A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center shows that new car buyers take their new vehicle models on their garage with a happy face. Right. Most new car buyers said they paid for the right or fair price with their new car.

Jeff Bartlett, Deputy Editor of ConsumerReports.org commented:
"Being treated well by a dealer doesn't necessarily mean you're getting the best deal. We recommend consumers really do their homework and go in with as much information as possible."

Meanwhile, just check out below for the results of the survey.

- 89% were satisfied with their new or used vehicle purchasing experience
- More than half (57%) said they were very satisfied
- only 5% were very dissatisfied
- 96% said they got at least a fair deal
- 90% of the buyers said the new-car dealer's sales staff are helpful
- 68% said they paid what they expected, with 16% paying more and 15%
- paying less
- About one-third of buyers felt the sales staff lacked expert knowledge of competing products; most were of lower income, female, or from the North East;
- When the shopper visited the new-car dealer's lot, the model they sought was available 72% of the time
- When the desired model was not available, 49 percent bought something else off the lot; 32% had a car transported from another lot
- Older buyers ordered a model built to their specifications at a relatively high rate (20%)
- Of the 40% of buyers who traded in a car, 54 percent negotiated the trade-in value before finalizing the price of the new car
- Just 37% worked through the financial steps in recommended order
- A high 9% doesn't know when the trade-in value was determined

Surprised with these findings? Well, same here. LOL! Anyway, its time for me to look for some quality Jeep nerf bar on the web.

Automobile Magazine now releases their top picks for the 2008 Automobile Magazine All-Stars Awards. The awards determine best models that offer the best performance, significance, and appeal. To select the vehicle models included in the list, the staff of Automobile Magazine tested and evaluated the vehicles based on certain criteria including excellent value and performance for the money, exceptional design, and pure driving enjoyment. Another criteria is that the vehicle "redefines an existing category or creates a new market segment."

Well, without further endue, below are the winners of the the 2008 Automobile Magazine All-Stars Awards. The list will be published on the January 2008 issue of the magazine.

AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s list of 2008 All-Stars, with editorial assessments, includes:

Chevrolet Malibu
"The best Chevrolet family sedan AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s staff has ever driven."

Infiniti G37/G35
"Picking a winner between them which is to say, choosing the best sport coupe/sedan in the world—is less about what the cars can do than it is about what their drivers want."

Volvo C30
"A perfect example of smoothly chic, Scandinavian cool."

Chevrolet Corvette
"Evolutionary improvements keep the Vette in a class of its own."

Mazda CX-9
"The CX-9 ventures beyond the obligatory nine-to-five routine to play party animal in the off-hours."

Volkswagen GTI
"The GTI is magic. What else do you call a hatchback that can shame supercars?"

BMW 3-series
"The 3-Series is the car that instantly makes any mope who slides behind its wheel a better driver."

Mercedes-Benz S-class
"This year, Mercedes got it just right."

Lotus Elise
"The mid-engine sportster is a bravura engineering performance that reprises the truest Lotus virtues, namely light weight and fealty to handling excellence."

Porsche Boxster/Cayman
"If you’re afraid people will think you bought a Cayman because you can’t afford a 911, we hereby inform you that those people are fools."

Jean Jennings, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine concluded:
“This year’s list includes a number of stalwart All-Stars winners, namely the iconic BMW 3-series, as well as new entries, such as Chevy's impressive new Malibu and the sexy Volvo C30. These ten cars are the year's most exciting cars, our picks for the vehicles we'd most like to personally own in our dream garage."

I wonder why Jeep models equipped with Jeep cargo liner are not included in the list.

BMW of North America has recently announced that the all new 2008 BMW 1 Series
coupe and convertible models will be equipped with an exclusive Start/Stop button engraved with "Year One of the 1". This inscription on the Start/Stop button is the company's way of celebrating the launch of the 2008 BMW 1 Series here in the United States in 2008.

"Forty years ago, BMW introduced a car, the legendary 2002, that changed the American automotive landscape. That car was a pivotal car in the history of BMW and is still revered by aficionados today. We believe the 1 Series will be as important to the history of BMW in America," said Jack Pitney, Vice President, Marketing, BMW of North America.

"The 'Year One of the 1' Start/Stop button is a way to directly engage our customers with a simple message of celebration each time they get behind the wheel of their new 1 Series," continued Pitney. "Our 'Year One of the 1' activities will incorporate several elements that will celebrate this historic launch. The specially engraved Start/Stop button is just one of the many things we will announce as we approach the launch next year."

Aside from the Start/Stop button, the BMW 1 Series models will roll out in the US market equipped with other features including:

- twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine
- BMW clutch kit
- M Aerodynamic Kit
- 60/40 split rear seat
- BMW iDrive system with optional Navigation system
- Galvanized pearl gloss surfaces
- iDrive Controller
- ornamental trim strips on the sports steering wheel
- sporty and comfortable Leatherette or rich Boston Leather
- map pockets integrated in the lower part of the doors
- optional sports buckets seats with enhanced side support
- SIRIUS satellite radio
- quality floor mats
- HD radio
- Premium Sound system
- Bluetooth interface
- USB port for direct control of an Apple iPod or iPhone media player
- aluminium double-pivot front suspension
- five-link fully independent rear suspension in lightweight steel
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)
- Active Steering
- Sports Suspension
- 18-inch wheels and performance tires

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. had a large participation at the recent 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas early this November. The company presented numerous vehicle models and tuned up Honda models from various domestic and international tuning companies.

In fact, Honda made the 2007 SEMA Show as the stage for the world debut of the Honda Accord Coupe HF-S sedan. John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda commented: "The Accord HF-S Concept provides a glimpse into the future of vehicle customization. The Honda Factory Performance-equipped 2008 Accord Coupe demonstrates the best of what the company offers today."

Highlights of the Honda Accord Coupe HF-S Concept include:
- Unique LED driving lights
- Newly shaped front bumper designed to create a vortex effect
- Carbon fiber panels decreases negative speed force around the wheel arches
- Rear bumper diffuser is designed to reduce drag
- Trunk spoiler is design engineered for high-speed down-force
- Cadmium Orange Pearl a on the brake calipers, badges, grille accent, and interior details
- Customize throttle response, suspension settings, steering boost, and traction involvement
- Two-stage exhaust design

In addition, Honda also presented the Accord Coupe with Honda Factory Performance (HFP). The car will go on sale in the spring of 2008, equipped with Honda throttle body. and other hey features including:

- 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
- Sports Suspension package reduces ride height by about 25 mm
- Larger wheels and tires include 19-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels with high-performance 245/40R 19 tires
- Full aerodynamic body kit (front, sides and rear)
- HFP emblems on the interior

Other Honda vehicle models presented at the 2007 SEMA Show include:

All-new Honda S2000 CR
Honda Civic Mugen Si Sedan
Honda "One Lap Odyssey" racecar
Tuner Project Vehicles like:
- BRS autodesign Fit
- BRS autodesign S2000
- Zero 1000 Top Fuel S2000
- DVS/Drag Cartel Fit
- DVS/Drag Cartel Civic Si
- Forever Orange Fit by Ryan Shutt
- Ryan Shutt Polk Audio Civic Si
- Kraftworks Fit
- Kraftworks S2000
- DSO Eyewear Element
- RS-R S2000 Drift Car

Shelby Automobiles introduced a new Ford Shelby Mustang model with design touches made by Terlingua Racing Team. Called the Terlingua Shelby Mustang, this tuned up model comes with a Terlingua Racing Team package that includes performance enhancements and other revised technical parts as well as aesthetic components.

According to Bill Neale, member of Terlingua Team:
“We wanted to create a V6 Terlingua Racing Team Mustang to offer young people a big bang for their buck. With its great power-to-weight ratio and superior handling, the car is perfect for drifting, drag racing and lapping the road course. The entry level car will give more people an opportunity to enjoy the thrill of competition.”

For a base retail price of about $7,995, the Terlingua Racing Team package for the Shelby Mustang includes optional supercharger for 375 horsepower output, deep draw hood, 20-inch anthracite “Razor” wheels, Terlingua rabbit badge,Shelby serial number, and numerous exterior styling.

According to Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles:
“Because every Shelby car and product we build has a bit of Cobra DNA in it, we're working on a Terlingua Racing Team package for 427 and 289 Cobras. We're developing a special package that will turn up the performance a notch as well. We'll announce the final content and pricing on these models by Carroll's birthday in January 2008.”

Ms. Boylan added:
“In addition to the Terlingua Racing Team packages, we plan to offer parts, memorabilia, licensed goods and organize special events. We're going to thumb our nose again at the seriousness of racing and give young drag racers, drifters and road racers a way to have their fair share of the fun.”

The Terlingua Racing program will also include performance packages for other Ford Mustang and Shelby Cobra models.

Anyway, I wonder if the Terlingua Shelby Mustang is also equipped with high performance Airaid cold air intakes. Hmm.