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 the all new 2010 Honda Crosstour It’s not a surprise that generally speaking, men care and know more about cars than women do. But a woman’s needs when it comes to her choice of transportation is just as important as her husband’s – and sometimes, those needs are different. That’s why hondareports.com has brought to its consumers a dual review on its new Accord Crosstour – written by male auto-journalist, Marcel Mejia, and female car buying advocate Anne Fleming.
The reviews, for the most part, were fairly consistent with each other. Both praised the vehicle for handling well in the snow, due to its intuitive four wheel drive that fully engages when the front tires begin to slip. However, as far as the body and interior of the car is concerned, Fleming worries about the lack of rear visibility, while Mejia wonders how Honda’s target customer will feel about the abundance of electronics that are included.
Both Mejia and Fleming also mentioned the dual climate control, Bluetooth capability and USB interface as impressive technological add-ins for the car. Both boys and girls like their toys! But Mejia writes that he is concerned about the value of the car being worth less than the asking price – a hefty $36,930.
Check out the dual review for yourself!
 2007 Yaris 2-door As a female car owner, I’m the first to admit, when it comes to how my car works, I get a little confused. In fact it’s probably the last thing on my mind with my busy schedule. Like many people, I grew concerned when I began hearing about the Toyota recalls. While my model, the 2007 Yaris Two-Door, was not on the recall list, part of me worried that it just wasn’t on the list yet.
Then my very protective mother called about a Yaris accident and began insisting I make sure my car was okay. I had been doing well with the idea that since my car was not on the recall list I was safe. But as soon as I heard this story, I began driving in fear, looking for places to pull off as I drove, in case anything did suddenly happen. With the amount I travel this ever present fear was just too much. So I contacted my dealer, Baierl Toyota to see if they could shed some light on my worries.
Baierl Toyota was fabulous! They immediately set up an appointment for me the next day, even giving me a loaner while they worked on my car. By the next day I was assured that everything was working smoothly, and that my model was safe from any incident. When I picked up my car, I could finally drive again without that ever present fear that something may go wrong.
If you own a Toyota, even if you didn’t purchase it from Baierl, I highly recommend you visit one of their Car Clinics, designed to be an open forum for Toyota owners to get the straight facts on what is really going on, behind all of the media hype, and make sure your car is not from one of the questionable batches. The last car clinic is tomorrow, Thurs, March 11th from 5:30 – 8pm at the dealership. If you are looking for some peace of mind, you should definitely check it out.
Sincerely,
Lani Redinger
Nakturnal, Operations Director
Guest Blogger for Suzie Knows
 - Image Source: ecomodder.com
Honda and Subaru have tied for No. 1 on Consumer Report’s list of the Best All-Around Vehicles. This year made it the fourth year in a row that Honda has claimed the top spot on the list.
Consumer Reports scores the vehicles on their reliability and their scores from a road test. At least five models from an automaker must be submitted in order to be considered. The road test includes testing the car’s braking, acceleration, controls, fuel economy, emergency handling, off-road capability, safety features, trunk and cargo space and other thorough tests.
Honda and Subaru were tied with a score of 77 out of 100, followed by Toyota which received a 74. Hyundai took fourth place with a score of 73. Nissan and Volkswagen tied for fifth place, both automakers earned a score of 72. Chrysler placed last, earning a lower score than its previous year on the list. It was the only automaker on the list that had a lower score. Only one of Chrysler’s vehicles made it on Consumer Reports Recommended list, the Ram 1500 pickup truck.
To see the complete list and reviews of all of the cars tested, check Consumer Report’s 2010 Annual Auto Issue that was released earlier this month.
 Image Source: static.howstuffworks.com Forbes.com has released its list of the Top 7 Safest Small Cars. Cars were chosen based on their scores for tests completed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The list includes cars listed in the micro, mini, or small-car divisions.
The IIHS tests evaluate how much protection the car will provide the passengers in high-speed front and side crashes, rollovers, and rear-impact crashes. The cars are tested in these categories and then are rated good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. The Safest Small Cars list does not include cars that were not tested in every category.
The Frontal Offset test measures how much protection the car will provide passengers in a 40 mph front crash. The Roof Strength test measures protection if the car were to roll over. The Side Crash test measures protection in case the car was to be hit by a truck or an SUV at 40 mph. A Rear Crash test measures how the head restraints protect passengers from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also takes into account whether or not the car has Electronic Stability Control, or ESC. ESC helps the driver maintain control over the vehicle during emergency maneuvers in order to reduce the risk of a crash.
The Top 7 Safest Small Cars:
- Honda Civic 4-Door
- Honda Fit
- Kia Soul
- Nissan Cube
- Subaru Impreza
- Volkswagen Golf
- smart fortwo
The Honda Civic 4-Door, Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Subaru Impreza, and Volkswagen Golf were chosen for the list because they received a Good rating in all of the tests and have ESC. The Honda Fit was chosen because it had an Acceptable Rollover rating, but had Good scores in all of the other categories. The smart fortwo was chosen because it had an Acceptable Rear-crash test, but had Good scores in all of the other categories.
-Suzie
These days, everyone is buzzing about the severity of the Toyota car recall, which has brought back nearly 6 million vehicles to their dealerships in the United States alone. However, this week, GM has issued a recall of their own.
The company has put out a recall for the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, the 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, and 2 other models sold in Canada and Mexico (2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit and 2005-2005 Pontiac G4, respectively), which in the end will total to about 1.3 million vehicles.
 2005 Chevy Cobalt - if you've got one of these, take it in for the recall The reason for the recall is a recurring issue seen in the power steering functions. Steering at speeds under 15 miles per hour proves to be more difficult than usual, and at higher speeds the power-steering assist can even be prone to total failure.
As of now, a definite fix for the problem has not been fully developed; representatives from GM say they will alert their customers as soon as one is available. Until then, company reps say that the cars are still safe to drive, and that this is merely a safety precaution.
An investigation on the steering was ordained in early February by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, after 14 accidents related to steering problems were reported in these Chevy models.
If your car is included in the recall, all you have to do is call your local GM dealer to schedule an appointment for a fix. The repair costs will be covered by GM.
 - Image Source: theautochannel.com
If you’re looking for a car with comfortable seats and tons of space, be sure to check out the 2010 Kia Forte. Familycarguide.com recently put together a “His and Her” review of the car in order to get more than one point-of-view.
The 2010 Kia Forte has a MSRP, or Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, of $19, 290. It has a 2.0 Liter 4-cylinder engine and 156 Horsepower. The car features a 4-speed automatic transmission with independent front suspension, Torsion Beam rear suspension, a front stabilizer bar, and front wheel drive.
When tested, the Kia Forte performed well because it has good handling and a comfortable ride. It has a fuel economy of 34 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city.
Inside the Kia Forte, it has well-organized controls that are easy to read and reach. The leather seats can be adjusted six different ways for maximum comfort and are heated to keep you warm in the winter. There is 12.6 cubic feet of space in the trunk. Two adults could sit in the backseat and have plenty of leg room.
Worried about safety? The Kia Forte has side-impact airbags for the front passengers, full-length side curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disk brakes, and electronic stability control. There are also two lower anchors and tethers in the backseat for car seats.
 - Image Source: cheapnewcars.info
Buying a car can often be a stressful process. The U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of the Costliest Car-Buying Mistakes can teach you what not to do when looking to buy a new car. Learn from these eight mistakes and how to avoid making them yourself.
1. Buying a Car That Doesn’t Fit Your Lifestyle
To avoid making this mistake, make a list of your daily routines that require the use of your car. If the car you are looking to buy can’t complete all of the items on your checklist, then that car is not right for you.
2. Choosing the Wrong Trim
The letter-number combinations that follow the model type, for example, the Cadillac CTS, represent the variation in the model’s performance and interior or exterior differences.
Don’t be disappointed by test-driving the highest level of trim of a model and then pick the trim that best fits your budget. Test drive the exact model and trim that you intend on purchasing.
3. Buying for Looks
Don’t judge a book by its cover applies to cars too. Buying a car because of its attractive exterior may leave you disappointed by its performance and reliability. To avoid this mistake, make sure you research the reliability for a new or used car before purchasing.
4. Not Knowing the Average Price
You may think you’re getting a deal, but you may be overpaying. Researching the average price on the internet can be a big help and save you money when you’re ready to buy.
5. Trading in Your Car for Less
Be sure to know what your car is worth before you go to a dealer to trade. Kelly Blue Book is a good source to check the current value of your car so you can negotiate with your dealer. Also, wait until the end to mention that you want to trade in your car so that its trade-in value is deducted from the final price.
6. Purchasing Unnecessary Options
If you already have a GPS, why would you spend the extra cash on choosing an onboard navigational system? Sure it’s cool, but you could also save some money by not choosing unnecessary options such as these.
7. Not Comparing Deals
Don’t make the mistake of comparing promotions from different dealerships. Sometimes the zero-percent financing deal may end up costing you in the long run. Be sure to calculate all of your options before making your decision.
8. Not Thinking About Long-Term Costs
Thinking only in terms of monthly payments can cost you. If you get a lower monthly payment, but take out a loan for a longer period of time, the interest can end up costing you more in the long run. Make sure that you factor in all payments, fees, and interest when making your decision in order to know what you will actually be paying when all is said and done.
-Suzie
To most of us, our vehicles are one of the most important possessions we own. Our cars provide transportation for us and our families to and from work, school and all the places in between.
 Car Thief Breaking into a Vehicle, Courtesy of ELcivics.com Protect you car as if it’s your home!
We take extra precautions to protect our houses from being broken into and robbed, but many of us forget that our vehicles are also targets of theft.
I don’t know about you, but my car is like my home away from home, as well as my means of transportation to and from work, and I need to work to make money. So, I guess you could say that my livelihood depends on my car.
Tips to keep your car safe from auto theft:
1.) Car alarm equipped with a pager.
First, if your vehicle already has an alarm, great! If you’re thinking about buying one or upgrading your existing alarm, you may want to consider an alarm system with a pager, which will alert you as soon as the car alarm is activated.
- Have a professional install your car alarm.
Instead of enlisting a large chain retailers to install your car alarm, take your vehicle to a professional to have it installed. Professional installers know exactly how to make your car elusive to thieves.
- Don’t display car alarm decals or stickers.
Displaying stickers revealing the type of alarm installed in your vehicle will allow thieves to plan which method to use when breaking into your car. This knowledge also makes it possible for crooks to disarm the alarm faster and easier.
2.) Stowe away valuables.
Don’t tempt thieves! Leaving valuables like a mounted GPS device, portable CD player/iPod or radar detector will likely allure thieves to your car.
3.) Never leave your keys in the ignition while your car is unattended.
Car thieves are constantly looking for opportunities to steal. An unattended car with the keys in the ignition and/or engine running is definitely a sure thing for a car thief.
4.) Don’t leave personal information in your car.
It may seem impractical, but it’s safer for you and your family if you keep your vehicle registration, insurance info and title with you instead of in the glove box or other places in your car. Anything with your home address and other personal info will give a thief a one up on you, and could potentially attempt robbing your home or stealing your identity.
5.) Use VIN-etching to make your car less attractive to criminals.
VIN-etching is a process which involves etching your car’s VIN on important vehicle parts. This preventative step makes it easier for police to identify stolen cars and more difficult for the stolen car/parts to be sold. Also, some insurance companies offer a discount for those vehicles utilizing VIN-etching.
-Suzie
 Image Source: worldmusicseries.com It may be cold outside, but the artists at MCG Jazz are just warming up. A jazz series packed with talented artists sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, NOVA Chemicals, BNY Mellon and RAD Works Here starts next week.
MCG Jazz was founded by Bill Strickland and has been catering to jazz lovers since 1987. The mission of MCG Jazz is to “preserve, present and promote jazz. Through our performances, we strengthen the long time Pittsburgh jazz community and contribute to the overall cultural and artistic diversity of the region.”
The series is starting with A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald at the MCG Jazz Hall on Saturday, February 27th at 8 pm and Sunday, February 28th at 2:30 pm. The concert has MCG Jazz with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra under the direction of David N. Baker. The show also features Kim Nazarian, co-founder of New York Voices.
Globally-known jazz pianist and composer McCoy Tyrner will be at the MCG Jazz Hall on Saturday, March 13th at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Tyrner is known for his blues-style piano and has been performing for more than 50 years.
The Lionel Loueke Trio and the Gretchen Parlato Band will be performing on Friday, March 26th at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Parlato is known for her powerful voice and her deep connection to her music while she sings. Loueke, a vocalist and jazz guitarist, uses synthesizers and guitar chords to enhance his music.
BNY Mellon Jazz presents Ramsey Lewis on Friday, May 14th at 8 pm. This concert is a special event to benefit the MCG Jazz Archive. Lewis is an accomplished pianist and composer with a love for gospel, classical and jazz music.
Be sure to order your tickets in advance. The McCoy Tyrner Quartet’s 7 pm show is already sold out!
-Suzie
When it comes time to get a new vehicle, people tend to look towards the bargain
 2005 Honda Accord - included in the 7th generation end of the market, and that means pre-owned vehicles. Used cars are bought at a ratio as high as 4-to-1 against brand new models, so it becomes apparent that in order to provide the best customer service, auto companies must assist their consumers in finding the best pre-owned vehicles they possibly can. WheelsTV, a social network for car buyers and enthuiasts, has done just that, and has named the seventh generation Honda Accord as their Pre-Owned Vehicle of the Year.
The seventh generation Honda Accord spans the model’s years of 2003 through 2007, and WheelsTV gave it the award based on several above-average features that the car boasts:
- superior fuel economy
- peppy engine response and drive
- top safety ratings, as determined by the Institute for Highway Safety
- “virtually no major consumer complaints”
A panel of analysts and experts examine hundreds of cars and consumer reports each year, and determine their winners based on a host of categories, including dependability, performance, overal build, fuel economy, and safety. The Honda Accord was up against heavy competition this year, including models from Nissan, Kia, Ford, and BMW.
Congratulations to the Honda Accord! Keep this vehicle and its fantastic specs in mind the next time you’re in the market for a pre-owned car.
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