Category Archives: prices

Happy New Year – BMW Ups U.S. Prices and Delivery Fees

Posted on 23 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Year-to-date, U.S. sales of the BMW brand are up 12.9% at 199,552 compared to 176,736 sold in the first ten months of 2010. BMW is on track to displace Lexus as the number one Luxury brand in the U.S. because of Toyota’s earthquake induced production disruptions. Continue reading →

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Camaro ZL1 Coupe Priced at $54,995 for 2012 Model

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Camaro pony car is capable of speeds up to 184 mph and can traverse the pavement from a rolling start to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, according to Chevrolet. As such, the Camaro ZL1 coupe presents strong competition not only for the performance versions of the Shelby Mustang, GT 500, but also the Cadillac CTS-V coupe (rated at 556 horsepower or 415 kW), which makes the coupe just as fast, arguably roomier and starts at $64,090. For the record, Camaro has consistently outsold the Mustang since its introduction Continue reading →

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Ford Taking Orders for 2012 Focus Electric at $39,995

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Ken Zino

No lease is available, so a typical payment to buy – with $4,000 down for 48 months – is almost $800 per month at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline Focus starts at just over $17,000. This means that the sales volume of the EV will likely be limited to a few enthusiasts. And Focus Electric also faces tough competition from the Nissan Leaf, which can be leased for about $400 a month. Continue reading →

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California Institutes $15,000 EV Subsidy from Taxpayers

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

This light commercial EV subsidy is part of a larger program – or folly, according to critics – which will it’s hoped speed the adaptation of commercial electric vehicles. Heretofore, fleet operators who keep stringent track of costs have not been willing to invest in EVs because of their absurdly high costs and limited range – in the EV Transit’s case, ~$50,000 and 50 miles. Continue reading →

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2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Ups Fuel Economy at Under $20,000

Posted on 18 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Honda’s latest attempt to catch Toyota Prius, the undisputed hybrid sales leader, results in an updated 2012 Insight hybrid with revised exterior and interior styling, as well as an improved EPA fuel economy rating of 1 mpg. The new Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41/44/42 mpg, is up from 40/43/41 on the outgoing Insight hybrid model.

More significant is the price as Insights are just now arriving in dealerships. Honda continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000, which is really $19,120 for the base Insight delivered, plus state and local taxes. Continue reading →

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Dodge Viper Bests Chevrolet Corvette Lap Time at Nürburgring

Posted on 27 September 2011 by Ken Zino

A Porsche 997 GT2 RS posted a 7:18 lap time last year, but the Porsche at $350,000 in Germany is roughly three times more expensive than the ZR1, which begins at with an asking price of more than $110,000 in the U.S. No current production 2011Viper exists so Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division used a 2010 model. Continue reading →

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First 2012 Chevy ZL1 Camaro Brings $250 K in Charity Auction

Posted on 26 September 2011 by Ken Zino

The first 2012 Camaro ZL1 offered to the public sold for $250,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas last Saturday evening. The car was offered by Fairway Chevrolet-Buick-GMC in Las Vegas, with 100% of the auction proceeds benefitting the YMCA of Southern Nevada.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, placed the winning bid and is expected to take delivery of his new Camaro in the first quarter of 2012. Hendricks’s son, Greg, is the president of Fairway Chevrolet. Continue reading →

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Toyota Prices 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid at $32,760 and $40,285

Posted on 19 September 2011 by Ken Zino

With its tiny battery, plug-in Prius has a pure electric power range of a mere 25 miles and runs off of its gasoline engine at full-throttle. This is apparently enough to qualify for a federal taxpayer subsidy under consideration via a direct tax credit of about $2,500 in these deficit ridden times. Continue reading →

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Toyota Yaris Now $14,875! Tundra and Sienna also Increase

Posted on 9 August 2011 by Ken Zino

The strong Japanese Yen is making itself felt on this side of the Pacific Ocean as Japanese automakers continue to raise prices. Japanese automakers are facing an unprecedented change in their competitiveness – they no longer have a price advantage over the Detroit Three or Korean automakers. In fact, companies that are heavily dependent on Japanese production of components and vehicles have a price disadvantage amounting to thousands of dollars per vehicle.
Continue reading →

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Bye Bye American Dream – One in Four Could Not Pay for a Major Auto Repair in Latest AAA Economic Survey

Posted on 3 August 2011 by Ken Zino

One in four American drivers could not pay for a car repair of $2000 if faced with one today, according to the results of a survey released today by AAA. The survey also said one in eight would be unable to pay for a repair bill of $1000 – easily reached with overly complex vehicles on the road. Continue reading →

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Resale Value of Smaller Vehicles Goes Up with Gas Prices

Posted on 15 July 2011 by Ken Zino

As fuel prices rise so does the trade-in value of smaller vehicles. Most of this is common sense, but it is backed by historical data. The consultancy ALG has modeled the effect of a 1$ per gallon change in regular gas price on 36-month resale/residual values. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Volt Price Cut? Fully Loaded 2012 Now $46,265

Posted on 13 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet has announced that the base price for the 2012 Volt will be $1,000 lower when it goes on sale later this year. Suggested retail asking price is $39,995. The price includes an $850 freight charge but excludes tax, title and license fees. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels is now priced at $46,265 including delivery. Continue reading →

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Corvette ZR1 Cuts 6 Seconds from Nürburgring Lap Time

Posted on 9 June 2011 by Ken Zino

A Porsche 997 GT2 RS posted a 7:18 lap time last year, but the Porsche at $350,000 in Germany is roughly three times more expensive than the ZR1, which begins with an asking price of more than $110,000 in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Holds Base Price of New Beetle to $19,765

Posted on 7 June 2011 by Ken Zino

Transaction prices of the Beetle will be much higher of course than the $19,765 starting point. The sportiest model the 2.0L TSI will start at more than $24,000 with a 2-liter in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. Continue reading →

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Big Oil has Big Day in U.S. Senate as Tax Breaks are Intact

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Energy industry tax breaks will not however go away as a contentious political issue anytime soon with a soaring U.S. budget deficit that now requires borrowing 41 cents of every dollar spent, and gasoline prices at $4-$5 a gallon making voters angry. Continue reading →

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