Wheels

Racing Leagues

NASCAR

Busch Series

Indy Car

Formula One

CBS4 Car of the Week

This week, we turn the spotlight on a car not destined to be released for at least another year, the Chevrolet Volt.

The Volt is being built as a mass production car that drivers will be able to plug into any 110-volt plug at home to charge the engine. After being fully charged, the car will be capable of running 40 miles a day without using any gas at all. For a longer trip, different systems will kick in and allow the driver to have a range of approximately 640 miles.

Chevrolet claims the car will save a driver approximately 500 gallons per year, which at the current rate of gas being $4 per gallon, translates to a $2,000 savings per year on gas. On the other hand, GM hasn't said how much cost will be added to a monthly utility bill for charging the car.

So the big question, how much will it cost? The answer as of June 2008 is we simply don't know. Chevrolet wants to keep the price to around $30,000 which depending on the performance of the car, might not be a bad price. However, most auto news magazines and websites believe the $30,000 price will only be seen if major tax breaks are given towards the purchase of the vehicle.

As of June '08, the car is slated to be released as a part of the 2010 model line.

Car Blogs

Autoblog

Autoblog Green

Jalopnik

Car Talk

The Truth About Cars

Motorcycle Blogs

Bikers, we didn't want to leave you out. Here are links to popular motorcycle blogs from around the country for you to check out before you go for a ride.

 Why Bike Blog of Blogs
 Helmet Hair
 Bikes in the Fast Lane
 Motorcycle Bloggers
 The Kneeslider

Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins

The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration, or NHTSA, is the government agency charged with keeping drivers safe. NHTSA will often issue recalls when a car has been deemed to be unsafe due to certain conditions. Follow the links below for more information about recalls from NHTSA.

 Office of Defects Investigation (Recalls)

Technical service bulletins, or TSB's, differ from recalls because they are not considered safety or emissions issue. Plus, they typically only apply to a vehicle that is still under warranty, unlike recalls which remain open until the work is performed. The TSB will typically address a recurring problem and include instructions for repair, a list of the parts needed, the warranty status and the labor charge.

 Office of Defects Investigation (Technical Service Bulletins)

Used Car Shopping

Carfax

NADA

Kelley Blue Book

So you've decided against going for the new car and instead want to find a used car that will fit your needs. Before you purchase that used car though, you need to check into some important information.

First, you need to check and see if the car has ever been wrecked or had any kind of damage. You should check into Carfax. If you're buying a used car from a dealer, ask them to provide you the free Carfax report, or if you're buying from a private seller, you can got to carfax.com and check out the vehicle's history. You will have to have the Vehicle Identification Number to get a Carfax report.

After getting the car history, it's time to negotiate the price of the vehicle. There are two sources that most dealers and private sellers utilize. The first is: NADA. This site allows you to search your vehicle's retail prices and is usually used by private sellers as a starting point for pricing. The second site is: Kelley Blue Book. KBB is used by dealers and will allow you to match up the price of the vehicle with the actual value of the vehicle.

Florida Lemon Law

Having a problem with your car that you can't seem to get your dealer to fix? It may mean that your car is a lemon and you have rights if it is.

The Florida Lemon Law covers defects or conditions that substantially impair the use, value or safety of a new or demonstrator vehicles. You must report the defects within the first 24 months after you receive your car.

To qualify, the vehicle must have been brought to a service agent for repair of the same problem at least three times, or, the vehicle is in and out of the authorized repair shop for repair of one of more different problems for 15 or more consecutive days.

 Click here for more information about how the Florida Lemon Law works.