced from 1991 to 1996, like the Chevy Impala SS, Buick Roadmaster, and Cadillac Fleetwood, are some of the most sought-after American cars of the early ’90s. Why? These cars were the last big rear-drive full-frame cars GM made, and more important, under the hood of each one was a de-tuned version of the Corvette’s LT1 V-8 with 260 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque (a Corvette of this generation made only 40 hp more).

The police version of these cars was the legendary Caprice 9C1. It would smoke through the quarter-mile in around 15 seconds, and proved so desirable and durable that it was rumored police agencies spent their budgets restoring these cars rather than buying new Ford Police Interceptors.

2012-2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV

The Pontiac G8—an Aussie-made GM rear-drive sedan that was imported here from 2008 to 2009—was a solid sport sedan. A 256-hp 3.6-liter V-6 or a 361-hp V-8 came in the regular versions, while a 415-hp 6.2-liter V-8 from the Corvette was part of the high-performance GXP model. For 2012, GM brought back a stretched version of the G8 for police duty.

The Caprice’s top engine is a 355-hp V-8 paired to a 6-speed automatic. The performance of this Chevy should appeal to those officers who fondly remember the Caprice of the ’90s; even V-6 versions are rated for a top speed of 150 mph. If an officer needs to pick one modern cop car to chase a villain up a canyon road, the Caprice would probably be the best choice.

2010 Ford Raptor Border Patrol Service Package

The U.S. Border Patrol doesn’t ordinarily order a fleet of high-performance vehicles. The terrain they cover is dirt, rock, and cactus, not billiard table–smooth pavement. But that rough ground demands heavy-duty truck equipment, and the agency has been known to modify regular production pickup trucks and SUVs for extreme off-road use.

When Ford’s SVT Raptor came along, the Border Patrol had a perfect rig for running hard along our desert-lined southernmost border. The U.S. government ordered a few Raptors, but because of the rigors of the job, these trucks had to be equipped with cloth seats instead of leather. We can’t imagine any better vehicle for patrolling miles of rough and rugged dirt two tracks.

(Photo: Alden Jewell | Flickr)1975 Chevrolet Nova 9C1

The ’75 police package Nova was a collaborative effort between Chevy Camaro and Nova engineers. The team dropped in a 165-hp 350-cid V-8 topped with a four-barrel carburetor and mated to a 3-speed automatic. That’s hardly sounds “high-performance” by today’s standards, but the Nova was a compact sedan, so it was relatively quick. Chevy took the brakes from the larger Impala sedan to haul the Nova down from high speeds without drama. Keeping the cop Nova level in the corners were parts that came directly from the Z/28 Camaro. Here was a real GM sports sedan for the 1970s.

2013 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor

As the old Crown Victoria Police Interceptors are phased out, Ford will have two new models to fill the void—an Interceptor based on the Ford Taurus and another based on the Explorer. The Taurus Interceptors borrow the hot 365-hp 3.5-liter Ecoboost V-6 from the SHO model, so it was no surprise that these cars topped the competition in acceleration in a recent Michigan State Police test, hitting 60 mph in just 5.75 seconds—a couple tenths quicker than the Caprice PPV. The Ford maintained its lead all the way up to 100 mph, though the Caprice did slip past the Taurus’ 150-mph top speed by 4 mph.

The bottom line? Between the Charger Police Package, Caprice PPV, and this Taurus Interceptor, America now has the quickest lineup of police sedans it’s ever seen. Lead-footed drivers beware.

Brake-O-Rama searches the entire internet for auto information for drivers in NJ that can help them in many ways! This is auto news to help New Jersey Drivers on auto buying decisions. Brake-O-Rama helps NJ Drivers to buy autos smarter!

10 best new-car deals for May

It wasn’t that long ago when automakers were slapping several thousand dollars on the hoods of their full-size pickup trucks and SUVs to help bolster sagging sales in the face of a lackluster economy, high fuel costs and changing consumer tastes. It took cash rebates as lofty as $5,000 along with deep dealer discounts to keep sales roughly on a pace with production in either segment.

But that’s no longer the case as big pickup truck sales are booming, due in large part to the nation’s economic comeback. Automotive News reports that big pickup sales rose by an average 27 percent in April and are up by 20 percent so far this year, with Chrysler’s Ram line of trucks seeing a whopping 49 percent increase last month. And with gas prices largely retreating from last year’s record highs, consumers are beginning to take a second look at big SUVs once again. As a result, cash rebates in those segments have shriveled to between $1,000 and $2,500 for most 2013 models.

With industry-wide new-vehicle sales the healthiest they’ve been in years, the average automaker’s incentive was down to $2,466 in April, which the industry research and forecasting company TrueCar says was $137 (-5.3 percent) less than it was in March.

Still, we managed to find a varied assortment of big-money deals for 2013 models across a broad range of automotive segments. While some of the heftiest rebates are for soon-to-be-updated and/or slower-selling models like the Chevrolet Impala full-size sedan and the midsize Dodge Avenger, others are for what many would consider to be highly desirable cars like the BMW 6 Series. Read on for the 10 richest deals for May.

The Fine Print: Additional incentives may apply, such as those often offered to recent college graduates and members of the military and/or owners or lessees trading in same-brand or competing models. Offers may vary by region and are subject to subsequent modification or termination by the manufacturer; cited financing rates are typically open only to qualified buyers with top credit ratings and may vary based on eligibility.

And no matter how great a rebate deal you may be offered, keep in mind that the final transaction price is always open to negotiation. We expect dealer discounts on any of these vehicles will be substantial for hard-nosed hagglers. Be sure to aim for the so-called invoice price as a target, and that’s before deducting any applicable rebate or additional dealer discount.

1. BMW 6 Series

Deal: $5,000 marketing support (plus $2,000 to USAA members) and 1.9 percent financing to 72 months. The hot BMW 6 Series coupe/convertible and the line’s recently added four-door offshoot, the Gran Coupe (pictured here), carry the biggest-money deals this month. Fuel economy fans can choose a 6 Series that comes powered by a 3.0-liter 315-horsepower six-cylinder engine, but the car really comes to life when powered by a 4.4-liter V8 that generates a quicker 445 horses. Handling is sufficiently sporty, with an array of advanced chassis control systems on hand (with all-wheel-drive available on top models) to help the car maintain its poise in even the most demanding situations.

2. Chevrolet Impala

Deal: $4,000 cash (plus $750 to USAA members) or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months. A redesigned 2014 version of the venerable Impala full-size sedan is headed to dealers’ showrooms, but the carryover 2013 model still delivers the most interior room for the money and is the last car in the U.S. to accommodate six passengers via an optional front bench seat. The powertrain is surprisingly modern with a direct-injected 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine driving the front wheels . The car’s suspension is tuned on the soft side to favor a smooth ride, though its cornering abilities are leisurely at best.

3. Ford Expedition

Deal: Up to $4,000 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 60 months, 1.9 percent to 72 months. This mammoth full-size SUV is at its best when towing a large boat or trailer while transporting the family to the lake or campsite. A 5.4-liter V8 delivers adequate acceleration with a maximum 9,200-pound tow rating. The Limited and King Ranch versions are the most opulent, with extended-length versions also available for those needing extra third-row seat room and cargo space.

4. Nissan Titan

Deal: $3,500 cash or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 percent to 60 months, 1.9 percent to 72 months. Nissan’s full-size pickup truck never caught on with U.S. buyers who tend to be fiercely loyal to their favorite domestic brands, thus it’s a slow seller even with truck sales booming. While its model line isn’t as diverse or well equipped as the homegrown competition, it still does the job with an adequately muscular 5.6-liter 317-horsepower V8 engine. The PRO-4X model is somewhat appealing as an off-road ready sport truck, albeit one that cuts a wide swath through the wilderness.

5. Infiniti G Convertible

Deal: Up to $3,500 marketing support. Nissan gives its sleek midsize ragtop a marketing boost just in time for sunny summer weather. The G Line is related to the Nissan 370Z, but it’s more luxurious and delivers a slightly smoother ride (though it’s still harsh by luxury-car standards). Performance is plentiful given the car’s lusty 3.7-liter 325-horsepower V6 engine, which can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed automatic. The IPL is the sportiest rendition.

6. BMW 7 Series

Deal: $3,000 cash (plus $2,000 to USAA members) and 3.05 percent financing to 72 months. USAA members in particular can avail themselves of a great deal on one of the best big luxury sedans in the industry. The 7 Series continues to deliver ample luxury with energetic overall performance and an exhaustive array of high-tech features in several six-, eight- and 12-cylinder model variations, including a modestly fuel-efficient – though costly – hybrid version.

7. Cadillac ATS

Deal: $3,000 cash (for models built before 11/30/2012) and 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 0.9 percent to 48 months, 1.9 percent to 60 months, 2.9 percent to 72 months. Cadillac’s answer to the BMW 3 Series is arguably one of the best new cars of 2013. It’s entertaining to drive and is sufficiently luxurious with a sense of style that makes the Beemer seem bland looking. Choose the 3.6-liter 312-horsepower V6 engine for top acceleration, though you’ll have to find one that was built before the end of last November to qualify for the rebate.

8. Dodge Avenger

Deal: $3,000 cash (plus $1,000 to loyalty or conquest buyers) or 0.0 percent financing to 72 months. The midsize Avenger shares platforms, powertrains and most components with theChrysler 200 sedan, but it features exterior styling cues borrowed from the larger Dodge Charger. It’s sportier than the 200, but not dramatically so. Ignore the lackluster base powertrain in favor of the available 3.6-liter 283-horsepower “Pentastar” V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

9. Volkswagen Touareg

Deal: Up to $3,000 marketing support or $2,500 leasing cash or 0.0 percent financing to 66 months, 1.9 percent to 72 months. VW’s midsize crossover SUV shares much of its engineering with the Porsche Cayenne, including its turbodiesel and hybrid powertrains, though it lacks that model’s V8 engine offerings. The Touareg handles better than most midsize SUVs and treats its occupants to a roomy, comfortable and nicely cast interior, though its premium priced.

10. Dodge Durango

Deal: $2,500 cash (plus $1,000 to loyalty or conquest buyers) or 0.0 percent financing to 36 months, 1.9 percent to 48 months, 2.9 percent to 60 months, 4.9 percent to 72 months. The big and burly looking Durango is mechanically related to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it carries distinctive styling cues and three rows of seats. It likewise rides on a car-like unibody construction that’s built to be more robust than the typical crossover. Still, it handles well on both highways and curvier roads, with its suspension able to soak up bumps nicely. Engine choices include an efficient 3.7-liter 290-horsepower V6 and a 5.7-liter 360-horsepower “Hemi” V8 that’s well suited to heavier-duty needs.

Brake-O-Rama auto centers in New Jersey give important information to our customers on getting good gas mileage. Our mechanics read articles and search the internet for tips that we can pass on to our customers. Ways to save money at the gas pump is one of the most aked questions we get. Here is an article that can help you with saving money on fuel economy.

Small cars don’t always deliver the best fuel economy. Here’s what does.

By Eric Evarts | ConsumerReports.org – Mon, Apr 15, 2013
You don’t have to cram into a compact car to get good gas mileage. In fact, three popular midsized sedans we’ve recently tested get the same or better mileage than any non-hybrid, non-diesel small car. Despite attractive sticker prices, econoboxes are often not the best choice.

The most fuel-efficient, five-passenger economy car with an automatic transmission that we’ve tested is the Toyota Yaris, which gets 32 mpg overall. But we’ve recently tested three mainstream midsized sedans that do just as well or better: the Honda Accord (30 mpg overall), Nissan Altima (31 mpg overall), and Mazda6 (32 mpg overall).

Small sedans don’t do much better. The most frugal models–the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 Skyactiv–also get 32 mpg overall. The Ford Focus gets 31, but only with its special $495 Special Fuel Economy package. Other small cars get between 26 and 29 mpg.

If you’re willing to spend a little more to get even better gas mileage, several comfortable midsized sedans with hybrid and diesel-powertrains are nipping at the heels of our mileage champ Toyota Prius, which boasts 44 mpg overall. The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets 39 mpg Toyota Camry Hybrid returns 38 mpg, theFord C-Max and Volkswagen Passat TDI diesel delivers 37 mpg. No small sedan or budget hatchback can even approach those numbers.

So what’s going on?

Two things: First, aerodynamics. Larger, longer sedans give more room for air to flow smoothly off the back of the car than shorter models. That reduces drag on the highway.

Secondly, automakers can charge more for larger cars, giving them latitude to add the latest fuel-efficiency technology that may not be cost-effective to put on smaller cars, such as hybrid systems and direct fuel injection.

So far, the trend of midsized cars getting the same fuel economy as smaller ones applies only to sedans. Smaller SUVs still tend to get better fuel economy than larger ones.

We’re happy to see consumers have a choice of larger sedans that get excellent fuel economy, with prices typically starting in the low to mid $20,000 range. Not only are they more comfortable and versatile, midsized sedans also safer in accidents, all other things being equal.

The real takeaway is to do your research, and not make assumptions based on size or even powertrain. Spending a few minutes checking our ratings may point you to a better car and a better value.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs & Tires in New Jersey always tell our customers; “Don’t buy a lemon, do get a good deal!” Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs & Tires in New Jersey give our customers great advice on how to purchase a new or used car. We try to make our customers comfortable with car buying decisions. New Jersey drivers come to Brake-O-Rama for all the current auto news and here is an important article on buying a car that our mechanics in our Ridgewood NJ auto center want to share with you!

Don’t buy a lemon, do get a good deal!
By Jeanine Ibrahim | CNBC

Many considerations run through the head of someone buying a used car, and making certain that it’s not a lemon is at the top of the list.

Flat 12 Gallery Owner Jeff Allen, the star of CNBC Prime’s “The Car Chasers,” has bought and sold used cars for decades—including in the fast-paced world of auto auctions—so he knows a few things about the process.

Here, Allen shares some tips that help make buying a used car less tricky. As a bonus, the former sales and general manager at new car dealerships discloses a secret about the best time to get the sweetest deal on a new vehicle.

Vehicle History Report

First things first. When buying a used car, ask for the vehicle history report, which usually details severe accidents, odometer problems, value and safely level. For a car that’s no older than 1981, the vehicle identification number, a 17-digit serial number required on all autos, can also provide information.

“Now that the Internet is at our disposal and we have Carfax and AutoCheck and vehicle history reports—this really helps out consumers to know that they’re not buying a lemon,” Allen said. “And I’m not saying they’re always going to know everything and they’re always going to report everything. But it is a helpful tool to know where you’re at.”

Perform an Inspection

(Photo: Joe Raedle | Getty Images)Go beyond the VHR to perform a detailed inspection of the car to make sure it’s structurally sound. Though this step sounds basic, it’s sometimes overlooked or rushed, according to Allen.

“Look for damage. Look for things that look out of place … [such as ] sheet metal that doesn’t fit quite right,” he said. “The other thing is to look underneath the car. Look at the frame rails. Make sure that nothing looks like it’s been altered or welded or things that don’t look correct.” Also check for leaking fluids or puddles.

Examine the body; inspect for dents and especially rust, which can spread and weaken the car’s structure.

A buyer who isn’t mechanically savvy should bring someone who is to help spot any signs of trouble.

A car isn’t necessarily bad if it has minor damage or has had a fender replaced—all used cars might need a little work, Allen said. But if it has been in a severe accident, it may be too damaged to make it worth buying at any price.

The Paint Matters

One specific detail to scrutinize is a used car’s paint job. Open the doors and look for overspray, as it most likely indicates that the car has been repainted since leaving the factory. Check for any colors that look like they don’t match, especially in areas that are difficult to paint, such as corners and around doors.

“Paintwork has become a real big issue,” Allen said. “The dealerships that take in certified cars nowadays can’t have more than one panel repainted, or it’s kicked out of the certification program.”

Programs have different standards for how many panels can be repainted, but buyer beware. While more than one repainted panel could mean simply that the car was keyed from front to back, it could also indicate a serious accident.

Consider buying a meter that helps measure the depth of the paint to determine if it came from the factory. Or use your hands.

“The old school way of [checking a car's paint] was to feel the edges,” Allen said. “And you could always feel a factory edge of a paint job. It had a smooth feel to it. And if it had been repainted, you could feel where they used the tape line.”
Do Your Research

Before walking onto a used car lot, research, research, research. Use the Internet and call a few dealerships to gather information.

“Know what the value of the car is. Know what it should look like,” Allen said. “Have some common knowledge going into it. It’ll make you a better prepared buyer.”

The auto repair specialists in our Brake-O-Rama Orange NJ location have received many questions on how to leave messages on rear windows of their cars… it seems NJ drivers have alot to say and want to express themselves on the roads of NJ! On customer asked us “Do you know of a way to leave a message on your rear window if someone is tailgating you and you want them to get off your back?!” It sounds funny but this is the way drivers feel in today’s auto society!

We at Brake-O-Rama wanted to see how we could help our customers by investigating what technology is ouot there that makes it possible to leave messages on your rear window of your automobile. We found a great article that may help you if you need this technology!

Hacker develops rear window LED to send messages to other drivers!

 

 

By Mike Flacy | Digital Trends

Hacker Gagandeep Singh has developed a do-it-yourself project for designing a grid of LED lights on the rear window of a vehicle without obstructing the view from the rear-view mirror. Singh is interested in providing feedback to drivers that don’t pay attention to the rules of the road. Using his Volkswagon Polo as the guinea pig for the project, Singh created plans for a 40 x 16 LED matrix display with LED lights that allowed two centimeters of space in between each LED in order to still see out the rear window.

He then used a strip of wood to accurately measure out the distance between the LED lights and spent the next two days soldering the lights into the full matrix displayAfter attaching all the wiring at the bottom of the display and making sure the matrix lit up, Singh attached the matrix to the interior of the Polo and connected it up to a AT89C51 micro-controller. This controller allows Singh to design patterns as well as messages and watch them display in the rear window.

For instance, Singh could ask a tailgating driver to back off his bumper while traveling down the highway. While entering messages into the controller is likely too much of a distraction while driving the automobile, the next stage in the project will enable updating the matrix through a Bluetooth connection on a mobile smartphone.   While others can follow Singh’s instructions in his Google slideshow detailing the entire process, it’s unlikely that this matrix would be adapted for the mass market.

Abuses of the technology could easily lead to distracted drivers on the road as well as angry drivers if the matrix was used to display obscenities. In addition, any object that blocks the rear window at all would likely be frowned upon by lawmakers.

With school in New Jersey back in session, our Brake-O-Rama customers have been giving us many interesting tips about teenage drivers. Many parents are concerned with their teens with their new drivers liscence and we decided to find relevent information to help our Brake-O-Rama customers understand the dynamics of what is goint on when the teenagers get behind the wheel! We hope this article we found on the internet helps you understand what your teen is thinking and doing when they are behind the wheel of the car!

Teenage Drivers: A New Study Provides Fresh Insights

By Tanya Mohn | Forbes

The facts are well know: teenagers have the highest crash rate of any age group in the United States, and the most dangerous time is when they drive on their own after being licensed.

But there has been little research conducted as they transition from supervised to unsupervised driving, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and educational organization, which released two new studies on Friday in conjunction with National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22) that provide insight into teenage driving behavior and their crashes during this critical period.

Teen drivers are about 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of unsupervised driving than they are after a full year of experience driving on their own, and they are nearly twice as likely to crash in their first month as they are after two full years of experience, according to Measuring Changes in Teenage Driver Crash Characteristics During the Early Months of Driving.

“We know that young drivers’ crash rates decrease quickly as they gain experience,” Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the foundation, said in a statement. What the study tells us, he said, “is that there are a few specific abilities that we could do a better job of helping teens develop before they begin driving independently.”

Researchers analyzed the crashes of new drivers in North Carolina and found three common mistakes: failure to reduce speed, inattention, and failure to yield.  These three behaviors accounted for 57 percent of all the crashes in which teens were at least partially responsible during their first month of licensed driving. Additionally, when researchers looked at specific types of crashes in relation to how long the driver had been licensed, they found that some types of crashes occurred at relatively high rates at first then declined quickly with experience. Crash types that declined more slowly appeared to result not from lack of understanding, but from failure to master certain driving skills.

A second report, Transition to Unsupervised Driving, studied 38 families with teenage drivers in North Carolina by collecting data using in-vehicle cameras. A total of nearly 6,000 video clips were analyzed. The study followed the teens during the first six months of licensed driving without their parents in the car. (An earlier phase of the study collected data from cameras during the period when the teens were learning to drive under their parents’ supervision.)

While the vast majority of driving caught on camera was uneventful and only a small number of deliberate risk-taking behaviors were observed, the study did reflect that the teens’ behavior shifted when their parents were not present. For example, the vast majority of “close calls” involved judgment errors that seemed to indicate inexperience and failure to anticipate changes in the traffic environment.

“This research serves as a great reminder for parents to stay involved in the learning process even after the law allows teens to drive without a parent in the car,” Kissinger added.

The Foundation commissioned the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center to conduct both studies.

Brake-O-Rama Tire & Service Centers in New Jersey has repaired all types and models of cars. Here is a list of cars that will no longer be manufactured. Many of these cars are owned by NJ drivers and our Brake-O-Rama mechanics here in New Jersey will miss not seeing these cars in the future. This is a fine way to say “Rest In Peace”.

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos

As 2011 runs out, so does the life of these 14 cars and trucks, victims of changing tastes, corporate indifference. While a few never had much of a following, several were popular in their peak, and a couple were movie stars and mainstays of American freeways for decades. But with more than 300 models of new vehicles available to American car buyers, not even the favorite of the fast and furious crowd can just coast. Here’s the roll call:

Buick Lucerne

From its launch in 2006, the Lucerne harkened to the days when droves of buyers sought out that freeway-cushioning ride of a stately General Motors sedan driven by a Buick V-6 with its roots in the 1960s. The Lucerne was a successful bridge from the old Buick to the somewhat less old Buick of today. Still, it retires long after most of its owners.

Ford Crown Victoria

The last of a American archetype, the final Crown Victoria rolled off a Canadian assembly line in August, bound for Saudi Arabia. The favorite vehicle of police departments and taxi cabs for years, the Crown Vic was still selling well, but Ford would have needed to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to update the decades-old Panther platform. With the Crown Vic gone, Ford does not have a V8-powered sedan for sale in the United States for the first time since 1932.

Cadillac DTS/Cadillac STS

The DTS is long due for a departure; its mostly seen as a limo/hearse alternative to the Lincoln Town Car. Both it and the STS will give way to a new top-of-the-line Cadillac XTS, due early next year, with GM expected to produce an even more expensive uber-Caddy soon after to tackle the Audi A8, BMW 750Li and Lexus LS460L rather than hauling high schoolers to the prom.
    
Chevrolet HHR       

Once upon a time Chrysler took a boring small car (the Neon), grafted a body that recalled 1930s-era roadsters on top of it and created the PT Cruiser. Seeing Chrysler’s initial success, GM copied Chrysler’s play step by step — hiring the PT Cruiser’s designer to draw a body meant to evoke the 1930s-era Suburbans and using the chassis of the compact Cobalt sedan. Imitation may be flattery at its most sincere, but GM didn’t copy Chrysler’s sales; the HHR was big and cheap but thirsty, and like the PT never received enough updates to stay current — although the supercharged SS version ranks as one of the best modern sleepers available.

Dodge Dakota & Ford Ranger

With stripped full-size pickups regularly priced below $20,000 after incentives, the market for compact pickups has shrunk rapidly. The Dodge Dakota, which Chrysler once marketed as a “midsize” pickup with an optional V-8, suffered the most; why buy four-fifths of a Ram pickup when the real deal was the same price, or even cheaper slightly used? The Ranger may be the most popular vehicle shutting down this year; it outsold Ford’s Taurus, Mustang and Fiesta in September, and is on track to rack up 60,000 buyers this year. Ford has a brand-new Ranger it’s launching around the world — except in the United States. The ancient U.S. Ranger would need a brace of expensive updates to stay in production, but the hole left by its departure is large enough to convince GM to update its line of compact pickups next year.     

Honda Element

Another quirky experiment that boomed at first and then faded, the Element drew a loyal following with its rubberized interior and fold-away seats, but many buyers were given pause by quality issues and styling that suggested a body by Lego. After moving nearly 70,000 copies in 2003, Honda sold just 16,000 Elements last year despite a freshening.

The historic British automaker has grand plans for 2015, but it doesn’t include the current and aged version of the Elise, the bones underpinning the Tesla Roadster, Hennessey Venom and several other exotic roadsters. Citing a lack of Toyota engines and toughening emissions rules, Lotus says U.S. buyers will have to wait a few years for an all-new Elise with Lotus-bred power.

Mazda RX-8

The last rotary-engined car for sale in America, Mazda has vowed to revive Mr. Wankel’s invention in the near future — despite its growing disadvantage in fuel efficiency and pollution with typical gasoline engines. The free-revving advantages of the RX-8 only lured 664 buyers this year through September, and Mazda only sold 1,134 last year.

Mitsubishi Eclipse, Endeavour

While the Endeavour was a moderately popular SUV at its peak, the death of the Eclipse might deserve a clip in the Oscars’ “In Memoriam” segment. The Eclipse has been a mainstay of street racers across America thanks to its starring roles in “The Fast and the Furious” movies. Almost radical in its day, the Eclipse fell victim to Mitsubishi’s financial woes and shift to more environmentally friendly models. The Illinois plant assembled its last Eclipse in August.

Volvo S40, Volvo V50

Ever since Volvo first arrived on American shores offering Swedish engineering, the company has sold some kind of station wagon, and the name “Volvo” still conjures for many the sight of a cream-colored 240DL with 130,000 miles trundling around Vermont with parking tags from several liberal-arts colleges. Sold by Ford to Chinese auto company Geely, Volvo has a bit of an identity crisis, with some of its leaders vowing to chase the world’s best global automakers rather than hewing to its Nordic stoicism. With the S40 and V50 suffering slow sales, Volvo says it wants to focus on its SUV range, including the XC70, which is just the V70 wagon raised and given all-wheel-drive to qualify as a “truck” under U.S. fuel economy rules. When two roads diverge in a wood, automakers always take the one more traveled.

The Brake-O-Rama Mechanics in Orange New Jersey love to pass Halloween auto stories around the shop. This is a fun one they Found on the Internet. Brake-O-Rama Auto Repair Centers in New Jersy love a good  Lamborghini Story!

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos – Thu, Nov 3, 2011

Halloween can pose a lot of challenges for America’s brave police departments; ensuring pedestrian safety at dusk, keeping egg-slinging hooligans in check, and as one Maryland police department discovered, helping Batman when his Lamborghini leaves him stranded.

According to the Howard County Police’s Facebook page, a dispatcher responded to this 911 call from Route 29 north of Washington, D.C. on Monday afternoon: “There is a disabled motorist southbound on 29…he’s in the left lane, he’s in like a Lamborghini. He is dressed in a Batman costume and he is hanging out halfway in the roadway.”

Expecting a joker, officers instead found a well-dressed Dark Knight had indeed suffered a flat tire in his Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder while driving to entertain children at a Washington hospital. After getting the $200,000 Gallardo off the highway and arranging for a tow, Batman hung around to pose with the Howard County officer before catching a ride from a buddy to make his appearance. Lots of mysteries remain about the incident, but at least Batman got to his destination. Maybe next Halloween, he could just let Robin drive.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repair has worked on Corvettes all over New Jersey. We have many satisfied NJ Corvette customers and we love working on Corvettes! Our Brake-O-Rama mechanics in Lodi NJ wanted to share the concept drawings of the next generation of Chevrolet Corvette with our readers!

Is this the next generation of
Chevrolet Corvette?

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos 

There’s no American sports car that ignites more passions than the Chevrolet Corvette. Here’s Exhibit A: the most detailed renderings yet of the next-generation Vette, caught and released by Jalopnik today, which says they’ve been verified as resembling the top-of-the-line ZR1 not due to hit the streets until 2014.

No vehicle carries the banner of American sports cars quite like the Vette. General Motors has only produced six full redesigns of the Corvette since its introduction in 1953, and every model since 1955 has held true to the long-established template of a two-seat, fiberglass-bodied speedster powered by a Chevrolet V8. In recent years, the Corvette has become a road racing champion, even as sales have faltered due to an aging platform.

While some Vette fans hearken for a return to the split-window Stingray years or a mid-engine layout that would truly punch Ferrari in the schnoz, GM often plays conservative with the Corvette. This design of the so-called C7 update caught in the Jalopnik renderings seems safely in the mold of the current model — until you start examining the details, from the brace of scoops around the car to the rear featuring Camaro-style taillights and quad exhausts that wouldn’t look out of place on a Pagani.

Already the drawings have boiled up a debate about whether the new Vette is borrowing too many cues from too many other sports cars, arguments that won’t be truly settled until GM debuts the actual car at the 2012 Detroit auto show.

Brake-O-Rama auto mechanics follow all the trends in auto safety news. Many New Jersey drivers want to know how the new hybrid safety compare to other automobiles. One of our Brake-O-Rama auto mechanics in Lodi New Jersey found this excellent article online and brought it to our attention!

Crash test: Hybrids safer than other cars

By Jerry Edgerton | CBS MoneyWatch 

Hybrid vehicles protect their occupants better in crashes than their regular gasoline counterparts, according to a report released by an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Research by the Highway Loss Data Institute shows that drivers and passengers in a hybrid are 25% less likely to be injured than those in the same model with a standard gasoline engine. And the death rate for drivers in hybrid crashes also was lower.

The hybrid advantage is all about weight, it turns out. “Hybrids on average are 10% heavier than their standard counterparts,” says Matt Moore, HLDI vice president and author of the report. “This extra mass gives them an advantage in crashes.” When cars collide, the heavier vehicle tends to push the lighter one backwards, exerting greater force on the lighter vehicle and its occupants.

To take an example, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV (pictured above) weighs 4,500 pounds — about 330 pounds more than the gasoline Highlander. The hybrid’s battery pack and other components account for the added weight.

In researching the topic, HLDI looked at insurance injury claims from car crashes from 2002 through 2010. It compared only 28 situations where hybrid vehicles had a gasoline twin, such as the Ford Fusion sedan. (That excluded the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, which are sold only as hybrids.)

The HLDI findings run counter to the long-held belief that getting higher gas mileage means buying a smaller (and possibly less crash-worthy) car. “Saving at the pump no longer means you have to skimp on crash protection,” says Moore.

More danger to pedestrians

The study also found that while hybrids protect their occupants, they can be a greater threat to pedestrians — because when they are operating in electric-only mode, hybrid cars make no sound that pedestrians can hear. Hybrids may be as  much as 20% more likely to be involved in accidents resulting in pedestrian injuries, HLDI found.

Following congressional action, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is working to develop a sound generator that can be installed in hybrids to make them audible for pedestrians.

Concerns about Chevy Volt battery

This mostly good safety news about hybrids comes shortly after concerns over a fire involving the batteries in the Chevrolet Volt, GM’s plug-in electric model. About three weeks after a Volt was crashed as part of safety testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Volt battery caught fire in a NHTSA storage lot.

General Motors initially said that  NHTSA  technicians did not follow proper procedure for disabling the battery after a crash but then conceded that it had not developed those protocols until after the NHTSA  test incident. NHTSA  itself issued a statement saying it did not believe that plug-in electric cars were any less safe than conventional gasoline cars.

In any case, the lithium ion batteries used in the Volt and competitor the Nissan Leaf are different from the nickel-metal hydride batteries in most gas-electric hybrids covered in the insurance study of occupant protection

Toyota wants to be “Fun” again! The staff at our Brake-O-Rama Auto Repair & Tire shop in Elizabeth New Jersey love to work on Toyota’s. Henry, our New Jersey “Brake Repair Specialist” found a very interesting article about a great new Toyota concept car! Check it out the article!

Toyota unveils Fun-Vii concept, a rolling smartphone on wheels

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos 

Every two years, Japanese automakers turn the Tokyo Motor Show into a cavalcade of the bizarre with concept cars that resemble nothing else on earth. Meet the latest addition: the Toyota Fun-Vii, the car that surrenders to distracted drivers by turning itself into a smartphone.

The exterior of the Fun-Vii eschews paint for an electronic display for photos or videos; the unveiling shots show one presenter using the door panel as an iPhone-like touchscreen. Same goes for the interior, which Toyota says would blend traditional car navigation with augmented reality. And the Fun-Vii would connect with other vehicles and the environment to warn of driving dangers or just for fun, because everyone likes to status update on Facebook while driving.

Whether three people shown joyously riding in the Fun-Vii would actually enjoy such a ride will remain a mystery; there’s no chance Toyota will build something like this. But the Fun-Vii does highlight the insecurity of major automakers, who see a generation of young people worldwide staring, touching and spending on their iPhones the way they once did on cars.

One answer might be to build more compelling vehicles, something the staid Toyota will attempt with the upcoming GT 86, which will be sold in the United States as the Scion FR-S. Shown this weekend for the first time in production guise, the rear-wheel-drive coupe built with Subaru‘s help will aim to revive Toyota’s reputation for low-cost sports cars. Powered by a 197-hp four-cylinder engine and weighing just 2,662 lbs., it’s the most anticipated model Toyota has built in years.

Toyota and Subaru engineers wax rhapsodic about the steps they took to make the GT 86 — and its
upcoming mechanical twin, the Subaru BRZ — as nimble as possible, like mounting the engine so low in the chassis that it can’t use Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system.

It’s a risk for Toyota chief Akio Toyoda, a racing enthusiast who wants to breathe fun back into Toyota’s vehicles following years of ever-more conservative designs, but the Fun-Vii and the GT 86 show how hard he’s trying to connect.

Brake-O-Rama believes having your brakes maintained is one of the most important things drivers should take seriously.  Brake-O-Rama has the best prices on Tires and Brake service in New Jersey… A good example of why to have safe driving habits and good brakes is the following article!

Eight Ferraris wrecked in
million-dollar pileup!

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos 

Authorities in Japan were still reconstructing Monday how eight Ferraris, a Lamborghini and a few Mercedes-Benzes wrecked on an expressway Sunday morning, coating the road in an Italian red metal sauce worth more than $1 million. It’s not a sight for those squeamish about totaled supercars.

Some 14 cars in all were involved in the chain-reaction crash on an expressway named China Road in Yamaguchi prefecture, leaving 10 people with minor injuries. While the injuries were light, several of the vehicles appear totaled.
How did so many Ferraris end up on the road together? The group — which Japanese police officials called “a gathering of narcissists” — were driving to a supercar meet-up in Hiroshima, where about 100 vehicles were expected to show. As one driver who was invited along but passed noted, it was unusual for such a drive to take the expressway — where speeds are closely monitored and traffic can be thicker due to lower tolls on Sundays. Even so, the Ferraris were estimated to have been running between 80 mph and 100 mph when the crash happened.

Police and video reports say the wreck began when a 60-year-old businessman from Fukushima driving a Ferrari F430 attempted to pass a Toyota Prius, but instead hit the guardrail. That set off a chain reaction among the cars driving in a tight formation behind the lead Ferrari, eventually wrapping up seven other Ferraris — namely a 360 Modena, F355 and a white Testarossa — along with a Lamborghini Diablo and a couple of high-end Mercedes.

The Prius sustained some rear bumper damage, but escaped relatively unharmed.

We at Brake-O-Rama like to give our customers in New Jersey useful engine information. This is an excellent article explaining how small engine technology is making performance improve!



Why the world’s best engines are smaller than ever!

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos

Every year for the past 18, the tech gang at Ward’s Automotive compile their list of the ten best engines in the world. This year’s list sports the smallest lineup ever, with the average engine roughly half as big as it was a decade ago. Here’s why the size of your block may not matter anymore.

First, the official list and the vehicles they’re most often found in:

• 3.0L TFSI Supercharged DOHC V-6 (Audi A6)
• 2.0L N20 Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (BMW Z4/528i)
• 3.0L N55 Turbocharged DOHC I-6 (BMW 335i coupe)
• 3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6 (Chrysler 300/Jeep Wrangler)
• 2.0L EcoBoost DOHC I-4 (Ford Edge)
• 5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang Boss 302)
• 2.0L Turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Buick Regal GS)
• 1.6L DOHC I-4 (Hyundai Accent/Kia Soul)
• 2.0L Skyactiv DOHC I-4 (Mazda3)

Instead of size, automakers have been pushing toward tinier engines to save fuel, while using tech bits like direct injection, super- & turbocharging and other tricks to keep power steady. Yet there’s only one hybrid on the list — a reflection that many hybrids push for fuel economy at the expense of good driving — and no diesels, a slight the oil-burning community will not appreciate.

Also missing: Any engines from Toyota, Honda or  Mercedes, three companies that have suffered their share of misfortune as of late, some of it self-inflicted. And all the vehicles powered by this list are quite popular. Having a top engine won’t redeem a terrible car — but it’s a requirement for building a great vehicle.

• 3.5L DOHC V-6 HEV (Infiniti M35h)

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs & Tires help you keep up to date with important information that could affect NJ Drivers. This is an article we just found that is describing how the government may make it more difficult for you to talk and drive!

Safety panel calls on government to ban cellphones from drivers!

By Justin Hyde | Yahoo! Autos

A key safety panel called today for governments to ban all uses of cellphones and Internet devices by drivers in vehicles — a step far beyond what vehicle owners and automakers have been willing to take so far. Would making iPhones illegal behind the wheel make the roads safer? 

While auto safety officials have targeted driver distraction as a major threat for years, most drivers still use phones while driving, a majority don’t think it’s a safety problem and many report texting or answering emails from behind the wheel. And some safety experts question the effort too, nothing that as cellphone use by drivers has exploded, traffic deaths have fallen to their lowest level since 1949.

The announcement by the National Transportation Safety Board follows its probe into a Missouri crash last year where a 19-year-old pickup truck driver texting behind the wheel trigged a crash with two school buses that killed him and a 15-year-old child on the bus, leaving 38 other children and adults injured.

The NTSB’s recommendation calls on every state to ban all use of cellphones or other Internet devices by drivers, whether handheld or via hands-free devices like Bluetooth connections or the in-dash systems like Ford’s MyFordTouch that have become standard equipment in many new vehicles. It also recommended that states step up enforcement of such laws to “high visibility” levels.

The only exception NTSB would allow for dialing and driving would be in emergencies.

“It is past time to face the facts that no one can drive safely when driving is not their focus,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It’s time to curb the carnage on our roads from distraction-related accidents.”

The NTSB doesn’t have the power to create new safety rules on its own, and federal law leaves it up to states to enact any new laws against driver behavior. But NTSB recommendations often lead to tougher safety rules, and the federal government can arm-twist states into putting new laws into place, such as raising the legal drinking age to 21. Commercial vehicle drivers, who fall under federal law, are already banned from texting while driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last week that distractions of all kinds — from cellphones to events outside vehicles — were linked to the deaths of 3,092 people from vehicle crashes in 2010. Overall, deaths in traffic accidents fell to 32,885, the lowest since 1949, and when adjusted for how many miles Americans drive, hit their lowest rate ever recorded.

So far, the U.S. Department of Transportation has fought distraction from handheld devices, with 35 states banning their use by drivers. Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood scolded Americans for a litany of bad driving habits, citing new research showing 18% of drivers texting or emailing while driving, with more than half of drivers under 25 doing so. A different survey of drivers on the road estimated 5% were using hand-held devices despite bans, and three-quarters of drivers say they’re willing to answer calls.

“All of our evidence suggests that the problem may actually be getting worse,” LaHood said.

But authorities have let hands-free systems flourish in the face of pushback from automakers who see car buyers paying more for tech. No state bars all cellphones today, and it’s getting easier than ever to keep one hidden but stay connected. The auto industry’s safety campaigns have been built around the idea that as long as a driver’s hands and eyes were engaged with driving, they could stay safe while still talking.

Built-in systems allowing drivers to link their cellphones to a car’s sound system have become common on inexpensive small cars. And the industry has been pushing deeper connections, with some automakers such as General Motors and Mini, letting drivers hear Facebook and Twitter updates from the road, and a few automakers have offered portable WiFi connections for vehicles.

The other problem facing a total ban: Whether it actually improves safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a key researcher into auto safety trends, has found no reduction in crashes yet among states than ban texting and hand-held phones. “Passing a law alone might not be enough to reduce the crash risk from distracted driving — which can involve many other activities than communicating with mobile devices,” said Anne Fleming, a spokeswoman for the IIHS.

There are too many crashes like the Missouri wreck from people texting behind the wheel, and distractions of all kinds pose a danger. But advocates of turning cars into cell-free zones will need stronger arguments than they’ve mustered so far to convince many Americans.

 At all Brake-O-Rama New Jersey locations we like to share the best auto information that is useful for our customers. Our Brake-O-Rama location in Lodi New Jersey finds the best auto information and distributes the news to our Auto repair centers all throughout New Jersey! This way our mechanics and customer service people can spread the news! This is a great article we found that can help you decide what used car you should buy!

By Jerry Edgerton | CBS MoneyWatch –

Even though auto manufacturers have greatly boosted quality and reliability, buying a used car can still be a process fraught with anxiety. In addition to worrying about the honesty of the seller, you also want to be sure to avoid vehicles with poor reliability records.

To help with that, MoneyWatch looked at owner surveys to see which cars look like trouble, focusing on five separate categories. We focused on 2008 models — the year ranked in the latest dependability study from J.D. Power and Associates. Buying a 3-year-old used car also lets you shop after the biggest new-car depreciation already has taken place: Because used car prices have risen so sharply this year, 1- and 2-year-old used models can make worse financial sense than buying new.

To make our list of used-car rejects, a model had to get the minimum two out of five in the J.D. Power “circle ratings” for dependability. It also had to be ranked below average as a used car by Consumer Reports in its annual April car issue and online car rankings.

Here are our recommendations for used cars to avoid — plus some better ideas in the same categories. Volkswagen and Chrysler Group, which also makes Dodge and Jeep, both have two entries on our avoidance list.

Small Car: Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle’s cute looks and all-around appeal don’t save it from being on the least reliable list. Owners of the 2008 model told Consumer Reports that they had trouble with the climate control system and power equipment, both of which can lead to expensive repairs. The convertible model is selling for $19,350 on dealer’s lots according to the Kelley Blue Book web site.

Midsize Car: Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen strikes out again. Despite being praised by reviewers when new, the Passat gets the minimum J.D. Power two circles and a below-average rating from Consumer Reports. Readers there report problems with the fuel, electrical and climate systems and the power equipment.

The 2008 Passat is selling at dealers for $18,515, according to kbb.com.

Midsize SUV: GMC Acadia

Though its quality has improved in recent models, the 2008 Acadia is a repeat loser in this category. With the minimum two circles in the J.D. Power survey, it gets a worse than average used car ranking from Consumer Reports. Readers there reported problems with the suspension and audio system. The Acadia SLE model is selling for about $25,000 at dealerships, according to kbb.com.

Large SUV: Ford Expedition

Even if you need large-capacity hauling and can ignore the lame mileage numbers (the Expedition is rated at 12 mpg in city driving, 18 highway), look elsewhere. The big boy of the Ford SUV line (whose model names all start with the letter ‘E’) gets the minimum two circles from J.D. Power and a worse-than-average Consumer Reports rating, where readers report problems with the transmission and the audio system.

The used 2008 Expedition sells for $23,530 in the XLT version, according to kbb.com.

Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler originated the minivan and in most years has sold more than other companies. But sometime around 2008, manufacturing quality began to lag.

This Chrysler van got the minimum two circles from J.D. Power and a much-worse-than-average used-car rating from Consumer Reports. Readers there reported problems with the suspension, brakes, climate system and power equipment. The 2008 Town & Country LX version is selling at about $16,000 from dealerships.

In today’s tough economy Brake-O-Rama wants to help our New Jersey customers save money… one of the ways we can help is by providing you with professional information from experts on car sales. Our mechanics at Brake-O-Rama Auto Repair Centers look for the best information on the web and pass it out to our customers. Here is a very important article on the Best Autos for the money!!

By Jamie Page Deaton | US News 

The 2012 U.S. News Best Cars for the Money Awards help you navigate a confusing automotive market by identifying cars that hit quality and value from all sides. The awards combine the U.S. News Best Cars rankings with the average price paid and five-year total cost of ownership data from TrueCar.com. The award-winning vehicles have the best combination of praise from car reviewers, lower upfront costs and lower long-term ownership costs than their competition. The winners aren’t just good cars or good values. They’re both.

Best Cars

Ford Fiesta

Subcompact and hatchback:

Volkswagen GTI

Upscale small car:

Ford Taurus

Affordable large car:

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Affordable sports car:

Affordable compact SUV with two rows: Chevrolet Equinox
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has a long powertrain warranty, handy features like a slide-and-recline rear seat, good fuel economy and cargo space and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Affordable compact SUV with three rows: Toyota RAV4
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has an optional third row in a compact package, plus an optional V6 engine that reviewers love.

Audi Q5

Luxury compact SUV:
The 2012 Audi Q5 is both practical and luxurious.

Luxury midsize SUV: Lexus RX 350
A quiet ride and interior make the Lexus RX a zen-like partner for commuting and road trips.

Affordable midsize SUV with two rows: Ford Edge
The 2012 Ford Edge has a stylish design and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Its available Ecoboost engine merges performance and good fuel economy.

Mazda CX-9

Affordable midsize SUV with three rows:
The 2012 Mazda CX-9 has seating for seven, sporty performance and lots of features, even on the base model.

Affordable large SUV: Chevrolet Suburban
With seating for up to nine and a long powertrain warranty, the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is the Best Affordable Full-Size SUV for the Money.

Cadillac Escalade

Luxury large SUV:
The 2012 Cadillac Escalade has lots of passenger space, a big towing capacity and a plush interior, which all helped it win the Best Luxury Large SUV for the Money Award.

Minivan: Mazda Mazda5
The 2012 Mazda5 is the fun-to-drive minivan, with seating for six in a tidy package. It’s available with a manual transmission and gets excellent fuel economy.

Hybrid SUV: Lexus RX Hybrid
The 2012 Lexus RX Hybrid  features a sumptuous interior, practical amounts of passenger and cargo space, an excellent reputation for reliability, and good fuel economy.

Off-road SUV: Jeep Wrangler
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is the iconic American off-roader. It’s available with two or four doors and has unmatched off-road capabilities.

Best Trucks

Toyota Tacoma

Compact pickup truck:
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma is comfortable enough to commute in and gets good fuel economy, yet it’s powerful enough for weekend warriors.

Full size pickup truck: Ram 1500
The 2012 Ram 1500 has the smoothest ride of any truck and it has innovative cargo solutions as well as luxurious available interior packages.Affordable compact SUV with two rows: Chevrolet Equinox
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox has a long powertrain warranty, handy features like a slide-and-recline rear seat, good fuel economy and cargo space and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Affordable compact SUV with three rows: Toyota RAV4
The 2012 Toyota RAV4 has an optional third row in a compact package, plus an optional V6 engine that reviewers love.

Audi Q5

Luxury compact SUV:

Mazda CX-9

Affordable midsize SUV with three rows:

Cadillac Escalade

Luxury large SUV:

Toyota Tacoma

Compact pickup truck:

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs & Tires wants to help our New Jersey customers avoid “bad automobiles”… In this tough economy we at Brake-O-Rama want our customers to get the best car for their hard earned money. Our auto mechanices in Lodi New Jersey found this great article to help you know which cars to AVOID!

5 Used Cars to Avoid (and 5 Better Alternatives)

 By Jerry Edgerton | CBS MoneyWatch – Wed, Jul 20, 2011

To make our list of used-car rejects, a model had to get the minimum two out of five in the J.D. Power “circle ratings” for dependability. It also had to be ranked below average as a used car by Consumer Reports in its annual April car issue and online car rankings.

Here are our recommendations for used cars to avoid — plus some better ideas in the same categories. Volkswagen and Chrysler Group, which also makes Dodge and Jeep, both have two entries on our avoidance list.

Small Car: Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle’s cute looks and all-around appeal don’t save it from being on the least reliable list. Owners of the 2008 model told Consumer Reports that they had trouble with the climate control system and power equipment, both of which can lead to expensive repairs. The convertible model is selling for $19,350 on dealer’s lots according to the Kelley Blue Book web site.

• Alternative: Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai has had a remarkably strong sales year for new cars this year. But even in 2008, the company was making quality cars backed by its 10-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Elantra got the maximum five circles in the J.D. Power reliability ratings and is ranked an above-average used car by Consumer Reports, where survey respondents reported no major problems. This model Elantra is selling for $12,435.

Midsize Car: Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen strikes out again. Despite being praised by reviewers when new, the Passat gets the minimum J.D. Power two circles and a below-average rating from Consumer Reports. Readers there report problems with the fuel, electrical and climate systems and the power equipment.

The 2008 Passat is selling at dealers for $18,515, according to kbb.com.

• Alternative: Ford Fusion. Ford’s first real contender in years against mid-size leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the Fusion won the reliability award in this year’s J.D. Power survey. Consumer Reports gives it a top Much Above Average used car rating. Readers there reported no major problems with their 2008 Fusions. Dealers are offering the Fusion for $17,365, according to kbb.com.

Midsize SUV: GMC Acadia

Though its quality has improved in recent models, the 2008 Acadia is a repeat loser in this category. With the minimum two circles in the J.D. Power survey, it gets a worse than average used car ranking from Consumer Reports. Readers there reported problems with the suspension and audio system. The Acadia SLE model is selling for about $25,000 at dealerships, according to kbb.com.

• Alternative: Toyota 4 Runner. This 2008 Toyota stalwart won the J.D. Power reliability award and is rated much better than average as a used car in the Consumer Reports ratings, where readers reported no serious problems. Reviewers praise its capability both on the highway and off-road. The 2008 4Runner SR5 version is selling at about $27,730.

Large SUV: Ford Expedition

Even if you need large-capacity hauling and can ignore the lame mileage numbers (the Expedition is rated at 12 mpg in city driving, 18 highway), look elsewhere. The big boy of the Ford SUV line (whose model names all start with the letter ‘E’) gets the minimum two circles from J.D. Power and a worse-than-average Consumer Reports rating, where readers report problems with the transmission and the audio system.

The used 2008 Expedition sells for $23,530 in the XLT version, according to kbb.com.

• Alternative: Toyota Sequoia. In a category with no clear winner, the Toyota entry again looks like the best bet. It gets four out of five circles in the J.D. Power rating and an above-average rating from Consumer Reports. Reviewers praise its roomy seating and comfortable ride for long highway trips. The 2008 Sequoia SR5 version is selling at $31,265 at dealerships.

Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler originated the minivan and in most years has sold more than other companies. But sometime around 2008, manufacturing quality began to lag.

This Chrysler van got the minimum two circles from J.D. Power and a much-worse-than-average used-car rating from Consumer Reports. Readers there reported problems with the suspension, brakes, climate system and power equipment. The 2008 Town & Country LX version is selling at about $16,000 from dealerships.

• Alternative: Toyota Sienna. As it did last year, the Sienna wins the reliability award for minivans from J.D. Power, and it gets a better-than-average rating from Consumer Reports. Reviewers praise its comfort and seating; it holds up to eight people. The Sienna CE version is selling for an average $20,130, according to kbb.com.Despite Toyota’s recent recall problems and lagging sales this year, its dominance of numerous categories in three-year-old used cars is a reminder of what a strong record of reliability it has achieved. Domestic companies certainly should not count out Toyota as a strong competitor.

Brake-O-Rama has Auto news that also shows you the way the auto industry works with the government. This is an interesting article brought to you from our mechanics in Brake-O-Rama Jersey City location!

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic – Mon, Jan 23, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled today that law enforcement agencies can’t track a vehicle by planting a GPS device without a warrant. It’s a win for civil liberties, but the court punted on the bigger question of how far police can go to follow the increasingly vivid electronic trail left by driving.

In the case decided today, federal agents planted a GPS tracker to a Jeep Grand Cherokee owned by a suspect in a drug case, following his movements for 28 days and generating enough data to fill 2,000 pages. The suspect, Antoine Jones, was later convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.

An appeals court sided with Jones and threw out the conviction, finding the government had violated the Fourth Amendment’s bar of unreasonable search and seizure because it had not asked for a warrant before planting the GPS. The Supreme Court agreed, saying the government violated Jones’ constitutional rights when it physically attached the GPS unit to his Jeep.

But the court’s ruling focused on how the government attached the unit, and struggled with whether the government could have legally followed Jones if it never touched his vehicle, and only used electronics to track him. “It may be that achieving the same result through electronic  means, without an accompanying trespass, is an unconstitutional invasion of privacy,” Justice Anthony Scalia wrote in the majority opinion, “but the present case does not require us to answer that question.”

While GPS tracking units have been used for years, the abundance of technology in and outside of vehicles means investigators have many other options — some of which require court oversight, and others that don’t.

Start with your cell phone. Criminal cases routinely use cellphone signals to prove a suspect’s movements. Talking on a cellphone creates a record of your location down to a few dozen feet in most cities. Even when not in use, cellphone companies can be required under subpoenas to “ping” handsets without an owner’s knowledge to mark their locations. And the GPS chips built-in to most handsets offer yet another, more detailed alternative.

Thanks to apps like Apple’s “Find My Phone,” cellphones can also act as tracers in emergencies — like the case of a woman in Indiana last week, whose iPhone led police to her stolen Dodge Durango within minutes of its theft from a gas station. Even when car thieves make a clean getaway, in many cities they’re snagged by license plate scanners — special cameras connected to databases that can flag stolen or suspect vehicles.

General Motors’ OnStar service has long been used as a stolen-vehicle recovery device; the company faced an uproar last year when it suggested it might let third parties use location data about its subscribers. With many cellphone functions now being built into new models, including Internet access in luxury cars, a growing number of vehicles will be broadcasting a signal whenever they’re turned on.

Four Supreme Court justices suggested in a separate opinion today that the key to future cases will be what people expect when they use their devices; tracking public movements would be OK, but minute-by-minute pinging for weeks or months would be unacceptable. The rest of us will keep driving with our phones, our GPS maps and our emergency roadside assistance units in the gray area between the lines.

 Brake-O-Rama offers excellent information on the auto industry because we want our customers to understand what is going on to help them make auto decisions. Sometimes our mechanics at Brake-O-Rama location in Jersey City send us emails with important current events. This is an excellent article that Made In The USA automobiles will be popular again!

President Obama calls 650-hp Ford Mustang Shelby “sick,” shuns foreign models in auto show trip

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic – 

President Barack Obama took a brief tour of the Washington Auto Show today to jump in a few cars and tout his bailout of Detroit’s automakers. But only one model — the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 — elicited a presidential seal of approval, namely: “This car is sick.”

Obama used the half-hour jaunt to hammer on a new favorite talking point: How he saved Detroit when Republicans would have let it collapse. Potential Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney opposed the 2009 government-run bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, their resurgence has given Obama an easy issue to run on in the Midwest’s auto-heavy swing states — even as the government’s own estimate of its losses due to the bailouts has grown to $23 billion.

“The fact that GM is back to number one I think shows the kind of turnaround that’s possible when it comes to American manufacturing,” Obama said, referencing GM’s reclaimed title as world’s largest automaker. “It’s good to remember the fact that there were some folks who were willing to let this industry die.”

While Obama sat in a range of models from Detroit — including a Chevy Silverado and Corvette ZR1 and the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid — he lingered in the 650-hp Mustang, telling a Ford executive “This is what I needed in high school.” He also took note of the American Pride Camaro, a tribute car painted with scenes from military history.

But Obama steered clear of any vehicles made by foreign automakers in the United States, even though they had been asked to shift models for his visit. A spokeswoman for Global Automakers, the trade alliance for U.S. arms of foreign makers, said the group was “very disappointed” by the snub, noting that those firms employ 80,000 Americans and built 3 million vehicles in the United States last year.

Photo: Associated Press

We at Brake-O-Rama love The Super Bowl! One of the best things are the AUTOMOBILE advertisements during the Super Bowl. This is a good link to enjoy all the Auto ads that were shown during the Super Bowl… ENJOY!

This year’s Super Bowl commercial haul may represent a new high for automotive marketers, with nearly a dozen different automakers set to run spots in front of an audience of 110 million people. But getting the most for their money means releasing them early; here’s our running list of the ones already online. UPDATED Monday with Chrysler.

It only makes sense for automakers to push their Super Bowl ads online; they’ve already spent millions creating a spot, and every year there’s a chance of winding up with an ad slot in the fourth quarter of a 35-0 blowout. All the ones released so far are gathered below; we’ll update this page over the next week with new entries.

Chrysler: Halftime in America The ad that’s got the most buzz post-Super Bowl is Chrysler’s ad with jazz musician/director/actor/ex-mayor Clint Eastwood, who at one point wasn’t so keen on government saving automakers:

 

 

Chevrolet: 2012 On the one hand, Chevy taking a swing at Ford will provoke endless squabbles between brand acolytes. On the other, people have already taken note that Chevy shares a certain unfortunate financial history with Big Boy and Hostess:

 

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Chevrolet: “Aliens” From the host of ads Chevy will run in this year’s game, this is the one that feels the most pedestrian. The Volt has turned into such a hot-button issue that it will take more than a gentle suggestion of extraterrestrial wonder to get buyers interested again:

 

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Kia: “A Dream Car for Real Life.” Just in case this Wagnerian compilation of metal, ultimate fighting and husbandly wish fulfillment isn’t enough (and what was up with the dude on the horse — maybe there’s some therapy in this couple’s future) Kia’s also provided an alternate video that’s nothing but Adriana Lima in a swimsuit waiving a checkered flag for nearly five hours.

 

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Volkswagen: “The Dog Strikes Back” Better to reference last year’s runaway Super Bowlhit featuring mini-Darth Vader than try to copy it completely. Pondo Baba really should hang with a better crowd.

 

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Chevy: OK Go’s “Needing/Getting” trailer: This one looks like it will stay under wraps until the game, when OK Go turns loose their breed of Rube Goldberg-rock on several hundred feet of pianos, guitars and home-built instruments in a Chevy Sonic.

 

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Lexus: 2013 Lexus GS. Lexus’ new luxury sedan has met with decent reviews except for its new grille, which is shot here in a menacing, “Aliens”-like setting that seems appropriate for something that looks like a Predator. 

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Acura: “Transactions”The Jerry Seinfeld-Jay Leno spot for the yet-to-be built Acura NSX plays as the most successful of the big-budget commercials to date — but it’s only Tuesday: 

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Cadillac: “Green Hell.” Strange to say, but of all the ads we’ve seen, this is the most macho, braggadocious spot to emerge so far — a sign of just how militant Cadillac plans to get when putting the Cadillac ATS against the new BMW 3-Series: 

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Toyota: It’s Reinvented. Like the new Toyota Camry, this ad is straightforward, well-built and executed to a fine point. If you hate Camrys as the essence of everything dull in modern vehicles this won’t change your mind, but it could stick with everyone else. 

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Chevrolet: Sonic Anthem. A collection of eye-catching stunts featuring the Chevy Sonic parachuting, bungee-jumping and the aforementioned OK Go musical destruction derby.
 

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Hyundai: Think Fast. One of three spots Hyundai will fill chip-and-pee runs during the Super Bowl with, this sticks with the standard comedy formula honed by Budweiser and Miller Lite over many years. 

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Hyundai: All For One. Most car spots focus tightly on selling specific cars to pay back the $3.5 million that 30 seconds of Super Bowl time costs. Hyundai will spread its bets with two ads for cars and one for the entire company — this “Rocky” spot that, as corporate flackery goes, makes an impact. 

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Hyundai: Cheetah. It’s a desert race between a Hyundai Veloster Turboand a cheetah. Only the cheetah has other ideas. 

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Volkswagen: Dog Teaser. One part of me wishes VW would have just stopped here, but then I’m not an advertising professional.

 

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Honda: Matthew’s Day Off. The title says it all: This is less a Ferris Bueller revival than a trip with Matthew Broderick down memory lane, with a Honda CR-Vinstead of a Ferrari. Would you clean the CR-V with only a diaper? 

 

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Audi: Vampire Party. Who knew “Twilight”-like vampires preferred Audis, or that they’d not check out the lumens and color temperature from their LED headlamps before buying? 

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Suzuki: Sled. Suzuki‘s Super Bowl ads always serve as a welcome reminder to millions of Americans that Suzuki still builds cars. Also, pets seem to be a theme this year: 

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Chevrolet: Happy Grad. Among the first out of the gate this year, and still one of the better selections. 

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Brake-O-Rama Auto Repair Centers in NJ Offer information on making important auto buying decisions. This is a great article we found that can help you decide on eco-UNfriendly cars!

BRAKE-O-RAMA Show The WORST cars for the environment in 2012

By Marco R. della Cava | Motoramic 

As acronyms go, ACEEE is a bit on the clunky side. But it’s one to remember for those wanting to keep score of automobiles on both the laudable and lamentable side of the eco-car ledger. Each year, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy hammers out a list of twelve of the industry’s most energy-efficient vehicles, and another twelve that, presumably, Al Gore wouldn’t grab a ride in if he were hitchhiking across the Mojave Desert in August.

According to the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, which rates cars based on both fuel efficiency and emissions cleanliness, the stand-outs in this year’s class include a new teacher’s pet, the Mitsubishi i-MIEV battery electric, which displaced the council’s eight-year champ, the propane-fueled Honda Civic Natural Gas. Nissan‘s new electric Leaf tied for second, followed by a slew of hybrid machines. But we’re not here to hand out laurels; let’s take a closer look at the council’s dozen automotive delinquents:

Bentley Mulsanne, Maybach 57 and Bugatti Veyron

[22 points for the Bentley, 20 for the Maybach and 19 for the Bugatti … out of a possible 100; by comparison, the winning Mitsubishi scored 58 points]

If there’s happy news for this trio of brutish Euro-luxury machines, it’s that one of their own – the VW Group uber-auto, Bugatti Veyron – ceded last year’s spot in the cellar to Chevy‘s cargo van. Rising to the position of third “meanest car for the environment” in ACEEE’s terminology, the Veyron really can’t help itself. With a top speed of 265 mph and more than 1,000 horsepower on tap from its eight-liter V16, it’s actually a modern engineering miracle that the coupe can manage to get 15 miles per gallon on road trips (and 8 mpg around town). And let’s be honest, this car’s damage to the environment is as limited as it gets considering that at anywhere between one and two million dollars per Veyron, depending on its top configuration, these sports coupes can’t be getting all that much road time.

That likely can’t be said for the other two rapscallions in the group, which are designed to ferry four well-heeled souls around with some frequency. Bentley‘s Mulsanne returns to the bad-boy list, repeating its score from last year. This flagship cruiser has a 6.75-liter V-8 helping push its nearly 6,000 lbs of heft through the air; although a sophisticated engine management system can switch off one bank of cylinders to conserve fuel, the Mulsanne still only rings in at a penalizing 18/11 mpg highway/city. Finally, new to this continental Breakfast Club is the Maybach 57 from Mercedes-Benz, which gets 16/10 mpg. This posh 12-cylinder choice of the chauffeur-driven set has at least one thing going for it; it won’t be scolded by the ACEEE for long given that poor sales – fewer than 200 of the $375,000-and-up cars sold last year – are leading to the brand shuttering next year.

Mercedes-Benz G550

[22 points]

The G550 from the folks at the Three-Pointed Star is the offspring of one of the world’s first true SUVs. This military-bred machine was – along with early Toyota Land Cruisers and Land Rovers – moving people into and out of harsh terrain long before suburban moms and dads felt they needed urban assault vehicles to hit Whole Foods. While the rest of Mercedes‘ family-focused line-up continues to make eco-conscious strides (note the growing range of Blutec diesel and hybrid offerings), there’s really no point to making to this model (with its 15/12 mpg highway/city) an eco-warrior. Between its un-aerodynamic boxy shape and wind-resisting vertical windshield, the four-wheel-drive G550 – a simpler way to say Gelandewagen, or “cross-country vehicle” – is only going to win awards handed out by those who prize exclusivity.

Ford Expedition FFV/Lincoln Navigator FFV, Ford F-150 SVT Raptor pick-up, Ford F-250 FFV, Ford F-350 FFV, Ford E-350 Wagon

[23 points for the Expedition/Navigator, 22 for the Raptor, 20 for the F-250, 19 for the F-350 and 17 for the E-350]

This suite of Ford light-to-medium duty SUVs, four-door trucks and pickups fared poorly for a host of similar reasons, including large and thristy engines (this is six-liter territory, folks), power-consuming off-road abilities and, the enemy of any mode of transport, weight that taxes its power. That all added up to a scolding from the ACEEE, which noted that these American-bred behemoths single-handedly nudged a number of last year’s Euro-transgressors off the list, including a Bentley Continental GTC and a Mercedes ML63 AMG. The Expedition/Navigator takes the honors as the least egregious polluter of the list’s twelve violators, with the smallest engine in the group (5.4-liter V8) providing the best gas mileage at 18/13 mpg highway/city. The Raptor is essentially a high-performance, off-road-oriented version of Ford’s F-150 workhorse, and as such offers mileage (16/11 mpg) that is a far cry from the most frugal F-150, a V6 that in 4×2 mode provides a more than respectable 23/17 mpg. The more work-targeted F-250 and F-350 pay a price for weight and power (with both reporting only 16/11 mpg), but the biggest sinner in the Blue Oval bunch is the E-350 Wagon, though you might as well call it the shuttle van that takes you to the airport. With its massive 6.8-liter 10 cylinder engine (smaller only than the vicious Veyron in this group) managing a scant 13/10 mpg, this Ford never stood a chance in the council’s green eyes.

Chevrolet G3500 Express Cargo/GMC G3500 Savana Cargo

[17 points]

The Express Cargo part of this Chevy’s name tells you all you need to know about this class of vehicle, and why it tied with the Ford shuttle van for last place on ACEEE’s list. Both iterations of this slab-sided, windowless vehicle are big sellers with global package shipping companies that troll our streets seemingly at all hours. Stuffed as they are with packages, it’s no wonder that the vans need power, which they get from six-liter, eight-cylinder engines that deliver 14 on the highway, though it’s the 10 mpg in the city that’s the more important figure in this vehicle’s life. Given the fact that such machines spend so much time in urban mode, perhaps an electric cargo van is being dreamed up in some skunk works somewhere. If so, watch for these current truants to one day vault to the top of the ACEEE class.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs Centers help our New Jersey customers with useful information on all things related to autos! One of the things our customers ask us is how to lower their car insurance rates. One of our trusted mechanics at our Jersey City locatiion forwarded this article he found on the internet that may help answer alot of those questions on auto insurance rates!

Find out how your age affects your car insurance rate, and what you can do to lower your premiums.

By Terence Loose

Think all that comes with getting older is more responsibility, wrinkles, and backaches? Here’s something that might ease the pain: as your age goes up, typically, your insurance rates goes down.

Yes, the further away from that rebellious teen period you are, the better your rates will likely be. That’s because insurers see mature drivers as less risky, says Loretta Worters, a vice president with the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Read on for a rundown of how your (or your kid’s) age affects your rate, and what you can do to help lower it. Your rate, that is. You’re pretty much stuck with your age group.

Age 16 to 18

You’ve probably heard of the “terrible twos” of infanthood, when toddlers drive their parents bonkers. Well, just wait till little Johnny or Sarah get their first license and are added to their parents’ insurance policy.

“In fact, if you have a teen on your insurance, you can most likely expect to pay an additional 100 percent, or more,” says Worters.

Why? Because of the amount of driving experience teens have, says Worters. “They have very little experience on the road and take more chances than any other age group. They are involved in more accidents than any other age group other than people over the age of 75,” she says.

What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*

• Make sure your teen keeps up a “B” average in school to qualify for any good student discounts.
• Buy a car that is less expensive to insure for you and/or your teen, such as a used car or one with safety features that may result in discounts. (Ask for a list from your insurer.)

Want to see if you can lower your car insurance rate? Click to compare quotes from multiple carries.

Age 18 to 22

Ah, that wonderful time when your kids go away to college and you actually have a shot at some peace and quiet. And potentially lower car insurance rates.

“If kids go to college and move more than 100 miles away from home, you may see some savings,” says Worters.

That savings, she says, could be 30 to 50 percent or more. The reason is because the insurer understands that as a student away at school, your son or daughter will only be driving your car on school breaks or holidays.

But, if your child wants to take a car to college with them, then that’s another story. In that case, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) “Consumer Alert: College Insurance Needs,” recommends contacting your insurer about the rates for the city and state your child will be attending college. Then you can decide whether or not to keep your child’s car on the family policy.

What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*

• Again, make sure your child qualifies for any good student discounts.
• Many college towns require very little driving, so low-mileage discounts could help you save.

Age 25 to 39

Good news for people in this group: these are the years when people typically settle into a career. And that spells more responsibility and less risk, according to Worters. The result is usually a lower car insurance rate, as long as the driver didn’t pile up a bunch of accidents or tickets.

“Insurance rates for good drivers generally drop considerably after age 25,” verifies the Texas Department of Insurance’s website. Of course, if you’re male, says Worters, you’ll pay more than women because statistically, men are involved in more serious accidents. But there are circumstances that can bring men’s rates down, too.

“If you are 25, male, and married you will see your rates decrease. The view is if you are married, you are less likely to take risks than a 25-year-old single male,” says Worters.

Click to compare quotes from multiple companies now.

What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*

• Do everything you can to keep your driving record free of tickets or accidents. According to the III article, “How Can I Save Money on Auto Insurance?,” good driving discounts – like no accidents in three years or no moving violations in three years – could help you save.
• Maintain good credit. In many states, insurers use your credit score as one factor to determine your rate, according to the same III article, which notes that bad credit could result in higher rates.

Age 40 to 60s

With age comes wisdom. And lower insurance premiums – most likely. Yes, when you turn 40, you’re a little mellower, which generally results in better driving habits and usually, lower insurance rates.

“Age 40 to 50 is when you see your best rates,” says Worters. “People are more mature. They have driving experience under all kinds of conditions and it shows in their driving skills, and consequently their rates.”

In fact, according to NAIC’s list of “Special Auto Insurance Considerations for Empty Nesters,” mature drivers – ages 55 to 70 – may be eligible for discounts.

Want to lower your auto insurance rate? Click to compare quotes now.

What You Can Do to Help Lower Your Rate:*

• Take a driver safety course such as the one offered through AARP, which could qualify you for a discount from some insurers, notes the NAIC list.
• Ask for any special discounts for seniors, which can include low-mileage discounts or an agreement to only drive during daylight hours, according to the NAIC list.

*Discounts information taken from the Insurance Information Institute, unless otherwise noted. Not all discounts available from all insurance carriers.

The 10 cheapest cars to own!

9. Mazda2 Sport (4dr hatch)

8. Honda Insight (4dr hatch)

7. Scion iQ (2dr hatch)

6. Kia Rio LX 4dr

5. Kia Soul (4dr hatch)

4. Toyota Yaris L 2dr hatch

3. Ford Fiesta S (4dr)

2. Hyundai Accent GLS (4dr)

1. Nissan Versa S 4dr

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs and Tires helps our customers make good decisions on all auto maintenance as well as car buying decisions. Our auto mechanics at Brake-O-Rama Lodi, NJ bring to you this important information they found on the internet. When you make auto maintenance decisions, Brake-O-Rama auto repairs service centers in New Jersey can help you!

Ten desirable used cars that are impossible to find!

By Jalopnik staff | Jalopnik – Tue, Mar 20, 2012

Some cars are like certain pop songs: they become hugely popular before fading away. While there’s no shortage of classic rock or 1965 Mustangs in America, some once-loved cars have become scarily endangered..These are Jalopnik readers’ picks for the ones that we want but increasingly cannot find.

10. Isuzu Impulse (both generations)

Suggested By: nataku83

Why its absence leaves us longing: Isuzu never had a stranglehold on the US market, but the two generations of Impulses (and the second gen’s Geo Storm twin) were pretty popular in their day. The rear-drive turbocharged first generation is more desirable, but both have become exceedingly scarce.

9. Merkurs

Suggested By: Jonee

Why its absence leaves us longing: Ford’s attempt to peddle its respectable Euro-market cars in the US wasn’t a smashing success, but they did sell a fair number of Scorpios and XR4Tis. They have all but completely gone to parts yards in near-futile support of their dwindling numbers. The Scorpio in particular is approaching total extinction.

8. Renaults

Suggested By: spectra

Why its absence leaves us longing: It’s one thing to have a popular individual model fade into extinction; it’s another to have that happen to whole nameplates. French cars in general are as scarce as bargain-priced grand cru Burgundy in the States, and after a long presence with some interesting cars it’s sad to see how Renaults are essentially all gone.

7. Nissan NX2000

Suggested By: TrampaOnline

Why its absence leaves us longing: B13-platform Nissans are fading out as a whole, but the baby-928 NX2000 has almost completely gone away. Part of Nissan’s early-Nineties renaissance, the NXs were excellent hatches with intriguing styling. As Nissan has sort of drifted, so too have the NX2000s been dispersed like so many snowflakes.

6. Honda CRX in original condition

Suggested By: Burt Reynolds Mustache

Why its absence leaves us longing: Sure, there are still a few CRXs out there if you don’t mind one that’s been slammed and B16′d and stuffed full of A-pillar gauges and AutoZone “lightweight” pedals. Everyone’s favorite Zen econoracer has been subject to more gross abuse and violations than practically any other car, although its Integra sister is in the same dire straits.

5. Dodge Rampage

Suggested By: veritas4156

Why its absence leaves us longing: In some ways the brilliance of this idea was on par with that of the minivan: take the form factor of the El Camino and apply it to the front-drive L-car (Omni/Horizon) chassis. Chrysler sold a fair number of the smallish car-truck hybrids, but they (and far too many other interesting and speedy L derivatives) have become exceedingly rare sights.

4. Acura Legend

Suggested By: 3pedalsgood

Why its absence leaves us longing: An ignoble fate for the car that started the upscale-Japanese movement in the US, the Legend has rapidly become an afterthought for most people as they disappear from the scene. Both generations are desirable: the first cars are some of the nicest-looking midsized sedans and coupes ever, the latter are supremely comfortable, and neither is a common sight anymore.

3. Fiat X1/9

Suggested By: minardi

Why its absence leaves us longing: Two parts to this: First, it’s a Fiat, which means that it’s subject to traditional Fiat accelerated entropy, although the basic structure is profoundly strong and the mechanicals are childishly simple to maintain. Second, it’s the representative for the entire class of affordable mid-engined cars, including the Fiero and MR2, that are proving to be very difficult to find as they start to be appreciated in retrospect.

2. Volkswagen Scirocco (both generations)

Suggested By: Vizzini

Why its absence leaves us longing: The Scirocco used to the the number-one Europhile alternative to Japanese front-drive sports coupes, and they were everywhere. Now they exist in a very strange space that combines seriously low purchase prices with impossible availability, which leads to the deep fear that they’ve all been used up and thrown away. Completely tragic.

1. Mitsubishi Starion/Plymouth-Dodge-Chrysler Conquest

Suggested By: DannyBN

Why its absence leaves us longing: Contemporary testers called the big turbo Mitsubishi coupe the near-equal of the Porsche 944. That perfectly-proportioned chiseled shape used to be a common presence. Now they’re almost completely gone. Why? What happened? How could the auto enthusiast community not cherish and support such an excellent machine? We are reduced every time another one of these gets taken off the road or track.

10 Fastest cars under $50,000

By Althea Chang | Forbes.com
The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S can churn out nearly 400 horsepower, but it’ll set you back close to $100,000. Want to feel just as much power for half the money? Buy a Ford Shelby GT500.

Thanks to improved engine technologies that produce higher horsepower, and lighter materials that lower a car’s curb weight, the latest generation of relatively affordable, mass-market sports cars can go as fast if not faster than many of the fancier vehicles blazing down the highway, according to auto experts at Edmunds.com.

Quantifying speed can be tricky. Automakers have been steering clear of advertising a car’s top speed for legal reasons, explains Bruce Harrison, a research director at IHS Automotive. So what about zero-to-60 times? That measures acceleration, and the significance of that number is waning, some experts say.

“The numbers are getting so close and so good,” says Edmunds analyst Ivan Drury. “The fact that the Toyota Camry can go from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds is kind of mind-blowing compared to the muscle cars in the ’60s doing the same time,” he says.

So what’s the best way to determine a car’s speed? Horsepower and weight: the lower the ratio of power to curb weight, the faster the car, experts say. Based on that metric, researchers at Edmunds.com helped us determine the fastest cars under $50,000.

One surprise: U.S. automakers sweep the top five spots.

A big part of why horsepower, and therefore speed, has improved so drastically in recent years is that stability control, antilock brakes, and even the more complicated details of fuel injection, variable valve timing and turbocharging or supercharging are now being facilitated by computers, says Harrison of IHS.

“There are so many other factors that go into it, how big are the brakes, how many speed transmission is it, what gear ratio is in the vehicle, what kind of suspension helps it get around a corner. There are so many different variables that go into it,” Harrison says.

For instance, Ford says it uses electric power assisted steering instead of engine-driven hydraulic pumps that use up a lot of power. “These changes also enable better engine performance because more of the power output is directed to the wheels,” says Truett of Ford.

But cars are getting faster across the board, across all brands as well as price ranges.

“I wouldn’t say that advances are impacting low-priced cars more than high-priced vehicles, but I do think that, as economies of scale kick in, it’s easier to put some of the more advanced technologies on the less expensive vehicles,” Harrison says.

#10 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Horsepower: 305
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 11.1
Price: $36,095

#9 2012 Infiniti G Coupe
Horsepower: 330
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 11.0
Price: $37,800

#8 2012 Nissan NISMO 370Z
Horsepower: 350
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 9.5
Price: $41,290

#7 2012 Hyundai Genesis 5.0L R-Spec
Horsepower: 429
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 9.4
Price: $46,500

#6 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8
Horsepower: 470
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 9.3
Price: $47,470

#5 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS
Horsepower: 426
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 9.1
Price: $35,530

#4 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8
Horsepower: 470
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 8.9
Price: $43,995

#3 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 Superbee
Horsepower: 470
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 8.4
Price: $41,495

#2 2012 Ford Mustang Boss
Horsepower: 444
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 8.2
Price: $41,105

#1 2012 Ford Shelby GT500
Horsepower: 550
Power-Curb Weight Ratio: 6.9
Price: $48,810

The Brake-O-Rama auto repair specialists wanted to share this excellent “sneak peak” they found about a new Mercedes Concept Coupe!

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic

If automakers are going to keep building four-door sedans with flowing roofs and calling them coupes, they might as well make them as attractive as the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe, a prototype destined for next week’s Beijing Auto Show.

Unveiled prematurely by leaked photos, the Mercedes-Benz CLC represents a mostly accurate look at what a future small sedan, possibly carrying the CLA badge. Power comes from a 208-hp four-cylinder turbo driving 21-inch wheels up front through a 7-speed automatic transmission. That’s right, it’s a front-wheel-drive that shares underpinnings with the A-Class hatchback. And while the A-Class will make it to American shores, the CLA would look even better on our freeways.

The mechanics at Brake-O-Rama like to share important auto information with our customers that can help them in many ways. Some of our customers want to sell their used cars. We know that Craigslist is a great way to sell things…even cars. Here is a great way to sell your car that Brake-O-Rama wants to share with you!

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic

Put down your iPhones, and step away from the keyboard, Craigslist car sellers of America. You have a new king, one who has claimed the throne of most overwrought ad for his teal-colored General Motors steed, and will rule for many moons to come or until Chuck Norris decides to sell his pickup online. See why below.

The ad comes from one Joe Strachila of Washington state, who enlisted pal Kyle Miller to come up with a graphic suitable for making his $700 1995 Pontiac Grand Am stand out a bit among the wilds of Seattle’s Craigslist. Miller clearly took inspiration from the realm of Craigslist barkers who have gone ferocious and braggadocious over their plebian rides in the past, but his graphics made the ad superlative. Sure, the ad could mention that the Grand Am needs some engine work or that it has 154,000 miles, but firstly, it’s a Craigslist ad for a car with all the caveat any emptor can muster, and secondly, there’s a teal-winged unicorn. If GM had been this ingenious in selling these things in the first place, Pontiac might still be in business.

Oh, and if you want the car, here’s the ad Strachila put up later.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs and Tires likes to share interesting auto news with our customers. The Batman movie will be released this year and we found an interesting article regarding Batman fans love for the Batmobile!

The BatBerry, a home-built Batmobile, built for Canada’s streets!

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic

By day, Tim Neil works as an application manager at Canadian tech firm Research in Motion. By night, weekend and whenever else he’s been able to find the time over the past 16 months, Neil has been building a replica Tim Burton-era Batmobile by hand at his home from scratch, down to the thrusters and proper dashboard layout, which he’s dubbed the BatBerry. The Dark Knight really is rising.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Centers have the best mechanics. Our mechanics work on all types of cars and like to see the latest concept cars to stay current with the auto trends. This is an exciting BMW Concept car our Mechanics in Jersey City found on the internet to share with you!

May 10: BMW’s Concept Coupé debuted at the Mille Miglia on this date in 2006

By GE Anderson | Motoramic
On this date — May 10, 2006 — BMW unveiled its Concept Coupé in Brescia, Italy, on the eve of the Mille Miglia Storica. The concept was partially a preview of the new Z4 sports car, and partially a tribute to the classic 328, which Fritz Huschke von Hanstein and Walter Bäumer drove to victory in the 1940 Mille Miglia.

Brake-O-Rama auto service centers in New Jersey enjoy sharing interesting auto news we find on the internet. This following article from Yahoo Auto News is another excellent read… ENJOY!

“Bentley” convertible on eBay conceals a different winged automaker’s work.

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic –

In these hard times, everyone feels the need to save where they can. If you’re accustomed to driving a Bentley Continental GTC convertible, the $200,000 sticker price of a new model might seem too much for your neighbors to bear. Why not consider this “Bentley” for sale on eBay, with a bid just one-tenth the price of a new one? It’s not a real Bentley, but the original Michigan-built convertible also had a winged badge on its hood.

Located just two hours west of its namesake Florida city, underneath what looks like a well-crafted copy of Bentley bodywork lies a 2003 Chrysler Sebring, which the seller says has just 134,000 miles on its chassis. The ad unearthed by Carscoop includes a lengthy list of upgrades for viva la Bentley, and there’s a claim of all original badges, fully functional lighting and $3,000 in wheels. But the upgrade list ends at the interior, which not only gives away the Chrysler heritage — namely a 2.7-liter V6 where a W-12 should reside in the engine bay — but sports a good-size tear in the driver seat, nothing a good cover from Pep Boys couldn’t take care of. The trunk photo also shows some unfinished business relating to the relocated battery.

It’s easy to find some poor sap who thought they could enjoy the attention of a Ferrari while driving around a Fiero with some extra fiberglass. But this conversion was clearly done by someone with an eye for proportion and detail; at speed, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the fakery as long as the top’s not up or the owner slows down enough to let the plastic wood inserts shine. With 22 bids and a price of $21,600 so far, there’s significant interest in this Bentley Sebring as a summertime boulevard cruiser. What better way to psych the grandkids into thinking you’ve spent the inheritance?

Brake-O-Rama Auto repair mechanics always stay current with new cars that will be released. Even CONCEPT CARS! Our mechanics at Brake-O-Rama Lodi New Jersey found this great article about a concpt car EVEN THE KIDS CAN DRIVE!1

Toyota Camatte concept car offers children a chance to drive.

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic –

Certain corners of the auto industry fret over future generations, worrying whether today’s children will ever care about cars not in a video game the way current generations do. To help get kids excited about cars, Toyota unveiled this concept vehicle at a Tokyo toy show today — a three-seater called the Camatte that’s so kid-friendly, it’s designed to let them drive.

Brake-O-Rama Tires And Service Centers in New Jersey like to share with our customers  creative auto ideas on how to make more money  in these tough times. The following is an excellent article on increasing your income using your automobile!

By Peter Valdes-Dapena | CNNMoney.com

Neil St. Clair owns a BMW 5 Series and if you want, he’ll let you drive it for $15 an hour or $75 a day.

St. Clair — like thousands of people — doesn’t actually need his car all the time, so he’s decided to take advantage of a new peer-to-peer car sharing service that allows him to rent his car out to strangers and defray his ownership costs.

“With monthly payments and insurance, I was in the black last month,” he said. “Basically, I have the car for free.”

He made about $700 in May, he said, his first month using the site.

But for St. Clair and a lot of others, it’s not just about the money. They like the fact that their unused car is doing someone some good.

“I’m glad I can help people out when the car is just sitting there as dead weight,” said St. Clair.

St. Clair rents his car through a national company called RelayRides. A smaller competitor, Getaround, operates in California’s Bay Area, Portland, Ore. and Austin, Texas.

The rental companies each provide up to $1 million worth of liability insurance coverage on the cars during the times they are being rented. Getaround’s insurance coverage is provided by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. RelayRides’ users are covered by Hudson Insurance.

To make sure customers are protected, some states have passed laws that dictate minimum insurance requirements for peer-to-peer car-sharing companies.

Besides insurance, RelayRides and Getaround require that renters submit license information and submit to a check of their driving records before being allowed to rent cars.

Also, owners have the right to decline a rental request for any reason — or no reason — at all. St. Clair said he won’t rent to people who sound unfriendly. He figures it’s not a good sign for how they’re going to treat his car.

For St. Clair there have been occasional problems. Mostly they’ve been small nuisances like a soda bottle left in the car or the lingering smell of cigarette smoke. But others have experienced much more serious issues.

A nightmare scenario: There has been at least one case, as reported recently by the New York Times, in which a car owned by a RelayRides user, was involved in a fatal wreck with damages that could top $1 million.

The case has yet to be sorted out. But because determining who pays is still unclear, the insurance industry remains leery of covering individuals renting out their cars.

“We advise consumers who participate in peer-to-peer ride sharing to read their insurance policies carefully and talk to their insurance agent to make sure they know exactly what is covered,” said Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute.

RelayRides founder Shelby Clark said, “We feel very confident that the car owner [and his or her insurance company] should not have any liability.”

In a more typical sort of situation, Emily Castor of San Francisco, who rents her car out through Getaround, said the car was once returned to her with a large scratch on one side.

“The company took it and had it repaired in a shop and brought it back to me,” she said. “They had it fixed better than new.”

There are still unanswered questions, though. For instance, Worters asked, “What if a crash is caused by an improperly maintained car?”
But despite these issues, car rental programs are picking up steam and attracting the attention of larger corporations.

For example, General Motors is teaming up with RelayRides so that owners of GM vehicles will be able to use the automaker’s OnStar system to provide quick access to their car without the owner and the renter ever having to meet.

As it is now, renters and owners have to meet to hand off the keys or a separate device has to be installed on the car to allow renters access with a magnetic card.

OnStar currently has six million active subscribers and another 9 million cars have OnStar hardware installed, ready to be activated. That makes for a huge pool of available cars for potential customers, said Clark.

Tesla Model S: First drive of the electric sedan that will change the world or die trying

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs & Tires in New Jersey has the most current auto news to share with NJ Drivers! Here is an excellent article we found on HYBRID cars to steer clear of!

Five new 2012 hybrid cars to consider steering clear of!

By John Voelcker | High Gear Media

Say “hybrid car,” and most people think Toyota Prius.

The Japanese maker has sold roughly 3 million Prius models worldwide since 1997, which is more than half of all the hybrids in the world.

The 2012 Toyota Prius remains the gold standard among hybrid-electric vehicles, with three of its four separate models delivering a combined EPA gas-mileage rating of 50 mpg.

But there are more than a dozen other hybrids sold in the U.S. as well, and the technology will expand across many more vehicles in coming years as fuel-efficiency standards rise.

With that in mind, it’s worth highlighting some hybrid models you may wish to think twice about before you sign on the dotted line.

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7

One of BMW’s first two hybrid efforts–the other is the now-discontinued ActiveHybrid X6–the hybrid 7-Series sedan suffered from an unwieldy name, marginal gas mileage, and lumpy driving behavior that belied its “ultimate driving machine” image.

BMW skewed its first hybrid system toward boosting power, rather than improving fuel efficiency. In fact, the company touted it as “the world’s fastest hybrid vehicle” at the time, with a 0-to-60-mph time of just 4.7 seconds.

The EPA rated the ActiveHybrid 7Li model at 20 mpg combined–no better than the (less powerful) conventional 740Li model the same year.

The hybrid’s 15-kilowatt (22-hp) electric motor wasn’t nearly powerful enough to move the full-size luxury sedan on its own. It could only contribute additional torque, restart the 455-hp 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine when the car moved away from a stop, and recharge the lithium-ion battery pack under braking.

We found that the car slowed noticeably when lifting off the throttle under 25 mph, “as if it had driven into mud that was dragging it down,” when we tested the ActiveHybrid 7 two years ago.”Worse,” we wrote, “there’s a perceptible second phase of recharging in which the car slows even quicker.”

That’s just not how a big, expensive BMW should behave.

BMW agrees. For 2013, the ActiveHybrid 7 is being updated with an entirely new powertrain that’s shared with hybrid models of the 5-Series and 3-Series as well. It has a more powerful 40-kW (55-hp) electric motor and can move the car purely under electric power at low speeds, paired to a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine.

The update makes orphans of the 2011 and 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 7. With fuel economy no better than a non-hybrid 7-Series, and notably worse driving behavior, we see no reason to put the 2012 model on your shopping list.

2012 Honda CR-Z

Fans of the legendary Honda CRX two-seater sports coupe really wanted to love the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe.

But relatively few do.

The CR-Z is a perplexity, a mixed message. It’s neither a light, lithe, roller-skate sports coupe like the 1984-1992 CRX, nor an ultra-economical hybrid with breathtaking gas mileage like the original 2000-2006 Honda Insight (rated at 53 mpg with a six-speed manual).

Instead, the hybrid system and a 700-pound weight gain to comply with modern crash safety standards (compared to the CRX) make it neither particularly fast nor particularly sporty.

We found it fun to drive, but only somewhat–and more because of its small size than any real sports-car character.

Honda does get points for offering the only manual-transmission hybrid model currently on the market. You can order the CR-Z with a six-speed manual as well as Honda’s continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Gas mileage, at 37 mpg combined, is better with the CVT. The manual is rated at 34 mpg, little better than many four-door compact sedans with far more room and carrying capacity.

As a two-seater, the hybrid CR-Z is already a specialized vehicle. It’s also the sole two-seat hybrid sports coupe on the market.

It will find some buyers, but it’s not a very practical car. And its gas mileage isn’t that special either, which puts it firmly on the “disappointing” side of our ledger.

2012 Honda Insight

The Honda Insight, a subcompact hybrid hatchback launched for 2010, was to be Honda’s answer to the Toyota Prius. It even looks like a Prius in profile.

But its mild-hybrid system doesn’t return gas mileage nearly as good as that of the Prius, which has the additional advantage of being much larger (the EPA defines it as a mid-size car).

The 2012 Insight’s combined EPA rating of 42 mpg is 1 mpg better than previous model years, and it has a few equipment upgrades.

But the Insight suffers from sitting on the same showroom floor as the conventional Honda Fit hatchback, which remains one of the most flexible and spacious subcompacts on the market.

The Fit carries a base price more than $3,000 cheaper than the Insight, and is rated at 31 mpg combined with a five-speed automatic.

That means buyers really have to want a hybrid to choose the Insight over the more capacious, less expensive Fit.

So far, relatively few have. The Insight is another hybrid that hasn’t come close to its original sales goals.

Honda is sticking with the car, making incremental improvements to its features and model mix.

But the Prius remains larger inside and delivers better gas mileage–albeit at a higher base price–while the Fit is larger inside as well and considerably less expensive if you’re comfortable with a subcompact hatchback.

That puts the Honda Insight between a rock and a hard place.

2012 Lexus HS 250h

Sometimes the market doesn’t lie: Cars that sell in low volumes just aren’t very good.

That’s the case with the Lexus HS 250h, now in the last of its three model years. It won’t return to the U.S. market for 2013; instead, it’s effectively being replaced by the all-new 2013 Lexus ES 300h mid-size luxury sedan.

When it was introduced as a 2010 model, the HS 250h was the first “dedicated” Lexus hybrid, meaning one that had unique styling not shared with a conventional gasoline model. (The Toyota Prius is another example of a dedicated hybrid; there’s no gasoline Prius either.)

But the hybrid HS was awkwardly styled, with slab sides and lengthy overhangs. While it carried the more powerful 2.5-liter engine and powertrain from the Camry Hybrid, it also weighed 700 pounds more than a Prius–so managed only a 35-mpg EPA combined gas mileage rating, significantly less than the 50-mpg Prius.

More than that, the Lexus HS just wasn’t very pleasant to drive. It felt slow and heavy, and although it was quiet inside under most circumstances, the engine howled under full acceleration–not what you wanted to hear in a mid-size luxury sedan starting at about $37,000.

Sales of the HS 250h never came close to Lexus targets its first year, and have fallen dramatically since then. Though it’s leaving the U.S., it will remain on sale in other markets.
2012 Lexus RX 450h

This last one is a judgment call. The Lexus RX luxury crossover is by far the most popular model from Toyota’s luxury make, comprising almost half of all Lexus sales in the U.S. last year.

The hybrid RX 450h model is often found in wealthy, progressive neighborhoods where its quiet, comfortable ride, the luxury appointments and features, and the subtle “Hybrid Synergy Drive” badge add up to discreet green-tinged luxury.

The problem is that quite a few RX hybrid owners report that they just don’t get close to the combined EPA gas-mileage rating of 29 mpg.

We recently tested a brand-new 2013 Lexus RX 450h crossover–with a breathtaking, options-heavy sticker price of $58,060–and, indeed, got just 26.8 mpg over a 750-mile test drive.

The bulk of our mileage was at speeds of 45 mph or greater, where the hybrid RX crossover can’t run solely on electric power.

Which brings home a crucial point: How you use a hybrid matters a lot to the gas mileage you get.

Spend most of your miles below 30 mph in stop-and-go urban and suburban traffic, and you really take advantage of the hybrid’s engine-shutoff and all-electric running abilities.

But hammer out hundreds of miles on Interstate highways–as buyers often do on trips in the family crossover–and your efficiency will suffer.

We said the Lexus RX 450h is a judgment call because if you use it largely around town, you’ll likely do OK on mileage. But be aware that if you’re expecting to do a lot of high-speed trips, a diesel luxury crossover like the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC may give you better overall efficiency.

6 common tire myths debunked

Buy a quality tire gauge and set your tire pressure to at least the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation, which is found on the driver’s door jamb. I’d rather you set your tires 3 or even 5 psi high rather than 1 low. Tire-pressure gauges can be inaccurate, and tires leak as much as 1 psi per month. Higher pressure improves hydroplaning resistance and, if you’re like many folks, you may not bother to check your tires again for six months.

2. When replacing only two tires, the new ones go on the front.

3. A tire is in danger of bursting if pressure exceeds the “max press” number on the sidewall.

5. Low-profile tires fitted on large-diameter wheels improve handling.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs have been repairing many small cars in New Jersey in 2012. We at Brake-O-Rama are noticing the trend of small cars being purchased more and more with the weak economy and rising gas prices, it makes alot of sense! Here is a great article our mechanic in Orange NJ wanted to share with our customers!

Small cars more appealing than ever — with one exception — in new consumer survey.

By Justin Hyde: MOTORAMIC

If there’s further proof needed that Americans will buy well-designed smaller cars if given a chance, it arrived today in a new survey of 74,000 owners from J.D. Power, which found that today’s small cars are just as desirable as the larger rides favored by buyers four years ago. That’s good news for cars like the Chevy Sonic — but there’s a downside for a brand of small Japanese cars that used to be a favorite.

The J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) survey asks people who’ve owned or leased a new car for 90 days how much they like it on 80 different measures. It’s an annual attempt to gauge “things gone right,” in addition to the firm’s better-known survey of quality defects that tracks things gone wrong. Over the past few years, the survey has found automakers gradually improving the appeal of their new models, although the survey tends to favor luxury brands and larger cars.

What made this year’s results different was the gain among small vehicles. Based on the data from auto dealers, J.D. Power found that twice as many buyers were downsizing to a smaller car than getting a bigger set of wheels — 27 percent to 14 percent. While those who chose a smaller car often did it for better fuel economy, they were just as satisfied with their purchase on average as they had been with their previous vehicle.

Among automakers, the top three remained the same as last year, with Porsche leading for the eighth straight year, followed by Jaguar and BMW. The brands that improved the most: Dodge, Jaguar and Ram, as Chrysler posted the largest gains of any single automaker. Among individual vehicles, the most appealing new model was the Audi A8, a result we won’t argue with; J.D. Power also gave out a trunk full of segment awards with Chevrolet picking up three for the Sonic, Volt and Avalanche — a model that’s set to end production this year.

The least-desirable brand? Suzuki, a company that’s barely hanging on in the United States, followed by Smart and Mitsubishi, both companies that have offered few new models over the past year. And the exeception to better ratings for smaller cars? Toyota’s Scion brand, which suffered the largest decline in scores of any automaker, dropping from just above industry average to fifth-worst. Some of Scion’s products are among the oldest in Toyota’s lineup, and this year’s report came too soon to see what buyers thoughts were on the Scion FR-S; if that doesn’t boost the smiles per mile, nothing will.

Brake-O-Rama Auto Repair and Tires enjoys sharing important auto news with our cuctomers. We at Brake-O-Rama also read Consumer Reports to stay current on auto information that is important for our mechanics, so they can share it with customers. The following is a great article we found that will help you in your car buying decision in New Jersey!

Five popular cars to avoid

ConsumerReports.org – Tue, Aug 7, 2012

Just because a car generates a lot of buzz or is a best seller doesn’t mean that it’s a good choice for you.

The five models here may be on a lot of buyers’ shopping lists, but we suggest you steer clear. They didn’t perform well in our testing or they suffer from subpar reliability. Either way, there are better choices

Honda Civic

For years, the Civic has been an iconic small car. But Honda took too many shortcuts in its latest redesign. The Civic is still one of the more reliable and fuel-efficient cars in its class. But the current model suffers from a choppy ride, noisy cabin, vague steering, and mediocre interior quality. TheSubaru Impreza, Hyundai Elantra, and Mazda3 are better small cars with similar or better fuel economy.

Jeep Liberty

You might be drawn to this SUV’s rugged looks. But that style comes with an equally rugged and unrefined driving experience. The Liberty can tackle tough off-road terrain. But on pavement its ride is unsettled and handling is clumsy. The interior is cramped and cheap feeling. And the engine is noisy and thirsty, getting only 16 mpg overall. All of this has earned it one of the lowest road-test scores of any vehicle we’ve recently tested. You’ll give up some off-road prowess, but the Toyota RAV4 andSubaru Forester are much nicer SUVs overall, with notably better gas mileage.

Toyota Prius C

It’s all the buzz: a less expensive Prius with great gas mileage. What more can you ask for? Plenty. Yes, this new subcompact gets a stingy 37 mpg in city driving and 43 mpg overall, 1 mpg shy of the larger Prius hatchback. But all-around quality really drops. Related to the lackluster Toyota Yaris, the Prius C suffers from a stiff ride, noisy cabin, slow acceleration, and cheap-looking interior trim. Though it can’t match the C’s stellar mpg, the Honda Fit scored much higher in our tests and costs thousands less.

Dodge Grand Caravan

This is one of the best-selling minivans on the market. It’s versatile, comfortable, quiet, and well equipped. But according to our annual reliability survey, it’s also the most problematic minivan, suffering from numerous reports of squeaks and rattles, loose interior trim, and power-equipment and sliding-door troubles. The Grand Caravan also didn’t measure up to its competitors in our testing, delivering unimpressive gas mileage of 17 mpg overall and sloppy at-the-limit handling. We favor the front-wheel-drive Toyota Sienna, which has had better reliability and gets 20 mpg.

Ford Edge (V-6)

The stylish lines of this crossover SUV might catch your eye, but we suggest that you keep on looking. In our testing of the V-6 all-wheel drive version, we found a jittery ride, pronounced road noise, and distracting controls, especially with the complicated and unintuitive MyFord Touch infotainment system. And in our annual survey of subscribers, it had much-worse-than-average reliability. There is also a turbo four-cylinder engine that works well and gets better fuel economy, but it can’t be paired with all-wheel drive. For about the same price, better alternatives include the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, and Mazda CX-9.

One of the most asked question our mechanics at Brake-O-Rama Auto Centers get is “Is it better to buy a new or used car?”This question is important to ask when considering buying a car in this tough economy. We at Brake-O-Rama help New Jersey drivers with important auto buying decisions and we found excellent information on the internet to help New Jersey drivers answer this question!

Is it better to buy a new or used car?

By Liza Barth | ConsumerReports.org –

One of the biggest dilemmas when buying a car is whether to purchase new or used. As we head toward the end of summer, the 2012 model year is winding down. There are tempting deals being advertised at every turn. In these dynamic economic times, does the conventional wisdom still ring true, that it is cheaper to buy used than new? Our analysis provided a fresh, and even surprising, insight.

To crunch the numbers, we looked at current deals for a few popular 2012-model-year (MY) sedans and SUVs and compared them to the used-car pricing for the same model from 2010 and 2008. In some cases, with a slight increase in monthly payment, you can get a new car without the used car mileage and with a full manufacturer’s warranty.

To illustrate the findings, the chart below highlights the differences on five Consumer Reports’ recommended vehicles–the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord sedans, and Acura MDX, Ford Escape, and Honda Pilot SUVs.

The 2010 models have 28,000 miles and 2008 models have 47,000 miles. The monthly payment is calculated with the assumption that the buyer puts 10-percent down on a 5-year loan. For the new cars, the price listed is MSRP before incentives; for the used cars, the chart shows the retail price. Our calculations are based on the average New York metro-area financing rate of 3.365 percent for new cars and 3.310 percent for used cars, according to Bankrate.com. In looking at current financing rates in five metro areas, new car loan rates are comparable to used cars.

The Honda Pilot is one example where a new car is worth buying over a 2-year-old car. The lightly freshened 2012 model would cost $534 a month, but the 2010 version would run $505. For an extra $29 a month, totaling $1,766, you could get the new car with zero miles on the odometer and a full 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty.

However, opting for the 2008 Pilot, could be a better checkbook choice and provide more significant savings than the new car–over $8,000 off and $119 less per month, which could offset the mileage and maintenance. So here, “new” trumps “nearly new,” though used (4 years old) is a true way to save money.

The Acura MDX is another example where the 2008 version may be a better deal, but in some cases like the Ford Fusion or Honda Accord, for less than $100 more a month you could drive away with the new model, as they are both discounted in anticipation of all-new 2013 models.

These examples illustrate that especially at the end of the model year, the deals available could be worth choosing a new car over a used one, but it’s important to do your research. There is not single sound-bite solution that suites all scenarios.

While purchase price is a natural focus, don’t look solely at the cost to buy, but how much the vehicle will cost to own over time. Factors such as depreciation, insurance, financing, fuel costs, and other operating expenses can quickly add up through the years and may make that deal not look so good after all. (Owner cost information is available on the model pages.)

The auto mechanics at Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs in New Jersey shares important information for New Jersey Drivers. Do you wonder where The 10 U.S. Cities With the Worst Drivers? NEWARK IS ON THE LIST!! New Jersey drivers want to be safe on the road, and Brake-O-Rama helps you stay safe on the road with important auto news! Here is an excellent article Brake-O-Rama staff found on  The 10 U.S. Cities With the Worst Drivers!

The 10 U.S. Cities With the Worst Drivers!

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic

Across the nation, the typical American driver should expect to suffer some kind of car accident once every 10 years, according to the insurance companies which have to cut checks for those crashes. Yet that figure varies widely based on where you live, and by Allstate Insurance’s tally, the city with America’s worst drivers get into accidents twice as often as the national average — and in the worst 10 U.S. cities, geography plays a big role in making driving more dangerous.

In its eighth annual report on traffic accidents, Allstate analyzed its claims data for 195 cities filed between January 2009 and December 2010 to determine how likely it was for a driver in those cities to get into a fender bender. For the fifth time, Sioux Falls, S.D. ranked as the city with the best drivers, who are 27.6 percent less likely to get into a crash than the national average. Close behind: Boise, Idaho; Fort Collins, Colo.; Madison, Wisc., and Lincoln, Neb.

While it would seem logical for smaller cities to have safer roads, and crash rates are generally worse in more populated areas, there are a few large cities — namely Phoenix, Tucson and Indianapolis — whose drivers outperform the national average. Philadelphia, Miami and San Francisco crack the list of 10 cities with the worst drivers, but are outpaced in wretched wheeling by several smaller towns.

Top 10 Cities With America’s Worst Drivers

The real secret to having the worst drivers lies in geography. I live outside Washington, D.C., the city Allstate has identified as the home of the worst drivers in America for seven of the past eight years. It should be among the safest; the city has thousands of speed cameras, well-funded traffic police and has banned any use of hand-held cellphones while driving. But Washington’s street layout creates dozens of six-way intersections featuring one road crossing at an unusual angle, turning below-average skills or aggressive drivers into a clear and present danger. According to Allstate, Washington drivers get into a wreck once every 4.7 years on average.

Of the remaining nine cities with the worst drivers, five are East Coast towns whose streets were originally laid out for horse-drawn wagons rather than rip tides of two-ton SUVs traveling 50 mph. Even though California tops the Atlantic seaboard for traffic tie ups, only Glendale, Calif., and San Francisco crack the 10-worst list for accidents. Miami and its suburb of Hialeah, Fla., round out the list — another example where drivers unfamiliar with roads play a starring role, although the average age of the people behind the wheel factor in as well.

It doesn’t take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, and it doesn’t take a database of insurance claims to know bad drivers fill American roads every day. You can’t control what other people do, but you can control what you do — driving a little slower, being more careful, even extending some courtesy on the road. Or you could just move to Sioux Falls.

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By Joann Muller | Forbes.com

Fall is always an exciting time to shop for a new car. It marks the start of the new model year, when the latest cars and trucks begin rolling out of factories and on to dealer lots. But the 2013 model year is shaping up to be better than most, with more than 30 all-new nameplates headed to showrooms and many existing models being thoroughly reinvented.

The timing couldn’t be better for a flood of new products. The average age of cars on the road today is 11 years, creating what automakers say is an unprecedented level of pent-up demand. Many people put off replacing their vehicle over the last few years because they weren’t sure they’d have a job or were worried about keeping a roof over their head. Now that the economy is beginning to recover, credit terms have eased and consumers are feeling more confident about buying big-ticket items. As a result, the industry is beginning to pick up steam.Automakers enjoyed their best August since before the 2007-2009 recession, selling 1.3 million cars and trucks for the month. The seasonally adjusted annualized sales rate in August was 14.52 million vehicles. So far this year, cars have been selling at a 14.3 million annualized rate. That compares with 12.8 million for full-year 2011. At its peak in 2005, the industry sold 17 million vehicles.

If it’s been a while since you shopped for a new vehicle, you’re bound to notice some changes in the showroom. First of all, you can expect a lot better gas mileage than you’re used to. There’s a broader selection of hybrids and plug-in vehicles for sale — at least one by every major manufacturer — as well as marked improvements in the fuel economy of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Features like continuously variable transmissions, direct injection, variable valve timing and start-stop technology all help to make today’s cars go further on a tank of gas.

Cars sold last month, for instance, averaged 23.2 miles per gallon, according to TrueCar.com, an automotive research site. That’s up from  20.3 miles per gallon four years ago.

Some of the upcoming 2013 models will give you a choice between an efficient gas engine or an electric powertrain. The 2013 Ford Fusion, for instance, has a choice of four-cylinder gas engines getting 33 to 37 mpg on the highway, but will also be available as a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. The 2013 Honda Accord also has a plug-in hybrid version, in addition to four- and six-cylinder engines.

Your next car is also likely to be outfitted with a lot of new safety features, from blind spot detection and lane departure warning systems to backup cameras and forward collision assist, which will hit the brakes if you don’t act quickly enough. These systems take a little getting used to, but can provide an extra level of security when you’re driving. The 2013 Cadillac ATS, for instance, is packed with radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensor systems that warn you of road hazards — a gentle vibration under your thigh if you’re drifting off the road, for instance — and intervene when necessary to help you avoid crashes.

Perhaps the most welcome — but controversial — feature in today’s cars is the ability to take your music and your social life with you. In-car information and entertainment systems are the auto industry’s next frontier, but they present new issues around driver distraction that have yet to be resolved.

With so many new vehicles being introduced, Forbes culled a list of what we think are the most important 2013 models coming to market. Our list is based on factors such as breakthrough technologies, significant powertrain advances and, in some cases, the car’s importance to a company’s business model. Here, then, is Forbes’ list of the Most Anticipated Cars of 2013.

2013 Ford Fusion

Likely price: $22,000 to $30,000

Ford aims to redefine the competitive mid-sized car segment with the Aston Martin-inspired look of the new Fusion sedan, available with gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The hybrid will get 47 mpg in the city; the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid will get the equivalent of at least 100 mpg.

2013 Honda Accord

Likely price: $21,000 to $28,000

Honda’s 9th-generation Accord, arriving in dealerships now, offers direct fuel injection and a continuously variable transmission for better fuel economy, and will also come in a hybrid and plug-in hybrid model next year. The new HondaLink system works with your smartphone to connect the Accord with music, media, internet apps and roadside assistance. Safety systems include forward collision warning, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

2013 Ram 1500

Starting price: $23,585

The Ram pickup has a new base V-6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, start-stop technology and an optional air suspension, all of which contribute to its great mpg: 18/25 city/hwy. Through Chrysler’s next-generation UConnect system, the Ram is also a Sprint wireless hotspot, allowing truck owners to access and update an expanding array of vehicle-related apps.

2013 Nissan Altima

Starting price: $21,500

Officially on sale since June, the redesigned 2013 Altima is just picking up steam in showrooms. Already the second most popular car in America, the new generation gets an impressive 38 miles per gallon on the highway. It’s loaded with safety features and even sounds the horn when you’ve inflated the tires to the recommended pressure. Smart.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Price: TBA

The redesigned Pathfinder is 500 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, and gets up to 26 miles per gallon, a 30% improvement. But it remains a rugged and capable SUV, still capable of towing 5,000 pounds. Special features include a panoramic roof and a flexible seating system.

2013 Cadillac ATS

Price: $33,990 to $42,090

The new entry-level Cadillac makes no secret of its goal to target the world’s best compact luxury cars. It’s built on a new lightweight, rear-wheel-drive chassis for agility and features three engine choices. Loaded with safety technology, its standout feature is the intuitive Cadillac CUE information and entertainment system that’s easier to use than most.

2013 Dodge Dart

Starting price: $15,995

The first joint effort by Chrysler and Fiat, the Dart is based on a sporty Alfa Romeo platform. Roomier than other compacts, it’s classified by the EPA as a mid-size car. Features include an 8.4-inch touchscreen, upscale ambient lighting and customizable interiors. The Dart comes with three new fuel-efficient engines that get up to 41 mpg on the highway.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Starting price: $25,275T

he redesigned Santa Fe now comes in two sizes. The five-passenger crossover debuted in August, and the longer-wheelbase version, with three rows and seating for seven, goes on sale in January. Three engine choices, two four-cylinders and a V6, are available, and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Price: TBA

Debuting later this year, the new Lincoln MKZ represents the future of Lincoln. It features impressive styling, with a distinctive retractable glass roof, and other unique features like a push-button gear selector, rear inflatable seatbelts and an intelligent system that controls driving dynamics.

2013 Tesla Model S

Starting price: $49,900 (after $7,500 federal tax credit)

The Model S is the second electric car developed by Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors. It’s available with three battery sizes, with a range of 160 to 300 miles on a single charge, and a top speed 110 to 130 miles per hour. A 17-inch touchscreen controls entertainment and information. The car seats 5 adults, plus two small children in rear-facing jumpseats.

2013 Ford C-Max hybrid

Starting price: $25,995

The C-Max is a compact utility van sold in Europe. In the U.S., it’ll be sold only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The C-Max hybrid has a 570-mile driving range, and gets 47 mpg in both city and highway driving. The C-Max Energi, coming later this fall, can go more than 20 miles on electricity alone, and will have a total range of 550 miles. Features in both vehicles include a hands-free liftgate and panoramic sunroof.

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Motor Oil: Synthetic vs. Non-Synthetic?

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Small cars boom as Americans seek cheaper, yet better, new rides.

By Justin Hyde | Motoramic –
Autumn started off with a bang for the white-belt set at the
nation’s auto dealers, as sales of new cars rose 13 percent in September from a
year earlier. The noteworthy surprise: Booming demand for small cars, whose
sales rose nearly 50 percent from a year ago and have become the
fastest-growing slice of the industry. Not since the early 1980s have small
cars been quite as popular among American drivers — and here’s the top three
reasons why.

PRICES: According to TrueCar, the
average new vehicle sold in September came with a transaction price of $30,282
– a level that ranks among the highest ever, and has held steady for several
months. Since emerging from the financial calamity of 2009, automakers, especially
the Detroit Three, have been far more reticent to throw cash or cheap loans at
customers just to get a sale; the average combination of rebates and other
incentives of $2,645 per vehicle in September was down slightly from the month
before.
That said, deals still abound, and with rock-bottom costs for loans and the
Federal Reserve’s easing, automakers have been able to lure owners with
less-than-sparkling credit back into showrooms with lower interest rates and
deals stretching to six years or even more; in recent months, about a quarter
of new-car loans go to buyers with subprime credit scores.
But even with easy loans, the sticker price of a new car can be a challenge
for many households. Long past are the days where dealers could keep a few new
models on the lot starting below $10,000. Small cars remain the models most
buyers can afford.

QUALITY: As important as prices are, the boom in small cars
has also come because small cars are no longer automatically terrible. Many
automakers and dealers, especially Detroit
brands, shunned small cars for years because of their small profits, sticking
them with old engines and prison-quality interiors. Yet since 2009, Detroit’s
automakers have introduced small cars that were not just inexpensive but well-designed
– with tech features like Bluetooth-enabled sound systems filtered down from
more expensive models.
The best example: the new Chevy Spark, the smallest car Chevrolet has ever sold and a
full five inches shorter than the late lamented Geo Metro. While GM was
sanguine about the car’s prospects at first, the Spark has caught on; sales hit
2,223 units in September, even though it wasn’t available in many parts of the
country. With a base price starting around $11,000, the four-door Spark fills
the same niche that the Chevy Aveo once did of least-expensive new car on any
dealer’s lot. Unlike the Aveo, the Spark’s a good car; it’s roomier, with better
features, than more expensive competition from overseas automakers. And while
it’s 85-hp engine won’t win any races, it can get up to 37 mpg on the freeway.
In the slightly larger subcompact class, there’s never been quite as many
worthy choices; not just the stalwarts like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris,
but new models such as the Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic, Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent.

SAFETY: The laws of physics will always make riding in a
smaller vehicle more risky than a larger one, but with much of the world
already choosing smaller cars, automakers have no choice but to make them as
safe as possible. Five minicars earn “top
pick” ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety; a few
have jumped from “poor” to “good” in their most recent
redesigns. The Spark sports 10 airbags, including ones to protect front
passengers’ knees. It’s enough to ease the concerns of many buyers, especially
those who may be handing the keys over to a younger relative.
Previous surges in small-car buying have
been somewhat short-lived; gas prices fell to make larger cars more attractive,
and some portion of the recent gains has come from rental fleets and other bulk
buyers re-stocking their lots. But there’s nothing on the immediate horizon
that would suddenly make small cars less attractive, and the demographic trends
of Americans moving into larger cities from the suburbs suggest more people
making their next trip to a dealer will think small.

Leasing often gets a bad rap. And no wonder: Its confusing terms sound like fodder for a course in high finance, and dealers have been known to slip bad deals past confused car buyers who simply wanted low monthly payments.

About 20% of new-car transactions are leases, but I’m convinced that more people should be leasing. As manufacturers figured out that the cash rebates they offered were hurting resale values, and as the credit spigot began to flow freely again, carmakers shifted incentives from rebates to low-interest financing and leases. If you know what you’re looking for and negotiate smartly, you can save money by leasing and disprove the five myths below.

1. Leasing is a bad deal. In general, if you keep a car well past the day the loan is paid off (or if you pay cash to begin with), you’ll save money by buying. But if you trade in your car before the loan is paid off, the value of the trade-in is unlikely to cover the remaining balance on the loan. And if you shop — and negotiate — as hard for a lease deal as you would for a purchase, you can come out ahead by leasing.

Say you negotiate to buy a 2012 Honda Accord EX V6 (sticker price: $28,170) for the invoice price — $25,838 — with 10% down and a five-year loan at 4.4%. But after three years you decide you want a new car. If you trade in the Accord, you will likely get about 50% of the sticker price, or $14,025 (the resale value after three years, according to the Automotive Lease Guide). Then you’ll have to pay off the loan. Figure your total out-of-pocket cost will be $11,462.

But if you lease that new Accord for three years, your monthly payments will be $290 (Honda has been offering subsidized leases on the 2012 Accord). When you turn in the car at the end of the lease, you’ll just walk away (unless you go over your mileage allotment or have unusual wear and tear). Total out-of-pocket cost: $10,150. In this case, leasing would leave you $1,312 richer.

In most states, you pay taxes only on the actual lease payments, so leasing can put you even further ahead (see number 3 below). Plus, you typically don’t have to bring cash to the table for a lease.

2. It’s nearly impossible to negotiate a good lease. Almost every facet of a lease is negotiable. But first you need to understand the jargon:

Capitalized cost. In the leasing universe, this is the vehicle price. You should haggle over this figure just as hard as you would haggle over the price if you were buying.

Money factor. The lower this number, the better (you have to multiply it by 2,400 to get an estimate of the interest rate). Dealers are sometimes reluctant to reveal the money factor, so be persistent.

Residual value. This is the value of the car or truck at the end of the lease.

An inflated residual value lowers your monthly payments, but it can also handcuff you. A more realistic residual value will make it easier to sell the lease, trade your vehicle in the middle of the lease or buy the vehicle at the end of the lease, says Tarry Shebesta, president of LeaseCompare.com.

Shop for your lease at the dealer, banks and credit unions, focusing on the money factor and the residual value. (No matter who writes your lease, you’ll have to haggle with the dealer over the capitalized cost.) You can also go to LeaseCompare.com to comparison shop and apply for a lease. Or check out LeaseWise. For $350, the service will shop five dealers in your area.

3. Only businesses get a tax break. Tax laws allow businesses to deduct monthly leasing payments as an expense.

But individuals get a tax break, too. In most states, you pay sales tax only on the monthly payments, not the vehicle price. In the Accord example above, you’d owe taxes on about $10,150 in payments rather than the $25,838 vehicle price. (Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia charge sales tax on the entire price.)

4. You will have to pay hefty fees when you turn in the car. The typical annual allotment of 10,000 to 15,000 miles is stingy, and the 20- to 25-cents-per-mile penalty for exceeding the limit seems daunting. But if you buy a car, you’re also penalized for higher-than-average mileage when you trade it in.
You may be able to negotiate a higher mileage limit in exchange for a higher monthly payment and still save money.

5. If you want out early, you’re stuck. Several fee-based Web sites, including LeaseTrader.com and Swapalease, match people who want to get out of a lease early with those who want to assume a short-term lease. At LeaseTrader.com, you pay a fee of $90 to post your vehicle and $250 to complete the transfer of the lease.

The auto mechanics at Brake-O-Rama like to help our customers with making the best auto buying decisions. The following article will help New Jersey Drivers Make good car buying decisions!

By Jason Udy | Motor Trend

We all want to get the most bang for our buck, and for enthusiasts that means the most horsepower within our budget. While muscle cars – in V-8 and V-6 form – seem to fit the bill for cheap power, sometimes reality requires us to have four doors and decent cargo room. With the median new car cost hovering around the $30,000 mark, we put this list together of four-door cars with the most horsepower with a base price below $30,000. One segment dominated the list, which may surprise you.

Subaru WRX
Price: $26,565
Output: 265 hp/244 lb-ft
0-60: 4.5
EPA city/highway: 19/25

The Subaru WRX is the only sport compact to make the cut, coming in tenth place and barely beating out the Mazdaspeed3 by just two horsepower (though the ‘speed3 makes 36 lb-ft more torque). As the only car on this list with all-wheel-drive as standard, the WRX offers Subaru’s surefootedness and wet weather stability. In our last turbocharged sport compact comparison, the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four propelled the 2010 WRX to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, walking away from the other three competitors – including the Mazdaspeed3 – to take the first-place trophy in acceleration tests. The WRX is the only car to offer a choice of bodystyles on our list, with the sedan and hatchback having the same base price.

Toyota Camry SE V6
Price: $29,515
Output: 268 hp/248 lb-ft
0-60: 5.8
EPA city/highway: 21/30

The Toyota Camry is the top-selling midsize sedan in the U.S., with 373,479 sold thus far in 2012, pulling ahead of the number-two Honda Accord by more than 70,000 units. Buyers seeking more power from their family car can opt for the sportier SE trim level with a potent 268-hp 3.5-liter V-6, which lands the midsizer in ninth place on the list. In our comparison, the 2012 Camry SE V6 hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, just a tenth of a second shy of the first-place 280-hp Volkswagen Passat VR6 SEL, but more than a full second ahead of the more powerful Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T, making the popular model a solid – and quick – choice for those faithful to the Toyota brand.

Nissan Altima 3.5 S
Price: $25,700
Output: 270 hp/251 lb-ft
0-60: 5.9
EPA city/highway: 22/31

The thoroughly redesigned 2013 Nissan Altima offers a potent 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque from its 3.5-liter V-6, good enough to secure it the number-eight spot. Power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT. During our 2013 Car of the Year testing, we said the Altima drove just like the car it’s supposed to be: a midsize sedan. About the six-cylinder model, we concluded, “…though the 270-hp V-6 model remains the enthusiast’s choice for those forced to consider a basic midsize sedan, it’s no sport sedan.”

Kia Optima SX
Price: $27,575
Output: 274 hp/269 lb-ft
0-60: 7.2
EPA city/highway: 22/34

While the Kia Optima SX uses the same drivetrain as its Hyundai Sonata SE platform-mate, we gave it a seventh-place finish due to a base price nearly $2000 higher and an acceleration time that’s off a couple of ticks. We enjoyed our long-term Optima SX, acknowledging the automaker’s efforts to bring the brand up to the same level as its competition. In our 2011 Kia Optima SX verdict, we concluded by saying, “It’s a complete package, offering styling, performance, ease of use, and spacious interior with quality materials and build quality.”

Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T
Price: $25,675
Output: 274 hp/269 lb-ft
0-60: 7.2
EPA city/highway: 22/34

The Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T comes in just ahead of the Kia Optima SX, with which it shares its drivetrain and chassis, for a sixth-place finish because thanks to its price advantage and slight acceleration edge. In a midsize comparison test against the segment sales leader Toyota Camry SE V6 and our 2012 Car of the Year winner Volkswagen Passat VR6 SEL, the Sonata turbo finished in third place due to its lackluster performance and observed fuel mileage. The Sonata turbo was more than one second slower to 60 mph than either competitor.

Volkswagen Passat SE V6
Price: $29,235
Output: 280 hp/255 lb-ft
0-60: 5.7
EPA city/highway: 20/28

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat earned the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year award for good reason: the midsize sedan excelled in each of our six criteria. With the 280-hp narrow-angle 3.6-liter V-6 and DSG dual-clutch transmission, the Passat not only garners a fifth-place ranking, but it proves to be a solid performer in acceleration, handling, and braking. Back that up with a spacious interior and an entry-level price below $30-large, and the Passat makes a good argument for the horsepower-craving family.

Chrysler 200 Limited
Price: $25,680
Output: 283-hp/260 lb-ft
0-60: 6.0
EPA city/highway: 19/29

Chrysler updated the midsize 200 sedan for 2012 with the new 283-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which ties with its Dodge Avenger platform mate for power. The 200 places fourth because of its nearly-$3000 price premium over its more mainstream sibling. Though we are impressed with the automaker’s new Pentastar V-6, in our 2012 Car of the Year testing, we felt the new engine was too much for the revamped, but outdated, chassis to handle.

Dodge Avenger SE V6
Price: $22,690
Output: 283-hp/260 lb-ft
0-60: 6.1
EPA city/highway: 19/29

While the Dodge Avenger ties the Chrysler 200 on the list, it earned the third-place spot because of its lower entry-level price. Not only is it tied for third place, but the Avenger is also the cheapest car on the list.  Like the 200, the Pentastar V-6 is too much for the sedan, which suffered from torque steer as well as a “confused transmission” during our performance driving evaluation. If power is what you are after, the two Mopar midsizers are just nine horsepower shy of the most powerful car on the list.

Ford Taurus SE FWD V6
Price: $27,395
Output: 288-hp/254 lb-ft
0-60: 6.6
EPA city/highway: 19/29

The Ford Taurus SE is the first of two full-size sedans on the list, with just four horsepower separating the two top finishers. With 288 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque from its 3.5-liter V-6, the front-drive Taurus accelerates to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission offering. While the Taurus is available with all-wheel drive, the option bumps the price above our $30,000 cutoff. With the Taurus being large on the outside and comparatively small on the inside, some Blue Oval-faithful may find the midsize Fusion a better value.

Dodge Charger SE
Price: $26,990
Output: 292-hp/260 lb-ft
0-60: 6.6
EPA city/highway: 19/31

It’s fitting that the only rear-drive option on the list is also the most powerful. The Dodge Charger SE is motivated by the same Pentastar V-6 as the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger twins, but makes a full 292 hp mated to an eight-speed automatic that sends power to the proper drive wheels. As the other full-size sedan on the list, the Charger offers interior space befitting its segment thanks to its 120-inch wheelbase.

We have Brake-O-Rama News! The world’s most popular cars: a new champ! Our mechanics at Brake-O-Rama Lodi New Jersey search the internet for the best information to share with our customers. This is a great article we found to help NEW JERSEY customers make smart decisions on buying a new automobile.

By Joann Muller | Forbes.com

The Ford Focus isn’t the best-selling car in America; it’s not even in the Top 10. But around the world, especially in fast-growing markets in Asia, the sporty compact is growing in popularity, so much so that it is about to knock off the venerable Toyota Corolla as the world’s most popular car.

The Corolla’s no slouch, either. LMC forecasts sales of approximately 966,000 Corollas in 2012, one reason Toyota Motor is  poised to recapture the title of world’s biggest automaker this year after ceding leadership to General Motors in 2011. GM is now vying with Volkswagen for second place.

It’s been a record year for the auto industry, with global sales expected to top 80 million cars and trucks. Although European sales have been weak and China has slowed a bit, sales in the U.S. market have been robust, fed by pent-up demand. Analysts are forecasting U.S. sales of about 14.5 million units.

When it comes to crowning the best-selling cars, though, China, now the world’s largest automotive market, has the most clout. And in 2012, Ford and Toyota saw very different outcomes there. Ford has been investing heavily in China, and the Focus is one of 15 new models being introduced there over the next few years. Meanwhile, a long-simmering territorial dispute between Japan and China sparked a boycott of Japanese cars by Chinese consumers in the latter half of the year. As a result, Toyota’s sales in China fell about 25 percent below expectations.

All but one of the 10 most popular cars in the world are small, fuel-efficient compacts, which are popular in Europe, Asia and developing countries where affordability is an issue.

Ford Focus

Ford has built its global strategy around a handful of cars that sell in large numbers around the world. The Focus compact is the best example. LMC Automotive says Ford will sell an estimated one million of them worldwide in 2012, including about 250,000 in the U.S. It’s enough to unseat the Toyota Corolla as the best-selling car in the world.

Toyota Corolla

The Corolla has been the most popular car on the planet, but in 2012, a long-simmering territorial dispute between Japan and China sparked protests in China, the world’s largest automotive market, and led to a boycott of Japanese products, including cars. Toyota’s sales in China fell about 25 percent below expectations. Thanks to strong sales elsewhere, however, the Corolla still ranked second globally, with estimated sales of 966,000

Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta (sold as the Vento or the Bora in certain markets) is Volkswagen’s best-selling model worldwide, thanks to its acceptance in the U.S. and in China, two markets that are crucial to the German carmaker’s plan to dominate the global industry by 2018. Through November, VW sold about 8.3 million vehicles worldwide. Jetta sales for the year are expected to hit 822,000.

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai of Korea has been growing by leaps and bounds around the world and gaining respect along the way. Its compact Elantra (sold in Korea as the Avante) is now the fourth most-popular car in the world. LMC Automotive forecasts sales of 777,000 for 2012.

Ford Fiesta

The subcompact Ford Fiesta isn’t a huge seller in the U.S. — about 55,000 units a year — but it’s very popular in Europe and is growing in China, where Ford is making a big market push. That’s why it ranks as the fifth most popular car in the world. LMC Automotive projects 2012 sales of 728,000.

Volkswagen Golf

The popular Golf hatchback is another reason Volkswagen sales have been climbing globally. Though less popular in the U.S. than the Jetta or the mid-sized Passat, the Golf, including the TDI diesel, is one of Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicles. LMC Automotive projects sales of about 726,000 for 2012.

Toyota Camry

The Camry is the only mid-sized car in the global Top 10, which is a testament to its comfortable ride and reliable performance. It is the best-selling car in America, and has been for years, selling about 400,000 a year. Worldwide, LMC Automotive projects Camry sales of about 705,000.

Volkswagen Polo

The Polo is a super-mini car that isn’t available in the U.S. But it’s immensely popular in Europe and other markets, where fuel is expensive and streets are crowded and narrow, which is why it’s in the global Top 10. LMC Automotive projects Polo sales of 704,000.

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By Consumer Reports News | ConsumerReports.org

Our electric test cars offer lessons in depreciation for early adopters.

Plug-in cars were supposed to be the next big thing. But once they’re a year old, it turns out they’re just used cars–and used cars with far worse depreciation than average.

That’s what we’re finding as we try to sell the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf that we bought to test last year.

A bit of background: We buy all the cars we test at retail from dealers just like you would. And we buy them anonymously. That way we can ensure we get a car representative of those consumers can buy, not one that’s been specially prepared by an automaker or dealership. Since we want to inform readers about them as soon as possible, we try to buy them as soon as they go on sale. We’re often asked what happens to the cars we test after we’re finished testing them. The answer: We sell them, usually to employees or friends, and sometimes, when we get no interest among those groups, we trade them back in to dealers on the next batch of test cars.

That’s where we are with our Volt and our Leaf.

With no staff or friends stepping up to buy our early Nissan Leaf, we began asking dealers for bids on it last week. The best offer we received from a local dealer was $16,500. When we bought our high trim-level Leaf SL with its optional DC “fast-charge” port in California in April 2011, we paid $35,998, representing a small markup over the $35,430 sticker. It’s not that unusual for us to pay additional dealer markup to buy early examples of newsworthy cars so that we can let readers know how they perform while they’re still of interest in the marketplace. Such is the price of being early adopters.

So our 20-month-old Leaf has lost almost 60 percent of what we paid for it, which no amount of savings on fuel and maintenance can make up for. (And on top of that, we paid to have it shipped to our test track in Connecticut, since it was only sold in California when we bought it. We couldn’t drive it here!) That threatens to blow our budget of approximately $700,000 we spend on test cars every year.

Granted, this is an egregious example. Most buyers today don’t pay additional dealer markup. And electric-car buyers get a $7,500 federal tax credit at the end of the year to offset the price. As a non-profit organization, we don’t get the tax credit, but effectively have to pass it on to the second owner since that’s what the market value of other Leafs reflects. Even counting the tax credit and assuming we paid sticker, however, our Leaf has suffered 41 percent depreciation in less than two years.

The average car depreciates between 30 and 35 percent in that time frame. The difference reflects the limited market for a car with an 80-mile range that takes more than seven hours to recharge–and the fact that a buyer will have to fork out another couple grand to install a Level 2 charger at home to charge it even that quickly. It also reflects the risk of a new technology. While the Leaf has very low maintenance costs, the jury is very much out on the long range durability of its expensive battery pack, rumored to cost Nissan as much as $16,000 today. (That’s what Nissan means when it says it expects the battery to last the life of the car!)

With our Volt plug-in hybrid, the picture is not so clear. We bought our Volt on Dec. 20, 2010. Our car, with heated leather seats, a backup camera, and 17-inch aluminum wheels (and a navigation system, which was standard at the time), stickered for $43,700. We paid an extra $5,325 dealer markup for a grand total of $49,025. Now, two years later, another dealer is offering us $23,000.

Factoring out the tax credit and the dealer markup, however, the Volt’s depreciation hits 36.5 percent over our full two years of ownership. That puts it right about average among all two-year-old used cars. This reflects the wider market for the Volt, and its lower-than-average running costs, as well as the additional risk of someday having to replace its batteries, which are about 60 percent the size of the Leaf’s.

In both cases, online buyers guides value the cars a little higher, though not so much that their depreciation doesn’t stand out.

In the end, these cars help pinpoint the cost of being an early adopter. With technology this new, one thing is clear when you start thinking about buying a plug-in car: Upcoming models will be more capable, and these cars will quickly become obsolete. Both the Volt and the Leaf are offered with great lease deals. And while we don’t normally recommend leasing, it makes sense here: You get the benefits of new technology without taking on the risks.

Unfortunately, we can’t lease cars anonymously, so we have to buy them. And we don’t qualify for tax credits. So we’ll just have to negotiate to get the most value out of our trade-ins.

Anybody want to beat $16,500 for a 2011 Leaf? How about $23,000 for a gently used 2011 Volt? Anybody?

Once again Brake-O-Rama is the place to go for all your auto repair needs in NJ! Brake-O-Rama Auto Repairs and tires is now sharing information on where you can get the best price to buy a used car! This is exciting news for ALL automobile customers. In today’s tough economy more people are looking to buy used cars and they need to know where the best places to buy a used car are located. This is the article we found that will answer all those used car buying decisions!

10 most affordable cities to buy a used car

By Jim Gorzelany | Forbes.com

While it also means that those buying a new car will continue to get top value for their trade-ins, used car prices remain at historically high levels and aren’t expected to decrease any time soon. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in Orlando, FL. predicts the average used car (up to eight years old) will cost $14,375 this year, which is down by just 0.8% from $14,500 in 2012.

This is the first drop – however slight – in used car values since the market bottomed out in 2008, according to NADA figures. Pre-owned vehicle prices subsequently skyrocketed by a stratospheric 32 percent over the ensuing three-year period.

Those in the used-car market are advised to hit the lots sooner rather than later, as NADA expects prices to be softer in the first half of the year as consumers and businesses react to the expiration of the payroll tax reduction and the ongoing political wrangling over the debt ceiling extension and the federal budget sequester.

According to Jonathan Banks, executive automotive analyst with the NADA Used Car Guide, used-vehicle prices will remain largely at their lofty levels because of looser lending standards, recovery in the housing and construction markets, a gradual decrease in unemployment levels, an increase in supply from booming new-car sales and pent-up consumer demand. “As job growth continues to progressively improve, used-vehicle intenders will gradually replace their current vehicles with newer, pre-owned ones, thereby helping to compensate for the loss of new-vehicle substitute demand,” Banks says.

While high fuel prices would logically make smaller and more efficient models in greater demand, and thus demand higher prices, NADA says that used full-size pickups are commanding premium prices these days, with depreciation at about half the rate of the average auto, due in part to the healthier housing and construction sectors.

As always, careful shoppers can be expected to garner the best deals in used cars no matter what size or type they favor. And according to CarGurus.com, used-car prices can vary widely depending on where you live and/or shop. Used-vehicle prices are the lowest in Miami, FL, where they’re 6.6 percent less expensive than the national average. By contrast, the costliest city in which to shop for a used car is Jackson MS., where prices are running 9.0 percent above average. On a $15,000 used car, that 15.6 percentage swing can represent as much as a $2,340 difference solely based on geography.

“Prices can vary substantially from city to city, and depending on where you live, it may pay to look beyond your ZIP code to find greater savings,” said Langley Steinert, founder and CEO of CarGurus. In fact, dealers located within a 50-mile radius of a major city generally offer lower prices on equivalent models than their counterparts located in distant suburbs and rural areas. A previous CarGurus survey found that on average, city dwellers paid $345 less for a used car at local dealerships than did those shopping at suburban and rural lots in the same state.

Here’s CarGuru’s list of the top 10 most affordable cities in which to buy a used car and the percentages below national average transaction prices:

Miami, FL , -6.6%
Cleveland, OH, -5.7%
Rochester, NY, -5.4%
Detroit, MI, -4.7%
Stamford, CT, -4.7%
Akron, OH, -4.4%
Buffalo, NY, -4.4%
Toledo, OH, -3.7%
New York, NY, -3.7%
Minneapolis, MN, -2.8%

Here are the 10 budget-busting cities to avoid if you’re looking for a bargain-priced used car:

Jackson, MS, +9.0%
Seattle, WA, +6.4%
Montgomery, AL, +5.8%
Little Rock, AR, +5.8%
Knoxville, TN, +5.5%
Mobile, AL, +5.3%
Fresno, CA, +4.8%
Memphis, TN, +4.8%
Wichita, KS, +4.8%
Lincoln, NE, +4.7%