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IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

The monthly eZine of Tuttle Click Automotive Group
 
  
Volume III, Issue I, February 2010
What's in a Name?

Ever wonder how your vehicle got its name?  Ever stopped to think what you would name a new model if you worked for a major manufacturer?  Steve Lyon, President of Ford Motor Company, says naming a new model is "harder than naming your children." 

Here are some interesting name meanings and rules destined to help you impress friends at a cocktail party or win a round of Trivial Pursuit:
  • Alphanumeric model names are used to make the consumer focus on the brand rather than the nameplate, and are usually preferred by higher-end makes.  Generally, models with an X in their name are crossovers or SUVs (think Mazda CX9, Lincoln MKX).  Sometimes the numbers have meaning, like the fuel injection (Infiniti QX56 boasts a 5.6 liter engine).
  • Manufacturers often use foreign flare in their names.  Carrera means "race" in Spanish.  Hyundai's Tiburon is also Spanish, meaning "shark."  Prius is Latin for "to go before," which is fitting for Toyota's first mass market hybrid. 
  • Animals are another trend in naming vehicles.  Cougar, Mustang, Impala, Rabbit, Ram, Beetle, Viper, Cobra, and Pinto are all names borrowed from the animal kingdom.
  • Retro names often make a comeback.  In hopes of invoking consumer nostalgia, manufacturers sometimes reach into their past to reuse names of their most popular models, like Charger, Challenger, Taurus, and Camaro.
  • Some manufacturers have tried to class up their vehicles with a fancy name alone:  Dodge Diplomat, Pontiac Parisienne, and Chevrolet Celebrity.
  •  Because most of the English dictionary is off limits due to trademarks, some brands get creative and go with a neologism (a newly-coined, made-up name).  Some examples are Elantra, Alero, Optima, and Tiguan.
  • Creative spelling is sometimes used to capture attention, such as Chevy's Luv truck, the Kia Forte Koup, and Pontiac's Aztek.

Trade In or Sell?


When it's time for a new vehicle, what do you do with your old one?  Post it on Craigslist?  Trade it in at the dealer?  Sell it to a friend?  Here is some helpful advice.



Trading in is about convenience-there are no advertisements to place, no test drives to arrange, and no legal battles to fight if your recently-sold car breaks down.  The dealer assesses the condition of your car, its age, and other factors and determines its trade-in value which is generally a little lower than the amount you could sell the car for yourself in a private-party sale.  However, by trading in you avoid significant headaches. You save time, effort and potential post-sale problems.  As Donna Reichle of the NADA explained, "If you sell your car yourself you are basically making yourself available to the buyer. When you trade in your car to a dealer you absolve yourself of liability."  

Trading-in may also offer a tax advantage if you are buying a vehicle at the same time. In most states outside of California, when your car is taken in trade you only pay sales tax on the difference in cost between its trade-in value and the price of the new car. For example, if a dealer gives you $10,000 on your trade-in and the purchase price of the car you are buying is $25,000, you'll only be required to pay sales tax on the $15,000 difference between the two amounts. This benefit can help narrow the difference between trade-in value and private party price.

Selling a car on your own usually means that you will get top dollar, and it may be your only option if you are buying your next vehicle through a private-party sale. But be aware of the work involved! Preparing your vehicle for sale will take time, and depending on its condition may also cost you some money. Honestly assess the car's needs, and then decide how much you want to spend on minor repairs, always remembering the liability involved with a private-party sale. Be sure to fix things well enough to avoid running into possible legal troubles farther down the road.  Remember to always disclose major repairs and any past accidents to potential buyers. 

Find your trade-in and private party resale value at Kelly Blue Book.
Get vehicle history reports at Carfax.
Shop online for your next car at Tuttle-Click.
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