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Maybe she was too late to save the brand, but not too late to move some metal…

” Ayuh, storm a-comin’…”

Cold wind is blowing, change is in the air…

Your cliche’ (here).

Be very careful about leaping to conclusions as the next couple of weeks play out. Dealer incentives to sell vehicles and clear their lots will likely change in the next month significantly.

New vehicles that are deeply discounted ( or seemingly so) will likely depreciate equally dramatically, negating any real advantage to the buyer.

What may become available (and this is always something to watch for) are discounted interest rates on pre-owned vehicles. This can happen when the manufacturer needs to clear a lot in order to consolidate inventory, and depends on manufacturers being involved on the financing end of the biz.

These are called ’sub-vented’ loans, and are basically cash incentives to loan entities to encourage making loans easier to obtain. Put another way, these monies make up for the loss of the interest revenue.

They still have to do something with these vehicles–though today it looks as though they are going to simply shaft hundreds of long-time loyal dealers.

Hopefully, this will change due to some sort of outcry, but car dealers do not often enjoy much sympathy from the public–even though they contribute far more to their respective communities than do most other business entities.

These contributions often take the form of support for local arts, support for local and national charities, support for community improvements, and support for important local fund-raising events. Some of these dealers have been in business for decades, and the loss of these businesses represents perhaps the biggest tragedy of this current crisis.

For buyers, the ‘lay of the land’ will become clearer in the next couple of weeks. Resist the temptation to pull the trigger on your next purchase (if you love something, set it free…if it comes back to you…).

Watch this site for updates from the industry and other trend-watchers, and realize that the situation can only get better for the buyer now.

Research domestic pre-owned vehicles with 2 years of service and under 25000 miles (as always) and see what bargains are available now.

This is a basic tenet of CAR FU and something you should be doing anyway!

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Here is another great road comparison from C and D. 2009 Infiniti G37 vs. BMW 328i vs. Audi A4 vs Acura TL.

Guess who wins this one?

Yep. Who else?

http://www.caranddriver.com/blog/2009/05/2009-infiniti-g37-vs-bmw-328i-audi-a4.html

Here is a great example of how to make depreciation work for you instead of on you! The Chrysler Crossfire is one of the most distinctive cars of the last few years. Rave reviews from pros and owners alike. The 2006 Limited model, the one I am recommending, retailed at $34,5 for the coupe and $38,5 for the roadster.  The asking price across the country for this vehicle averages is $17950, with the convertible slightly higher.

check out the 2006:   

Tags: carfu, car buy, new car, used car

The 6 sp. automatic 2.5 V-6 will start around 41k, and these are really well-equipped.
This is at least $20k less than the other Lexus drop-top option, the SC. The 3.5 will go for around $45K. Also, a note: This could also be one of the few convertibles that does not drop right off the table in value. Lexus has been a depreciation all-star for decades. Still, I bet you could get a low-mileage 2006 Audi A4 Cabriolet for around 21. Or, better yet, a 2006 3-series BMW convertible for around 23,5.

Tags: CarFu, car buying, new cars, used cars

because the other ones weren’t fast enough…!

2009 Continental GTC Speed VIDEO

Lexus is knocked from the top spot for the first time ever! Buick finishes number one! Jaguar moves to second place! Land Rover, Volkswagen continue terrible! Oh, wait…that’s no surprise. What will also be no surprise is the continuing great resale value of  VW. Such is the nature of cults.

Hyundai is further distancing itself from Kia, and this will continue to show up in resale prices.

Suzuki…well…Suzuki continues to confound world opinion of the general excellence of Japanese car-builders.

2009 Nameplate Rankings

—Buick: 122,—Jaguar: 122,—Lexus: 126,—Toyota: 129,—Mercury: 134,    —Infiniti: 142 —Acura: 146,—Lincoln: 147,—Cadillac: 148,—Honda: 148, —Porsche: 150,—Audi: 159 —Ford: 159,—Hyundai: 161 ,—Subaru:162,—Chrysler: 165,—BMW: 166   Industry Average: 170 —GMC: 174,—Mercedes-Benz: 184,—Chevrolet: 185,—Mitsubishi: 185,             —Volvo: 186—Nissan: 199,—Dodge: 202,—Mini: 205,—Saturn: 211,—Kia: 218, —Jeep: 220,—Pontiac: 220 —Hummer: 221,—Scion: 222,—Saab: 226,                –Mazda: 227,—Isuzu: 234,—Land Rover:  238 —Volkswagen: 260,—Suzuki: 263

The CAR FU Grading System

A+ Buick: Jaguar: Lexus: Toyota

A Mercury

B+ Infiniti

B Acura: Lincoln: Cadillac: Honda: Porsche

C Audi: Ford: Hyundai: Subaru: Chrysler: BMW

C- GMC

D Nissan: Dodge: Mini: Saturn

D- Kia: Jeep: Pontiac: Hummer: Scion

F Saab: Mazda: Isuzu: Land Rover: Volkswagen: Suzuki

Smoldering Kate and Cadillac CTS

If you are thinking about collecting classic cars, or are just curious about collector cars, visit http://barrett-jackson.com for a cold splash of reality. These cars are so beautiful, so lovingly restored, so ridiculously expensive…

Many of these vehicles are from the Golden Age of the Big Three, the muscle cars of the 60’s and 70’s. It is a actually quite poignant to look at them now, just as our automakers are being legislated out of business.

You can catch the live auction and replays on Speed TV. Watch as a model identical to the one you ran into a tree in High School (or sold for $2000) goes for half a million!

GREAT Time Saver!