Is the Chevrolet SS overpriced?

GM has made just about everything standard on the Chevrolet SS, including $5,500 of stuff not available on the late Pontiac G8 (essentially the pre-refresh version of the same car). But the $46,170 SS starts $6,175 higher than the top-of-the-line G8 GXP (assuming a $1,700 gas guzzler tax). Pontiac respected the $40,000 barrier. Chevrolet has not. A wash between the… More →

Price Analysis: Upper-Midsize Near-Luxury Sedans; also MKZ vs. Fusion

Lexus launched with two models, the all-new, groundbreaking LS and the ES. Though many derided the latter as “just a Camry with a fancy badge,” and assumed it would go the way of the Chevrolet-based Cadillac Cimmaron, the ES has been a sales success, and for 2013 is entering its sixth generation. The new car is more closely related to… More →

Cases in Pricing Confusion: How much does Ford charge for the Fusion’s optional engines?

Ford offers the new 2013 Fusion with four different engines, a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter, a 178-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter (1.6T), a 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo (2.0T), and a Hybrid. With the mid-grade SE, you also have the option of adding either a sporty Appearance Package or a Luxury Package. In choosing among the engines and packages, a buyer might want to know how… More →

Same price for either Rio SX transmission? Yes, and no.

The 2012 Kia Rio subcompact car was available with a manual transmission only in its lowest trim level. If didn’t want a very basic car, you had to get the automatic. Car reviewers complained, so Kia is offering a small batch of the top trim SX hatchback with a manual transmission. Reading the accompanying press release, many people have concluded… More →

2013 Midsize Sedan Price Analysis

For 2013 Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, and Nissan have all redesigned their midsize sedans. Toyota and Volkswagen did the same last year. Is any of them clearly a better value than the others? Maybe the new Accord? Honda claims to have added “thousands of dollars in new standard features” to the 2013. Or, as is often the case in highly competitive… More →