The tax on SUVs and powerful cars approved

In these days the government is switching to a different screen points of the new budget package was approved and is now a tax that will hit all the owners of SUVs and, in general, all those car owners especially powerful.The law provides an additional state representative of the vehicle tax for those who are in possession of a car with powers greater than 170 hp (125 kW). Unlike other measures, among other things, this tax does not apply only from the 2013/2014 biennium, but will be active right away.

In the draft of the decree, passed before the Council of Ministers, we read "for passenger cars and vehicles for the mixed transport of people and goods is due to the state treasury an additional vehicle tax", thus including all of the vehicles. The penalty for failure to pay will be equal to 30% of the amount not paid.

Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti had long anticipated this new tax, which is obviously likely to increase in direct proportion to the total power of the car. The tax, it seems, will be introduced at the discretion of the Regions. The super-SUV, as it now begins to call him, is an economic blow hard enough for those who own a car at least 170 horsepower. Fortunately, most of the cars we are used to conduct often have less power, although it is difficult to categorize the various models. Not only will the SUV to be involved, but cars like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but in the range of engines offered can boast up to two or three engines below the limit of the state.

We'll see how the car companies and drivers will react to this new tax, and above all that could have consequences on the supply of the Italian automotive industry.

New car buying tips under budgeting

There's nothing quite like the smell of a brand new car or the thrill of being the first to drive your new ride. But that sense of novelty could be costing you big-time. New cars lose value the second you drive them off the dealer's lot. In essence, that new-car smell is costing you anywhere from $1000 to $2000. A car's value will depreciate another 30% after three years. Buying an almost new car is a great way to avoid these decreases in value. So save yourself big bucks by looking for the best buys in gently used automobiles. Though only a few years old, many gently-used cars will cost you much less than their new counterparts, and you'll probably never be able to tell the difference.

Key Considerations: Mileage and Wear and Tear

Of course, if you're going to buy a used car, you'll need to do your homework. Newer models may be improvements on older models, or they may just contain new problems. Make no mistake about it: There can definitely be problems with used cars or issues with how (or how much) the previous owner drove. Higher mileage isn't always bad. If the car has been well-maintained and isn't suffering from too much wear and tear, high mileage usually isn't a problem. However, if you notice other problems with the car, you may want to move on. Similarly, low mileage is no guarantee that the car is just like new.

Whether you're shopping at a dealership or buying from a private owner, when buying an almost-new car, use this used car checklist to discover for yourself how good a deal you're really getting.

Think about your needs. How much do you drive? Do you want the best gas mileage possible, or are you willing to sacrifice it for style or space?  How much room do you need? How much can you afford to pay? These are the things you should consider before anything else, so that you know exactly what you're looking for in a vehicle.
Do your research. Narrow your search down to two or three models that fit your needs and your budget. Before you head into a dealership, know what you're looking for. Check consumer reports and websites and get recommendations from friends.
Check the car's history. Sure, that shiny red Corvette may look gorgeous now—but what if it's been in a bad accident? What if the transmission has always been a problem? These are things you need to know in order to make an informed decision.
Test drive. See for yourself what the car feels like. After all, you're going to be riding in it for years to come, so if you just can't deal with the placement of the gear shift, or if something seems to rattle, that could seriously get on your nerves.
Get the car checked out by a mechanic. The seller may be withholding certain details from you about the car, so make sure you take it to a mechanic you trust so you can get the real story. He or she will be able to fill you in on any problems with the car, so that you know exactly what you're getting into. Something that may sound like the best buy in a gently-used automobile may actually be a scam.
Buying an almost-new car is a great way to save money, but buyer beware! You'll have to do your homework and be willing to put in some legwork to make sure you end up with the best buy in a gently-used automobile instead of a lemon. Know what you're looking for, be aware of the car's mileage and wear and tear, and always have someone you trust take a look at it.

What are the top selling family cars?

Believe it or not, the most popular of mainstream family cars is the Toyota Corolla! It is one of the longest family cars in production with over forty years of design. As of September 2009, it has won numerous consumer reports in safety, performance, and value. Here are more top-selling family cars, trucks, and vans.

Best Family Cars

The Ford F Series is number two on the list of best family vehicles. For twenty-three years, the F series is the top selling auto in America. While a truck isn't traditionally considered a family car, the advent of extended cabs has made them popular with blue collar working families that need the utility of a pick up. The F series gets top marks for safety, and those with rear seats easily accommodate car seats and boosters.

If you have a small family, a fun compact family car is the Volkswagen Beetle. Beetles have sixty years of production designs. They are cute and fun to drive, not to mention economical. Though quite small, a Beetle can still accommodate a family of 4 with young children. Volkswagen has won a lot of awards throughout the years and designs vehicles with tough safety features.

In America, the most popular family size car is a sedan. The Ford Taurus and the Honda Accord fit this bill. You can haul the kids, their stuff, and even the family dog. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a top sedan car with a lot of safety features and plenty of room for the family. The company has also won a lot of awards. They fit the most people in a car along with one of the best front seats available.

Modern, stylish families are favoring the Ford Fusion. This car gives the Corolla a run for its money. Not only is the Fusion fun to drive, it feels safe and handles well when hitting curves at high speeds. For many, the best feature of the Fusion is its fuel economy. The Fusion line is now bumped up to 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Ford has revamped the Fusion line and now includes a backup camera, Sirius travel link, weather info, and places for all your electronic stuff. It also has one of the largest trunk spaces in the mid size car line.

Another mainstream family car is the Toyota Camry LE. You do not feel any loss of control going around sharp bends and curves. It simply hugs the road like it should, giving you peace of mind for your family. Gas mileage is great, running around 22mpg in the city and about 30 mpg on the highway.

Bigger families will appreciate family friendly mini vans like the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. Both these models get top marks for safety, fuel economy, and reliability. Mom-friendly touches like automatic doors, flat folding seats, child-view mirrors and built in window shades make these rides perfect for families on the go. Both vans have plenty of cargo room in addition to comfy seats. Although these vans come at a higher price point than some of their competitors, their solid performance and award-winning safety features make them the top choices year after year.

Buying a Used Car

So you want to know why you should by a used car?  While there are plenty of benefits of buying a used car, the fact that you can get into a much higher class of motor vehicle than you would otherwise be able to afford is probably the most important. You can often pickup a champagne car on a beer budget. This is especially true if you know what types of things are important for you and what to look for in the vehicle that you want to buy.

Getting More Car for your Investment

Most folks would love a BMW sitting in the driveway (or a Corvette or a Lexus). However there are a lot of people that simply don't have the down payment needed to pick up a luxury car from a dealer. The trick is not to worry about new but judiciously look into the used market. This is where the benefits of buying a used car show the most promise. You can often afford a fully-loaded, well kept used vehicle that is a few years old for the same or less than a low to mid-level new car. Plus, you don't have to endure the depreciation that you face the minute the new car drives off the lot. You need to ascertain your needs before you go shopping.

If you are into the luxury market, you can quite often find what they call a cream puff out there. The benefits of buying a used car of this type are obvious. First, the depreciation has already happened for the most part with the initial buyer. These types of owners tend to keep up on maintaining the vehicles because it is often included in the price of the vehicle. If you don’t want an upper end car but still need some reliable transportation, chances are you can not even afford a new car payment. You're more likely to find a good deal by buying from an individual than on a used car lot.

An individual selling his car should tell you what is good and bad about the car from experience. Since you are usually finding the cars in people's front yards, they also know that you can come back to them if there is a problem, so they tend to be a little more honest. No matter where you decide on purchasing your used vehicle, make sure that you have it inspected by a mechanic that you trust and get a car report, such as Car Fax to alert you of any possible issues.

The best benefits of buying a used car are spending less money, getting more of a vehicle for the price, and avoiding the loss through depreciation. The vehicle will be broken in, and any of the initial bugs should be worked out of it. If you judiciously do your research, you can often get a more car for far less money.

The Mommy Cars for Moms

The best Mom cars need to meet certain important qualifications before they are worthy of being officially dubbed, "Mom's Taxi."  Usually, Mom is expected to drive the kids to their doctor appointments, daycare, school, play dates, sports activities, friend's homes, the mall, the movies, and everywhere else kids need (or want) to go. Moms need a vehicle that can perform well while running errands. Grocery shopping, trips to the vet, and more are often found on Mom's "to do" list, so she needs a car that us tough, reliable, easy to drive, and economical to own.
The Best Cars for Moms

There are a number of things to consider when looking for the best new car for Mom.  The best cars for Moms will provide plenty of storage and cargo space, easy entry and exit ability, car seat convenience, leg room (for bigger kids and teens), entertainment options, and, most importantly, reliability and safety features. Fuel consumption is another important factor for many families in today's economy. Most of the new family cars are designed with these features and criteria in mind.

Convenience is a requirement for family cars.  Having a vehicle with ample space and accessibility for maneuvering, when entering, exiting, loading, and unloading are conveniences that will come in handy. There is nothing more frustrating than struggling to load car seats, strollers, gear and tired kids into the car while getting soaked in a rainstorm. Kid-friendly cars feature toy storage, accessible cup holders and trays, entertainment options, easy to use seat belts, and plenty of room for siblings. Flexible seating options are also a must. Look for sliding or foldable seating with multiple configurations.  Automatic or remote doors, hatches, and ignitions are handy too. A couple of other conveniences to consider are the upholstery and carpeting. Every mom knows that kids can be messy and accidents happen. Selecting an interior that is easy to clean and hides stains is a good idea.

The Honda Odyssey, Ford Flex, Chevy Traverse, Chevy Suburban, and Toyota Sienna are a few of the highest rated, larger vehicles for families. The Ford Fusion (Hybrid or standard), Honda Insight (Hybrid), Mazda 5, and Honda Accord are among the top rated family sedans. Other contenders for the best mom cars include the Chevy Equinox Crossover and the Honda CR-V.  Prices for these terrific family vehicles start around $18,800 and top out around $36,000 for this year's models.

Tips for foreign car buyers

The benefits of foreign cars differ from model to model simply because of how the automobile is manufactured and, more importantly, where it is manufactured. Depending on who you talk to, foreign cars are not considered to be as well made today compared to the vehicles of the 1980's. When you decide to buy a car, you should do some research and buy a car relevant to your needs and not one based on hype.

Should I Buy?

The decision to buy a foreign car or not will depend on many factors. In today's car industry, you should ask yourself, "What is my new vehicle going to be used for?" This is a great way to decide on a vehicle for your desired use. For example, if you need to haul a lot of things you may want to consider buying a truck of some kind or a vehicle that is capable of pulling a trailer so that you can haul items with ease. One benefit of buying a foreign car is the fact that some of these vehicles are priced lower than some American vehicles; this may make a foreign car more appealing to budget conscious consumers.

A good amount of so-called foreign cars are made in the USA. Nowadays, most foreign vehicle assembly plants are in the southeastern United States. The reason why these plants are located in this location is because the cost of labor in this region is lower than in other parts of the USA. This makes the production cost less and in short, makes the retail price lower for the individual buying the vehicle. One reason why foreign cars are often priced lower than American vehicles is because foreign vehicle manufacturers do not have to pay pensions for retired workers. Also, many states in the United States will offer these companies a tax cut just to get the business (and the resulting jobs in their state).

Foreign Cars: Good for the Wallet, but Are They Good for the Country?

Many people say that one of the best benefits of foreign cars is the price, but what does a buying a foreign car cost the country? American vehicle manufacturers have pension plans for their retired workers while foreign manufactures do not. In addition to that, the materials for foreign cars are bought from out of the country and very little money from the American vehicle buyer goes back into the country. Unlike with many other imports, most of the money resulting from the purchase of a foreign car leaves the American economy.

American-made cars and trucks are manufactured from steel made in the USA, and this makes more jobs for Americans. Foreign manufacturers buy most all of their materials from their home country when possible. While some American-made cars are less fuel efficient and reliable than their foreign counterparts, the US automobile industry is rapidly closing that gap as those factors become more important to American consumers. In the end, while there may be some benefits to purchasing a foreign car, doing so will ultimately hurt the American economy.

Consumer Reports: Kia Sedan Tops Honda Accord

Consumer Reports: Kia Sedan Tops Honda Accord

 Consumer Reports test drivers gave the Optima the edge over the Accord for its superior handling, although the magazine kept Accord on its Recommended list. They cited these additional attributes for the 2011 Optima (list price $21,885 in the test model), which has had a complete redesign:

The 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine, which delivers strong performance
Good fuel economy, with an EPA ratings of 24 mpg in city driving, 35 mpg highway
Smooth shifting by the six-speed automatic transmission
An attractive interior and plenty of trunk space
Crash test performance - the Optima garnered a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.


But it was the quick steering and crisp handling that gave Optima the edge over the Accord, long among the top-selling midsize sedans. CR test drivers said the Accord handling was “sloppy with notable body lean” when it was pushed on the magazine’s test track.

Optima ranks sixth overall among four-cylinder family sedans. The top five are Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy and Suzuki Kizashi. The Accord came in at No. 7. The review is in the June issue or available on the CR website if you are a subscriber.

Both Kia and its Korean corporate stablemate, Hyundai,  already sell well,  but the two have benefited further  from tight supplies of Japanese cars and parts after the recent earthquake and tsunami.

In addition to the Optima, sales have been strong for Kia vehicles like the midsize Sorento SUV and the small, boxy Soul (promoted by the hip-hop hamsters). At the recent New York Auto Show, Kia introduced the 2012 subcompact Rio, which is rated for 40 mpg in highway driving. In a separate  round of testing, Consumer Reports looked at midsize SUVs and gave mediocre ratings to Ford’s redesigned Explorer, which has been a strong seller so far. Here’s a closer look at those ratings:

Ford Explorer: Test drivers found the 2011 Explorer improved over the previous generation. They gave the Explorer credit for a comfortable ride and decent fuel economy (rated 17 mpg city, 25 highway). But they found the engine noisy and handling sluggish. The six-speed automatic transmissions is sometimes slow to downshift, they said. And they reiterated their distaste for the latest version of the SYNC system called MyFord Touch as too complicated and distracting. (The test vehicle was priced at $39,725.) Other reviewers have ranked  the Explorer more favorably.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid: CR’s favorite among the three SUVs tested in this round, this hybrid SUV boasts faster acceleration than the standard gas model. It has a 280-horsepower V-6 engine combined with three electric motors and a smooth continuously variable transmission. The combination is rated 28 mpg city and 28 highway; in CR’s own test, the Highlander Hybrid (limited-run test model listed at $47,255) got a combined 27 mpg - closer than usual to the EPA ratings.

Backwards Cars

Backwards Cars

What happens if you take the picture the car in profile, open Photoshop and deploy the roof of a car in another direction? That's what Smile Always look further

Extreme Stunt Unicycles

FlyRad Unicycle Offers Flexible Riding

The German-based FlyRad motorized unicycle can be used in different ways allowing users to switch their positions to their liking. The 26 kgs one-wheeler features a 500x motor with a 36v rechargeable battery. The motorized unicycle can be controlled with a pair of skates that work as the front wheels.

Recall of 2010 in Pictures

 Interesting Collection of the best pictures of 2010