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Not Just Your Average RealtorArchive for Random Interests
Most Stolen Cars In The U.S.
Just because your Honda is a clunker doesn’t mean it’s safe to leave it unlocked while you make a coffee run.
Approximately 1 million vehicles are stolen nationwide every year, but the 1994 Honda Accord is the most stolen car, according to an Aug. 24 report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Last year, more than 55,000 Accords were stolen in the U.S. Needless to say, the thieves aren’t after style, just substance.
Older vehicles like the 15-year-old Accord are pinched so often because their lack of theft-deterrent technology makes them easy to access and their parts–headlights, tires, catalytic converters and anything containing copper–are valuable on the black market. It also comes down to pure numbers, says Frank Scafidi, a spokesman for the National Insurance Crime Bureau: “Hondas and Toyotas, they sell millions of these things, so there are more targets, obviously.”
Most neighborhood hooligans wouldn’t know how to steal a Lamborghini, but when it comes to more mundane rides they are equal-opportunity snatchers, Scafidi says. The vehicles most likely to get nabbed range from the tiny Honda Civic, ranked second on our list, to the fifth-ranked Dodge Ram pickup. Even minivans aren’t immune–the 2000 Dodge Caravan is a hot target as well.
Here are the top 5 cars thieves love most:
1. 1994 Honda Accord
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–55,170 total Accords stolen nationwide
–Most stolen vehicle in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington
–Second-most stolen vehicle in Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin
–Third-most stolen vehicle in Louisiana and Oklahoma
2. 1995 Honda Civic
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–48,073 total Civics stolen nationwide
–Most stolen vehicle in Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Utah,
–Second-most stolen vehicle in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Washington
–Third-most stolen vehicle in Arizona, Maryland, Rhode Island and Texas
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
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–26,245 total Camrys stolen nationwide
–Most stolen vehicle in Kentucky
–Third-most stolen vehicle in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
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–17,416 total F-150s stolen nationwide
–Most stolen vehicle in Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia
–Second-most stolen vehicle in Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas
–Third-most stolen vehicle in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and New Mexico
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
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–17,405 total Rams stolen nationwide
–Most stolen vehicle in Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming
–Second-most stolen vehicle in Oklahoma
–Third-most stolen vehicle in Kansas and Montana
McMoonshine? Fast-food outlets add booze to menus
Ever sat down for a meal at a fast-food restaurant, spread a paper napkin across your lap, picked up your plastic fork and thought, “Gee, I’d like a glass of wine with this mass-produced burger?” If you have, this news might appeal to you: A growing number of casual eateries are adding alcoholic drinks such as wine to their beverage offerings.
Full-service restaurants have been having a tough go of it during this recession as diners flocked to the kind of cheap, casual eateries called “quick-service” in industry parlance. These establishments are characterized by their no-frills atmospheres and cheap (think $10 or less) prices. Now, quick-service eateries are stepping up their game, muscling into the adult-beverage territory that more expensive dining establishments used to monopolize.
Chipotle Mexican Grill offers patrons beer and margaritas, and a chain called Burgerville in the Pacific Northwest added beer and wine to the menu at one of its locations. Even Starbucks is getting in on the game. With coffee sales coming under fire when competitors like McDonald’s decided to take aim at its upscale image and repackage it with a “value” spin, the Seattle-based purveyor is setting its sights on a new category of beverages the Golden Arches can’t match — for now, at least. Starbucks is rebranding one of the stores in its headquarters city, calling it “15th Avenue Coffee and Tea,” and serving beer and wine along with java and tea.
As a business move, this is a pretty smart one. Alcohol is traditionally a high-profit item (a pretty typical markup on bottles of wine at sit-down restaurants is 100%, and it can climb into the stratosphere from there). In addition, wine consumption in the U.S. hit an all-time high last year, according to this article, which means diners increasingly want to pair their vittles with some vino.
Marketing experts also talk about the “value perception” offering alcoholic beverages gives businesses: essentially, you’re apt to think you’re dining at a nicer place if there’s a Pinot Noir or a Pinot Grigio on the menu.
While we’d be hard-pressed to think of a wine — any wine — that would complement a double- or triple-stacked burger and a sleeve of fries, we’d look forward to some McDownward Pressure on liquor prices when dining out. This article speculates that the markup on wine at quick-serve eateries could be in the 50% range, which would be a welcome outcome. (Before you fire off a comment about how that’s still outrageous, consider the fact that you could probably buy a whole bottle of soda at the grocery store for what you pay for 20 ounces or so in a waxed paper cup.) Just remember: If you’re hankering for a Chardonnay to go with your chicken sandwich, you’ll have to skip the drive-thru!
Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2009!
I felt like this could be a very informative post considering everything that is going on with the “Cash for Clunkers” deal. On top of that, with a rough economy and the financial problems going around nationwide, one area to save money on is gas. Here are the stats from www.about.com:
The EPA has listed the ten most fuel-efficient 2009 cars on sale in America — but are they cars you would actually want to drive? About.com Cars guide Aaron Gold goes beyond the numbers in this list of the top ten most fuel-efficient cars.
1. Toyota Prius
Photo © Toyota
EPA fuel economy estimates: 48 MPG city/45 highway/46 combined
I like the Prius because it delivers what it promises — especially now that the EPA has revised its fuel-economy testing process to be more realistic. Every Prius owner I’ve met averages around 45 MPG (except my friend Sean, hyper-miler extraordinaire, who averages 57 MPG). That’s almost double the fuel economy of a typical mid-size sedan, with comparable acceleration and only a slightly higher price. Hybrid drivetrain aside, the Prius is exceptionally easy to live with — it comes packaged as a family-friendly five-door hatchback that offers plenty of space and lots of amenities, including automatic climate control and optional navigation and Bluetooth phone integration.
2. Honda Civic Hybrid
Photo © Honda
EPA fuel economy estimates: 40 MPG city/45 highway/42 combined
I’ve always had trouble matching the Civic’s stellar fuel economy figures; on my last trip I averaged in the high 30s, maybe 20% better than what I’d expect from a conventionally-powered Civic. That said. Our Alternative Fuels guides reviewed the Civic Hybrid and their fuel economy ranged from 41.5 up to 48.7 The Civic is one of my favorite compacts because of its styling and functionality, but I’m not convinced that the Civic Hybrid is worth the $3,000-or-so price premium over a comparably-equipped Civic EX. Besides, if I really wanted to make a difference, I’d opt for the natural gas powered Civic GX, which is cheap to fuel, super clean, and uses no gasoline at all.
3. Smart Fortwo
Photo © Aaron Gold
EPA fuel economy estimates: 33 MPG city/41 highway/36 combined
When I tested the Smart Fortwo, I averaged just under 36 MPG, a bit disappointing considering the Smart’s tiny size, leisurely acceleration, and need for premium fuel. Still, that’s almost 20% better than the fuel economy you’ll get in a Toyota Yaris. Even with the cost of high-octane fuel factored in, it’s still a significant cost savings. And the Smart Fortwo is inexpensive to buy, with a sub-$13k starting price that includes antilock brakes and electronic stability control. They even make a convertible! If you don’t need a back seat and stick mostly to urban driving, the Smart Fortwo is a great way to save money and do your part to reduce our reliance on oil.
4. Nissan Altima Hybrid
Photo © Nissan
EPA fuel economy estimates: 35 MPG city/33 highway/34 combined
The Nissan Altima has always been one of my favorite mid-size sedans. I like its ample space, simple controls, and the smoothness of its continuously-variable transmission. And the hybrid powertrain just sweetens the deal: It’s smooth and unobtrusive and gets great fuel economy, providing a nice middle ground between the hard-core Prius and a conventional mid-size sedan. But there’s a catch (isn’t there always?): Officially, the Altima Hybrid is only sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont. Toyota’s Camry Hybrid, which has pretty much all of the same advantages, is available in all 50 states.
5. Toyota Camry Hybrid
Image © Toyota
EPA fuel economy estimates: 33 MPG city/34 highway/34 combined
Like the Nissan Altima Hybrid, the Camry Hybrid bridges the gap between a dedicated hybrid and a conventional sedan. Why does that gap that needs bridging? Dedicated hybrids like Toyota’s Prius use small engines, low rolling resistance tires, and a smooth, aerodynamic shape — which translate to slower acceleration, a noisier ride, and far-out styling. The Camry Hybrid uses the same Hybrid Synergy Drive as the Prius, but with a larger engine (2.4 liters vs. 1.5), ordinary tires, and a shape that’s as familiar as Washington’s face on the dollar bill. The Camry Hybrid rides and drives pretty much like a conventional 4-cylinder Camry, but goes about 35% farther on a gallon of gas.
6. Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Photo © Aaron Gold
EPA fuel economy estimates: 30 MPG city/41 highway/34 combined (manual), 29/40/33 (automatic)
The diesel-powered Jetta TDI’s fuel economy is about 40% better than the gas-powered Jetta, and those are just EPA figures — owners report real-world economy in excess of 40 MPG, and I averaged 42.9 MPG in my own test drive. Diesel fuel prices may give some buyers pause, but the gains in fuel economy will far exceed the higher price per gallon. And the 2009 Jetta TDI qualifies for a $1,300 in federal tax credit, which makes its effective purchase price lower than a comparably-equipped gas-powered Jetta SEL. All this, plus it’s a Jetta, which means it’s hip, practical, and fun to drive.
7. Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute Hybrids
Photo © Ford
EPA fuel economy estimates: 34 MPG city/31 highway/32 combined
Technically, this is a site about cars, not SUVs, so the Ford Escape Hybrid (and its near-twins, the Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute hybrids) has no place on this list — but it’s here anyway, because it’s a remarkable (and often underrated) vehicle. The Escape is a proper SUV, yet its combined fuel economy is the same as a Toyota Yaris — and it scores 17% better fuel economy than the Yaris in the EPA city cycle. Ford’s hybrid system is brilliant — it’s smoother than Toyota’s and does a better job of running on electric power at low speeds. Note that front-wheel-drive Escape Hybrids get the best fuel economy; all-wheel-drive carries a penalty of 4 MPG, about 12.5%.
8. Toyota Yaris
Photo © Toyota
EPA fuel economy estimates: 29 MPG city/36 highway/32 combined (manual), 29/35/31 (automatic)
I love the Yaris for its cute looks, small size, frugal engine, and last-forever build quality, plus there’s only a minimal fuel economy penalty if you opt for the automatic transmission. For 2009, Toyota has added a handy 5-door model that casts the same size shadow as the 3-door (the 4-door Yaris sedan is slightly bigger). That said, if you’re shopping for a Yaris, you should also check out the Honda Fit; it has a much more versatile interior, and the automatic-equipped Fit boast better power delivery than the automatic Yaris with comparable fuel economy.
9. MINI Cooper/Clubman
Photo © Aaron Gold
EPA fuel economy estimates: 28 MPG city/37 highway/32 combined (manual), 25/34/29 (automatic)
I’ve never been shy about my criticism of the MINI, but even I will happily admit to its two best attributes: It’s a lot of fun to drive and it’s very fuel-efficient, with my own tests bearing out its excellent EPA estimates. Best yet, the long-wheelbase Cooper Clubman boasts the same EPA fuel economy estimates as the smaller Cooper. While the 118 hp base-model engine has enough kick for most situations, the hot-rod 172 hp Cooper S’ EPA fuel economy estimates are only 2-3 MPG behind the base model, quite remarkable for a turbocharged car. Note that the MINI requires premium fuel, but it still delivers more smiles-per-gallon than most cars.
10. Honda Fit
Photo © Aaron Gold
EPA fuel economy estimates: 28 MPG city/35 highway/31 combined (Base automatic), 27/33/30 (Sport automatic), 27/33/29 (manual)
We’ve seen a lot of small cars pop up on the market in the last couple of years, and the Fit is arguably the best of the bunch. It has a huge trunk and a roomy back seat that folds and flips six ways to Sunday to accommodate even more cargo. The Fit is sold in Base and Sport trims, and the automatic Base is the most frugal; automatic Sports have a different gear ratio between the transmission and the wheels that improves acceleration at the expense of fuel economy. The Fit got a complete redesign for 2009, but the previous-generation Honda Fit (2007-2008) offers comparable cargo space, flexibility, and fuel economy.
$2 Billion more for ‘cash for clunkers’
WASHINGTON – The House has voted to rush an additional $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped “cash for clunkers” car purchase program.
The bill was approved on a vote of 316-109. House members acted within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money.
Called the Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS, the program is designed to help the economy and the environment by spurring new car sales. Car owners can receive federal subsidies of up to $4,500 for trading in their old cars for new ones that achieve significantly higher gas mileage.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the new money for the program would come from funds approved earlier in the year as part of an economic stimulus bill.
…for the whole article visit: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090731/ap_on_go_co/us_cash_for_clunkers
‘Cash For Clunkers’: Obama To Sign $4,500 New Car Credit
WASHINGTON — Car shoppers could take advantage of government incentives worth up to $4,500 this summer to send their old gas guzzler to the scrap heap in favor of a more fuel-efficient new vehicle.
President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law the “cash for clunkers” program, which was approved by the Senate on Thursday. For owners of low-mileage models such as the 1994 Ford Bronco, 1998 Nissan Pathfinder or the 1995 Chevrolet Blazer, the plan could give them a reason to visit their local car dealer during an economic downturn.
“I’ve been sitting on the fence for about a year,” said Jim Seegraves, 44, of East Lansing, Mich., who has been looking to replace his 2000 GMC Sierra pickup truck. “This legislation will help me get over the hump and get the car that I want.”
The bill provides $1 billion for the auto sales program from July through November and the Congressional Budget Office expects that with a total of $4 billion, about 1 million new vehicles could be purchased. The government is expected to implement the program by early August.
Automakers and their unions have lobbied heavily for the incentives to help the auto industry boost sales and stabilize General Motors Corp. and Chrysler Group LLC, which have received billions of dollars for government-led bankruptcies. In May, U.S. auto sales were 34 percent lower than a year ago and the industry expects to sell less than 10 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2009, compared to more than 16 million in 2007.
Here’s how the plan works: Car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 mpg. The voucher would grow to $4,500 if the new car’s mileage was 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle. The mpg figures are listed on the car’s window sticker.
Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans getting 18 mpg or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV got at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV was at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle.
The program was aimed at replacing older vehicles _ built in model year 1984 or later _ and would not make financial sense for someone owning a vehicle with a trade-in value greater than $3,500 or $4,500.
A 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4-wheel-drive with about 150,000 miles, for example, might only get $1,000 to $1,500 as a trade-in vehicle, according to estimates by Kelley Blue Book. Since the 1998 Cherokee gets about 17 mpg, an owner could parlay it into a new Ford Escape Hybrid _ 2009 versions get 28-to-32 mpg _ and maximize their trade-in to $4,500.
Dealers would apply the vouchers to the purchase or lease of a qualifying vehicle and ensure that the older vehicles are crushed or shredded. The new vehicle can be U.S. or foreign-built and must have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $45,000.
The program is not without critics.
Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive of Edmunds.com, a Web site for car shoppers, said it would struggle to provide 250,000 new vehicle sales. Most of the qualifying vehicles would be at least 10 years old and many owners would be less inclined to take on a new car payment or unable to afford a new vehicle.
“You’ve got to consider the profile of consumers who drive these vehicles,” Anwyl said.
Budget-conscious Republicans in the Senate opposed it, along with environmental-leaning lawmakers who said it failed to encourage the purchase of high-mileage cars and didn’t apply to used vehicles. Someone could receive a voucher for buying a new Hummer, they noted, pointing to analysts who said it would primarily benefit owners of older-model pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans.
Dealers say it will be a valuable tool to lure more shoppers to their showrooms. Many intend to advertise heavily and combine the government plan with other incentives, providing some help at a time when the industry is struggling to sell cars.
“Anything to jump-start the economy,” said Jason Robinson, a car salesman with AutoServ of Tilton, N.H. “There’s not much sense of urgency out in the market right now.”
