This week, the articles that grabbed the attention of our editors feature Ford’s fight for the SUV crown, how shoppers can save on extra costs when leasing and whether Washington will affect car prices. Read these stories and more by clicking the links below.
We’ll be back next week with more top auto news curated for our readers. Top Headlines From March 10 – 16 posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/ via Blogger Top Headlines From March 10 – 16
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As the first used example of the Volvo XC40 arrives on CarGurus, we thought it was worth reflecting on just why this SUV has created such a buzz. After all, not so long ago the arrival of a new Volvo was greeted with all the anticipation of the opening of a bank statement, and yet here we all are seriously contemplating the switch to a Swedish motor not only for its sensible safety credentials, but because it’s – dare we say it? – one of the coolest cars around. The first used XC40 to be listed for sale on CarGurus is, as you’d expect, a delivery mileage example (only 650 miles have rolled under its wheels to date), and comes with Volvo’s excellent D4 diesel engine. This 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit channels its 187bhp through Volvo’s all-wheel-drive system to give a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds and as much as 55.4mpg in EU fuel economy tests. To drive it feels decently swift and works well alongside the eight-speed automatic gearbox, although a six-speed manual is also available. Indeed, the whole driving experience is really rather lovely, with an excellent ride quality that seems to defy its big wheels by being smooth around town and over speed bumps, despite the XC40 not being available with any kind of fancy adaptive suspension system. The steering is light but accurate, the ride quiet, and the raised driving position helps with forward visibility. In fact, because it’s a relatively wide car the XC40 feels bigger to drive than it actually is, like a proper 4×4 rather than the compact sibling to the XC60 and XC90. PACKED WITH EQUIPMENT However, in this case of early cars it gets better still, because all of the the initial batch of XC40s to enter the country are in First Edition spec, which also includes heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system among the many extras. Then there are the clever design touches, like the little hook that folds out from the lid of the glovebox to hang your shopping from, or the fact the speakers have been moved from the doors to the dashboard to create more in-car storage. It’s all just very neat. SAFETY MATTERS Elsewhere the range of standard safety features on the XC40 includes automatic LED headlights, plus automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and large animal detection. Also clever is the oncoming lane mitigation, which can automatically steer you back into your lane if you start to drift or turn towards oncoming traffic. WHY USED RATHER THAN NEW? So it is that as we welcome the XC40 to CarGurus listings the used car market gains an exciting new addition. We look forward to seeing plenty more examples of this very desirable Volvo in due course. Search for the Volvo XC40 on CarGurus Find Used Cars in your area at CarGurus. Shopping for a new vehicle? Bring along CarGurus’ mobile app to help check prices, find good deals, and research cars on your smartphone. New to the Used Market: Volvo XC40 posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/ via Blogger New to the Used Market: Volvo XC40
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Source: @DealerGlassofAZ March 15, 2018 at 05:45AM More info Dealer Auto Glass AZ via Blogger DealerGlassofAZ Windshield replacement in Phoenix event! #DAGAZ ... https://t.co/JSgdm2fhZ9 https://t.co/FryV5qq4Ea
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This is very good news indeed, because the M135i was and still is a real belter of a hot hatch. There are a number of reasons for this, starting with the fact it sends its power not through the front wheels as with most hot hatches, or even through all four wheels, but through the rear wheels only. It’s classic BMW in that sense, and it gets better still because under the bonnet is a brawny 3.0-litre straight-six engine, turbocharged for more performance and mounted longitudinally so that its propshaft can run to the rear wheels. Peak power stands at 315bhp, while the 332lb ft of torque is significant not only for being an awful lot in a car the size of a 1 Series, but also for the fact it is all available from just 1250rpm. On the downside packaging a small, front-engined, rear-wheel-drive car is not easy. That’s why space inside takes a hit; the boot is smaller than you’ll find in rivals, and there’s not quite as much room for passengers in the rear seats either. Both three- and five-door body styles are available, however. THE DRIVE Most M135is in the UK were sold with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and thus equipped it can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds. It’s a great setup, smooth when you need it to be, but also responsive if you take control with the paddles behind the steering wheel. Alternatively, you might choose to seek out the relatively rare six-speed manual (0-62mph in 4.9 seconds), which is also a joy to use, although bear in mind on a test drive that it can feel recalcitrant when cold. So you fire up the big engine and roll away, building the speed gently until the first corner looms into view. You turn the wheel and note how precise and direct the variable ratio steering feels, its response uncorrupted by having to transmit power through the front wheels. Then you ease on to the accelerator and the car squats downs, its wider rear tyres digging into the road as the weight balance shifts. Push harder still and, depending on which driving mode you’ve selected, either the electronics will intervene or the M135i will loosen its tail, requiring quick hands and a steady nerve to control. That’s in the dry. Throw in wet, greasy roads and the M135i can be something of a handful if you really start to push it, which of course is part of its appeal. As with many of the hot hatch greats, this is a car that requires you to be on your game in order to get the best from it, and will punish sloppy driving. True, it’s still not a proper M car (it lacks a limited-slip differential for a start), but that doesn’t mean it’s not great to drive. CHECKPOINTS Look for evidence of regular servicing, including a fluid and filter change for the automatic gearbox at around 60,000 miles, and ensure the suspension feels tight and doesn’t make any unusual noises, and that the steering tracks straight with no vibrations caused by misalignment or buckled wheels. In terms of options to look out for, the M135i was available with adaptive dampers to offer the choice of a smoother ride for bumpy roads or a firmer setting for smoother tarmac and race circuits. Elsewhere there was the option of an upgraded iDrive infotainment system with a wider screen, a head-up display that projects your speed on to the windscreen, rear parking sensors, plus various wheel, colour and interior trim upgrades. Whatever spec you go for, make sure the gadgets all work, because repairing something like a faulty iDrive infotainment system can be very expensive. A facelift in 2015 resulted in the engine gaining an additional 6bhp and sat-nav being fitted as standard, as well as lightly revised styling. Then, in 2016, the M135i was replaced by the more powerful and equally as entertaining M140i. That one, sadly, still has a little way to go before it qualifies for our half price hot hatch budget… FAST FACTS Find Used Cars in your area at CarGurus. Shopping for a new vehicle? Bring along CarGurus’ mobile app to help check prices, find good deals, and research cars on your smartphone. Half Price Hot Hatch: BMW M135i posted first on http://www.cargurus.com/blog/ via Blogger Half Price Hot Hatch: BMW M135i
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April 2018
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