In the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, stories began to emerge of hybrid vehicle owners using their cars to power appliances and cook food when power was cut off for hours or even days at a time. Unfortunately, only Toyota’s Estima hybrid van actually comes with a standard electrical outlet. But that’s about to change according to Bloomberg, which claims several manufacturers are working to add electrical output capacity to their hybrid and plug-in and vehicles.

In order to provide drivers with the basic power necessary to say, power a rice cooker, Mitsubishi and Toyota plan to offer outputs of up to 1,500 watts in their i-MiEV and Prius, respectively. The i-MiEV (or “i” as it’s called here in the United States,) will soon have an optional $200 output cable capable of sending out 1,500 watts for more than 10 hours.

The Toyota Prius hybrid will also include an outlet option, though the feature will initially be available only in Japan. Eventually, Bloomberg says that Toyota will offer the feature on its full lineup of hybrids. Unlike fully electric vehicles, these hybrids can essentially serve as generators, provide more than two days worth of power with a full tank of gas. Nissan will also reportedly considering offering outlets in its LEAF all-electric, though wattage and other details are still being settled upon.

In markets like Japan and other regions subject to power outages or natural disasters, the electrical storage and generating capacity of hybrid and electric vehicles could provide an added incentive to invest in an alternative drive vehicle. Look for some carmakers to use this to their advantage in marketing efforts, and highlight the fact that the feature can also be used for camping and other recreational activities.

There are many ways one could gauge the danger of driving in a particular city, but this list uses the cities with the greatest number of vehicular deaths as a barometer of the danger level. U.S. cities with a population of 150,000 or more were up for consideration, using the most recent motor vehicle crash data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System and General Estimates System.

One particular region of the country, the South, is overrepresented, and within that region one state in particular sticks out like a panhandle: A full one-third of the cities in this list are in Florida. Why does Florida rank so badly? Some blame the high proportion of New York City expats—some driving for the first time in their lives — foreigners, tourists driving in unfamiliar territory, and senior citizens, not to mention spring breakers, who may have compromised vision or reflexes.

Los Angeles didn’t make the most dangerous list, but had the most total fatalities overall, at 293. The city that’s the most dangerous for pedestrians, according to the data, is Pittsburgh, accounting for more than 50 percent of total fatalities.

Here are the 15 cities that ranked the worst:

15. Oklahoma City, Okla.
Population: 551,789
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 13.41
Total fatalities: 74
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 13.5

14. Birmingham, Ala.
Population: 228,798
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 13.55
Total fatalities: 31
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 15.2

13. Tulsa, Okla.
Population: 385,635
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 14.00
Total fatalities: 54
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 18.5

12. St. Petersburg, Fla.
Population: 245,314
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 14.27
Total fatalities: 35
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 28.6

11. Jacksonville, Fla.
Population: 807,815
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 14.36
Total fatalities: 116
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 13.8

10. Lubbock, Texas
Population: 220,483
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 14.97
Total fatalities: 33
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 15.2

9. Memphis, Tenn.
Population: 669,651
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 15.08
Total fatalities: 101
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 11.9

8. Jackson, Miss.
Population: 173,861
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 15.53
Total fatalities: 27
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 18.5

7. Chattanooga, Tenn.
Population: 170,880
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 16.39
Total fatalities: 28
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 17.9

6. Salt Lake City, Utah
Population: 181,698
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 16.51
Total fatalities: 30
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 26.7

5. San Bernardino, Calif.
Population: 198,580
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 17.12
Total fatalities: 38
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 15.8

4. Little Rock, Ark.
Population: 189,515
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 17.94
Total fatalities: 34
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 26.5

3. Augusta-Richmond Co., Ga.
Population: 194,149
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 19.57
Total fatalities: 38
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 15.8

2. Orlando, Fla.
Population: 230,519
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 19.95
Total fatalities: 46
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 10.9

The most dangerous city to drive in: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
1. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Population: 183,126
Total fatality rate per 100,000 population: 22.39
Total fatalities: 41
Percentage of fatalities that were pedestrians: 24.4

On the safer end of the spectrum, here are the 10 cities with the least fatalities per 100,000 population:

Arlington CDP (census designated place), Va. (0.48)
Vancouver, Wash. (1.23)
Moreno Valley, Calif. (1.57)
Rochester, N.Y. (1.93)
Spokane, Wash. (1.98)
Lincoln, Neb. (1.99)
Aurora, Ill. (2.33)
St. Paul, Minn. (2.50)
Omaha, Neb. (2.51)
Jersey City, N.J. (2.90)

But there’s another side of the used-car coin that’s decidedly in the buyer’s favor: The high-end side. So-called supercars were once by definition built in small numbers; an extreme example would be the 39 GTOs Ferrari made by hand in the early ‘60s, which today trade for double-digit millions. But the advent of the high-tech factory and computer age has meant that in the past 10 to 15 years very powerful cars were built in comparatively large numbers. Translation: your dream machine likely has plummeted in price.

“There’s no question that amazing cars like the Ferrari 360 Modena (1999 to 2005) are in the, shall we say, more affordable range now, around $75,000 when they were twice that,” says Keith Martin, publisher of Sports Car Market magazine and host/appraiser of Discovery HD Theater’s What’s My Car Worth? “But there’s a caveat. You’re not getting a free lunch, even if the price is way less than the original sticker. Buying a used supercar means being super sure maintenance was done right. Or else things get pricey very fast.”

Martin says that German-made sports cars tend to wear better than their competitors to the south, but that’s assuming the cars’ original owners were meticulous about their machines.

One smart buy is Porsche’s iconic 911, especially the somewhat maligned model known as the 996 (1999-2005), says Sam Cameron, salesman with sports car broker Cars Dawydiak in San Francisco. “Some Porsche purists don’t like the look of that model, or the fact that it was the first water-cooled 911 to come along,” he says. “But if you don’t mind those things, you can find them for $25,000 well preserved, and even some rough ones as low as the teens.”

Here are half a dozen more once-pricey supercars whose values — though perhaps not their appeal — have sunk in recent years:

Dodge Viper

Robin Corps / Flickr
(1991-2010; buy a solid used example for $25,000; when new around $80,000)

You have to smile when you see a Viper rumbling down the street. It’s just that outrageous, a bit like a cartoonish star of Pixar’s Cars franchise come to life. Designer Tom Gale’s creation was always aimed squarely at the high-test(osterone) set, with its massive V-10 and a mandatory manual transmission. The meek need not apply.

“It’s just a monster, and a lot of car for the money,” says Martin. “If it’s been well taken care of, you’re good to go. There are no huge electrical issues or complicated engine servicing issues with this car. Just straight ahead American muscle.”

Acura NSX

Cook24v / Flickr
(1990-2005; $30,000; when new around $90,000)

The NSX has always been polarizing. Is it the nicest-looking Japanese coupe ever built, or merely the homeliest wanna-be Italian racer ever made? Take your pick, but what’s not up for debate is that the car offers bulletproof reliability, a low-slung seating position, and a parent company that does have some claim to racing (Indy and F1) fame.

“The NSX is definitely one way into ownership of an exotic car, but having said that, it’s never gotten anyone excited visually,” says Martin. “The buyers of these cars are saying ‘Look how well I spent my money,’ which is fine. But supercar ownership isn’t really about being a good deal.”

BMW M3

Maik-T. Š. / Flickr
(E46 model, 2001-2006; $20,000; brand new, $55,900)

Ever since its introduction in 1988, BMW’s M3 sports coupe (and occasionally its four-door brother) has stood for the Munich company’s racing heritage and track victories. The E46 was a watershed in the evolution of the M3 species, known for its 333-hp, six-cylinder, non-turbo engine that got those ponies from a mere three liters of displacement.

“Whenever I go to BMW events, I see people racing them around and I want one,” jokes Martin. “But I wouldn’t buy one with more that 50,000 miles on it, and I’d be very sure it’s been properly serviced, as those cars can get very expensive to repair.”

Bentley Continental GT

(2003— ; $65,000; brand new, $189,900)

This is a hulking two-door, four-seat coupe in the grandest of European GT traditions—GT meaning “gran turismo,” a car meant to be packed with belongings and driven across the continent very quickly. The secret is that it’s essentially a re-bodied version of parent company VW’s 12-cylinder Phaeton sedan. But there’s no shame in that when you feel it blast off.

“This is an elegant machine that hasn’t changed its look since it was introduced, and a good used one is a far cry from what a new GT will set you back,” says Martin. “That it’s a Volkswagen means good things for the used-car shopper.”

Chevrolet Corvette

reggie b / Flickr
(Z06 model, 2005— ; $50,000; brand new, $74,375)

Everything about this iteration of the venerable Corvette is meant to impress, from its scandalous 7-liter engine pumping out 505 hp to its weight-saving aluminum frame (replacing steel in other models). What’s more, though this Indy 500 pace car delivered blinding 0-60 mph sprints of 3.6 seconds, it managed to do so while delivering respectable mileage (15/24 mpg; city/highway).

“This is really an amazing value for a car with 500 horsepower,” says Martin. “But perhaps what’s even better is that the biggest price is the car itself. Compared with other exotics, there really shouldn’t be many hidden gotchas with the cost of ownership.”

Lamborghini Gallardo

KlausNahr / Flickr
(2003— ; $100,000; brand new, $212,000)

Italian automakers have made huge strides with reliability in recent years, including Lamborghini. Of course, that may be because it’s owned by Audi and part of the Volkswagen Group. The Gallardo has been a huge hit for the company — some 10,000 have been built to date — due in large part to a blend of well-built German mechanicals and rakish Italian-inspired styling. The best of both worlds.

“Germans tend to like having their cars work. But a Porsche, say, will never have the sex appeal as a Ferrari. The Gallardo is a wonderful mix of the two,” says Martin. “I’m very high on this car. If I had to go out a buy a used supercar today, that’d be the one.

Nothing in Monte Carlo is understated, from the baubles to the yachts to the bank accounts. Now add traffic pile-ups to that list.
The Hope Diamond of fender benders unfolded yesterday in possibly the most conspicuous stretch of asphalt in the .75-square-mile principality — the round-about in front of the James Bond-worthy casino — when three blondes in a jelly-bean blue Bentley Azure ($363,000) scraped the rear of a white Mercedes-Benz S-Class (a paltry $91,000). And that was merely the appetizer.

Served up for the main course were a hapless black Ferrari F430 ($186,000), which was hit nose-first by the 2.7-ton Bentley. Then, like two tankers mashing in the fog, a four-door Aston Martin Rapide ($228,000) crunched into the Azure’s passenger door. The cherry on this metal, plastic and carbon-fiber shattering souffle: a stray Porsche 911 ($77,000).

In all, a Titanic mess in mere moments, involving nearly a million dollars of primo automotive machinery. How did this happen? A quick photo-based forensics of the scene based on knowledge of the Place du Casino offers many clues.

What’s evident is that these five vehicles did not all converge on each other in one massive supercar big bang. The Bentley clearly was at fault. Its nose is pointing straight at the casino’s entrance, an entrance where fine cars are routinely valet-parked diagonally. It seems that the Bentley’s driver thought she could sneak past the white Mercedes, then swerved right when she realized they were going to collide, which in turn clipped the Rapide coming up on her right. The Ferrari and the Porsche were collateral damage – parked directly in the Bentley’s now diverted path.

Any chance that the trio responsible for this mess — whose damage tally will easily hit six-figures — would get to scamper off anonymously after a quick chat with Monaco’s famously efficient and ever-present white-gloved police were dashed given both the coordinates of the crash and the time of year. If there ever was a season when this moneyed retreat is more crowded than Times Square on New Year’s Eve, it’s summer. Photos of the crowd, gleefully gawking and photographing the impromptu car show run amok, only go to show that when rich people do dumb things in a big way, the masses are more than happy to snicker.

MISCHIEF.tv RELEASES MISCHIEF 7: JOYRIDE

The Best-Selling Automotive DVD Series is Back With its Latest and Most Daring Installment

WASHINGTON, DC—March 15, 2009—Mischief.tv recently announced the newest addition to the Mischief DVD series, Mischief 7: JoyRide—an automotive journey that documents the twists
and turns, and risks and thrills of rallying across the country. It features the JoyRide Rally, similar
to the famed Cannonball Run, which documents the Mischief crew’s trip from Santa Monica, CA
to New Orleans, LA.

Mischief 7: Joyride, filmed in high-definition, captures exclusive, new footage of real life drivers
reaching speeds up to 200 miles per hour, the industry’s latest and hottest exotic cars, the
craziest stunts, and, as expected in any Mischief-made movie, some of the world’s fastest and
boldest car rallies. In the JoyRide rally, the Mischief crew participates with its Porsche 996 and
Lamborghini Murcielago.

“We catch it all,” recounts Mischief series’ producer and creator, Dustin Worles. “It’s as if the
viewer is strapped in the passenger seat of the world’s fastest cars. We include all the drama
behind rally racing including arrests, police chases, cars being impounded—and are sure to
feature a cast of eccentric characters along the way from ‘trust fund babies’ to a German prince to
a famous television producer.”

Mischief.tv also captured the industry’s most wanted cars leaving the premier automotive
specialty products trade event, the SEMA show, in Las Vegas; traveled south to Florida to
document the Palm Beach Supercar Weekend and the exclusive Ferrari gathering, the Cavallino
Classic Concorso d’Eleganza; and recorded the world’s largest one-day car event, the Woodward
Dream Cruise in Detroit, MI. Not wanting to miss the ultimate car stunts and skits that its
viewership relies on, Mischief 7: Joyride features three “Reckless” chapters filmed all over the
country.

Since 2002 the best-selling Mischief series have taken viewers worldwide, capturing the real life
extremes of automotive rallying. While its target demographics are men aged 16-35, Mischief.tv
has enjoyed broad appeal to all ages and demographics since its inception.

“This new movie will open a lot of doors for the Mischief brand”, commented Worles. “We will
begin discussing the Mischief series with different television networks who might be interested in
seeing more of the crew’s antics. The next step for the series is a reality-based TV show.”

Mischief 7: JoyRide can be purchased at Mischief.tv or on Amazon.com. Available in Blu-ray in
spring 2009.

###

About Mischief.tv
With over one million copies sold worldwide, Mischief.tv continues to make a name for itself as
the leading producer of real life speed-loving, stunt-infused authentic rally films. The Mischief
series was created in 2002 by Dustin Worles. It has been featured on Dateline NBC, as well as
other national networks including CMT, FOX, MTV and MTV2. Previously released installments
were distributed by the Warner Music Group. For more information on the Mischief series and
Mischief.tv brand, visit www.Mischief.tv.

Movie Trailer 1

By Jerry Edgerton | CBS MoneyWatch – Wed, Jul 20, 2011 2:57 PM EDT

Even though auto manufacturers have greatly boosted quality and reliability, buying a used car can still be a process fraught with anxiety. In addition to worrying about the honesty of the seller, you also want to be sure to avoid vehicles with poor reliability records.

To help with that, MoneyWatch looked at owner surveys to see which cars look like trouble, focusing on five separate categories. We focused on 2008 models — the year ranked in the latest dependability study from J.D. Power and Associates. Buying a 3-year-old used car also lets you shop after the biggest new-car depreciation already has taken place: Because used car prices have risen so sharply this year, 1- and 2-year-old used models can make worse financial sense than buying new.

To make our list of used-car rejects, a model had to get the minimum two out of five in the J.D. Power “circle ratings” for dependability. It also had to be ranked below average as a used car by Consumer Reports in its annual April car issue and online car rankings.

Here are our recommendations for used cars to avoid — plus some better ideas in the same categories. Volkswagen and Chrysler Group, which also makes Dodge and Jeep, both have two entries on our avoidance list.

Small Car: Volkswagen Beetle

The Beetle’s cute looks and all-around appeal don’t save it from being on the least reliable list. Owners of the 2008 model told Consumer Reports that they had trouble with the climate control system and power equipment, both of which can lead to expensive repairs. The convertible model is selling for $19,350 on dealer’s lots according to the Kelley Blue Book web site.

Alternative: Hyundai Elantra. Hyundai has had a remarkably strong sales year for new cars this year. But even in 2008, the company was making quality cars backed by its 10-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Elantra got the maximum five circles in the J.D. Power reliability ratings and is ranked an above-average used car by Consumer Reports, where survey respondents reported no major problems. This model Elantra is selling for $12,435.

Midsize Car: Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen strikes out again. Despite being praised by reviewers when new, the Passat gets the minimum J.D. Power two circles and a below-average rating from Consumer Reports. Readers there report problems with the fuel, electrical and climate systems and the power equipment.

The 2008 Passat is selling at dealers for $18,515, according to kbb.com.

Alternative: Ford Fusion. Ford’s first real contender in years against mid-size leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the Fusion won the reliability award in this year’s J.D. Power survey. Consumer Reports gives it a top Much Above Average used car rating. Readers there reported no major problems with their 2008 Fusions. Dealers are offering the Fusion for $17,365, according to kbb.com.

Midsize SUV: GMC Acadia

Though its quality has improved in recent models, the 2008 Acadia is a repeat loser in this category. With the minimum two circles in the J.D. Power survey, it gets a worse than average used car ranking from Consumer Reports. Readers there reported problems with the suspension and audio system. The Acadia SLE model is selling for about $25,000 at dealerships, according to kbb.com.

Alternative: Toyota 4 Runner. This 2008 Toyota stalwart won the J.D. Power reliability award and is rated much better than average as a used car in the Consumer Reports ratings, where readers reported no serious problems. Reviewers praise its capability both on the highway and off-road. The 2008 4Runner SR5 version is selling at about $27,730.

Large SUV: Ford Expedition

Even if you need large-capacity hauling and can ignore the lame mileage numbers (the Expedition is rated at 12 mpg in city driving, 18 highway), look elsewhere. The big boy of the Ford SUV line (whose model names all start with the letter ‘E’) gets the minimum two circles from J.D. Power and a worse-than-average Consumer Reports rating, where readers report problems with the transmission and the audio system.

The used 2008 Expedition sells for $23,530 in the XLT version, according to kbb.com.

Alternative: Toyota Sequoia. In a category with no clear winner, the Toyota entry again looks like the best bet. It gets four out of five circles in the J.D. Power rating and an above-average rating from Consumer Reports. Reviewers praise its roomy seating and comfortable ride for long highway trips. The 2008 Sequoia SR5 version is selling at $31,265 at dealerships.

Minivan: Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler originated the minivan and in most years has sold more than other companies. But sometime around 2008, manufacturing quality began to lag.

This Chrysler van got the minimum two circles from J.D. Power and a much-worse-than-average used-car rating from Consumer Reports. Readers there reported problems with the suspension, brakes, climate system and power equipment. The 2008 Town & Country LX version is selling at about $16,000 from dealerships.

Alternative: Toyota Sienna. As it did last year, the Sienna wins the reliability award for minivans from J.D. Power, and it gets a better-than-average rating from Consumer Reports. Reviewers praise its comfort and seating; it holds up to eight people. The Sienna CE version is selling for an average $20,130, according to kbb.com.

Despite Toyota’s recent recall problems and lagging sales this year, its dominance of numerous categories in three-year-old used cars is a reminder of what a strong record of reliability it has achieved. Domestic companies certainly should not count out Toyota as a strong competitor.

The price you negotiate for a car and the interest you pay on the car loan are only part of the cost equation. Insurance, depreciation, taxes and fees, what you pay over the years for fuel, service and repairs, and even the opportunity cost of the money you lay out as a down payment (what you’d make if you invested the money elsewhere) are all important ingredients in the cost of ownership.

All the vehicles on the list are small — either compacts or subcompacts — because they tend to have the lowest market price, the best fuel economy, and reasonable insurance rates — since premiums tend to rise with horsepower.

Note that with the lower-price class, you may also have to pay extra for automatic transmission, air conditioning and sometimes even a radio-not to mention such safety features as anti-lock brakes. Most are equipped with six standard airbags but only half have standard stability control. (The market price is the average transaction cost and reflects rebates; all vehicles have manual transmissions, unless otherwise noted. Source: Vincentric.)

Nissan Versa 1.6 Base 4dr
Market price: $10,922
5-Year fuel cost: $8,456
5-Year insurance cost: $4,851
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,233
Nissan’s subcompact hatch, which gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, hits the streets at a smidge over ten grand but offers a bigger interior than classmates Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. Six airbags are standard on even the lowest trim, but you’ll pay $250 extra for ABS.

Depreciation: $6,874 Fees & taxes: $905 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,371 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $452 Maintenance: $1,917 Repairs: $1,406

Hyundai Accent GL 2dr hatch
Market price: $9,677
5-Year fuel cost: $8,085
5-Year insurance cost: $5,134
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,715
For under $11,000, the Accent boasts killer fuel economy of 34 mpg on the highway and 28 in the city. Even on the base model, optional equipment includes an iPod hookup ($35) and Bluetooth ($325). Six airbags are standard, but there’s no option for ABS.

Depreciation: $7,748 Fees & taxes: $822 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,207 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $423 Maintenance: $1,795 Repairs: $1,500

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS 4dr hatch
Market price: $11,038
5-Year fuel cost: $8,171
5-Year insurance cost: $5,446
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $26,958
Chevy’s smallest car will be replaced next year by the Sonic, but for 2011 the little hatchback offers good interior space and cargo room — 15 cubic feet with the 60/40 split rear seat up. Maintenance and repairs average just $3,000 for five years. Side airbags and six months of OnStar Automatic Crash Response are standard, but ABS and side-curtain airbags are not available. Mileage is 27 city, 35 highway.

Depreciation: $7,547 Fees & taxes: $919 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,385 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $451 Maintenance: $1,618 Repairs: $1,422

Ford Fiesta S 4dr
Market price: $13,212
5-Year fuel cost: $7,576
5-Year insurance cost: $5,623
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,402
The return of the Fiesta to Ford’s lineup brings serious value — and premium-car amenities — to the compact category. A wallet-friendly price meets a peppy engine, an ultra-smooth manual transmission, and terrific handling. The SE trim offers Ford’s SYNC system (to connect phones and music players) as a $665 option. Even the entry-level Fiesta boasts a full complement of safety equipment: seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag), ABS, stability control and traction control. Mileage is 28 city, 37 highway.

Depreciation: $8,919 Fees & taxes: $1,063 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,690 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $467 Maintenance: $1,564 Repairs: $1,500

Mazda2 Sport 4dr hatch
Market price: $14,625
5-Year fuel cost: $7,825
5-Year insurance cost: $5,630
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,593
Its design is unmistakably Mazda, but the Mazda2 isn’t just a downsized Mazda3. Built on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, this sporty hatch takes corners with ease, and it has a full line of standard safety equipment– ABS, stability and traction control, and six airbags. Mileage is 29 city, 35 highway.

Depreciation: $8,405 Fees & taxes: $1,139 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,864 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $490 Maintenance: $1,613 Repairs: $1,627

Toyota Yaris 4dr
Market price: $13,818
5-Year fuel cost: $7,737
5-Year insurance cost: $5,163
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $28,616
The Yaris’s 1.5-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder engine pushes fuel economy to the max. The car gets 29 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway, giving it ultra-low fuel costs over five years compared with the competition. Good resale values give the car a leg up in our cost calculations. ABS and stability control are standard, as are six airbags.

Depreciation: $9,377 Fees & taxes: $1,089 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,757 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $463 Maintenance: $1,623 Repairs: $1,406

Kia Rio 4dr
Market price: $11,824
5-Year fuel cost: $8,085
5-Year insurance cost: $5,447
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,157
Kia keeps even low-budget customers happy by offering many standard goodies — auxiliary connections and USB ports for music, plus Sirius satellite radio (a subscription costs extra). Six airbags are standard on the base trim; stepping up to the LX ($15,690) gets you standard ABS. Mileage is 28 city, 34 highway.

Depreciation: $9,158 Fees & taxes: $966 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,500 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $458 Maintenance: $2,042 Repairs: $1,500

Kia Soul 4dr hatch
Market price: $13,826
5-Year fuel cost: $8,771
5-Year insurance cost: $4,402
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,275
Kiplinger’s Best New Car for Teens makes boxy cool again. Along with its funky looks, the Soul has 19 cubic feet of cargo space and the most rear legroom in its class. It’s also an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. All the safety equipment you’ll want is standard: six airbags, ABS, stability control and traction control. Mileage is 26 city, 31 highway.

Depreciation: $9,305 Fees & taxes: $1,381 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $2,338 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $487 Maintenance: $1,956 Repairs: $1,500

Honda Insight 4dr hatch
Market price: $18,097
5-Year fuel cost: $5,955
5-Year insurance cost: $5,497
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,953
Proving that hybrids don’t have to break the bank, Honda’s Insight boasts estimated service costs (maintenance plus repairs) of just $3,149 for five years. Low fuel costs are a given, with 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 on the highway. Automatic transmission, ABS, stability control, traction control and six airbags are standard.

Depreciation: $11,145 Fees & taxes: $1,381 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $2,338 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $487 Maintenance: $1,727 Repairs: $1,422

Ford Focus S 4dr
Market price: $13,643
5-Year fuel cost: $8,571
5-Year insurance cost: $5,484
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $30,290
The Focus will get a redesign for 2012, but the 2011 version is already a solid value. The 2.0-liter engine puts out 140 horsepower but sips fuel politely — it gets 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Stability and traction control, ABS, and six airbags are standard.

Depreciation: $9,819 Fees & taxes: $1,101 Financing 5-year loan at 5.95%: $1,741 Opportunity cost of a 15% down payment: $490 Maintenance: $1,661 Repairs: $1,422

Spy photographers have captured images of the next generation New Beetle coupe undergoing road testing in Germany. A lower roofline and re-profiled tail offer hints that Volkswagen is planning to boost the retro appeal of the next Beetle, while also providing a welcome increase in usability and rear passenger comfort.

The New Beetle has always been about nostalgia. Unfortunately, our complaints about the current model sound like we could be writing about the original Beetle, which lasted in the U.S. market until 1980. A cramped rear seat, dated chassis, limited cargo room, and recent sub-par safety ratings have seen the competition go flashing past VW’s retro machine during its 13 year production run.

That’s right, the New Beetle has been on sale (and virtually unchanged) since 1998. If you love the rounded looks and have loads of happy Beetle memories, this comes as great news. But if you’re looking for an economy car that is fun to drive and has a premium feel to it, there are many better choices out there. The Mini Cooper, Scion tC and even the latest version of the VW Golf all make the New Beetle feel its age.

At a glance, these spy images don’t look dramatically different from the current new Beetle. Take a closer look and you’ll spot a longer and lower greenhouse that is less rounded than before. This should offer a much needed increase in rear headroom. The test mule also appears to have a longer tail-end, the rear screen is more vertical than before and there is a noticeable increase in rear overhang.

The new tail treatment should be far more practical, especially when it comes to cargo room. The 2010 New Beetle offers a miserly 12 cubic-feet of luggage space. A 2010 VW Golf is only fractionally better (12.4 cu-ft), but its wide-opening hatch and squarer shape of the cargo space is more convenient to use.

Engines will come from the Golf, which means a 170-bhp 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine will be standard with a choice of 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. At present, the New Beetle convertible is an automatic-only offering. We’ll see if that holds true when the newest New Beetle officially arrives early in 2011.

It will also be interesting to see if VW sticks to its recent ‘more for less’ pricing philosophy. The recently updated Jetta and next year’s New Midsize Sedan (most likely badged a Passat) are aggressively priced – in the case of the 2011 Jetta, the base model costs thousands less than the cheapest version of the outgoing model. The current New Beetle is priced at $19,440, a not insignificant sum for a car that puts a premium on form instead of function.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is arriving at the Los Angeles Auto Show with a refreshed exterior and an additional 38-horsepower over the previous model. Fans of this cult classic sports car – nicknamed “Godzilla” – have long admired the brick-like profile and supercar performance of the Nissan GT-R. This hardcore crowd will be happy to know that the basic recipe of a four-wheel-drive, turbo-charged monster machine carries over when the freshened GT-R arrives in the U.S. early next year.

For the moment, Nissan is keeping quiet about specifics (including pricing). Yet the Japanese automaker has already divulged information regarding the Japanese-market GT-R, which goes on sale before year’s end. The car’s leap across the Pacific Ocean should bring only detail changes – though definitely not certain trims levels, such as the “Egoist” version sold in Japan.

Small modifications to the front and rear fascia of the new GT-R will likely be noticeable only to the most eagle-eyed automotive enthusiast. However, these changes should likely boost aerodynamic performance and, as a result, increase the GT-R’s already otherworldly grip on the road. New performance-oriented alloy wheels, revised front marker lights and different paint options round out the visible makeover.

Interior trim and styling is also due an upgrade – though GT-R fans usually aren’t too concerned about seat stitching and soft-touch plastics. This is likely why the biggest changes relate to what’s going on under the hood. The GT-R is currently powered by a 485-bhp twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 coupled to a four-wheel-drive system. A top speed of more than 190 mph and 0-60 mph time in the 3 second range make the GT-R one of the wildest sports cars on the planet.

The new model is getting even more power, of course. Engine power jumps to 523-bhp and 451 lb-ft of torque. Incredibly, Nissan says the new GT-R will also get better mileage than the old model. A revised suspension and beefier brakes are also likely to be included in the upgrade. What we’re hoping Nissan didn’t mess with is the price-tag. At roughly $85,000, the 2010 GT-R isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s the performance bargain of the century if your mission is to humble supercars costing three times the price.

GM makes big strides but has a long way to go

While Honda and Toyota still dominate in reliability, General Motors has improved considerably in our latest predicted-reliability Ratings. Those are the findings of our 2010 Annual Auto Survey, based on subscribers’ experiences with 1.3 million vehicles.

While some GM nameplates had been among the least reliable brands in past years, they now rank above some major European competitors. But as a company, GM is still far from tops in reliability.

Across GM brands (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC), 69 percent of models had average or better reliability. Cadillac improved the most, rising seven places from last year’s ranking. Chevrolet had its best showing in years; 83 percent of models had average or better scores in predicted reliability, up from 50 percent. Also noteworthy:

The major Asian brands are still doing well overall. All models from Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Scion, and Toyota have at least average predicted reliability.

Ford continues to be the most reliable American automaker. Ninety percent of Fords, including Lincoln models, have at least average reliability.

Chrysler remains the lowest-ranked manufacturer in our survey. We can recommend only one of its vehicles, the four wheel-drive Dodge Ram 1500.

While European reliability had been improving, momentum seems to have stalled. All Porsche and Volvo models are rated average or better. But Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz are among the worst automakers overall.

The Porsche Boxster has the best predicted reliability in our survey, while the Audi A6 3.0T and Jaguar XF have the worst.

Detroit’s gains
General Motors and Ford have taken different paths to improving reliability. GM discontinued many of its below-average models, and some redesigns have scored well. Ford has been fine-tuning some older platforms, which gets around the bugs that often plague a new vehicle or major redesign.

Recent GM introductions, such as the Buick LaCrosse V6 (FWD), Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, are proving reliable from the get-go. And some older models, such as the Chevrolet Avalanche, Corvette, and Suburban, have improved to average. Last year, all Cadillac models were below average. This year, about half its models rated at least average.

Below average reliability: Audi A6Ford’s quality renaissance has been led by the midsized Fusion, which has been very reliable since its debut five years ago. Some new models from Ford have struggled out of the gate, but the hightrim Flex EcoBoost and Lincoln MKT sportutility vehicles rated above average in their first year.

Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep are saddled with dated vehicles that rate below average in reliability. But since Chrysler’s acquisition by Fiat, many of its products will either be replaced or redesigned.

Asia still dominates
Despite recent safety recalls, Toyota models, including those from Scion and Lexus, remained among the most reliable and earned top scores in five vehicle categories. Only the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS and the new Lexus IS 250 convertible are below average. The redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius, hurt by antilock brake problems on early vehicles, scored only average. That is quite a drop from previous years. (We’ve reinstated our recommendations for eight Toyota models that had problems with sticking accelerator pedals.)

Honda and Acura are among the top four brands, with their models topping five vehicle categories. But problems with rear brake pads help drop the 4-cylinder Accord and Acura TSX to average.

Hyundai and Kia continued to do well, with only one model, the Kia Sedona minivan, rated below average. All six new models for 2010 had average or better reliability, an impressive first-year showing.

Nissan’s mainstream models did fine. But the small Nissan Cube had a below average score in its first appearance in our survey. The Infiniti models were all average or better.

Subaru had a good record overall, with a top rating going to the four-cylinder Legacy sedan and the non-turbo version of the Forester SUV. The WRX was the only model that rated below average.

Europe’s bumpy road
BMW had a bad year, with five of 11 models now scoring below average. Although the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1, 3, and 5 Series models with the 3.0-liter, turbocharged engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other issues.

Mercedes-Benz had the least reliable vehicles in three categories. Six of its 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average this year. The redesigned E350 sedan was above average, but the new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car, was a disappointment.

Almost three-quarters of the Audi models we analyzed were below average. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf (formerly Rabbit) doing very well and the various Jetta models doing average or better.

Our reliability survey
Our data are based on an annual survey of subscribers to Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org and are not derived from road tests. A model needs at least 100 responses per model year for us to score it.

From the survey, we create a reliability history for each model over the course of 10 years, 2001 to 2010. We use the data, in part, to forecast how well the 2011 models will hold up. We might predict reliability for a newly redesigned model, but only if previous versions had outstanding reliability.

Detailed Reliability data pinpoints problems
Each of the 17 problem areas we survey covers a host of possible faults. For instance, “Power Equipment” includes keyless entry, dashboard warning lights, tire-pressure monitor, and other things. “Body integrity” includes squeaks and rattles, seals and weather stripping, and air or water leaks, among other things. “Major Engine” problems include cylinder head and timing belt besides replacing the engine itself, while “Minor Engine” includes oil leaks, accessory belts and engine mounts.

To access the finer level of detail, choose any car, new or used, and go to its model-overview page. Click on the tab labeled “Reliability” and that will call up the reliability history, a grid of our familiar red and black scoring icons covering 17 trouble areas and however many model years we have data for.

Some of those individual colored “blobs” are flagged with a gold corner triangle with a “+” sign that indicate when more specific details are available. Click on that triangular corner tab to see more information on the problems owners have experienced.

As an example, looking at the Ford F-150 pickup, we can see multiple years of brake problems. However, in some years the problems were mainly attributed to pulsation or vibration, while in other years it was premature wear. Further, we note that the 2008 model had climate system problems. Now subscribers can see that the major gripe was the automatic climate system control rather than, say, a problem with the air conditioner itself.

Not all trouble spots are flagged. That’s because either no or very few specific problems were reported, or because nothing stood out enough in the sub-categories to warrant special mention.

Copyright © 2006-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission.