User forums: People are talking about cars

What’s everyone been talking about on our Cars user forums lately? Well, check them out and add your own opinion to the mix. Online subscribers are encouraged to interact with our tech team in the Best Car for You, John’s Toolbox, and Tire Talk sections.

You can also join the conversation on some of our blog entries on hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles:

“Alternative” vehicles—Should small European cars be considered alternative vehicles in the U.S.?
Hybrid vehicles: Best in fuel economy
Is California a fuel-economy bully?
2008 LA Auto Show: Hyundai sings the Blues

Share your thoughts on all things automotive in our “Choosing the best car for you” forum:

Loans to GM and Ford, etc.
Trim Option: "Girl"

—Desiree Calamari

Best used car deals - December

If you’re in the market for an affordable and reliable used car, we have recommendations and Ratings to help you make an informed decision. This month, we’ve begun highlighting the best used car deals to help narrow your focus to standout models. Our winning line-up features Consumer Reports Good Bets: vehicles that have performed well in CR’s road tests and have been consistently better than average in overall reliability. And we’ve got everything from convertibles to SUVs, so take a look at the current Best Used Car Deals. 

Our highlighted model this month is a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid, available for just under $11,000. It averaged 36 mpg in CR tests and has outstanding reliability. While this car was in high demand over the summer, it may be more readily available now.

If you’re ready to buy, get the most for your money using Consumer Reports Used Car Price report, revealing detailed reliability information, selling and trade-in prices, and useful buying tools.  And read our used-car buying advice to see it through to a smart purchase.

See all current used car deals.

 

—Desiree Calamari

Crash test - IIHS rates small and compact cars

Only two out of eight small cars in the latest tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provide good side crash protection, once again reinforcing the need for consumers to carefully review the safety equipment and safety ratings for models under consideration for purchase.

In this group, the 2009 Suzuki SX4 was the best performer, getting good ratings for front-and side-crash protection. The Toyota Matrix, and its twin Pontiac Vibe, also got good ratings for side-crash protection. The Chevrolet HHR earned good frontal-crash protection and acceptable performance in side crashes.

At the other end of the spectrum, the oldest model in this group, Chrysler PT Cruiser was the worst performer in the side test, earning the lowest rating of poor for protection in side crashes. The Hyundai Elantra and Saturn Astra earn the second lowest rating of marginal.

Small and compact cars
The December IIHS crash-test group is listed below in rank order, with the specific air bag configuration tested and applicable model years listed.

Suzuki SX4
Front - Good; Side - Good
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front and side: 2008-2009 models

Toyota Matrix (and Pontiac Vibe)
Side - Good
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Side: 2009 models

Chevrolet HHR
Front - Good; Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head curtain air bags
Front: 2006-2009 models, side: 2009 models

Ford Focus
Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
2008-09 models

Mini Cooper
Side - Acceptable
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Side: 2008-09 models manufactured after July 2008

Saturn Astra
Front - Good; Side - Marginal
Front and rear head curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Front and side: 2008-09 models

Hyundai Elantra
Side - Marginal
Front and rear head-curtain air bags and front torso air bags.
Side: 2007-09 models

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Front - Good; Side - Poor
Front combination head and torso airbags and driver inflatable knee bolster
Front: 2006-09 models, side: 2008-09 models

—Desiree Calamari

Best new car deals - December

Looking for a new car? Check out our "Best new car deals" section, where we maintain a list of Consumer Reports-Recommended vehicles that are currently available at significant savings. The current roster includes 2009 and 2008 models ranging from the Acura MDX to the Volvo XC90. Many of these deals are good through January, and we update the list as new deals become available.

This month, our highlighted best new car deal is the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT. Redesigned in 2008, the Malibu is now competitive with the better family sedans we've tested. It has a well-detailed interior and good safety ratings. It almost matches the Honda Accord for agility and the Toyota Camry for quietness. In fact, in the November issue of Consumer Reports, we chose the Chevy Malibu as one of the Top 100 products we tested this year. It was featured in our latest road test group, family sedans.

All models featured in our Best New Car Deals section cite total available incentives. The Bottom Line Price breaks down the possible deals, spelling out the available customer rebates, as well as the hidden direct-to-dealer incentives and dealer holdback. Armed with this information, you will be prepared to negotiate a great deal on your next car.

For advice buying a new car, from choosing to financing, read our car buying guide. Detailed pricing information is available in the Consumer Reports Auto Price Reports.

—Desiree Calamari

Family sedans – Road tests and videos

Our January test group was family sedans. These sedans offer room for four or five passengers and their luggage, plus reasonable fuel economy.

The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos hosted by our automotive experts. These videos highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each model, bringing the road tests to life.

Family sedans tested include the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, and Saturn Aura. We also did a head-to-head comparison of the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

In the February issue, we’ll report on upscale sedans.

—Desiree Calamari

Gearing up for winter driving

There's a real nip in the air here in Yonkers, N.Y. The winter solstice on December 21st is a mere two weeks away. The seasonal change is a clear signal to get our cars into good shape for the coming winter months. So vacuum up any remaining grains of sand from your floor mats and put your boogie board into storage. Now’s the time to give your car a winter season check-up.

For those in colder climes, consider buying a fresh set of winter tires and brush up on safe winter driving tips before the snow arrives. Make sure you’ve got these 12 things in your car in case of a roadside mishap. And you might consider keeping one of these traction aids in your trunk.

If you live in a temperate climate, good, year-round maintenance will help your car run reliably; our Tires and Care Car section has advice on keeping your ride in top form.

—Desiree Calamari

Video: Honda FCX Clarity

We have driven the Honda FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle on several occasions, including at the Consumer Reports Future of the Car event this fall and around the greater New York City area more recently.  While we have shared our impressions in the past in the blog, now join Consumer Reports Senior Automotive Engineer Jake Fisher for a virtual test drive of the production FCX Clarity at our test track.

Our resident hot-shoe explains both the technology and performance, sharing his experience of driving this innovative sedan.

To clarify, the FCX Clarity is not available for purchase at your local Honda dealer. Currently, Honda is only producing about 200 of them to be leased to drivers in Southern California—after they pass an interview!

Read other posts about the FCX Clarity:
Future of the Car: Honda FCX Clarity
Behind the wheel: Honda FCX Concept
Future Honda hybrid cars take shape
Want to lease a fuel-cell car?
Compare and contrast

Learn more about driving green. And see our New Car Preview for the latest models.
 

—Desiree Calamari

Best GPS navigation deals for Black Friday 2008

The official holiday shopping season kicks into gear this week, with online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores promising deep discounts to move merchandise on Black Friday. Given the troubled economy and growing concern for consumer spending, it is safe to say that good deals will be abundant. However, be sure to compare prices and research the products to ensure you are getting a good deal on good items.

In scanning the deals for portable GPS navigation systems, we’re seeing attractive prices on many good models. This isn’t surprising. The general trend in this fast-moving electronics category has been for new models to offer more features and often come in at a lower price than the ones they replace.

Many of the units we’re seeing in sales flyers are basic navigators—devices that provide guidance with few extras. As always, consider the features that you will use regularly and avoid the temptation to overspend for a high-end model that you simply don’t need.

In particular, there are a wide range of Garmin and (to a lesser degree) TomTom models offered at "giftable" prices. Recent products from both brands tend to score above average in our GPS Ratings.

Whether buying for a gift or personal indulgence, consult our GPS buying advice to learn about key features and check the Ratings—updated in just the last few days. (We are testing more units and will again update the Ratings in December.) There is a convenient product selector to help sort and filter the GPS Ratings based on the features that matter most to you. (These charts and tools are available to online subscribers.)

Each Rated GPS navigator has its own model page, complete with specs, detailed Ratings breakdown, and insights from our staff experts. In addition, detailed reviews can be found in our latest First Looks.

First Looks:

Navigon 7200T
Premium automotive GPS impresses with features

Garmin eTrex
Affordable, mapping handheld GPS well suited for casual hiking and geocaching

Garmin Nuvi 880
This pricey, premium navigation device features voice recognition that works well.

Garmin Nuvi 205
Evolutionary changes mark improvements to the entry-level navigation device line

HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion
An entertaining navigator, though there are better choices for the money

TomTom One 130
Popular, entry-level navigation device evolves with welcomed updates

TomTom 730
Easy-to-use navigator impresses with useful and entertaining features

Black Friday GPS navigator deals
We've collected standout offers on units that have tested well or are similar to top tested models and warrant a closer look. For this round-up, we focused on retailers that have traditionally had aggressive holiday pricing and a national presence. Better prices may be available from other sellers, and this list can provide a benchmark to judge by.

As prices and conditions may change, we encourage you to confirm pricing, availability, and store hours to ensure you can get these deals. In addition, some items may be available through the store Web sites for the discounted price, sparing you from the early-morning shopping frenzy.

Garmin Nuvi 200
$129.83 Amazon.com
$139.99 BJs.com

Garmin Nuvi 200W
$159.99 West Marine
$174.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 205
$124.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
$146.97 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 205W
$174.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 250
$129.99 BJ's, Weds-Monday, online only
$139.99 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 250W
$149.99 Staples, Friday & Saturday
$169.99 Radio Shack, Friday

Garmin Nuvi 255
$189.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 255W
$215.47 BuyDig.com
$229.99 Radio Shack, Friday & Saturday

Garmin Nuvi 260
$149.99 Circuit City, Friday
$162.97 BuyDig.com
$189.99 Best Buy, Friday

Garmin Nuvi 260W
$228.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 265WT
$249.99 Circuit City
$264.93 Amazon.com

Garmin Nuvi 270
$172.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 350
$175.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 360
$174.99 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 650
$219.97 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 660
$274.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 680
$252.00 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 750
$199.99 Costco.com, through December 15
$227.97 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 760
$249.85 Amazon.com
$249.99 BJs.com, Weds-Monday
$251.97 BuyDig.com

Garmin Nuvi 880
$609.00 BuyDig.com

Magellan Roadmate 1200
$89.99 Meijer, Friday 5 a.m.-12noon
$99.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
$99.99 BJ's, Weds-Monday
$99.99 Target, Friday & Saturday

Magellan Roadmate 1212
$99.99 Costco, Friday-Sunday

Magellan Roadmate 1412
$147.00 Walmart, Friday & Saturday
$149.99 Sears, Friday 5 a.m.-noon
$149.99 Meijer, Friday 5 a.m.-noon

Magellan Maestro Elite 4350
$199.99 Meijer, Friday 5 a.m.-noon

Magellan Triton 400 GPS Adventure Pack
$199.00 Walmart, Friday 5-11 a.m.

Navigon 2100 Max
$199.99 Staples, Friday & Saturday

Navigon 2200T
$169.99 Amazon.com

Sony NV-U44
$179.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday

TomTom One 125
$97.99 BJs.com
$99.99 Radio Shack, Friday
$99.99 Staples, Friday 6-10 a.m.
$99.99 Sears, Friday & Saturday
$99.99 BJ's Weds-Monday w/ coupon
$99.99 K-Mart, Friday & Saturday
$99.99 Circuit City, Friday

TomTom One 130S
$199.99 Radio Shack, Friday & Saturday

—Jeff Bartlett and Desiree Calamari

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.  

SEMA 2008 Wrap up

Consumer Reports Autos staff were in Las Vegas all of last week at SEMA, wearing out our shoe leather. What happens in Vegas, may stay in Vegas, but in this case, our Autos team is talking: they've been blogging away all week at a furious pace. Here's a breakdown of their posts by category of interest:

Cool cars
From new green machines to go-go revving monsters, SEMA is known for breaking out the wild, wacky and weird. This year was no exception:
Rolls-Royce - Pass the mustard and step on it
Tjin Pontiac G8 - SEMA-worthy family sedan
Sleepers and creepers
Grilling the Ford Transit Connect
Kia Soul primed for customizing
Ford still making vehicles
Dodge Challenger – Belle of the hall
Supercharged Hyundai Genesis boasts more horsepower
GM – Subdued at SEMA show?

Gear and gadgets
From the very latest in GPS to coolers you can drive, check out these innovative items:
Navigon 8100T GPS with 3D maps
New GPS - Motorola Motonav TN20, TN30
Nextar K4, I4-BC, Q4-MD - Budget navigation
AT&T CruiseCast - TV to go
Car mounts for gadgets
Azentek SmartMirror SM-450 with GPS navigation
GPS Buddy adds two-way interactivity
Cargo Sock protects SUV cargo area
Cruzin Cooler

Going green
Would you use animal fat for your engine? For the hottest in green, read on:
Aftermarket fuel economy gauges to help mind your mileage
Smart meets John Deere?
Green motor oil, or is it moo-ter oil?

Favorites
Consumer Reports staff picks their favorites:
Personal Picks

--Desiree Calamari

Get on the stick: Manual transmissions can save gas and money

Conventional wisdom says that manual transmissions deliver better gas mileage than an automatic, especially if the majority of your driving is done on highways. A stick shift may also give you improved acceleration (particularly helpful if the car’s got a small engine) and the unquantifiable fun factor (many drivers feel that driving a manual is really driving).

But do these old adages still hold true? Consumer Reports purchased and tested numerous vehicles in the past few months in both manual and automatic form to see. In the subsequent tests, we've found that a stick shift can improve gas mileage by a notable 2 to 5 mpg, compared with an automatic transmission, and can cut a car's price by $800 to $1,200.

But there are downsides to driving “old school.” For example, not as many vehicles are still available with a manual; you need some experience to operate a stick shift and clutch smoothly; getting going with a manual transmission on hills can be a challenge (think San Francisco); and driving a manual in city traffic can be a tiring hassle (push the clutch in, let it out…). Depending on the model, a manual may also make it harder to sell your car since many people are intimidated by the aforementioned list of living with a stick-shift car.

See the highlights in the accompanying video, and read the larger report, “Save gas and money with a manual transmission.”

--Desiree Calamari