Archives for May 10, 2019

The Brief Model Run of the Saturn Sky

May 10, 2019 by admin

The Saturn brand is no more, officially shut down in 2010m ending its 25-year history. Originally a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors, the company was later absorbed by GM and managed with its other car brands. Several models defined Saturn including the original S-Series compact line and its VUE crossover. Before the brand was canceled, a roadster was introduced to its line up. That car, the Saturn Sky, had a brief model run of just three years.

Roadster Background

Loosely defined, a roadster is a two-passenger open-top vehicle outfitted with a powerful engine and rear-wheel drive. In the early days of driving, the Nomenclature Division of the Society of Automotive Engineers described the roadster as, “an open car seating two or three. It may have additional seats on running boards or in the rear deck.”

The earliest roadsters included the Ford Model T, Stearns 45, the Austin 7 and Cadillac’s V-16. In later years the MG TC, the Triumph TR3 and the Alfa Romeo Spider also fit that description. Contemporary models have included the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Fiat 124 Spyder, Honda’s S2000 and BMW’s Z4 M Roadster. When needing a car and looking for a loan, you have some terrific models to consider.

GM Kappa Platform

General Motors developed an all-new vehicle platform to underpin a new family of small cars in the early 2000s. Its subcompact Kappa platform was designed with an independent suspension and specifically created to support a family of roadsters for multiple GM brands.

Those vehicles included the Opel GT, the Daewoo G2X, Pontiac’s Solstice and the Saturn Sky. The Saturn, Opel and Daewoo models were similar; the Pontiac model had its own body design.

Engine and Transmission Choices

The Pontiac Solstice was introduced for the 2006 model year, the other models followed in 2007. From the onset, the Saturn Sky was sold in two trim levels: the standard or base convertible and the Red Line.

The base edition was powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 177 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 166 foot-pounds of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in the city to 24 to 26 mpg on the highway per its EPA rating.

The Red Line Saturn Sky was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 260 horsepower at 5,300 rpm and 260 foot-pounds of torque at 2,500 rpm. Like the base model, customers had a choice of both five-speed manual and automatic transmissions The model was rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 to 28 mpg on the highway.

Saturn Sky Amenities

All Saturn Sky models were equipped with a manual top or what “Car and Driver” described as “toilsome” for moving into place. CD also referred the Sky as a “Corvette Junior Petite,” admiring its styling characteristics including its large air intakes, long hood, low stance, and its short deck.

Standard equipment for the base 2009 edition included 18-inch wheels, automatic headlamps, a climate control system, power windows, power door locks, a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and iPod connectivity.

The Red Line edition added performance characteristics including the turbocharged engine, a stiffer suspension, and a limited-slip differential. Options included a seven-speaker audio system, leather trim, metallic pedals, and special paint finishes.

Bankruptcy and Demise

Although few analysts favorably compared the Saturn Sky and its Kappa platform mates with the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the leading affordable roadster, these models did manage to enhance each respective brand. They were also money losers with GMInsideNews.com reporting that GM lost about $10,000 for each unit built. Moreover, the Saturn brand sucked money out of GM, costing the company $20 billion over 24 years.

With GM fighting for its life, the company declared bankruptcy on June 1, 2009, and then used that opportunity to restructure. GM later closed down or sold off several brands including Pontiac, Hummer, Saab, and Saturn. The Kappa models had already been slated for cancellation when GM went bankrupt, ending its brief model run after just three years.

The Saturn Sky was a design success and a fair entry in the roadster segment. That its model run was a brief one also makes this car hard to find and a likely future collectible.

Photo copyright Wikimedia. 2009 Saturn Sky Redline Ruby Red Limited Edition photographed at Babylon, NY. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

What You Need to Know About Rollover Accidents

May 10, 2019 by admin

More than 30,000 Americans are killed in automotive accidents each year, a staggering number that has actually decreased dramatically over the years. Indeed, traffic fatality rates peaked at 54,589 in 1972, but fell to 32,367 some 40 years later, attributed to cars that are better built and equipped with safety features such as airbags. However, one accident category still averages 10,000 deaths per year. That would be rollover accidents, what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says can be prevented by keeping in mind the following information.

Rural Highways Are Deadly

Approximately 75 percent of rollover deaths are due to accidents on rural highways. These roads are typically two lanes, with no center divider, and usually without side barriers. When cars leave such roads, ditches or soft soil can cause vehicles to flip, injuring or killing the occupants. If you get in an accident, the reach out to a personal injury attorney, such as the Joye Law Firm for assistance.

You can prevent rural road accidents by maintaining your speed, slowing down when road conditions are less than ideal, maintaining enough distance between vehicles in front and behind you, and remaining alert to possible deer strikes and other motorists that may not see you coming.

Tires and Load Factors Matter

When was the last time that you checked your tires? Tires should be properly inflated, rotated on a regular basis and should be replaced when the built-in tread wear indicators begin to appear in the grooves of your tires.

You should also know that your vehicle should never be overloaded. Every car, truck, van, and SUV has a payload rating, which is the amount of weight over and above the car’s vehicle weight that it can carry. For instance, if your sedan has a payload of 1,610 pounds, then the weight of the passengers, luggage and other materials must come in below that number. Your tires may have a higher payload rating, but more weight means a greater chance of a blowout, one that can lead to a rollover accident.

Steering and Maneuvering

If your car runs off the road, the way you react can have a profound impact on whether your vehicle stays upright or flips over. Drivers tend to overcorrect their steering, a panicked response with deadly consequences.

The NHTSA advises drivers when leaving the road to gradually reduce their speed and begin steering the vehicle back to the road. Reduce your speed by tapping the brakes, then carefully moving back to the road when you have control of the car. With proper maneuvering, you can avoid a rollover.

Safety Considerations

There are additional safety and logistical matters that drivers should consider before heading out on the road.

First, always wear your seat belt. If you are not secure in your seat, then you may not be able to control your vehicle.

Second, load your vehicle with care. Evenly space goods in your trunk and if you are carrying heavy materials in your truck bed, tie these down. A sudden shift in weight can cause a rollover where one might not happen in the first place.

Third, understand that rollover risk increases in vehicles with a higher center point of gravity. SUVs and pickup trucks plus cars with items stored on the roof rack fall under this category.

Fourth, never drive when you are fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Taking to the road when you are anything less than sharp can contribute to an accident including a rollover.

Death by rollover may be exacerbated on rural roads where help is not nearby. Even the best driver can find himself battling to get his car under control, therefore remaining calm can help you avoid a deadly accident.

Wikimedia/Wikipedia public domain file photo.

IIHS Crash Testing and Your Insurance Premiums

May 10, 2019 by admin

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct crash tests to determine specific vehicle model safety. Both sources should be considered by consumers when purchasing a new or late-model used vehicle. When it comes to setting auto insurance rates, it is the IIHS testing that the insurance companies use to determine your insurance premiums.

About the IIHS

The IIHS is wholly funded by numerous insurance companies ranging from smaller companies such as the Rockingham Group, Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and Grange Insurance to such household names as GEICO, State Farm and Allstate. Additional funding is provided by several insurance funding associations.

Founded in 1959, the IIHS is an independent, nonprofit educational and scientific organization whose mission is to reduce insurance losses from crashes on America’s roads. The IIHS opened its Vehicle Research Center in Virginia in 1992 where it conducts front, rear and side tests on vehicles and assigns a rating. The institute uses crash test dummies and sled labs for vehicle testing, and also tests child booster seats. Yes, the test scores can affect your insurance premiums (more about this later), but not your uninsured motorist claim.

Five IIHS Crash Tests

Since the IIHS began testing vehicles in 1992 it has modified and expanded its crash testing to encompass additional areas of the car. Its earlier tests measured moderate overlap front crashes as well as rear crash protection to assign a head restraint rating. Side-impact and roof strength tests were added later; a small overlap front test was added in 2012.

The IIHS’ moderate overlap frontal test has a vehicle traveling at 40 mph toward a barrier. The barrier face, of aluminum honeycomb construction, measures approximately two feet tall. Behind the wheel sits a crash test dummy, one that is equal in size to the average male driver. This test has 40 percent of the total width of the vehicle hitting the barrier on the driver’s side. It then measures the impact of the crash on the vehicle as well as on the driver.

The small overlap frontal test also has the vehicle traveling at 40 mph, with 25 percent of the vehicle required to hit a 5-foot rigid barrier, similar to a vehicle hitting a fixed object such as a telephone pole. The same sized crash test dummy used in the first test is used here with the IIHS paying especially close attention to how vehicle restraint systems such as airbags and the vehicle’s safety cage protect the driver.

A side test has been used by the IIHS since 2003, one that employs a moving barrier that weighs 3,300 pounds and corresponds to the weight of a small SUV hitting the driver’s side of the vehicle. Crash test dummies similar in size to an average sized female driver as well as a child sitting in the rear seat behind the driver are used. The IIHS also conducts a roof strength test that employs a metal spike that is pushed into one side of the top of the vehicle and is required to bear a force that is four times the vehicle’s weight before reaching five inches of crush to achieve a good rating. This test mimics what a vehicle might experience in a rollover accident, something that takes the lives of thousands of people annually.

Since 1995, the IIHS has been conducting rear crash testing with an eye toward measuring the impact of front seat vehicle restraints, particularly headrests. Whiplash injuries can be minimized with improved head protection, with this test approximating a rear end collision corresponding to a 20 mph crash against a stationary vehicle.

Assigning Ratings to Evaluated Vehicles

Car manufacturers strive to meet the highest crash test ratings offered by the IIHS. It is a two-tier rating system that gives vehicles either a “top safety pick” or “top safety pick+” rating, the latter assigned to vehicles that have completed the moderate overlap front test.

To achieve a top safety pick+ rating, vehicles must have received good ratings in four of the five tests and no less than an acceptable in the fifth test. A top safety pick designation is assigned to vehicles that receive good ratings in a rollover, rear, side, and moderate overlap front tests.

Four grades are assigned with each test: good, acceptable, marginal and poor. The IIHS maintains scoring for vehicles from its earliest test years and posts that information to its website.

Ratings and Your Insurance Premium

Your chances of being injured in an accident are far greater in a lighter vehicle. And that is why the IIHS advises consumers to “pass up very small, light vehicles” in its Shopping for a Safer Car brochure. Choosing vehicles that rank higher by the IIHS will result in lower insurance premiums. You can save additional money by opting for a higher deductible, bundling your home and car insurance policies, and searching for discounts.

Vehicle safety testing helps insurers and consumers alike. Insurers assign risk based on a number of factors including your vehicle’s crashworthiness. Save money on insurance and improve your chances of surviving an accident by buying a vehicle that has a top safety rating.

Toyota FJ Cruiser: One and Done

May 10, 2019 by admin

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a unique sport utility vehicle, one that pays tribute to the Land Cruiser FJ40, a 1960s era off-road model. The FJ Cruiser, itself based on a modified version of the platform underpinning the previous generation Toyota 4Runner, enjoyed an eight-model-year run from 2007 through 2014. In ending its production Toyota kept its promise to make the FJ Cruiser a one-generation model and be done with it.

Toyota FJ Cruiser Overview

Toyota’s intent with the FJ Cruiser was to provide a limited production run, then cancel the vehicle. Toyota developed the FJ Cruiser “…as a basic, capable and affordable off-roader aimed specifically at serious off-roaders looking to push the limits.” It successfully achieved what it set out to do, finding its way into the hands of more than 200,000 U.S. owners across its eight-year lifespan. Many are in mint condition, fetching close to the price paid by the owners. Common and easily fixable problems include scraped bumpers, rock chip repair, and underbody cladding.

Throughout its product run, buyers could choose an FJ Cruiser with a rear-wheel 4×2 or part-time 4×4 layout or a full-time 4×4 layout. Its lone engine is a 4.0-liter 24-valve V-6, rated at 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 271 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission was standard with all models except with the 4×4 edition. All 4×4 models were paired with a six-speed manual transmission standard or the automatic as an option.

Toyota FJ Cruiser Highlights

What distinguished the FJ Cruiser from the 4Runner was it shorter wheelbase and overall length. Its retro design, simple interior and generous trail handling capabilities were its chief attributes. On the other hand, the Toyota FJ Cruiser was noisy inside, hard to maneuver, with access to the cramped rear seat compartment difficult. Where off-road purists opted for the FJ Cruiser, enthusiasts with families chose the 4Runner.

Important characteristics of the FJ Cruiser included its squared-off shape, enhanced by a two-tone exterior featuring a color-keyed body with a white rooftop. Underbody skid plates, a high ground clearance, and frame rail protected components made this model wholly suited to climb rocks, cross streams and take on mud sloughs.

Toyota outfitted the FJ Cruiser with 17-inch off-road tires and included a rear door-mounted full-size spare tire. Other exterior features included silver painted rear view mirrors, a rear liftgate glass window, halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, black bumpers, power outside mirrors, and an automatic dimming rearview mirror with an integrated backup camera.

Inside, every FJ Cruiser was equipped with air conditioning, water-resistant fabric-trimmed seats, a tilt steering wheel, analog instrument meters, a digital clock, map lights, in-door map pockets, four cup-holders, two bottle holders, all-weather flooring, and a 60/40 tumble/removable rear bench seat.

Swan Song Special Edition

To mark the FJ Cruiser’s final year of production, Toyota introduced an FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Ultimate Edition at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. It represents a commemorative final edition, limited production model with no more than 2,500 units built. This model draws close to the Land Cruiser FJ40 by offering a special white grille paint-surround and a “Heritage Blue” paint scheme that is derived from the earlier model’s look.

The Toyota Racing Development (TRD) was unleashed to modify the final FJ Cruiser with a new suspension system featuring Bilstein shock absorbers for improved handling and control. Other updates included a new skid plate for improved underbody protection and approach, 16-inch bead lock wheels with BF Goodrich A/T KO tires, rock rails and roof rack. The special edition, available only as a 4×4, also provided active traction control, crawl control, vehicle skid control with an off switch, and a locking rear differential.

Toyota’s rich history of SUV building has been punctuated by the FJ Cruiser, a model that effectively demonstrated to a new generation the company’s off-road capabilities. It’s an SUV that is destined for collector status, one of the few true off-road SUVs of the 21st century.

Good Deal or Not: Fleet Vehicles

May 10, 2019 by admin

Shoppers of used cars tend to buy from private sellers or car dealers, but there is another option that might be worth considering: a fleet vehicle. Fleet vehicles are those that were purchased or leased by a business or government agency and used on a regular basis. Taxis, police cars, government fleets, and rental vehicles fall under this broad category, typically representing hard-driven vehicles with many miles on the odometer.

Strong Inventory

Fleet vehicles are widely available and are usually sold to auction houses before consumers can get their hands on them. Consumers can sometimes buy one directly, skipping the middle man and his price markups.

The U.S. General Services Administration operates a GSA Fleet Vehicles Sales website that sells approximately 40,000 vehicles annually at approximately 40 sites across the nation. A variety of makes and models are offered. Some states, counties and cities also sell fleet vehicles directly to the public. A web search of “government fleet vehicles” should reveal local results.

Hit or Miss

Vehicle fleets may reflect a variety of makes and models, but if you are looking for a well-optioned model, your choices are limited.

Typically, the rental vehicle companies — Hertz, Budget and Enterprise, to name a few — stock higher trim level models. Most government and public utility fleets feature vehicles that do not come fully equipped. Nevertheless, the variety of trims and package offerings will vary depending on the department and vehicle use.

The Price is Right

When no middle man is standing in the way, fleet vehicles can be competitively priced. Pricing typically reflects age, wear and tear, mileage and the equipment package.

Don’t expect much room to negotiate, however, as prices are typically set and inflexible. For instance, when available to the public, such vehicles usually have the price prominently featured on the windshield. That’s the price you’ll pay and, yes, cash is king.

Hard Driving Takes it Toll

There is no way to escape the fact that fleet vehicles are used and often abused. Taxi and police fleets punish these vehicles which sometimes hit the market with more than 200,000 miles on the odometer.

Carefully following a maintenance plan can help, but you still have a vehicle that has seen much wear and tear and looks the part. If maintenance records have been kept, then examine them. If not, then inspect the vehicle carefully and don’t expect a warranty for well-worn models.

Expect to repair all dings, dents and the paint over stain the taxi decal left when it was removed from the vehicle before heading to fleet sale.

Financing May Not be Available

Most fleet vehicles are sold “as is” with a cash payment or certified check required. One exception is the rental car companies, as some provide financing or they may accept a loan you arranged with your bank.

Bargain prices are synonymous with fleet vehicles, but a good deal on price may turn out to be a bad deal on reliability. If you are handy with cars, then repair concerns are something that you can handle yourself.

See Also — Used Rental Vehicle Buying Tips

Gone in a Flash: Pontiac G8

May 10, 2019 by admin

Automotive models come and go, but the Pontiac G8’s two-year run is one of the shortest on record. Introduced in 2008, the full-size G8 sedan was canceled in 2009, following parent GM’s bankruptcy and restructuring that shut down the Pontiac brand. Just as quickly as the Pontiac G8 showed up and grabbed the hearts of enthusiasts, it was gone in a flash, but not apart from an interesting twist that has kept this sedan alive in a slightly different form.

Pontiac G8 Origin

General Motors tapped its Australian subsidiary, Holden, to produce a car for Pontiac. The G8 became Pontiac’s flagship sedan and was based on the Holden Commodore, a five-passenger rear-wheel-drive model.

The Holden Commodore was designed, engineered and built in Australia. Introduced in 1978, the Commodore went through multiple generational updates and was produced through 2017. Beginning in 2018, a new model was imported from Germany. The G8 was produced before the technology to prevent auto accidents rolled out, such as lane departure alert and automatic braking.

2008 Pontiac G8 Introduction

Upon introduction, the Pontiac G8 secured flagship status for the brand. This large sedan offered V6 and V8 engines with its power sent to the rear wheels. Its dramatic styling and rear-wheel-drive layout quickly endeared people to the sedan, what some have called the poor man’s BMW.

The base Pontiac G8 sedan has a 3.6-liter V-6 engine making 256 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 248 foot-pounds of torque at 2,100 rpm. It comes paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Pontiac G8 GT has a 6.0-liter V-8 engine making 385 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 361 foot-pounds of torque at 5,300 rpm. Pontiac teams this engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Its 0-to-60 mph time comes in at approximately 5.3 seconds.

Standard equipment across the Pontiac G8 line includes alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, climate control, a tilt and telescoping steering column and a premium sound system. The G8 GT supplies a Blaupunkt audio system, dual-zone climate control, summer tires, and a limited-slip differential. Safety equipment includes stability control, traction control and brake assist.

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

For 2009, Pontiac expanded the G8’s model line to include the GXP sedan. This model has the Corvette’s 6.2-liter V-8 engine, making 415 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 415 foot-pounds of torque at 5,900 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting control comes standard. A Tremec six-speed manual transmission was also available.

The Pontiac G8 GXP has thickly bolstered sport seats, a GXP-specific sport steering wheel, rubber-trimmed alloy pedals and offers three driving modes. Incidentally, Motor Trend reported that the GXP sedan zoomed from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Death of a Dream

Following years of poor financial health and a historic economic downturn that took hold in 2008, GM declared bankruptcy in June 2009. The bankruptcy move was aided by American and Canadian taxpayers who put up tens of billions of dollars to help restructure the company.

As part of GM’s restructuring, the automaker sought to sell off or close down several brands. Ultimately, GM freed itself of Saab, Saturn, Hummer and Pontiac, the latter taking the G8 sedan with it.

Chevrolet Caprice PPV and Chevrolet SS

Months after the cancellation of the Pontiac G8, GM announced that a new vehicle based on a Holden platform would be imported to the United States. That vehicle, the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, was for law enforcement fleets only. Moreover, it was based on the Holden Caprice, a slightly longer version of the Holden Commodore.

Beginning in 2013, GM introduced another variant, this one based on the VF Commodore. The Chevrolet SS, based on the latest version of the Holden, made its debut for the 2014 model year. It has the same 6.2-liter V-8 engine found in the Pontiac G8 GXP and includes a sport-tuned suspension, electronic power steering and a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Essentially, the Chevrolet SS took up where the Pontiac G8 left off.

Founded in 1926, the Pontiac brand shut down in 2010. Its Holden subsidiary was temporarily bereft of an American receiver until Chevrolet was tabbed to fill that void, delivering to enthusiasts its own iteration of the Pontiac G8. But Holden itself has changed as the company no longer builds any models in Australia. That’s also spelled the demise of the Chevy SS, once again leaving the U.S. market bereft of a full-size mainstream rear-wheel drive sedan from GM.

See Also — The History of the Pontiac Fiero