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Estate or Hatchback? Four of the Best Contenders For a Family Car

September 10, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Buying the perfect car for your family is a tall order. Unlike choosing a car for yourself, you need to take varied (and sometimes contradictory) priorities into account. From the school run, to your next family vacation, is there a car out there that can tick all your boxes?

 

To help you make your comparisons, here’s a roundup of the most popular family car body types, and their pros and cons.

Image Source: Pexels CC0 Licence

 

Hatchbacks

A hatchback is a vehicle that has a boot that spans the full width of the car. The trunk is hinged at the roof of the car, and flips upwards to allow you to access to the trunk. Technically, the boot lid is considered one of the car’s doors, which takes the tally of doors up to either three or five.

 

The wide-opening lid of the trunk will enable ease of access for unloading the kids’ school bags, your grocery shopping, a child stroller, or the dog. The seats at the back can usually be folded down for extra packing space when needed. Whether you need to fit a couple of skis or your teenager’s Ikea furniture when they move off to college, you’ll be amazed by how much you can cram into a hatchback with the seats folded flat.

 

Hatchbacks come in all shapes and sizes. Some top sellers include the Ford Fiesta, the Ford Focus, and the Ford Mondeo. These three vehicles range in size from small to large, making the Ford Mondeo both a popular choice in general, and an excellent choice for a family.

 

Estates

If space matters to your family, you might consider buying an estate. Essentially, an estate gives you the versatility of a hatchback with the additional trunk space allowed by an extended body. Some models provide the possibility of extra space for additional passengers, too.

 

Extra storage means the car is super practical for day-to-day life, especially if you have a few kids. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that because estates are longer than other models, your family car might be a little tricky to maneuver. This may not be an issue for you, but if you have teenagers who will be learning to drive soon, an estate might pose challenges for learner drivers. (On the other hand, maybe teaching your teen to drive in a difficult-to-park car is the best way to ensure that they develop excellent parking skills!)

Image Source: Pexels CC0 Licence

 

SUV

If you value style on top of space concerns, you might like the sound of a super-trendy SUV. You have the choice of either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, so if you’re the kind of family that is just as at home on the dirt track as the strip to the mall, the SUV could be for you. Whether you’re canoeing or heading out for a weekend of camping, there isn’t much that you could throw at an SUV that it could not handle. These much sought after cars sit slightly higher up on the road, making it easier for you to see, and providing extra space in the back seat for kids, grandparents, dogs, and other passengers!

 

You’ll have a few size options to choose from. The more compact SUVs such as the Citroën C3 Aircross—popular for its smooth feel and elegant design—or if you need something bigger, you can go all the way up to a 7 seater, like a Volvo XC90. Other well-regarded options are the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Nissan X-Trail, and the Mercedes GLS-Class.

 

Buy Two Vehicles

 

Yes. That’s right: sometimes there is no single perfect family car. Especially if you are a two-car family anyway, it can make a lot of sense to see those two vehicles as two separate opportunities to meet different, yet important, requirements for your family vehicle. For example, if school economy is crucial for your school run, but you only have two kids, a hatchback could be the perfect run-around, allowing you to zip through traffic, grab that tight parking space at the grocery store, and saving you money on fuel. Running a fuel-efficient car might enable you to invest in a second vehicle that is purely for leisure. Whether you spend that extra budget on the best mattress for an rv or a roof-rack and off-road tyres for your 4X4, it can be freeing not to demand that your family car be everything in one.

 

Whether you have one child or five—not to mention pets—finding the perfect family car can be a challenge. This roundup of the most popular family vehicles should help you narrow down your options and work out which body-type might work best for you.

Filed Under: fatherhood Tagged With: car, car buying, car shopping, cars, family car, suv

In Winter My Car Never Looks Its’ Best! Turtle Wax ( @TurtleWax ) Changes That!

March 7, 2015 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

impala-2lt
 photo disclaimer_zpsaa1cb05b.jpg

Some of you that follow me on Facebook know that back in February I was in a car accident that ended up totaling out a car (insurance speak) that I had owned for the past 13 years. Talk about a bummer right. Well, in the process of finding a new car I selected a 2014 Impala. This by far was the nicest vehicle that I ever purchased and with that in mind I knew that I wanted to do whatever I could to keep this nice, even in the winter. However, in Michigan this is next to an impossibility.

Case in point, the day that I bought the car and brought it home the weather was not good and even though they detailed the car, after only the ten minute drive the car was covered in salt and grime, very disappointing. All of us in Michigan do what we can to definitely keep our vehicles clean throughout the winter, especially to keep the salt off the car and I know that I will do the same.

TurtleWax

Because of this battle that I am continually waging both in and outside the car, I was very excited recently to receive a surprise package from Turtle Wax, filled with all of the new Smart Shield products to care for and protect your vehicle. For me this was important as I wanted to make sure that the money that I put into the car was protected for the future.

 

The new products within the Smart Shield system include:

  • ICE® Wash & Wax: The first step in any car care routine, ICE® Wash & Wax delivers unbeatable foaming and cleaning. Now with Smart Shield Technology and Carnauba Wax, ICE Wash & Wax is Turtle Wax’s best shining wash ever produced. Retail value: $9.99.
  • ICE® Shine Lock™ Sealant: The New ICE® Shine Lock™ Sealant is the foundation of the Smart Shield system and is the first layer of protection for your car. Delivering 12 months of protection in just 15 minutes, the super concentrated formula is enough for up to four cars and works on all exterior surfaces, even glass.  By building an invisible barrier, Shine Lock Sealant protects your clear coat through all four seasons. Retail value: $19.99.
  • ICE® Liquid & Paste Wax: ICE® Liquid & Paste Wax with Smart Shield Technology™ provides an added layer of protection and deepens the lasting, reflective shine. The liquid or paste can be applied to all exterior surfaces without leaving a white residue even in direct sunlight. For best results, apply a fresh coat before every season.  Retail value: $17.99 (liquid) & $14.99 (paste).
  • ICE® Spray Wax: ICE® Spray Wax with Smart Shield Technology™ is the longest lasting premium spray wax from Turtle Wax. All it takes is 10 additional minutes for a boost in protection and brilliant shine after every car wash. Retail value: $9.99.
  • ICE® Detailer: ICE® Detailer is used for quick clean-ups to remove light dust, fingerprints and spots before they become stains. Designed specifically to work with all products in the Smart Shield Technology system and to boost shine. Retail value: $9.99.

TurtleWax

I learned that the formula was developed by Turtle Wax using the most advanced scientific polymer engineering.  With every Smart Shield product used, interlocking polymers increase the level of shine and protection. Car lovers can use any combination of Smart Shield products to add a Lasting Diamond Brilliance™ to their car’s finish.

 

I have used Turtle Wax Ice Products in the past and the results of using them were so amazing. I started using some of these new Smart Shield products on the interior of the car. In doing this I will say that the products worked great. They left a great sheen on the inside of the car which stayed for a long time.

 

While I have not had the chance to try out all of the exterior products as my exterior water spout is not accessible in the snow, and if I did, my water pipes will probably bust.  

 

That being said I am so happy to receive this and I know that as the weather continues to get warmer I will continue to use them on both the interior and exterior of the Impala. If the results on the outside are anything like what I have seen on the inside then I would say that Turtle Wax is definitely something that will remain in my home for a long time to come.

 

The new line of Smart Shield products are ideal for every car lover, from ultimate enthusiasts searching for high-end products, to beginners looking for the easiest way to keep their car looking pristine and protected. Look for Smart Shield products in select retailers where car care products are sold nationwide.

 

For more information about the Smart Shield system and ICE products, visit www.TurtleWax.com. Love the product, or have comments? Post a review online directly on www.TurtleWax.com. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest and greatest from Turtle Wax.

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Filed Under: fatherhood, product review Tagged With: car, car buying, car care, fatherhood

GMC ( @thisisgmc )Terrain Denali Offers Style, Comfort and Quality Experience #GMCUpNorth

June 19, 2012 by dadofdivas 32 Comments

I had the extreme pleasure to spend the last few days up in Traverse City with the whole crew from GMC trying out the new 2013 Terrain Denali. Being that I was able to attend an earlier Winter Driving event back in December with GMC and the 2012 Terrain, I was excited to see the new extras that GMC had in store for the 2013 and the new Denali line.

First of all, I have to say that I have not drove a Denali line vehicle in the past and prior to doing my research, I would have to say that I would have said, “what does Denali actually mean”. I know that this may sound a bit naïve, but that was my reality. I now know that the Denali line is GMC’s premier collection and has a very distinct body type, look and feel. After driving the vehicle, I can also see how this vehicle lives up to the premier status, as it is such a smooth ride and it is full of a ton of fun electronic toys that any guy would just dream of owning.

As a parent, I am looking for style, yes, but more so I am looking for comfort and space, for both the kids and for me (as our family has a ton of “stuff”. I first noticed that the Terrain has some great cargo room behind the 2nd row fold down seats. Also, the second row cam be moved up an additional 8 inches to make room for so much more! Also, being able to move the seats up would have made my life a lot easier when my kids were younger and I was trying to reach them and give them a bottle, have the seats that much closer would have made my wife and my lives that much easier. The seats do fold down so I can store items and lug all of the sports equipment for baseball or other items without any issue!

I was also impressed with the standard safety features on the GMC Terrain, with front and side airbags, as well as collision alert and passenger assist you will be alerted when you start to go out of your lane with an audible tone (Lane Departure Warning) as well as a very loud noise if you are in danger of causing a collision.(Forward Collision Alert) There also was a blind spot alert on the side mirrors (Side Blind Zone Alert) that I always find helpful. One final piece of technology that I have not seen on any other car was something called Rear Cross Traffic which is a technology that uses radar to let you know when you are backing up whether someone else is approaching your vehicle.

As a shorter person, I also appreciated the fact that the vehicle had fully adjustable seats, so not only could I go forward to where I needed to be, but I also could raise the seat to a level where I could see out without any issue. The only issue that I found with the car in regards to sight lines was when I was sitting in the car and I had a passenger with me, I had to lean forward to see to my right on sharp turns (where I had to stop).

The body of the vehicle itself was sleek and had the distinct Denali look. I loved the chrome grill and the aerodynamic look of the vehicle itself. Inside of the vehicle, the Terrain had an amazing array of technological toys that anyone would love. I was happy to find that it was very easy to connect my phone to the car and even pair the Pandora on my phone to have some great tunes throughout the entire time that I was driving if I wanted. On top of this you could customize the display so that you could have up to your top eight items that you want displayed. You also could only have as many or as few as you wanted too.

All-in-all, I was quite impressed and for the starting price, you get a very cool ride!

If you are looking for a mid-sized SUV that offers great comfort and style, look no further than the 2013 Terrain Denali.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Filed Under: product review Tagged With: #GMCUpNorth, car, car buying, GMC

Motor City @Chevrolet Moms Make Their Marks on the Malibu #MalibuMoms

May 2, 2012 by dadofdivas 25 Comments

What can unite a blue-haired, roller derby jammer; a crash expert; an organic gardener with specially trained hearing skills, and a Harvard master’s degree candidate with a patent for lighting technology?

 

In addition to being engineers and moms, they all bring expertise and unique perspectives that make the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu fuel-efficient, safe, extremely quiet and available for purchase today.

 

Malibu moms Suzanne Cody, Julie Kleinert, Kara Gordon and Tracy Mack-Askew also help demonstrate the important role women and mothers play in engineering today’s family vehicles.

 

The Malibu is Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan, and will be sold in 100 countries on six continents. Though based in Metro Detroit, the Malibu moms’ work will be felt from Birmingham to Bulgaria, Ann Arbor to Austria and from St. Clair Shores to Seoul, Shanghai and beyond.

 

“People spend a lot of time in their vehicles,” said Gordon, the Malibu’s lead acoustic noise engineer and mother of two active young boys. “It’s really important for me to spend that time with my kids in a positive way. If your car isn’t quiet, you can’t hear your kids talking to you in the background, and you can’t hear how their day went.”

 

Gordon recalls an incident that drove home the importance of her work.

 

“We were about to get on the freeway and my younger son was mumbling something I couldn’t hear. I kept asking him over and over what he was saying and my older son finally yelled, ‘His seat belt isn’t buckled.’ So I pulled over – luckily – before we actually got on the highway.”

 

Involving more engineer moms in vehicle development is happening as women continue to take a bigger stake in the market. Women buy a little over half the cars sold in the United States, and take part in 80 percent of all family car buying decisions, according to traditional industry statistics.

 

Yet according to the American Society of Engineering Education, the percentage of undergraduate engineering degrees going to women in 2009 was 17.8 percent, a 15-year-low.

Recognizing this need, General Motors and the GM Foundation support several programs aimed at encouraging women to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects, including high school robotics programs and college scholarships.

“Women are major automotive consumers, and automakers that want to appeal to them need to understand what their needs and requirements are,” said Rebecca Lindland, director of research at IHS Automotive. “Women engineers can provide a unique perspective to the design and engineering process. For example, women are generally smaller than men, so ergonomic needs are different. We also have a heightened awareness of safety, and tend to be more sensitive to the needs of family.”

 

“We need to encourage more young women and girls to venture into engineering and show them it’s not just numbers, but it’s color and style and design,” she said. “Women add a necessary element to enhance a vehicle’s appeal and the entire development process benefits from that added dimension.”

Meet the four accomplished women engineers and moms behind the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu:

The Malibu moms

 

Suzanne “Suzy” Cody, aerodynamics engineer – Cody is a rocket scientist – literally – with a degree in aerospace engineering. Known for her “GM blue” hair highlights, she is also a force to be reckoned with in the wind tunnel and on the roller derby track.

 

A mother of two young boys, she has been responsible for the aerodynamic performance of the new Malibu, and her work has resulted in a vehicle with a superior wind drag rating – close to that of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle – which means increased gas savings for Malibu drivers. In fact, aerodynamic improvements on the new Malibu provide up to 2.5 mpg more on the highway.

 

“I’m a single mom, and every dollar I spend on gasoline is a dollar I’m not investing in my boys’ futures,” said Cody. “So this is personal to me.”

 

Her knowledge of wind drag also helps her on the Bath City Roller Girls roller derby team, where fans know her as Shovey Camaro, after her passion for the Chevrolet Camaro sports car. Cody is also a passionate leader of a local moms club that helps support local charities.

 

Julie Kleinert, child safety technical lead – As the lead engineer responsible for child occupant protection, Kleinert’s job is to evaluate and develop the safety performance requirements for the vehicle restraint systems that will protect children who ride in the Malibu and other GM vehicles.

 

“Knowing that the work I do helps protect other people’s children is very rewarding,” said Kleinert, a mother of four and grandmother of two. “I love to be able to tell people what I do, and how much work goes into the safety of every GM vehicle.”

 

Kleinert relies on her 27-year engineering career and extensive knowledge of restraint system performance and vehicle safety integration, along with her real-world experience and perspective as a mother and grandmother. Her commitment to child passenger safety doesn’t stop at the end of the work day.

 

As a certified child passenger safety technician, she volunteers with Safe Kids USA’s Buckle Up educational programs to teach parents and caregivers about proper car seat installation and about child safety in and around vehicles. She utilizes her experience from working in the field with parents and caregivers to help drive interior designs that make child safety seat installation easier in the Malibu and other GM vehicles. Because three out of four child safety seats are incorrectly installed, Kleinert said, she urges parents to take advantage of local check-up events, even if they believe they are using their child safety seat correctly.

 

“When my kids were teenagers and learning how to drive, they didn’t always appreciate having a mom who was a safety engineer,” said Kleinert. “Now that one of my sons has two children, I put my child passenger safety training to good use by teaching him and my daughter-in-law how to properly install car seats in their vehicles.”

 

Kara Gordon, lead acoustic noise engineer – Gordon is a specially trained audiologist whose sensitive hearing skills – always a tactical advantage for a mother – helped her identify where certain noises may have originated, and how to reduce, block and absorb the noise from entering the cabin of the new Malibu. She is key part of a team that eradicates the main sources of noise – wind, road and tire – from entering the interior of the new Malibu.

 

Her work has helped make the new Malibu the quietest Chevrolet ever for interior cabin noise and, as a result, customers around the world can expect a quiet ride.

 

With two young boys, Gordon’s home isn’t always as quiet as the Malibu, but she adds a little serenity with yoga and enforces a house rule of quiet time until 9 a.m. on weekends.

 

“At 9, all bets are off and the house becomes a circus!” she said.

 

Gordon is also a passionate environmentalist who hopes to live “off the grid” soon and loves tending to her organic garden and remodeling her 100-year-old home.

 

Tracy Mack-Askew, vehicle line manager – Mack-Askew’s passion for science and math was sparked during a high school field trip to view a vehicle crash test. That experience led her to pursue an engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an engineering career at GM following graduation.

 

Today, Mack-Askew serves as lead engineering manager responsible for the timely development and launch of the Malibu, a role with great challenges and responsibilities – and one typically held by men. She also has a patent in lighting technology that helps prevent premature lamp burnout.

 

As a wife, a mother of two young children, and a Harvard University master’s candidate (she already has a master’s degree from Purdue University), Mack-Askew is also an accomplished multi-tasker.

 

Ultimately, she says, it’s her commitment to cultivating and nurturing a strong family that drives her. Mack-Askew won’t travel on her husband or children’s birthdays, and despite a hectic travel schedule that saw her log about 40,000 miles in less than a year in support of the Malibu launch, she is adamant about picking up her children from school on Fridays.

 

“The Malibu is a vehicle that is very kid-friendly, that’s easy for you to use to transport your kids to their activities – whether it is soccer or swimming – and that makes you look good and stylish while doing it,” said Mack-Askew.  “So not only are you a mother, but you are mother with pizzazz.”

 

On sale now

 

The 2013 Malibu Eco is Chevrolet’s most fuel-efficient Malibu ever, delivering an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway.

 

The Eco is the first model of the all-new Malibu lineup to launch in the United States. It went on sale earlier this year and starts at $25,995, less than competitor full-hybrid vehicles.

 

Other Malibu trim levels, including LS, LT and LTZ, are scheduled to begin production this summer at plants in Fairfax, Kan. and Detroit-Hamtramck, Mich. The 2013 Malibu will serve as a flagship Chevrolet midsize in many parts of the world. The Malibu is also built in China and Korea.

 

To learn more about the all-new Malibu, visit the Chevy Facebook page; follow on Twitter at @Chevrolet and #MalibuMoms, or check out chevy.com.

Filed Under: announcement Tagged With: car buying, cars, chevrolet

Getting to Try Out the New GMC ( @thisisGMC ) Terrain #gmcwinterdriving

December 27, 2011 by dadofdivas 9 Comments

Last week I was lucky enough to be asked to go to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to try out the new GMC Terrain in winter conditions. As I have never driven the Terrain before I was very excited about the opportunity to not only learn abotu the new car and what it offers, but also to learn more about tips for driving in winter conditions. Living in Michigan, while I know we do not have a lot of snow and ice yet it is coming very soon!

Arriving in Steamboat Springs last Thursday I had the opportunity to explore the city which was very quaint and western in Nature (which makes sense). I found some fun shops with very neat people. One of the fun stores was a store named FM Light and Sons. This was a store that has been in business since 1905. I walked in and was amazed to see that they had a whole wall of cowboy boots and another section with so many stetson hats that you can not even imagine. What I came to find was that people come to this store from over 100 miles away to get fit for hats and boots and a large amount of their orders are custom orders. What this means is that a person would have to go to the store get fit and then come back in a month or two when the boots are ready to get fit again. You might ask if I stocked up on western gear, but alas, I would have to say no. That being said though I do have to say that I was impressed though in the overall selection and the personal attention that the store provided!

The rest of the town was great and the people were very happy to have tourists in town. I walked through the entire town and found some fun gifts for my girls as well as one for my family in general (have to come back with something, right?).

The first night that I was there we had the opportunity to eat at a great restaurant called Cafe Diva (perfect name for a Dad of Divas like me) and again we were met with great hosts and amazing food. I even decided to try fresh Bison and let me tell you, if you have never tried this, it is so tender and the flavor from this restaurant was out of this world!

 

Day 2 was where the meat of this program took place. This was the day in which I and the rest of our group would be learning to drive in winter conditions in the new 2012 GMC Terrain. We started the day with a great overview of the Terrain itself and let me tell you from all of the things that were being explained to us, I was very impressed, but as the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding, so it was up to the actual driving to let me get a true sense of the vehicle itself.

Getting into the vehicle I was impressed to find the large on-screen display with the

added upgrade of a navigation system. This system was great and ended up being (in my opinion) as good as the Garmin that I have in my own home.  With the fact that this is only an $800 upgrade it seemed to me to be a great add-on for this vehicle. The vehicle also has some great functionality built in for stability control as well as for someone like me that is a bit shorter, I appreciated the additional controls to make it easier for me to adjust the pedals as well as my seat so that I could drive in comfort. Add onto this the rear camera as well as the new safety features that alerts you when there may be someone that could be close enough to cause a collision (don’t worry, no bells and alarms, but instead lights that were easy to understand and follow).

The Terrain handled well on main roads and when we got onto the snow it also handled well. Keep in mind that we did have snow tires on, but I can say that we had no problems with the vehicle itself. One of the things that I really liked about the vehicle (outside of what I have already related) was the fact that it was so quiet on the inside. Even with winter tires on, I found the inside to be very well insulated to outside noises which was great. I also liked the fact that you could fold the seats down to the ground for easy storage and hauling if need be.

Seeing that this was a winter driving experience, I learned quite a bit about what to have in the car with you, as well as what to do when in a slide and other treacherous conditions. Outside of this thought, one thing that I did learn was more about when to shift into first or second gear when in snowy conditions, which was good to know in any situation!

When we were done driving we had the opportunity to go outside and experience more of Colorado. I chose to try something I had never done before, snowmobiling. I had heard fun things about this, and with my bum knee being what it is I knew that I needed to try this out for myself.

Getting out on the trail with the wind in my face was exhilarating. With that and the speed behind this I can see why this is a popular winter sport. After finishing this I wanted to go out for more and now that I am back in Michigan, I may just look into doing this!

All-in-all, I was completely impressed with the Terrain as well as my trip to Steamboat Springs. I have to say thanks to GMC (@thisisgmc) for the opportunity to go and try out the vehicle as well as to experience a great town in Colorado.

If you or your family are looking for an amazing vehicle, take the new  GMC Terrain for a test drive and I think that you will be as impressed as I was!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: auto, automobile, car buying, driving, travel, winter

I Found my New Car at the #M3Summit thanks to #ChevyatM3

September 14, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

I have always been quite practical when it comes to cars. The only car that a bit out of the norm in this regard was the Eagle Talon that I drove in college. For me, I guess I have always been one who wishes to get a reliable car at a reasonable price.

I have to say that this was one reason that I could  not say no to test driving the brand new 2010 Corvette that #ChevyatM3 brought to the #m3Summit. While I was a bit bummed that the sunroof was not down, the car drove like a dream and it definitely had power! Unfortunately this car is not one that truly fits into a one family budget and is not very practical for a family vehicle (though J-Mom would look great within it)! I will say though that I was surprised at how careful you have to be with the car though, especially around bumps so that you do not take out the bottom of the car.

I also was excited to check out the new Chevy Volt! This is the new Electric car that Chevy is soon introducing. Though the car that was there was only a prototype (not one that I could drive- dang it). I was quite impressed with the gas mileage and the fact that it does seem to be pretty reasonable priced (they mentioned charging would be the equivalent of about $1.75 / gallon or something close to this). I loved the fact that the car could go about 340 on battery and generator charge alone without even touching the gas backup. I would love to get a car like this though I will have to save a bit or really start making it big through work or other means, or simply playing the lottery… I guess I would have to buy a ticket though. The car costs around $41,000 with a $7500 tax rebate, and they are offering leases for about $350 per month, so as you can see it is a bit of a bite out of a one family income.

All-in-All though there were many great cars that I did and did not test drive but they all looked great! I say Go Chevrolet, keep up the great work!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Terms of Use  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: car buying, chrevolet, product testing

The Ultimate Family Back to School Vehicle Tips

September 3, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Shopping and car pick tips for a family vehicle from experts at AutoTrader.com
While parents are gearing up and preparing to send their kids back to school in August and September, many shoppers are on the hunt for the perfect vehicle to get them through the next school year.  Experts from AutoTrader.com, the largest online auto classifieds site, offer the following insights on what parents should be on the lookout for when selecting a back to school vehicle and the most popular SUVs and mini-vans searched on AutoTrader.com:
What to look for:
·         Payment:  what can you, they, or both of you afford?
·         Warranty:  Available on new and most used and certified vehicles. A warranty that can be used at dealerships, or through independent mechanics, will be invaluable when the inevitable maintenance need occurs.
·         New, Used, or Certified Pre-Owned: It’s important to learn and explore the advantages of each of these options when determining price, dependability and safety.
·         Navigation: Parents are tasked with a lot of driving during the year between after school activities, carpooling friends for their kids and numerous shopping trips.  It’s good to look for a vehicle with a navigation system already built in. 
·         Entertainment: Keeping your focus on the road is a top safety concern, so finding a car with a DVD player or even a gaming system for the kids can be a great feature to keep them occupied and keep the parents attention on driving.
·         Ease of use: Things are always hectic around back to school, so find features such as automatic sliding doors which will help lessen the stress of loading the car while holding a child and remove one less thing to worry about.
·         Roominess for passengers: Families come in all shapes and sizes, so parents should make sure they pick out a vehicle that fits everyone comfortably as they head back to school.
·         Safety: On the minds of all shoppers, parents should be on the look out for cars that come equipped with features such as electronic stability control, side airbags, anti-lock braking systems and tire pressure monitoring systems.
Top Family Car Picks
Below are the most popular SUVs and mini-vans searched on AutoTrader.com. For more ideas on specific vehicles to purchase for your back to school needs, visit the AutoTrader.com Lifestyle Center at www.AutoTrader.com/lifestyle. In the Family Focus and Trend Watch sections of this part of the site, you can view the Top 10 most researched SUVs, minivans and wagons, as well as the Top 10 most popular new vehicles.  
Top Most Researched SUVs:
·         2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee – starting at $30,215
·         2010 Toyota 4Runner – starting at $27,500
·         2010 Jeep Wrangler – starting at $21,165
·         2007 Chevrolet Tahoe – starting at $33,980
·         2010 Kia Soul – starting at $13,300
·         2010 Chevrolet Tahoe – starting at $37,280
·         2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee – starting at $27,415
·         2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited – starting at $23,410
·         2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited – starting at $23,065
·         2010 Ford Expedition – starting at $33,355
Top Most Researched Minivans:
·         2010 Honda Odyssey – starting at $26,805
·         2005 Dodge Caravan – starting at $18,280
·         2010 Toyota Sienna – starting $23,595
·         2007 Honda Odyssey – starting at $25,645
·         2006 Chrysler Town & Country LWB – starting at $25,620
·         2006 Dodge Grand Caravan – starting at $23,265
·         2008 Chrysler Town & Country – starting at $23,415
·         2005 Honda Odyssey – starting at $25,195
·         2008 Honda Odyssey – starting at $25,860

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: car buying, cars, tips

Announcing Autotrader.com’s new Lifestyle Center

April 24, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

AUTOTRADER.COM’S NEW “LIFESTYLE CENTER”  
HELPS CAR BUYERS FIND THE PERFECT CAR FOR THEM 
Everyone has a different priority when it comes to shopping for a car. It could be finding a good deal, a vehicle that is safe for kids, or even a model with the latest features. With so many different vehicle types out there, choosing the right one can often be a challenge.
AutoTrader.com, the largest online auto classifieds site, offers the Lifestyle Center, a new tool that allows consumers to search for cars based on their lifestyle preferences, featuring Family Focus, Going Green, Smart Saver, Trend Watch and Work & Play sections. The Lifestyle Center provides abundant information for consumers that fit into each category, including helpful articles, tip sheets, the most-searched vehicles within each category, reviews, videos and 360 degree views of many cars. Consumers can also see which popular vehicles in each category are for sale near them, where they can be found and price details.
“The AutoTrader.com Lifestyle Center helps consumers find the best car for them, which can be a very difficult thing to do. The right tools and research make finding the ideal car an easier process for any car shopper,” says Shawn Tucker, auto analyst at AutoTrader.com.
To help consumers get started in their search, Tucker provides the following overview of the AutoTrader.com Lifestyle Center’s five different sections:
Family Focus
When family safety is top of mind, this is a mustead. It provides the top researched SUVs, minivans and wagons, allowing consumers to see what their peers are looking at most often. It also includes helpful articles and tips on topics like what to keep in the car in case of an emergency, what to look for in a family car, correct installation of a baby seat and more.
Going Green
In this area, consumers can find the top researched hybrids, recent news about environmentally-friendly and fuel-efficient cars, tips for buying a fuel-efficient car and more.
Smart Saver
Budget-conscious consumers looking for a deal can plug in their zip code, the type of car they are looking for and their price range and view a variety of appropriate vehicles. This section also includes articles on how to get the most value out of selling a car, money-saving tips for parents, ways to improve credit and more.
Trend Watch
It’s always fun to keep an eye on the latest car trends. Here, consumers can find the top overall most-searched vehicles and trendy models such as convertibles and coupes. It also provides tips and information on the latest trends in the auto industry.
Work and Play
Whether hauling equipment or towing ATVs, finding the right vehicle for the job is important. Those looking to get the most out of work and leisure driving by can access information on the most searched-for SUVs, trucks and crossovers, as well as tips for do-it-yourselfers, choosing a tow vehicle, offoad driving and more.
Visit http://www.autotrader.com/lifestyle to access the Lifestyle Center and learn more about the right type of car for you.
About AutoTrader.com
AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet’s leading auto classifieds marketplace and consumer information website.  AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location millions of new cars, used cars and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of auto dealers and private owners.  The site attracts about 15 million unique monthly visitors.  Through innovative merchandising functionality such as multiple photos, videos, detailed descriptions and comprehensive research and compare tools, 
AutoTrader.com unites new and used car buyers and sellers online to improving the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles. AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.  The venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor.  For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.


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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: car buying

Guest Post – Money-Saving Tips for Car-Shopping Parents

April 6, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Money-Saving Tips for Car-Shopping Parents
A great new resource to help you buy a new family car 
or find some helpful tips for your current car

Everyone has a different priority when it comes to shopping for a car. It could be finding a good deal, a vehicle that is safe for kids, or even a model with the latest features. With so many different vehicle types out there, choosing the right one can often be a challenge. 

AutoTrader.com, the largest online auto classifieds site, offers the Lifestyle Center, a new tool that allows consumers to search for cars based on their lifestyle preferences, featuring Family Focus, Going Green, Smart Saver, Trend Watch and Work & Play sections. The Family Focus section provides the top researched SUVs, minivans and wagons, allowing consumers to see what their peers are looking at most often, and also includes articles and tips on topics like what to keep in the car in case of an emergency, what to look for in a family car, correct installation of a baby seat and more.

One of the articles that I found most helpful was focused on money-saving tips for car-shopping parents. How do you cut costs, especially when more kids and more stuff might mean getting a different car? According to AutoTrader.com, here are three money-saving tips to change the way you shop for a vehicle:


1.  Pay for what you need.
The line between “need” and “want” is invisible sometimes, especially when you visit a car dealership. Logic tends to fly out the window when you take a test drive and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a new ride. Determine beforehand what you need versus what you want. Then, when it’s time to pick a vehicle, be willing to give in on a few “wants” to get a few more “needs.”


2.   Walk through the week.
Think about what you should make a priority when it comes to car features. If you don’t usually watch DVDs on trips then don’t make a DVD player a priority. If a thirdow seat is something you’ll never use, then skip that, too. Imagine how you’ll use the car during an average week and then shop against that reality. 

3.  Think about maintenance.
It’s not fun to think about the maintenance costs for a car you haven’t purchased yet. Test drives are fun. Turning up the stereo and kicking the tires, those activities are enjoyable. But to cut ownership costs, investigate your potential maintenance costs. Information is available online and in magazines, but you can also talk to mechanics. Ask the person who changes your oil about models that have bad repair records. Speak with a friend who repairs cars or even ask one of the employees of the shop at a dealership. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get good information.

These are just a few of the many ways you can cut the cost of your next family vehicle. 

Visit http://www.autotrader.com/lifestyle to access the Lifestyle Center, learn more about the right type of car for you and find some more helpful articles and tips.


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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: car buying, guest post

TrueTrends by TrueCar: automotive intelligence covering new car prices, best car deals and more

December 18, 2009 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Today, the TrueTrends by TrueCar report was released (pdf). This report details a wealth of vehicle trends relevant to consumers. Some highlights include:

 
  • The most negotiable new cars include the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and the 2010 Mini Cooper
  • The 2009 Mazda6 has the best incentive offer this month – $5,250 in total. In addition, it is averaging 290 days in inventory which could add up to more savings for consumers
  • The top 2010 brands with the biggest discounts are Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Mercury and Volvo – all selling 9% or more below MSRP
  • If there is a Saturn dealership in your area VUE’s and Auras are selling 20% or more off MSRP on the remaining stock
  • Two of the best remaining days to buy a car in 2009 are Christmas Eve (Dec. 24th) and New Years Eve (Dec. 31st)


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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: car buying, tips for dads, tips for fathers

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