Does Your Car Color Describe You?

It’s no secret what the most popular car colors are. Every time we drive down the highway or enter a parking lot, we can see that the overwhelming majority of cars on the road today are neutral colors: white, black, silver, and grey. According to studies, white is the most popular color overall in the United States (although black is making quite a comeback), while silver is the most popular worldwide. So what does this say about us as a nation? And what does your car color say about you?

Surprisingly, nothing. Although it would seem that our overwhelming preference for neutral colors shows a lack of creativity and style, it is actually a better representation of our practicality. Cars are an expensive purchase, and unlike clothing and accessories that we can throw in the back of our closets when they go out of style, we have to live with our car purchases for years.

Another reason that bland, non-colors such as white, black, and grey do not necessarily mean that we are boring when it comes to cars is the different shades that have become available. The bright colors of white we currently see are different from those we saw 50 years ago, and black finishes today are much more dramatic than they used to be.

However, car manufacturers do have the technology to develop high-impact colors that will make a statement, but they are not so easy to mass-produce, and nobody knows how popular they will be. So while we don’t know what the future will hold, it seems for now, the neutral colors are here to stay.

Parking Disasters

Mercedes-Benz CLS: Best Car in Luxury Class

Worldwide the Mercedes-Benz CLS has been voted the Best Luxury Car of 2011, and with that was awarded the “Golden Steering Wheel” award, one of the most important automotive awards in Europe.

Across Europe more than a quarter million readers and a top-class jury comprising of 40 automotive experts and prominent figures chose from 10 executive and luxury class vehicles to vote for the winner of the “Golden Steering Wheel.” The vehicles were put through extensive tests and were rated on performance and style. The top 5 finalists for the award were the Audi A7, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz CLS, Suzuki Kizashi and the Volvo S 60.

According to the results of the road tests the Mercedes-Benz CLS is efficiency at the highest level with lightweight construction and aerodynamics as well as supreme driving dynamics and ride comfort, perfect for a long trip. There’s no doubt why the CLS was voted Best Car in its class and why it deserved the “Golden Steering Wheel” award.

Chevy Volt: 2011 Car of the Year

Chevrolet is making their entrance into the world of green cars this year, and they are making quite an entrance. The Chevy Volt has been impressing consumers and critics alike, and now it has been given one of the most prestigious titles in the automobile industry: the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year. So what exactly is it about the Volt that is capturing the attention of so many?

While the Volt is certainly not the first electric car, it is the first to offer many features that other green cars lack, such as ample seating, practicality, a large driving range, and, on top of that, an affordable price. One of the major ways in which the Volt blows its competition out of the water is the driving range. Unlike the others, Volt drivers can go 40 miles on pure electricity, followed by 300 miles on gasoline. And the annual electric power consumption to fully charge the Volt is about the same as a home water heater.

Other features of the Volt that have impressed critics include an informative dashboard that helps drivers maximize mileage and the eight-year, 100,000-mile transferable warranty on the lithium-ion battery pack. Consumers will enjoy the $7,500 federal tax credit, as well as the 500 gallons of gasoline they will save each year.

World's Smallest Car

British constructor Perry Watkins drives his “Wind Up” mini car. The mini car, which is the world’s smallest car with a license to drive on public streets, is only 41 inches high, 51 inches long, and 26 inches wide. The “Wind Up” can drive 60 kph (37 mph) and even has seat belts.

Best Resale Value: 2011 Models

There are many factors to think about when purchasing a new car. Price, size, brand, and safety are all major considerations. Another factor consumers should think about when making this decision is the resale value of a vehicle. This is an important issue, as it not only estimates how much you can expect to get for the automobile if you decide to trade it in, but it is also an indicator of a high quality vehicle that is built to retain its value. Kelley Blue Book recently named the 2011 vehicles with the best resale value for each major category. And the winners are:

- Subcompact car: Honda Fit
- Compact Car: MINI Cooper
- Mid-Size Sedan: Honda Accord
- Full-Size Sedan: Ford Taurus
- Wagon: Subaru Outback
- Sports Car: Subaru Impreza WRX
- High-Performance Car: Ford Mustang GT
- Hybrid/Alt. Energy Car: Volkswagen Golf TDI
- Compact Utility Vehicle: Honda CR-V
- Mid-Size Utility Vehicle: Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Full-Size Utility Vehicle: GMC Acadia
- Van: Toyota Sienna
- Near-Luxury Car: Lexus IS
- Luxury Car: Audi A5
- Full-Size Pickup: Ford F-Series Super Duty
- Luxury Utility Vehicle: BMW X5
- Hybrid/Alt. Energy Vehicle: BMW X5 xDrive 35d
- Mid-Size Pickup: Toyota Tacoma

Cars that Lose Value Fast

It’s fairly common knowledge that as a new car drives off the lot it loses 20% of its value that day; but over time the value of that car will depreciate much slower than it did that first day. At least some cars slowly depreciate; a study was done to see which cars depreciate the quickest and by how much. During the first three years of a cars life it depreciates at an accelerated rate; but the cars that made this top 10 list have a super accelerated rate of depreciation. After 5 years a vehicle usually will have lost 65% of its value; but the vehicles on this list have lost 74% or more of their value.

1. Kia Sedona – 5 year depreciation of 80%
2. Lincoln Town Car- 5 year depreciation of 79%
3. Isuzu Ascender- 5 year depreciation of 77%
4. Dodge Durango- 5 year depreciation of 76%
5. Ford Econoline- 5 year depreciation of 76%
6. Suzuki Reno- 5 year depreciation of 75%
7. Chevrolet Uplander- 5 year depreciation of 75%
8. Suzuki Forenza- 5 year depreciation of 75%
9. Mercury Grand Marquis- 5 year depreciation of 75%
10. Suzuki Aerio- 5 year depreciation of 74%