2009 Acura Coming Next

Honda Motor Corporation just revealed its latest version of the Accord on both coupe and sedan car types.

The new car of course, received the complete upgrades. But even before Honda finished revealing their new 2008 Honda Accord, the Japanese automaker is also reportedly planning to release a 2009 Acura model next. As a matter of fact, the Car Connection revealed that the new version of Honda’s luxury car line-up spotted road testing in broad daylight is the 2009 Acura TL sedan.

The Car Connection identified the new car as a sedan version with vinyl covers closer to its headlamps as well as the taillights, which only shows that the 2009 Acura will definitely follow the Acura's Advanced Sedan Concept that was first seen parking its gorgeous body on the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Not a lot of pictures of the 2009 TL were revealed but Honda may reportedly not make the V8 available on the new car. They may put back the V6 under its hood propelling on 300 horsepower for the new 2009 version. Along with these new engine parts, Honda will also equip the new car with Acura’s very own SH-AWD system.

Acura is the luxury car brand of Japanese car maker Honda, competing with Toyota’s luxury brand Lexus.

CarMax and Driver’s Edge’s Top Ten Car Picks for Students

CarMax and Driver’s Edge have collaborated to choose the top ten car picks for students. CarMax has been on the market for several years and is also known because of its accuracy in delivering news and information about cars. Driver’s Edge for its part is a profitable organization that handles young driver’s education.

Autochannel.com reports that both decided to make a list of the top ten students car by means of rating them in terms of safety and reliability. Another important factor is that the Anti-Locked Brake system must be available as a standard factory installed equipment. Both groups used the following criteria in choosing the vehicles:

1) Each of the selected models scored at least a four star rating from NHTSA for both frontal and side impact protection in each of the last four years. Exceptions are the Dodge Caliber and the Pontiac G6, each of which have only been available since 2007 and 2006, respectively.
2) Each car offers an array of active safety features as either standard or optional equipment (e.g., anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control, traction control, etc.).
3) Cost, reliability, and vehicle styling have been considered, but safety considerations weighed more heavily in determining the cars to recommend.

Here is the list:

-- Audi A4
-- Dodge Caliber (models with optional ABS)
-- Honda Civic
-- Hyundai Sonata
-- Kia Optima (models with optional ABS)
-- Pontiac G6 (coupe or sedan with optional ABS)
-- Toyota Corolla (models with optional ABS)
-- Volkswagen Jetta
-- Volkswagen Passat
-- Volvo S40 (four door sedan)

The list is filled with Japanese cars; only five cars are European made and the one from US.

The CARandDRIVER.com’s Top Ten Safe New Vehicles for Less Than $25,000

Which car do you think topped the list? Well, let CarandDriver.com tell you about it. Here is the top ten list of the safest vehicles priced under $25,000.

The Top 10 Safe Vehicles for Less Than $25,000 list includes:
1. 2008 Saturn Astra
2. 2008 Scion xB
3. 2008 Hyundai Sonata
4. 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
5. 2007 Mini Cooper
6. 2007 Toyota Camry
7. 2008 Volvo C30
8. 2008 Dodge Charger
9. 2008 Honda Accord
10. 2008 Mazda CX-7

The 2008 Saturn Astra was hailed as the safest car occupying the number one tag on the Top Ten Safe New Vehicles for Less Than $25,000. It was followed by the boxy 2008 Scion xB on the number two spot, with 2008 Hyundai Sonata on the third. On the fourth place, it was the German 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit followed by the 2007 Mini Cooper on the fifth spot.

The sixth spot belongs to the 2007 Toyota Camry while the 2008 Volvo C30 belongs to number seven. It was followed by 2008 Dodge Charger and 2008 Honda Accord on the eighth and ninth spot respectively. Then the 2008 Mazda CX-7 comes on the tenth spot to complete the top ten cars on the list.

The cars that made it to the top ten list are also equipped with standard safety features like stability control and airbags. These cars have passed the tough qualifications and strict standards of the caranddriver.com. Although found to have all the specific safety features all these cars are offered at the priced tag of under $25,000.

"Car buyers and enthusiasts know they can count on CARandDRIVER.com for expert research and analysis when considering a new car purchase, and both safety and overall value are paramount factors to most of those in the market to purchase,” Mike Dushane the executive editor of CARandDRIVER.com said.

He also added. “This list will help guide car buyers to safe vehicles at a very reasonable price, and it clearly shows how safety technology has moved to the mainstream. It's not just for the luxury car buyer anymore. ”

Read your date’s mind through the car he's driving

According to Car Talk’s Tom and Ray, you can. It is possible for you to actually know the statement of the guy or the girl you are dating by the car he or she is using. Tom and Ray delivered this hot list of the car statement to Kicking Tires. Here is what they say:

Date Cars Driven by Men

1994 Toyota Celica: “I was a swinger 10 years ago, but I’ve fallen on hard times.”

Jeep Wrangler: “I’m not ready to settle down, and did I tell you about my incipient drinking problem?”

Mazda Miata: “I read Architectural Digest.”

1985 Ford Mustang 5.0/Chevrolet Camaro IROC: “I’m stuck in high school and suffer from arrested development. My favorite band is Foreigner.” Check for sideburns. Warning: He may have inherited this car from his brother, who’s now serving a prison term.

Cadillac Escalade: “I’m a jerk. I scream at my help.”

Hummer H2: “You mean there are people in the world other than me?” Self-centered poser.

Dodge Grand Caravan: “Have I told you about my other family?” Somewhere, this guy has at least three or four kids you haven't seen.

Toyota Corolla: “I’m practical and not very concerned about my appearance.” Don’t expect much romance.

Toyota Prius: “I believe in conserving natural resources, so I only shower once a week. Also, I have hair growing in unusual places.”

Date Cars Driven by Women

Mini Cooper: “I just broke up with my longtime boyfriend and I'm starting a new phase of life.” A good phase, though.

Volkswagen New Beetle: “I’m cute and fun, but I remember the original VW Bug, so I may be older than you think I am.” Look for indications of plastic surgery.

Ford Explorer: “I got this in the divorce settlement.” Might come with several big dogs.

Ford F-250: “I like horses.” Warning: Horses are expensive, and you compare poorly to a stallion.

Porsche Boxster S: “I am extremely high maintenance. You should see my jewelry budget.”

Volkswagen Jetta: “I came of age during the '90s.”

Honda CR-V: “I’m practical.” Upside: Willing to drive the dowdy car so you can drive something fun.

BMW 3 Series: “I’m a career woman.” High maintenance and works late; don’t expect to see her too often. She may cheat on you during a business trip.

Ford Taurus: “Daddy tells me what to buy.” Warning: If you marry her, daddy’s also going to be telling you what to buy.

Dodge Caravan cargo van: “I’m just emerging from bankruptcy.”

The Annual Bonhams & Butterfields Automotive Auction happens this August

Do you want to get hold of some of the hottest celebrity cars on the road? Brace yourself as the annual Bonhams & Butterfields automotive auction opens its doors this summer. The yearly show-off of the previous cars owned by some of the famous celebrities happens again this year. And just like before, they will be lining up so you can get a chance to own of the finest cars with an entertainment history. The Monterey Peninsula Car Week or the Pebble Beach Week will be happening on August 17, Friday.

These are the following cars joining on the wide array of vehicles owned by celebirities and popular figures:

• 1916 Oldsmobile Model 44 Roadster formerly owned by casino impresario and renowned car enthusiast Bill Harrah.
• 1932 Presidential Cadillac V-16 Imperial Limousine from the Herbert Hoover administration.
• 1935 Pierce-Arrow Model 845 Club Sedan featured in the movie "The Sting", starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
• 1950 Jaguar MkV Drophead Coupe formerly owned by famous jazz musician and actress Lena Horne.
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 JL8 "Big Brake" Sport Coupe formerly owned by L.A. Times publisher Otis Chandler.
• 1984 Pontiac Firebird "KITT" from the Knight Rider TV series, and owned by famous Hollywood car customizer George Barris.
• 1990 Chevy Lumina Winston Cup NASCAR racer featured in the movie "Days of Thunder", starring Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall.

Now, you see some of the cars but there are more to come. Some cars that were not sold last year will be shown again this August.

If you wish to own one of these cars, you can inquire by calling this number 800-223-2854. You can also visit their website at http://www.Bonhams.com/Quail for inquiries and reservations.

Kitt, a 1984 Pontiac Firebird which was used on an 80’s TV series called “The Knight Rider” also joins the line-up.

Houston has America's Most Expensive Commute

You read that right guys. The AIADA newsletter is reporting about a recent study held by the Transportation Policy Partnership (STTP) about the United States' top ten most expensive commutes and among all the cities, Houston got the highest rank. The cities were judged based on the public transit fare, gas and tolls as well as the budget spent on vehicle payments and maintenance.

Forbes also reports about Houston winning the top of the list. The city was able to get an average score of 20.9%, the highest score among the rest in terms of its annual household costs.
Washington, D.C’s metropolitan policy fellow at the Brookings Institution Robert Puentes said, "In Houston, the cost of transportation is the No. 1 household expense, above shelter." But it doesn’t end there. Aside from the expenses that Houston people spend on transportation, they are also noted to have a high cost of living in terms of household expenses. Houston was 14th, costing 52% of its household income.

The study shows the high coast of transit cost because the city got few policies that hinder the sprawl and it allow a budget-friendly housing. Other composite ranking were almost out of the sync income levels like the Miami and Tampa. Miami spent 57.5 on their home pay while the Tampa spends 57.7%.

Does this mean that Houston city has the large number of vehicles on the streets? Or maybe people on this area are fond of traveling which is why they were held as the America's Most Expensive Commutes. I got this news from the net and if you wish to see more information about it, you can visit Forbes.com or theautochannel.com for detailed information about the latest release from Transportation Policy Partnership and the complete list of the top ten cities with expensive commutes.

Frankfurt Motor Show will reveal the BMW 1-Series Cab

Before BMW's new car dazzles the eyes of the Frankfurt Motor Show viewers, the newest addition to the 1-Series of BMW was seen cruising the streets as a spy photo of the soon-to-come BMW 1-Series Cab appeared on autoblog.com.

MotorAuthority also showed photos of the new BMW 1-Series Cab sporting a new fabric top. Although the test mule was only a prototype, you can see how hot it will be on the European car market. The car was modified, with the rear end altered for a sportier look.

The cab will also get the same engine available at its coupe version. Given a 177 horsepower on a 2L turbo diesel engine, the cab is set to fit the standard cab drive. You can also hit the 306 horsepower if you choose the 3L twin turbo charged on the 135ci. BMW will also bring out two versions for the US car market. For the BMW fans, you can now wait for the 125ci as well as the 135ci which is soon to be shipped to the US. The BMW M1 is also rumored to come over but there have been no confirmation from BMW yet.

If you wish to see the cabrio, you can wait for the Frankfurt auto show to open its doors. But you don’t have to go out of your house. Visit our blog site regularly for more updates and photos of the new BMW 1-Series Cab.

Audi A8’s New Look

When the movie “Iron Man” hits theaters this coming 2008 we will be seeing Audi's latest creation -- the R8, which will be playing the role of the superhero’s official car.

Before that happens however, let us review the new enhancements done on the 2008 Audi A8. Audi has finally unveiled the A8 and revealed the new features, designs and trimmings of the new car in their official website. And just as we were having our fill of the the new car, Kicking Tires also announced the specifications as well as the prices of the Audi A8.

According to the Kicking Tires, the German automaker gave the A8 major enhancements. We haven’t tried driving the new German car but the most interesting part of it is that a new enhanced steering is given to boost the driver’s performance building a sportier image to the new Audi A8. But that's not all. The new car also gets more power on suspension as well as enhancements in its sound-deadening features.

More upgrades like a new engine, as well as a direct-injection six-cylinder which will also boost its mileage to a 0-62 mph in 8 seconds. The new engine is currently wearing the price tag of $68,900. With a cheaper value, we just hope that it would make a huge sale in the US. Most of the buyers of four-door cars in the car market are looking for V8 engine that gives fuel efficiency even if hybrid cars are hot this time.

The new car will be sporting the V8 engine on a high performance W12 S8 models which will all be seen this coming 2008.

NADAguides.com Released the Back-to-School Basics on Car Buying

School is open and many college students are also going crazy over buying a new car. NADAguides.com has just released the latest tips and basic on back-to-school car buying on their official website. And just as the students need guides on buying cars, NADAguides.com also released a list of the cars that might have a huge appeal on students.

NADAguides.com’s president and Chief Executive officer Don Christy, Jr said, "Buying a car for a teenager or a young adult is a unique situation. Things like credit history, budget, safety and reliability play a large part in the car buying equation. These tips are designed as a guideline to assist students in finding the perfect vehicle, at the right price, to meet their needs."

I found this list of the most favorite Back-to-School Vehicles for the Fall 2007 school year on theautochannel.com. These following vehicles are the top picks among the different varieties. Follow the list below for more information:

Best All Around:
2007 Honda Civic Coupe, MSRP - $15,610

Most Popular Among Girls:
2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, MSRP - $22,240

Most Popular Among Guys:
2007 Jeep Wrangler, MSRP - $18,610

Most Athletic:
2007 Nissan Xterra, MSRP - $20,050

Most Environmentally Conscious:
2007 Toyota Prius, MSRP - $22,175

Best Dressed:
2007 Ford Mustang, MSRP - $19,250

Most Likely to Succeed:
2007 Acura TSX, MSRP - $28,090

Toyota Prius still remains to be the most popular hybrid car even for students. Coming in an MSRP of $22,175, the 2007 Prius still remains to be the most fuel-efficient car on the market. The Best Dressed category was grabbed by the 2007 Ford Mustang with an MSRP of $19,250 while the 2007 Honda Civic Coupe holding a MSRP of $15,610 was the Best All Around car among the group. Girls still choose to buy the so cheeky and sissy 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible wearing a MSRP of $22,240 while boys still choose the $18,610 priced 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The sporty students would also choose the 2007 Nissan Xterra with a price tag of $20,050 and lastly, the Most Likely to Succeed category was hitched by 2007 Acura TSX with a price tag of $28,090.

NADAguides.com still remains to be the most reliable source of car information. If you wish to see more about these news, log on to their official website and check the tips for students who are planning to buy a new car this school year.

Cars.coms Best Used Cars Under $10,000

Cars.com has always been a great source of car information. Just recently, they released the top ten most wanted used car under the price of 10 grand.

Here is the Top Ten List of the Best Used Cars For $10,000

1. 2005 Ford Focus
2. 2003 Ford Taurus
3. 2003 Mazda Protegé
4. 2003 Mercury Sable
5. 2002 Buick LeSabre
6. 2002 Chevrolet Impala
7. 2002 Ford Windstar
8. 2002 Honda Accord
9. 2002 Honda Civic
10. 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora

Ford Focus topped the list and another Ford brand follows. The Ford Taurus comes next to Focus as the best used car on $10,000, followed by the Mazda Protegé on the third spot. The Mercury Sable and Buick LeSabre followed at the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

The Chevrolet Impala was sixth, followed by Ford Windstar in the seventh place. The eighth spot was occupied by the Honda Accord followed by Honda Civic on the ninth spot. The Oldsmobile Aurora finally completes the top ten used cars for $10,000.

There are plenty of people looking for new cars on the market but just like the mall, people would prefer to soothe themselves thru window shopping. People would always go for cheaper prices but also getting the same quality other than buying a new car. Cars.com released the list recently. They say, everybody needs a car and even college student needs to have one. But they are looking for a reliable, safe and fuel efficient cars in a low price. Nothing beats the old way of buying budget used cars.

Three trucks under $10,000 were also released. These were:

1. 2002 Honda CR-V
2. 2003 Subaru Forester
3. Chevy Colorado

The Specifications of the New 2008 Lexus LS

Lexus finally took the cover off the 2008 Lexus LS -- the fully redesigned version of the outgoing 2007 flagship LS sedan. Lexus is now offering the standard as well as the extended-wheel base versions also the hybrid LS600h. The models however are scheduled to be revealed separately.

The new sedan car will be handling a V8 engine part on an eight speed automatic transmission capable of running on a powerful 380 horsepower. The 4.6L engine is also boasting its direct injection as well as the electric-motor-driven Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i). Other standard car parts are Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) and Electric power steering.

The Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management is responsible for the function of these following car parts:

· Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system
· Electronic power steering
· Stability control
· Anti-lock braking
· Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD),
· Engine torque

The engine torque is electronically controlled by the throttle. The new car has an improved performance with more sensors that provide better onset while cornering. The system is filled with new navigator that combines the power of braking, throttle as well as steering control which has always been a standard for all the drivers. The Trac Off button can also be used to turn off the stability control. For safety parts, the Toyota Lexus also added six standard airbags on the new luxury car; however, eleven airbags are also available.

LS also offers the long wheel based with 4.8 inches additional space compared to its previous model. Other car parts included on the L model with long base are:

· Standard navigation system (also with XM factory-installed satellite radio/ real-time traffic)
· Climate-controlled front seats
· Heated rear seats
· New heated steering wheel
· Power rear sunshade
· New one-touch open/close power trunk
· Power door closers
· Headlamp washers
· Laminated side glass

The LS460 also added new exterior color on its 2008 version of the car. Now, Opaline Pearl is also available. The new car was also given the new 19-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels with adaptive steering. If you wish to have the new car, be sure to prepare an amount of $61,500 and $71,500 for the LS460L. Thanks to thecarconnection.com for the information here.