In the first quarter this year, interest rates fell 0.27% to 4.56% for new cars, and 0.06% to 9.02% for used cars. Loans were bigger in Q1 compared to Q1 of 2011, jumping an average of $589 to $25,995 for new autos and $411 to $17,050 for used guys. The average credit score for new auto loans dropped 6 points to 760, and the portion of new car loans given to subprime borrowers grew 11.4% in the quarter. The “subprime” label is attached to people with a credit score below 680.

Rates of late payments and repossessions also declined.

This likely bodes well for the auto industry as a whole, easing the path for all that pent-up energy demand to be released, making auto execs fat and happy, and helping reset the American fleet of vehicles to new, better and more efficient vehicles.

Speaking of fleets, what an awesome Game of Thrones episode on Sunday night. The show is AMAZING.

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Dodge Dart Trims and Feature Highlights

The Dart is a compact sedan that’s all new for the 2013 model year.  Initially Dart will be available in base SE, SXT, Rallye, and Limited trims, with an R/T model coming later.  And like a stealthy superhero, the aerodynamically inspired Dart Aero should arrive in the third quarter this year to deliver up to 41 MPG.  Sporting classy style and all the right numbers- including a starting price of $15,995- the 2013 Dart has its sights set squarely on leaders Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus for top small car billing.

Based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Dodge wants to make sure shoppers get an equal mix of Italian flair and traditional Dodge punch.  You’ll get three engine choices, lively handling (that’s the Italian part), and Charger inspired exterior bits accentuated by sizeable dimensions- at least for the compact class.  Inside you’ll receive plenty of upscale-ness and tech, enough to thoroughly raise the price tag if you choose to get greedy.

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Dodge Dart Performance

Grabbing any Dart trim save for the R/T will get you the standard 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine worth 160 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque.  Drivers can pair the 2.0 liter with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

Optional on trims not named R/T is a turbocharged 1.4 liter 4-cylinder giving drivers 160 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft.  You’ll get a 6-speed manual or 6-speed dual clutch automated manual.  The latter combination will help the late release Dart Aero achieve 41 MPG.

Early test drives say the standard 2.0 liter is a quiet, smooth choice packing adequate power, but the 1.4 liter turbo, with its extra torque, represents the livelier option.

Dart R/T trims get a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder capable of 184 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. along with 6-speed auto or 6-speed manual transmission choices.

Dodge Dart Fuel Economy

EPA estimates for the manually driven 2.0 liter Dart are 25/36/29 (city/highway/combined) MPG; the turbocharged 1.4 liter with manual falls just short of the 40 MPG mark with numbers of 27/39/32.  Automatic and 2.4 liter estimates have yet to be finalized.

As mentioned, the Dart Aero is tagged to hit 41 highway MPG when it comes out later in the year.

Dodge Dart Interior Highlights

Dodge is going for ‘best in class’ interior swag and the consensus is that this is a reachable goal.  Soft surfaces, ambient lighting, and room to stretch- in front and back- all add up to a downright decent driving experience.  Tech-wise, you’ll get an available 7” instrument cluster display located behind the steering wheel that gives vehicle info, blind spot warnings, and navigational info, among other things.  And Dodge isn’t shy about anointing its 8.4” Uconnect touchscreen as the largest in class, and when you choose the SXT, Rallye (where Uconnect is optional), Limited, or R/T (standard) you can experience the touchscreen first hand, along with voice activation, Bluetooth, navigation, and WiFi connectivity.

The only real average feature seems to be trunk space, which has been measured at just over 13 cubic feet, though you can opt for an additional cubby space located within the passenger seat.

Dodge Dart Safety

Dart safety standards include antilock brakes with brake assist & drying feature (initiated when windshield wipers are turned on), stability/traction control, and 10 standard airbags.  Available options include Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection alert systems.

There are no crash test numbers available yet for 2013 Dart, but given the emphasis on safety tech it’s a safe bet that Dodge won’t let their brand new nameplate slip too far in terms of results.

Dodge Dart Summary

Someone transported from 1974 would probably be amazed that the Dart is still around, but this is a brand new bag of goods that Dodge is rolling out.  Dart shouldn’t have any problems finding an audience, even if higher trims max out buyers’ price ranges.  Look for the 2013 Dodge Dart to become a compact class leader very soon.

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If Mr. Cooper was still in the NBA, I bet he’d fancy a nice new BMW to drive around in; and if he was in the NBA today, he just might go with the all-new BMW Zagato Coupe:

BMW unveiled the new concept car last week at a vintage car event in northern Italy, at Villa d’Este on Lake Como. The Zagato Coupe is the result of the collaboration between BMW and the Italian coachbuilder Zagato (not the most original of names, clearly). BMW calls the Zagato an “exciting and emotionally charged coupe in the finest tradition of automotive workmanship.”

I’ll tell you what else is exciting; the Zagato website:

http://www.zagato.it/

It takes a while to load, but once it does, it’s worth the wait. The website’s an emotionally charged experience in itself; soaring music, dramatic turns, and even sex appeal. All those elements make their way into the video introduction.

I’m not convinced the new coupe or website is as emotionally charged as an episode of “Hanging With Mr. Cooper”, though. At least not in its heyday.

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Either way, we’ll definitely see enough pre-race hype to make us all have another (drink).  When television isn’t enough, we can go rent a track for our own left turn excitement.  And while you can have fun riding a bike on a racetrack, doing it in the right car makes it that much better.  Funnily enough, I just happen to have a list of some of the best track cars, bearing in mind price (as much as possible), performance (of course), and all around fun.  Take a look, in no particular order…

Nissan GT-R

Nissan says it perfectly; the GT-R is built to perform.  The new 2013 GT-R strides the $100,000 line, but you get 545 horsepower, the ability to adjust the suspension for track settings, and your very own Gran Turismo style data center.  Treat life like a video game.

Lotus Exige S

The Exige S is a car that doesn’t look right unless it’s on a track somewhere.  If you were to see one on the street, it’d be like looking at a Tiger that escaped from the city zoo roaming about.  This is perfect, because due to various trivialities you can only have a track-centric Exige S nowadays.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Yeah, it’s $112,000, but the ZR1 is a 638 horsepower American beast.  You get a top speed of 205 MPH, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes to help stop that force quickly, and 100 years of racing technology packed into the muscle car.

Mazda Miata

Why Miata?  Ask one of the many owners who race them at your nearest track, because chances are good that you will find one there.  The Miata is cheap, modifiable, and easy drive.  And while it won’t blow you away you with raw power, you’ll always get a nice tingling sensation when driving it.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

Is $160,000 worth it?  Probably not for most, but the 911 Turbo S boasts technology that can’t be ignored.  A PDK transmission, launch control, and 530 horsepower will get you from 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds.  And once you’re there you’ve got the handling and grip to feel good at up to 195 MPH.

Ariel Atom

Out of any car on this list, the Ariel Atom is what you would call a track exclusive type player.  You won’t want to run to the store with one of these; the Atom makes love to track surfaces by boasting 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds, a chassis you so light you can almost pick it up, and, since there’s not much to it, a surprisingly low price tag.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Haven’t you always wanted to lap somebody while driving a Subaru?  The WRX STI isn’t your typical Subaru due to its 300 horsepower turbocharged engine, track tuned suspension, and Brembo brakes keeping everything pretty.

Honda S2000

You can’t get a new version of the S2000 because they don’t exist, but go back a few short years and you’ll find a highly customizable, cheap racer.  Just watch out for those roaming packs of Miata enthusiasts.

Dodge Viper

Until the release of the 2013 SRT Viper later this year, you’ll do fine with the 2010 Viper.  It’s a great value for what you still get performance-wise, and you can go toe to toe with all those snobby European supercars- in part because you can still afford gas.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Track ready performance for under $40,000; that’s all you need to know about the Evo.  Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in a high stakes illegal Miami street race after you leave the track.  Good luck.

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Ford Escape Trims and Feature Highlights

The Escape is a compact crossover SUV that has been redesigned for 2013.  Starting from $22,470, the 5 seat Escape is available in base S, SE, SEL, and Titanium trims.  While the low starting price will excite shoppers, going for higher trims and adding options can push numbers dangerously close to the $40,000 mark.  That said, you’ll get what you pay for, and the new Escape offers plenty of options to drool over.

Options, you say?  Yes.  Ford offers a trio of potent engine choices, along with front or all-wheel drive, and safety options like a BLIS blind-spot monitoring system.  Other tech niceties include SYNC with MyFord Touch, park assist for smoother parallel parking, and a hands free liftgate for armless opening.  Of course, leather, navigation, sunroof, and wheel upgrades are also available.  ‘Escape from the daily grind’ puns are unavailable.

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Ford Escape Performance

For 2013 Ford offers Escape shoppers a trio of engines.  Escape S trims get front wheel drive and a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder worth 168 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque.

Go with the SE or SEL trims and it’s a turbocharged 1.6 liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder that has 178 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft.  SE and SEL trim buyers also get the option to upgrade to a turbocharged 2.0 liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder, which is standard for Titanium trims.  The 2.0 liter EcoBoost engine has an impressive 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft.

All trims are given a 6-speed automatic with SelectShift manual-style shifting, and all save for Escape S come with either front or all-wheel drive (AWD).

Ford Escape Fuel Economy

EPA estimates tag the 2.5 liter S Escape at 22/31/25 (city/highway/combined) MPG.  1.6 liter EcoBoost trims receive 23/33 (city/highway) MPG when equipped with front-wheel drive, or 22/30 with AWD.  MPG2.0 liter EcoBoost trims get 22/30/25 for front-wheel drive and 21/28/24 for AWD.

Ford Escape Interior Highlights

Comfort and space add to an attractive layout inside the brand new Escape.  Material quality is fresh, and the tech up front provides a lot to play with.  Available SYNC with MyFord Touch gives drivers infotainment (including WiFi connectivity) on an 8” center touch screen and a 4” data screen behind the steering wheel.  As far as measurable passenger space, you’ve got 98.1 cubic feet overall, with a decent 36.8” of rear legroom.

Cargo space is good enough to work with; you’ll get 34.3 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split second row, and 68.1 cubes with seats folded flat.  Adding convenience is a rear row footwell storage area and available hands-free liftgate that opens when you wave your leg under the bumper (key fob has to be in proximity; random strangers cannot swipe their way into your Escape).

Ford Escape Safety

Safety standards for every 2013 Escape include 4-wheel antilock brakes, stability/traction control (with Torque Vectoring Control- transfers torque to wheels that have the most grip), and seven airbags- including full length side curtain and driver’s knee bags.  Available safety tech includes park assist (safer for those parked around you) and BLIS blind spot warning with cross traffic alert.

Crash test scores are not yet available for 2013 Escape.

Ford Escape Summary

Check it out.  When the only thing reviewers can find to fault is the escalating price tag, this is considered a good sign- though it does help to have the cash.  Simply put, the 2013 Ford Escape is the best all-around compact crossover available.  Get over to CarWoo! to enjoy your new ride.

We’ll start with Porsche, who announced the opening of The Porsche Experience Center in Carlson, California. A short drive from downtown Los Angeles (pending traffic, of course), the Center will span 53-acres, providing a world class test track and handling course with special surfaces to imitate rain, ice and snow, and an off-road area with extreme 45 degree declines and ascents. In addition, there’s going to be a fully-equipped personal training fitness program that mimics the programs used to train Porsche racecar drivers. That portion of the Experience Center is called The Porsche Human Performance Center.

Sounds kinda awesome. But…you’ll have to wait to try and sculpt your body like a sports car, since it’s slated to open in the fall of 2013.

BMW is taking its branding in a different direction, choosing to focus on what consumer’s accessorize themselves with (the company already released a BMW hand-sanitizer last year). BMW opened its first BMW Brand Store on the swanky Avenue George V in the most uber of the riche areas of Paris last week. This is part of BMW’s Future Retail strategy, which aims to:

1) Increase the number of possible contact points with customers and prospects (RAWR);

2) Increase the services and benefits offered in its retail channels; and

3) Enhance the retail experience at all touch points (double RAWR).

BMW plans to open more stores soon in the UK, China and the Netherlands. And if one were to surmise a guess, a retail location in the U.S. is probably being discussed in Germany, too. Outside of the hand sanitizer, there’s no clue as to what BMW will sell in these stores, though. (BMW cereal?) The Brand Store will, however, allow customers to inspect new BMWs in a friendlier and more easy-going environment.

I hope these stores are huge, because I can’t imagine comfortably looking at a new BMW in the foyer of an Abercrombie and Fitch.

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That was the last year before the financial and housing markets drove their vehicles off a cliff. Well, incidentally, the housing market *might be* improving, too. Existing home sales were up 3.4% in April, and the median price (perhaps a better indicator of a recovering housing market) rose 10.1% from last April; this was the largest monthly price increase since January 2006.

People are buying cars and houses and shares of Facebook, and Mark Zuckerberg is wearing a tie (he was married earlier this week in his backyard to his college sweetheart).

All signs of economic improvement! Why don’t you go and drive your old, ratty beater off a cliff and use CarWoo! to get a new car on the cheap.

(Get out of the car before it goes over the cliff; don’t be like Lehman Brothers in 2008.)

So it caught my attention when I saw that Chrysler is recalling exactly 67,782 2010 Jeep Wranglers because they pose a fire risk. Here’s what’s causing the flammable situation:

All Wranglers with an automatic transmission have a transmission skid plate. The skid plate lies close to the catalytic converter, and this plate can collect debris. Since the plate is close to the converter and the debris collects down there, there’s a potential for the sucker to light up without warning. And once that happens…look out engine, fuel line, fabric seats and soft top.

The recall is voluntary, and Chrysler will replace the skid plate with a new skid bar, should you deem it necessary.

In kind of related news, one of the reason’s I’m home is for weddings out this way. On Friday, my lovely cousin was married, and her Justice of the Peace had a few great lines that need to be communicated to the reading public. He referred to the bride and groom as blankets for each other (a metaphor I disagree with), accidentally said “breast” when trying to say “blessing” (it came out as, “now I give this “breasti..uh, blessing”), and then remarked on how lovely it is entering “the pink cloud of love.”

You can’t make this stuff up.

Come on baby, light my Wrangler on fire. Or let CarWoo! light your car buying on fire. Click here to enter the great pink cloud of car love.

The storylines are endless and anything but predictable. But there is one thing we know for sure about next year’s Super holiday of consumption; General Motors WILL NOT be running any advertisements during the game. This isn’t the first time GM has declined advertising participation, as it took 2009 and 2010 off due to financial constraints stemming from the recession. Even with those two off-years, GM was the third leading Super Bowl advertiser between 2002 and 2011, behind Anheuser-Busch and Pepsi-Co, spending $83.0 million on ads. This year’s 30-second spots are expected to cost $3.8 million, up 10% from last year.

This announcement comes on the heels of GM’s decision to pull its advertising from Facebook, essentially unfriending the newly public company. GM is shifting its ad strategy to try and get more bang for its buck, despite the fact the total buck isn’t dropping; GM spent $4.7 BILLION on marketing last year, and the company expects to increase its budget this year.

Would it be wrong at this point to suggest to the NFL a home-and-home Super Bowl Series, with the big game coming to a rubber match at a neutral site if it comes to it? Think about the intrigue and advertising dollars of THAT.

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Dodge Avenger Trims and Feature Highlights

The Avenger is a 5 seat midsize sedan build to compete with the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord.  For 2012 Dodge offers the Avenger in base SE, SE V6, SXT, SXT Plus, and R/T trims.  SE and SXT trims are given a 172 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, while the SE V6, SXT Plus, and R/T trims are upgraded to a powerful 283 horsepower V6.  Additionally, R/T trims are given a sport tuned suspension for upgraded handling.  Avenger traits include the powerful V6 performance choice, strong safety ratings, a fresh interior with quality materials, and an economical price range- Avenger SE starts at just $18,995.  Many of the toys you expect in a new car are available inside Avenger, including Uconnect voice command infotainment, navigation, XM radio, and Bluetooth.

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Dodge Avenger Performance

All trims are front-wheel drive.  Avenger SE and SXE trims receive a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine that kicks out 172 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque.  Avenger SE 4-cylinders are paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and Avenger SXE models get a 6-speed auto.

Avenger SE V6, SXE Plus, and R/T trims are upgraded to a 3.6 liter V6 worth 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft.  Avenger SE V6 trims are given a 6-speed automatic, while Avenger SXE Plus and R/T models get a 6-speed auto with Autostick for manual shifting.

Dodge Avenger Fuel Economy

Avenger often gets downgraded due to its pedestrian 4-cylinder fuel numbers.  Avenger SE trims get 21/30/24 (city/highway/combined) MPG with the 4-speed transmission; the 6-speed Avenger SXE also receives 24 combined MPG by way of 20 city and 31 highway numbers.  V6 Avengers dip to 19/29/22.

Dodge Avenger Interior Highlights

Dodge updated Avenger’s interior materials for 2011, so you get a fresh, quality feel overall, with an uncomplicated ‘watch inspired’ dash layout and easy to use controls.  You’ll also get a pretty comfortable and quiet ride, though Avenger’s seats are a mixed bag.  While most agree that they’re comfortable, some say that space can be an issue for the longer legged.  You get 36.2” of rear legroom and 42.4” up front.  The Uconnect system- with 6.5” touchscreen display- comes in handy for those who are busy driving.

Cargo space can be another source of lament, as Avenger’s 13.5 cubic foot trunk falls short of many rivals’ 15 cubed versions.  Thankfully, the 60/40 split rear seats can fold to accommodate extra stuff.

Dodge Avenger Safety

2012 Avenger safety standards include 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability/traction control, and 2 row side curtain airbags.  While you don’t get much safety tech, Avenger excels in the ratings.  NHTSA crash testing gives 2012 Avenger 4/5 stars overall, by way of 4/5 across the board for frontal, side, and rollover damage, and the IIHS has made Avenger it a 2012 Top Safety Pick.

Dodge Avenger Summary

If the Avenger were to play a superhero, it’d probably be the average one that gets the least screen time.  That’s not to say it doesn’t have its strongpoints- safety, performance, and price among them- it’s just that there is more emphasis on the ‘super’ sedans out there.  Looks like Avenger will be playing the underdog role this time around, though if sales continue to rise, I’m sure Chrysler will gladly take the 2^nd lead.  Make the 2012 Avenger, or any member of the Dodge lineup, your ride by finding the perfect price.  It’s all possible at CarWoo!