The New Worlds Cheapest Cars

When I was 9 years old I remember my parents surprising us and driving home in what appeared to be a large metal box with 4 bicycle tires attached. We couldn't believe our eyes as they pulled up in the driveway with a $3990 sales sticker still on the window. What was even more shocking was that this large metal box wasn't a box at all it was actually a brand new car called the Yugo. At that time the Yugo was just being introduced to the United States and they were marketing it as the world's most affordable car. We immediately hopped inside to take a look at the simple interior and went for a ride around the block. I immediately compared the ride to that of a roller coaster because from start to finish it just felt very unsafe due to the poor cheap quality of the car.

All it took was one ride to realize that $3990 was actually over priced for this hunk of garbage. The Yugo became quite the phenomenon for a few months, but very soon later most people started to realize that when it comes to quality and safety with an automobile, $3,990 wasn't going to get you very far. Within a year, the seats on the car both fell out, the clutch went bad, the heating system broke, and the engine was shot. At first we thought maybe we just got a lemon, but soon realized that this was common with almost every Yugo. The Yugo only lasted for a few years after becoming more of joke than anything else, as dealerships couldn't give that car away.

Now it's the year 2009 and similar to the Yugo, India is releasing the "Tata Nano" which is being advertised as the world's cheapest new car at roughly $2500. The Tata Nano is a small, rear-engined, four-passenger car aimed primarily at the Indian market and yet to be released to the United States. Newsweek identifies the Nano as a part of a "new breed of 21st-century cars" that embody "a contrarian philosophy of smaller, lighter, cheaper" and portend a new era in inexpensive personal transportation - and potentially, "global gridlock" . The Wall Street Journal confirms a global trend toward small cars, which includes the Nano. Now I don't know if the quality of the Nano will be as poor as the Yugo, but in my opinion $2500 for a brand new car sounds a little sketchy. As a comparison, here is a breakdown of some of cheapest new cars sold in America at the moment:

1. Nissan Versa: $9,990
2. Hyundai Accent: $11,070
3. Kia Rio: $11,495
4. Chevrolet Aveo: $11,965
5. Smart fortwo: $11,990
6. Toyota Yaris: $12,205
7. Kia Spectra: $13,550
8. Suzuki Reno: $13,839
9. Hyundai Elantra: $14,120
10. Pontiac G3: $14,335

Now, I'm not sure if the Tata Nano will ever make its way to the United States or if it is a quality automobile. However just from past experience with the Yugo, I will not be one of its guinea pigs lured in by the ridiculous cheap price!

http://www.fcpgroton.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Rossi

The Buick Regal 2010

The news is just coming out that Buick's Regal will be making a return to the brand's line up. Produced by GM from 1973 to 2004, the Regal was at one time one of the best selling Buicks, offered in two and/or four door body formats. The most well known iteration of the Regal was the Grand National, a stock car that won several titles in the 1980s.

GM has been considering reviving the Regal name for some time. The company is turning to its European division, Opel, to produce the Regal, a model currently sold in China. Right now the Opel Insignia is sold across much of western Europe, thus GM is expected to offer a Buick version of that car by swapping out its grill and replacing Opel badging with Buick.

2008 Introduction, Replacing the Vectra

First introduced for the 2008 model year, the Insignia has been a success for Opel. Replacing the Vectra, the Insignia is stylish, luxurious and very comfortable. Sold as a four door sedan, five door hatchback and a wagon, the Insignia seats five passengers. Only the sedan version will be sold in the US.

Like so many European vehicles, the Insignia has numerous engine choices, nine to be exact. Gas and diesel engines ranging from 1.6L I4 to a 2.8L turbo-charged V6 are available. Likely, a larger in-line four and one or two V6 powered engines will be offered with the Insignia. Unfortunately, no diesel option will be available, given the cost of meeting stringent US pollution requirements.

What the US Model May Look Like

Though US specifications for the new Regal have yet to be announced, we know that the same six-speed manual and automatic transmissions offered in Europe will be paired with the engines sold in cars in the United States. Furthermore, given that Buick is an upscale brand, leather seating surfaces, navigational controls, wood and aluminum inlays and dual zone air conditioning will either be standard features or packaged optionally.

GM has been looking at separating Opel from its operations, possibly selling off the brand or at least a share of it. That may not affect the Regal as whatever agreement is reached would likely include a long lasting supply chain for Buick's operation. Moreover, the car is sold in Brazil as the Chevrolet Vectra in the UK as the Vauxhall Insignia and will soon be sold in Australia as a Holden model.

Clearly, the Regal is coming back. Perhaps as early as this fall in the form of a 2010 model.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including Buick rims and BMW wheels.

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The 2009 Hyundai Genesis

Lexus and BMW should be seriously scared! The new 2009 Hyundai Genesis is turning heads and making quite an impression. If you're looking for a luxury car but not the high expenses that come with it, you might want to take the 2009 Hyundai Genesis into consideration. The new Hyundai Genesis is a luxury sport sedan that closely resembles the Benz S-Class exterior. It has chrome exterior accents and with all emblems removed the car could be mistaken for a flashy Lexus or even a Mercedes. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis has 18-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories: power and heated front seats with driver memory settings, dual zone automatic climate control, an updated seven speaker Lexicon audio system, a six disc CD player, satellite radio, iPod auxiliary input jacks, and an adjustable power steering wheel. It also includes rain sensing wipers, antilock disc brakes, leather interior seating with the matching leather/wood steering wheel and trim, traction and stability control, automatic dimming rearview mirrors, front head restraints, rear power sunshade, and front/rear seat side airbags.

In addition to all these luxury features, the new Hyundai Genesis has many other optional features. You can choose between a 3.8L V6 or a 4.6L V8 engine. The V6 has 290 horsepower with 264lb.-ft. of torque and an estimated EPA fuel economy of 18-27mpg. The V6 engine may have better fuel economy but the V8 is definitely faster. The V8 engine has 375 horsepower and 333lb.-ft. torque and also does 0 to 60 in just 5.9 seconds. In both models, the six speed automatic with manual shift capability gives ultimate power to the rear wheels. Optional for both engines is a Technology Package. This package includes a computer, front/rear park assist, Logic-7 surround sound audio, navigation system with "real-time" traffic patrol, xenon headlights, a rearview camera, and Bluetooth capabilities.

The new Hyundai Genesis is a sport sedan all its own. It has a premium luxury element, extensive convenient features, and more horsepower with better fuel economy than its rivaling competitors. Best of all, this Hyundai looks and feels like a top of the line Lexus but is cheaper! The going retail price for this striking Hyundai is around $30,000 to $40,000.

Valencia Hyundai

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The 2008 Subaru Impreza

The 2008 Subaru Impreza could have been more better if the manufacturer would have care to put some more viable changes to the engine and other features. The affordable small car is ranked quite low for its outdated power train and uninspiring style. However the Impreza could only impress the drive when it comes to fuel efficiency and some amount of safety features. Subaru counts this car among the sporty vehicles of time but to be sporty small car it requires some quality.

The all new Subaru Impreza is a all wheel drive car which is ranked low because of its failure to provide good engine choices. The newly redesigned car could not match the new designs of today's needs. Subaru also provided Impreza wagon and Impreza WRX which are performance oriented cars. The performance of WRX is somewhat reliable but the Impreza midsize car could not impress the critics and auto lovers much.

Under the Hood:
The Subaru Impreza has been criticized for it's under performance and less powerful engine features. Let us see what it utilizes under the hood. The Impreza is installed with a standard 2.5-liter aluminum alloy 16-valve boxer engine which makes 170 horsepower and also 170 pound feet of torque. This power is not enough to give the acceleration the present American generation wants. The car can achieve the benchmark of 60 miles per hour in just 9.1 seconds. The smooth line of four-cylinder engine can perform but when it's a Subaru Boxer engine it must have added some more power. The car can achieve 20 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. This is not so impressive because there are other affordable mid size cars like Toyota Camry and others which have more powerful engine and can do the same.

The Subaru Impreza WRX which is performance oriented car has been able to offer impressive performance with its 305 horsepower, 290 lb-ft 2.5 liter four cylinder engine. This car can achieve the milestone of 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.

The other model of Subaru called Legacy too used the same engine which the Impreza uses but it has more power options that the 2008 Impreza model. Legacy has a choice of another engine of the car is a 2.5 liter four-cylinder turbo charged engine with 243 horsepower and 241 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Moreover there is the is the 3.0 liter six cylinder Subaru boxer engine which makes 245-horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. This engine with a five-speed automatic transmission with SPORTSHIFT rev-matching control can give only 17/24 mpg at its bes

Got Engines Inc. specializes in used engines, and transmissions Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Hanson

Renault Avantime

Renault Avantime luxury car picture

Renault Avantime luxury car gallery

Renault Avantime luxury car photo