The 100 Greatest Movie and TV Cars of All Time

Hollywood's Real Superstars

By John Pearley Huffman, Bumblebee | Published Oct 31, 2011

Our love of cars started right here. Movie and TV cars are literally the stuff of dreams. We're all let into theaters and plopped in front of the tube long before we're issued driver licenses.
Then we all dream of doing reverse 180s like Jim Rockford escaping thugs, or fleeing the po-po in a Shelby Mustang named Eleanor. We all want a best friend like KITT. And every orange Dodge Charger can fly, right?
These are the 100 movie and TV cars that built that passion.

100. The Monkees 1966 Pontiac GTO: Dean Jeffries turns a GTO into a massive T-Bucket with a blown engine. The TV show ran two seasons between 1966 and 1968.
99. Cannonball 1970 Pontiac Trans Am: Pure mayhem from the Death Race 2000 director. Based on the Cannonball race, it beat The Gumball Rally into theaters by a month in 1976.
98. Easy Rider Captain America Harley-Davidson: The ultimate biker road trip movie. Made in 1969. Made Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, and they're Harley's icons.
97. Get Smart's 1965 Sunbeam Tiger: The spy car for the spy who isn't James Bond. Driven for seasons one and two (1965-'67), then replaced by a VW Karmann Ghia.
96. Diamonds Are Forever 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1: James Bond rips Vegas apart in a great chase from 1971. Goes into an alley up on its right wheels, comes out on its left. So what.
95. The Saint 1962 Volvo P1800: From 1962-'69 Simon Templar (Roger Moore) showed up for no apparent reason in his white, British-built Volvo to help those in distress.
94. Days of Thunder 1990 #46 City Chevrolet Lumina: The movie that launched NASCAR's most successful decade. It was Cole Trickle's (Tom Cruise) Lumina that made good ol' boys cool.
93. Viva Las Vegas 1962 Elva Mk. VI: In Elvis Presley's best movie (released in 1964) he drove this lay-down, midengine Elva to victory in a wildly destructive race.
92. The Thomas Crown Affair 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500: Seen for a fleeting moment in this 1999 remake. A Shelby GT500 convertible modified for off-road work. One of a kind. Wicked.
91. The Prisoner 1967 Lotus 7 Series II: "Number Six" is seen driving this Lotus before his deportation to the island in Patrick McGoohan's 1967 British cult classic.

90. Scooby-Doo 1969 Mystery Machine Van: Without the Mystery Machine, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Scooby and Shaggy go nowhere. They've been going since 1969. That's 42 years.
89. Speed Racer 1966 Mach 5: The Mach 5 was the first truly awesome Japanese car. The 52 original episodes ran between 1966 and 1968. Over time, they've gotten no better.
88. Hooper 1978 Pontiac Trans Am: Unlike Burt's other Trans Am exploits, this Pontiac is red, rocket-propelled and drives under falling smokestacks. Car is cool, but the rocket car gorge jump is a joke.
87. Green Hornet 1966 Black Beauty Imperial: Dean Jeffries modified two Imperials as the Hornet's ride in this short-lived 1966 TV series. Perfect with Bruce Lee as the driver. Also the one thing the 2011 movie got right.
86. Columbo 1959 Peugeot 403 Convertible: The perfectly rumpled car for rumpled Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk). For 69 episodes from 1971 through 2003, this is what he drove.
85. Ghostbusters 1959 Cadillac Ecto-1: Who you gonna call in the 1984 film? The Ghostbusters showed up in this modified Miller-Meteor Futura ambulance.
84. The Munsters 1964 Munster Coach: George Barris' shop used three Model T bodies and a 289 Ford V8 to construct this for the TV series that ran from 1964-'66.
83. The Munsters 1965 Drag-U-La: Built at George Barris' shop by Korky Korkes, the coffin-based Drag-U-La first appeared in the 1965 episode "Hot Rod Herman."
82. Animal House 1964 Lincoln Continental Deathmobile: Flounder's brother's car in the 1978 classic comedy. Becomes the Deathmobile in the film's climax. Road trip!
81. Fireball 500 1966 Plymouth Barracuda: In this 1966 film, Frankie Avalon used this Barris custom to tow Richard Petty's stock car. It was a Popular AMT model kit.

80. Miami Vice 1986 Ferrari Testarossa: Ferrari didn't like the black Daytona replica the 1984-'89 NBC series was using, so it provided two white Testarossas for Season Three.
79. Against All Odds 1984 Porsche 911 SC: This car and a Ferrari 308 GTSi race on L.A.'s Sunset Boulevard in an underrated 1984 film. Stunt coordinator Gary Davis doubled Jeff Bridges.
78. Against All Odds 1984 Ferrari 308 GTSi: In this great race action, the legendary stunt driver Carey Loftin drove the Ferrari. He was 68 years old at the time.
77. 48 Hrs. 1964 Cadillac DeVille: This is the 1982 movie that made Eddie Murphy a star. But it's the ratty Caddy that Nick Nolte drove that everyone remembers.
76. Death Race 2000 1975 Shala-Vette: Dick Dean's VW-based kit twisted by Dean himself and Dean Jeffries for "Frankenstein." 1975's Death Race 2000 is the best Death Race.
75. Stingray 1965 Chevrolet Corvette: For two seasons (1985-'87) on NBC, if you needed help you called Nick Mancuso as "Ray" and he showed up in a black '65 Corvette Coupe.
74. Spenser: For Hire 1966 Ford Mustang GT: Underrated detective series ran for three seasons and four movies. Starred Robert Urich and a green fastback Mustang from 1985-'88.
73. Vega$ 1957 Ford Thunderbird: In this series Robert Urich played Dan Tanna, a Las Vegas detective who lived at the Desert Inn and drove a classic T-Bird from 1978-'81.
72. McQ 1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD455: One of the few cars John Wayne drove in a film. This green beast tours Seattle and is ultimately crushed in an alley.
71. Bad Boys 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6: Director Michael Bay used his own car as the lead vehicle in this 1995 movie. Wound up making Will Smith and Martin Lawrence movie stars.

70. Cars Lightning McQueen: Cars, released in 2006, isn't Pixar's best, but it has sold the most toys. Lightning McQueen is a cuddly version of a stock car.
69. Batman Begins 2005 Tumbler: The latest Batmobile is an amazing prop built for this 2005 film. Yes, it really drives even if it doesn't leap across buildings and rivers.
68. Laurel & Hardy 1908 Model T: The great movie duo practically invented the movie gag car with a series of Model Ts used in their films between 1919 and 1945.
67. Two-Lane Blacktop 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge: This 1971 movie doesn't make much sense if you think about it. So don't think and appreciate the classic Pontiac muscle driven by Warren Oates.
66. Tucker: The Man and His Dream 1948 Tucker Torpedo: Great 1988 Francis Ford Coppola movie all about cars. Fully 21 of the 47 surviving Torpedoes were used in filming.
65. Cobra 1950 Mercury: Eddie Paul reportedly built four '50 Mercs for this 1986 Sylvester Stallone movie. The movie is lousy, but the car is outstanding.
64. American Graffiti 1958 Chevrolet Impala: It's Steve's car, but it's Terry the Toad who gets this ride in George Lucas' 1973 film about one summer night in 1962.
63. Rain Man 1949 Buick Roadmaster: The three stars of this 1988 drama are Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and this big Buick convertible. Ten minutes to Wapner.
62. The Italian Job 1968 Mini Coopers: Britain's greatest heist involves stealing gold through a traffic jam under and over Turin, Italy. Michael Caine was at his peak in 1969.
61. Casino Royale 2007 Aston Martin DBS: Few gadgets, but James Bond's DBS (a redressed DB9) performs a spectacular seven barrel rolls meeting its demise in the 2006 film.

60. The Living Daylights 1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage: "Winterized" by Q into a hardtop, 007's Aston features missiles, skis and a rocket engine in the 1987 film.
59. Planes, Trains and Automobiles 1986 Chrysler Town & Country: The misery of travel exacerbated by renting a K-Car convertible in this 1987 film. It's eventually smashed between two semis and burns.
58. You Only Live Twice 1967 Toyota 2000GT Convertible: Not driven by Bond, but by Aki, a beautiful Japanese spy. Toyota never offered the 2000GT as a drop top. Two were made for the 1967 film.
57. Rebel Without a Cause 1949 Mercury: James Dean's ride in this 1955 drama of teen angst and delinquency. Released a month after Dean's death while driving a Porsche.
56. Miami Vice 1972 Ferrari Daytona Replica: It's a rebodied C3 Corvette. So what. This black car and Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" made the show a hit in 1984.
55. Transformers 1976 Chevrolet Camaro "Bumblebee": Sure, Bumblebee became a 2010 Camaro in this 2007 megahit. But really, he was better off as the clapped-out '76 on Cragars.
54. Christine 1958 Plymouth Fury: It's a Mopar, so of course it's evil. John Carpenter's 1983 film is rumored to have destroyed more than 20 '58 Plymouths depicting Christine.
53. White Lightning 1971 Ford LTD: The 1973 film that was the prototype for Smokey and the Bandit. A stripped LTD sedan with a 429, a bench seat and four-speed is always cool.
52. Fast Five 1969 Nissan Skyline GT-R: This gorgeous, worn-down car does nothing but drive through Rio and park. And with that alone, it steals the 2011 movie.
51. Iron Man 2008 Audi R8: Product placement or not, it's the perfect car for genius Tony Stark (Robert Downey) to drive in this huge 2008 superhero hit.

50. Simon & Simon 1979 Dodge Power Wagon: From 1981-'89, this red pickup was detective Rick Simon's intimidating ride. All dull paint and big bumper.
49. 2 Fast 2 Furious 1998 Nissan Skyline GT-R: Forgive the neon lighting; it was 2003. The R34 is the best 2F2F car. The on-screen R34s ran with disconnected front differentials for drifting.
48. Better Off Dead 1967 Camaro: In this 1985 John Cusack film, it was the black Camaro that spoke the international language of love.
47. Le Mans 1970 Porsche 911S: In Steve McQueen's 1971 racing epic, the Porsche his character drives in the film's opening scenes is this 911S. It recently sold for $1.37 million.
46. The Fast and the Furious 1993 Toyota Supra Turbo: It beats a Ferrari on PCH. Then chases a motorcycle. And is given away to Vin Diesel at the end of this 2001 film.
45. Hollywood Knights 1957 Chevrolet: Popular Hot Rodding's then supercharged "Project X" is driven by Tony Danza in this 1980 film. The always yellow '57 was recently rebuilt by GM Performance.
44. Thunder Road 1950 Ford: Robert Mitchum's 1958 moonshine drama features this hot-rodded '50. It runs from the Feds, who have a '57 Chevy that grabs bumpers.
43. Risky Business 1981 Porsche 928: Four 928s were used in filming and two more in post-production. The 1983 movie made Tom Cruise a star. Who's the U-boat commander?
42. The Blues Brothers 1974 Dodge Monaco: The 13 different Dodges that portrayed the "Bluesmobile" in this 1980 film were bought from the California Highway Patrol. Hit it!
41. Route 66 1961 Chevrolet Corvette: GM put Martin Milner and George Maharis (then Glenn Corbett) in a new 'Vette every year for this road adventure series between 1960 and 1964.

40. The Italian Job 1967 Lamborghini Miura: Reportedly, the Miura wrecked here was already destroyed before filming. That doesn't make its fate any less painful to watch.
39. Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry 1969 Dodge Charger: Sometimes a '68 or a '69 in this 1974 movie, the Charger's explosive fame came in the explosive credits for TV's The Fall Guy.
38. 77 Sunset Strip T-Bucket: "Kookie" (Edd Byrnes) drove a wild T-Bucket actually built by Norm Grabowski on this 1959-'64 series. It defined '60s hot-rodding.
37. Bullitt 1968 Dodge Charger: This Dodge chased Steve McQueen's Mustang through San Francisco in this 1968 cop drama. Bad guys have been driving Chargers in movies ever since.
36. Corvette Summer 1973 Corvette: Converted to right-hand drive and drowned in overstyled fiberglass. Mark Hamill spends this 1978 movie getting it back after it's stolen.
35. Gone in 60 Seconds 1973 Mustang Mach 1: Toby Halicki wrote, directed, starred in and was the stunt driver for this 1974 chase film. What everyone remembers is Eleanor the Mustang.
34. The Gumball Rally 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder: "The first rule of Italian driving," says Raul Julia as he rips off the real Daytona Spyder's rearview mirror. "What's behind me is not important."
33. The Gumball Rally 1966 Shelby Cobra 427: Two genuine Cobras were used in this 1976 comedy that remains the best movie made about transcontinental street racing.
32. The Godfather 1941 Lincoln Continental: Sonny Corleone dies in a hail of machine gun fire outside his special Lincoln. It's the best car in this all-time-great 1972 movie.
31. Vanishing Point 1970 Dodge Challenger: 440 and a pistol-grip four-speed. The cops chasing Kowalski in this 1971 film don't know his first name. A '67 Camaro doubles the Dodge in the explosive climax.

30. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1910 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Musical about a miraculous car based on an old Grand Prix racer. Has made car guys out of millions of kids since 1968.
29. Back to the Future 1981 DeLorean DMC-12: Doc Brown: "The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?" It is 1985's best movie.
28. American Graffiti 1955 Chevy 210: Bob Falfa's '55 challenges John Milner's self worth. It's the same '55 from Two-Lane Blacktop, painted black and with Harrison Ford driving.
27. Two-Lane Blacktop 1955 Chevy 210: Solid front axle, 454 with tunnel ram, glass nose and deck lid, Plexiglas side windows; it was nasty in 1971 and it's nasty now.
26. The A-Team 1983 GMC Van: Fugitive mercenaries hide in a van with a big red stripe. But on NBC between 1983 and 1987 it made perfect sense. At least it did if you were 12.
25. The Fall Guy 1982 GMC Sierra: Stuntman/bounty hunter Colt Seavers (Lee Majors) always had to jump his big GMC pickup. The ABC TV series destroyed dozens between 1981 and 1986.
24. Hardcastle and McCormick Coyote X: Originally a Manta Montage kit car, and later seasons used a rebodied DeLorean. Swung its tail around every corner in this 1983-'86 TV series.
23. Take This Job and Shove It 1974 Ford F-250 Bigfoot: The 1981 movie, starring Robert Hays, is forgotten. But Bigfoot's appearance made monster trucks a big deal.
22. The California Kid 1934 Ford Coupe: This 1974 TV movie made the '34 Three-Window built by Pete Chapouris one of the most famous hot rods of all time. It's still beautiful.
21. Magnum, P.I. 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS: Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) drove three different red 308 GTSs through eight seasons on this Hawaii-based detective show from 1980-'88. ROBIN1.

20. National Lampoon's Vacation 1983 Wagon Queen Family Truckster: Clark Griswold's indignities start when he doesn't get the Sport Wagon he ordered in this 1983 film. Wally World, here we come.
19. Le Mans 1970 Ferrari 512S: By Ferrari standards, it wasn't a successful racer. But it looked spectacular running alongside Porsche 917s in Steve McQueen's 1971 racing film.
18. Le Mans 1970 Porsche 917K: The greatest Porsche of them all, running full speed down the Mulsanne Straight with McQueen at the wheel. Then he destroys it in a spectacular wreck.
17. The Cannonball Run 1980 Lamborghini LP400S: A black Lambo with Adrienne Barbeau and Tara Buckman aboard? Wicked. The great Brock Yates wrote this 1981 movie.
16. The Fast and the Furious 1970 Dodge Charger: The iconic car from this movie series is so intimidating that Vin Diesel is scared to drive it in the original film.
15. Ronin 1998 Audi S8: In John Frankenheimer's 1998 chase film, it's this big green sedan that does most of the pushing in its best chase.
14. Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California: Yeah, the Ferrari in the 1986 movie was just a replica. But it's the first Ferrari many of us ever lusted after. You fellas have nothing to worry about. I'm a professional.
13. The Love Bug 1962 Volkswagen Beetle: A very good Disney movie that opened in 1968 and became the highest-grossing film of 1969. Herbie was a star from the start.
12. The Rockford Files 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit: P.I. Jim Rockford drove his tan coupe brilliantly between 1974 and 1980. He got a new one every year between 1974 and 1978. Made the reverse spin famous.
11. Starsky & Hutch 1975 Ford Gran Torino: The "striped tomato" may be the world's worst undercover cop car. But for four seasons on ABC from 1975-'79, it was awesome.

10. Batman 1955 Lincoln Futura Batmobile: George Barris' crew reworked and restyled an old Ford concept car into the great Batmobile for the campy 1966-'68 TV series. Turbines to speed.
9. Mad Max 1973 Ford XB Falcon: Australia's greatest export is George Miller's 1979 vision of a dystopian future, which includes the last of the V8 interceptors. Everyone wants a blower that can be turned on and off.
8. Gone in Sixty Seconds 1967 Shelby GT500: Steve Stanford designed this exaggerated GT500 "Eleanor" and it's been copied and copied ever since the 2000 movie hit.
7. Knight Rider 1982 Pontiac Trans Am: The Knight Industries Two Thousand (KITT) was a supercar that talked to David Hasselhoff for four seasons between 1982 and 1986. At least KITT didn't have to listen.
6. Bullitt 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390: Even before the legendary chase begins, it was dented and tough-looking. This Mustang has defined cool for more than 40 years.
5. American Graffiti 1932 Ford Coupe: When this movie appeared in 1973, street-rodding was almost dead. John Milner's yellow '32 five-window made it relevant again.
4. Smokey and the Bandit 1977 Pontiac Trans Am: 1977's second most popular film. But you couldn't buy a Millennium Falcon, and Pontiac dealers had plenty of T/As. Speedy car.
3. The Spy Who Loved Me 1977 Lotus Esprit: In this 1977 film, it's a Lotus that turns into a submarine. That's enough to make it the third greatest movie/TV car of all time.
2. Goldfinger 1963 Aston Martin DB5: The greatest James Bond car is fitted by Q with "modifications" for this 1964 movie. The standard against which all spy, movie and TV cars are judged. Last year it sold at auction for $4.6 million.
1. The Dukes of Hazzard 1969 Dodge Charger: More than 300 Chargers portrayed the General Lee during the series 145 episodes (1979-'86). Today it's the ultimate Hollywood star car. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaw.

The Best Used Cars For The Money

Jim Gorzelany, Contributor

Straight talk on how to maximize your automotive investment, and more.

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It’s never been more difficult for buyers to find a bargain in the used car market. Fortunately we’ve dug deep into the data to identify 11 worthy late-model cars and SUVs that are truly great deals.

According to the used-car valuation experts at Kelley Blue Book, the average value of a one- to three-year-old used vehicle has increased from $15,000 in 2008 to more than $23,000 in 2011, which amounts to an average boost of nearly 16 percent per year. This is causing an affordability problem among cash-strapped buyers who can’t otherwise afford a new car, which on average costs nearly $30,000 according to the industry research and forecasting company TrueCar.com.

“While the pace of used-car appreciation is likely to subside as supply, and ultimately sales, improve, shoppers in the market for a used car will continue to pay more, making it difficult to buy at a discount.” says Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.

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This situation can be blamed largely on the economist’s old friends, the forces of supply and demand. The industry is currently suffering from a diminished stock of used models on dealers’ lots, just as pent-up demand is bringing buyers back into the market. This lack of inventory is widely attributed to an extended period of slow new-car sales, which resulted in fewer trade-ins, combined with a rollback in new-car leasing between 2008-2010 that would have otherwise yielded two- and three-year-old used models coming off lease. What’s more, over 690,000 used cars – albeit older and less-desirable models – were taken out of the market by the so-called “cash for clunkers” program in 2009.

Analysts predict used car prices will finally begin tapering off, perhaps as early as year’s end, with healthier new-car sales – including those from Japanese automakers recovering from production disruptions because of the earthquake and tsunami in March – helping to refill the supply chain via trade-ins. “Used car prices at the end of the year will still be higher than last year, but not at the levels during the peak in May and June when prices jumped 25-30 percent higher,” says Jonathan Banks, a senior analyst with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide

But that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some advantageous deals to be found in the used-car market. The key here is to find the “best” late-model pre-owned vehicles that, for one reason or another, have lower-than-average resale prices.

Age, condition and mileage largely determine a car’s value in the resale market, but comparable models can still cost more or less than each other because of various market forces. According to Automotive Lease Guide, a vehicle’s value down the road can be affected by something as superficial as a particular make or model’s market perception. Cars initially sold with big cash rebates tend to take a greater hit in terms of depreciation, as do vehicles that have significant fleet sales, which ensures a steady flow of models into the resale market each year.

Click here for the gallery: The Best Used Cars For The Money.

Our list of Best Used Cars for the Money consists of vehicles from the 2008 model year that received average or above-average scores from the most recent J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study and boast average or below-average long-term ownership costs as reported by Intellichoice.com. Even so, they all suffer below-average resale values as estimated by Kelley Blue Book. Used-car values cited for comparison are based on dealers’ estimated retail prices for three-year-old models in excellent condition, equipped with a typical assortment of features and driven an average 46,500 miles. Actual transaction prices will vary according to a vehicle’s precise condition, exact mileage and a buyer’s negotiating skills.

One caveat: Even the sweetest used car deal can ultimately go sour if the vehicle’s been abused, has hidden damage or was improperly maintained. That’s why it’s always prudent to have a trusted mechanic carefully inspect any used car or truck under your consideration to get an impartial evaluation of its operating condition, especially if you’re buying it from a private party. Particularly in the wake of this year’s devastating floods, be sure to run a model’s vehicle identification number (VIN) through a title-search service like carfax.com to make sure it hasn’t been previously flood-damaged or salvaged and subsequently rebuilt.

2008 Ford Taurus: Ironically, while this accommodating full-size sedan enjoys a top ranking for reliability from J.D. Power & Associates, it’s saddled with poor resale value, which makes it an especially attractive choice as a used car. It comes nicely powered by a 263-horsepower V6 engine that’s mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. If you live in the Snow Belt, look for models equipped with the optional all-wheel-drive system for top traction. Otherwise, the car delivers a smooth ride with surprisingly lively handling. With an estimated retail price of $14,685-$20,370 for the 2008 version you’ll save quite a bit of money over a comparable Toyota Avalon at $20,200-$26,770.

2008 Hyundai Accent: Here’s another model that gets top rankings for reliability, but is saddled with rock-bottom resale values. With a retail price in excellent condition estimated at $9,580-$10,705, the subcompact Accent is a good deal compared to models like the Nissan Versa at a projected $11,580-$12,850 and the Honda Fit at $14,030-$15,550. Offered in a choice of sedan or hatchback body styles with only modest features, performance was not the 2008 Accent’s strong suit with only a 110-horsepower engine under the hood, but it boasts admirable fuel economy at 27-city/33-highway mpg.

2008 Buick LaCrosse: This large near-luxury car boasts top reliability with low long-term ownership costs and sells at bargain prices in the resale market. You’ll find the 2008 vintage with either a sufficient 200-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine or a more powerful 300-horsepower 5.3-liter V8. While the current model features snazzier styling, the 2008 model gives up nothing in terms of passenger comfort, with a buttery smooth ride. It retails for an estimated $14,765-$19,505, which edges out its closest competitor, the Chrysler 300, at $15,550-$22.865.

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Click here for the gallery: The Best Used Cars For The Money.

2008 Hyundai Elantra: While the previous generation Elantra compact sedan isn’t as expressively styled as the current model, it performs well in most respects and garners top scores for reliability after three years of ownership. A 138-horsepower four-cylinder engine is peppy enough, especially when mated to the standard five-speed manual transmission. The 2008 model is a decent deal with a projected retail price of $11,650-$13,600, versus an estimated $12,510-$16,780 for the class-leading Honda Civic.

2008 Cadillac DTS: They don’t make luxury cars like this any more (literally, as the DTS was discontinued at the end of the 2011 model year). The old-school DTS is big as a boat and emphasizes comfort above all else. A choice of 4.6-liter V8 engines delivers 275 or 292 horsepower, with the car receiving top reliability scores. Look for models equipped with what are still among the latest safety features, including lane-departure and blind-spot warning systems. At an estimated retail price of $22,300 (with little else in the market with which to compare it) it’s a classy ride at a bargain price.

2008 Mitsubishi Galant: The midsize Galant sedan performs admirably, with better-than-average reliability and uncluttered styling that remains fresh. You’ll find model-year 2008 Galants equipped with either a 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine or a smoother and more powerful 258-horsepower V6 in the top Ralliart model. The Toyota Camry might be more the popular choice, but a 2008 Galant is more affordable at an estimated retail price of $12,630-$18,255 versus $15,385-$20,440 for the Camry.

Click here for the gallery: The Best Used Cars For The Money.

2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer: This midsize truck-based SUV can tackle the toughest trails and tow a decent-sized boat or trailer when properly equipped, which are tasks few of today’s car-based crossovers can accomplish. There’s no shortage of power, with a range of V6 and V8 engines delivering from 285-390 horsepower. Mechanically equivalent to the GMC Envoy, both models were discontinued after the 2009 model year. The 2008 Trailblazer can be found on dealers’ lots in excellent condition for around $17,650-$26,165. Those instead seeking a 2008 Toyota 4Runner will be asked to pay a costlier $25,530-$32,605.

2008 Cadillac SRX: While the current generation of Cadillac’s luxury crossover SUV is smaller and more stylish, the 2008 version holds its own with solid performance from a choice of V6 and V8 engines at 255 and 320 horsepower, and sportier-than-average handling. Its roomy interior can seat up to seven passengers when found with the available third-row seat. With a projected retail price of $26,300-$28,035 you’ll keep a couple thousand dollars in your pocket by choosing a 2008 SRX instead of the Lexus RX350 at $28,500-$30,000.

2008 Dodge Durango: While large truck-based SUVs have largely fallen out of favor, those with a purposeful need for a roomy vehicle with stalwart towing abilities will find the 2008 Dodge Durango to be a godsend. You’ll find dealers asking around $14,685-$23,970 for a three-year-old model in excellent condition versus a projected $24,835-$34,805 for a Chevrolet Tahoe. The Durango’s base 3.7-liter V6 is barely adequate at 210 horsepower; it’s better equipped with either of the available V8s at 303 and 335 horses. This generation ran through the end of the 2009 model year with a similar version sold as the Chrysler Aspen.

2008 Chevrolet Equinox: This pleasant compact SUV is not only capable, coming powered by either a 3.4-liter V6 engine at 185 horsepower or a 3.6-liter V6 with 264 horses, it’s comfortable, with a back seat that can slide fore or aft to maximize legroom or cargo space. A similar model was sold as the Pontiac Torrent. It’s a better deal than the import competition, with an estimated retail price of $17,050-$22,805 for a 2008 model versus around $18,785-$23,635 for a similar Toyota RAV4

2008 Hyundai Sonata: While Hyundai is at the top of its game right now with the current-generation Sonata, there’s still a lot to like about the previous generation of this midsize sedan, particularly if you find one with the smooth and powerful 234-horsepower 3.3-lityer V6 engine. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a sufficient 162 horses was otherwise standard with the 2008 model. You’ll find it packed with features at an affordable price, which is pegged at about $13,115-$16,635 at retail in excellent condition. By contrast, dealers will ask a steeper $17,975-$19,635 for a 2008 Nissan Altima.

Click here for the gallery: The Best Used Cars For The Money.

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10 images Photos: 10 Used Cars to Avoid

10 images Photos: Top 10 Most Brand-Loyal Cars

10 images Photos: Most Successful Cars For 2011

Jim Gorzelany is author of the Automotive Intelligentsia 2011-2012 Sports Car Guide, available at Amazon [link), Barnes & Noble [link] and the Apple iBooks Store.

10 Steps to Finding the Right Car for You

Edmund.com's Buying Tips
By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor

Step 1: What kind of car do you need?
If you examine your needs rather than wants, you will quickly discover what the right car is for you. In too many cases people choose a car for its styling or because it is a trendy favorite. Let your needs, not your wants, drive your decision.

Step 2: How much can you afford?
Regardless of whether you decide to buy or lease your next car, establishing a realistic monthly payment that fits into your budget is crucial. How much should this be? A rule of thumb is your total monthly car payments shouldn't exceed 20 percent of your monthly take-home pay.

Step 3: Should you lease or buy your next car?
A lease requires little or no money up front and offers lower monthly payments. But when the lease ends, you are left without a car and will need to replace it. Buying a car is more expensive initially and the monthly payments are higher. But at the end of the loan, you will own a car you can still drive or sell.

Advantages of Leasing	Advantages of Buying
You can drive a more expensive car for less money. You can drive a new car every few years. There are no trade-in hassles at the end of the lease.	When interest rates are low, is better to own a car rather than lease it. There are no unexpected mileage penalties for increased driving. There's more flexibility — you can sell the car whenever you want.

Step 4: Have you considered all vehicles in that class?
In today's crowded automotive marketplace, many consumers have difficulty keeping up with all of the vehicles available.

Step 5: Have you considered all of the costs of ownership?
Even if two cars cost about the same to buy, one can depreciate at a different rate or cost significantly more to insure or maintain. Before you commit to one car, you should estimate the long-term ownership costs of the vehicle you are considering. These include depreciation, insurance, maintenance and fuel costs

Step 6: Research options.
In the past, car buyers have been trained to visit local dealerships to find the car they want. In the Internet age, this is a waste of time and money. You can quickly cover more ground by shopping online. The only things you have to do in person are test-driving the car and sign the contract. And in some cases, you can even have the car delivered to you by the salesperson.

Step 7: Schedule an appointment for a test drive.
It's a good idea to make your initial contact with a dealership by phone or e-mail before going there in person. This can give you a sense of the sales style you will be dealing with throughout the buying process. Call the Internet department (sometimes called the fleet department) and ask if the car you're looking for - in the right color and trim level - is actually on the lot.

Step 8: How to test drive a car.
The test-drive should replicate the conditions the car will be used in after you buy it. If you commute, drive the car in both stop-and-go traffic and at freeway speeds. Drive over bumps, take tight corners and test the brakes in a safe location. In short, ask yourself if you can live with this car for a number of years.

Step 9: After the test drive.
After the test-drive, you should leave the car lot. Why? You will probably need to drive other types of cars at other dealerships. It's a good idea to do your entire test-driving in one morning or afternoon. Driving the cars back-to-back will help you uncover differences that will lead to an educated purchase decision.

Step 10: Getting ready for the buying cycle.
At this point you should have considered all the cars in the class that interest you. You should have a good idea what you can afford. You should know if you want to buy or lease your next car. You should have test-driven your top choices.

Study Shows When Teen Drivers Most Likely to Crash

(AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)

The facts are well known: teenagers have the highest crash rate of any age group in the United States, and the most dangerous time is when they drive on their own after being licensed.

But there has been little research conducted as they transition from supervised to unsupervised driving, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and educational organization.

The foundation released two new studies on Friday in conjunction with National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22) that provide insight into teenage driving behavior and their crashes during this critical period.

Teen drivers are about 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of unsupervised driving than they are after a full year of experience driving on their own, and they are nearly twice as likely to crash in their first month as they are after two full years of experience, according to Measuring Changes in Teenage Driver Crash Characteristics During the Early Months of Driving.

“We know that young drivers’ crash rates decrease quickly as they gain experience,” Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the foundation, said in a statement. What the study tells us, he said, “is that there are a few specific abilities that we could do a better job of helping teens develop before they begin driving independently.”

Researchers analyzed the crashes of new drivers in North Carolina and found three common mistakes: failure to reduce speed, inattention, and failure to yield. These three behaviors accounted for 57 percent of all the crashes in which teens were at least partially responsible during their first month of licensed driving. Additionally, when researchers looked at specific types of crashes in relation to how long the driver had been licensed, they found that some types of crashes occurred at relatively high rates at first then declined quickly with experience. Crash types that declined more slowly appeared to result not from lack of understanding, but from failure to master certain driving skills.

A second report, Transition to Unsupervised Driving, studied 38 families with teenage drivers in North Carolina by collecting data using in-vehicle cameras. A total of nearly 6,000 video clips were analyzed. The study followed the teens during the first six months of licensed driving without their parents in the car. (An earlier phase of the study collected data from cameras during the period when the teens were learning to drive under their parents’ supervision.)

While the vast majority of driving caught on camera was uneventful and only a small number of deliberate risk-taking behaviors were observed, the study did reflect that the teens’ behavior shifted when their parents were not present. For example, the vast majority of “close calls” involved judgment errors that seemed to indicate inexperience and failure to anticipate changes in the traffic environment.

“This research serves as a great reminder for parents to stay involved in the learning process even after the law allows teens to drive without a parent in the car,” Kissinger added.

The Foundation commissioned the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center to conduct both studies.

For more information and to view the video footage and the two reports, visit: www.AAAFoundation.org

Tanya Mohn, Contributor

I write about travel and road safety

Buying a Car Online? Be aware of scams...

Buying a Car Online?
Read This First

08/15/11
 
You can buy almost anything over the Internet—including clothes, a pizza, music, a hotel room, even a car. And while most transactions are conducted lawfully and securely, there are instances when criminals insert themselves into the marketplace, hoping to trick potential victims into falling for one of their scams.
Today, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued an alert about a specific type of cyber scam that targets consumers looking to buy vehicles online.
How the scam works. While there are variations, here’s a basic description: consumers find a vehicle they like—often at a below-market price—on a legitimate website. The buyer contacts the seller, usually through an e-mail address in the ad, to indicate their interest. The seller responds via e-mail, often with a hard-luck story about why they want to sell the vehicle and at such a good price.
In the e-mail, the seller asks the buyer to move the transaction to the website of another online company….for security reasons….and then offers a buyer protection plan in the name of a major Internet company (e.g., eBay). Through the new website, the buyer receives an invoice and is instructed to wire the funds for the vehicle to an account somewhere. In a new twist, sometimes the criminals pose as company representatives in a live chat to answer questions from buyers.
Once the funds are wired, the buyer may be asked by the seller to fax a receipt to show that the transaction has taken place. And then the seller and buyer agree upon a time for the delivery of the vehicle.
What actually happens: The ad the consumer sees is either completely phony or was hijacked from another website. The buyer is asked to move from a legitimate website to a spoofed website, where it’s easier for the criminal to conduct business. The buyer protection plan offered as part of the deal is bogus. And the buyer is asked to fax the seller proof of the transaction so the crooks know when the funds are available for stealing.  
And by the time buyers realize they’ve been scammed, the criminals—and the money—are long gone.
Red flags for consumers:

• Cars are advertised at too-good-to-be true prices;
• Sellers want to move transactions from the original website to another site;
• Sellers claim that a buyer protection program offered by a major Internet company covers an auto transaction conducted outside that company’s website;
• Sellers refuse to meet in person or allow potential buyers to inspect the car ahead of time;
• Sellers who say they want to sell the car because they’re in the U.S. military about to be deployed, are moving, the car belonged to someone who recently died, or a similar story;
• Sellers who ask for funds to be wired ahead of time.

Number of complaints. From 2008 through 2010, IC3 has received nearly 14,000 complaints from consumers who have been victimized, or at least targeted, by these scams. Of the victims who actually lost money, the total dollar amount is staggering: nearly $44.5 million.
If you think you’ve been victimized by an online auto scam, file a complaint with IC3. Once complaints are received and analyzed, IC3 forwards them as appropriate to a local, state, or federal law enforcement agency.  
Resources:
- Press release
- Internet Crime Complaint Center 

The ten weirdest road signs

Top 10 Movie Cars of All Time

By Ben Stewart | Popular Mechanics

When a vehicle eclipses the flesh-and-bone actors and becomes the superstar of a film—that's when it's a great movie car. There are dozens of memorable cars in film, but to crack the top 10, a vehicle must influence a generation, inspire car culture, and become the stuff of every kid's dreams. These are our favorites, in no particular order.

1964 Aston Martin DB5, Goldfinger
James Bond's legacy of famous cars and far-out gadgets can be traced back from one car — the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 007 driven in Goldfinger and Thunderball. Without any Bond spy modifications, the Aston Martin DB5 is a work of art. But it's the special effects that have made this car quite possibly the most beloved movie car of all time. The long list of cool tricks included ram bumper, machine guns, ejector seat, smoke screen, oil-slick sprayer and more. Looking back on the Aston from today's perspective, the most interesting feature may be the map screen in Bond's car, which foreshadowed today's navigation systems.

So just how influential and significant is the original Bond car? One of the few Astons used in those movies sold last year for a whopping $4.6 million.

Batmobile/Tumbler, Batman Begins
Like Bond cars, Batmobiles, in all their permutations, have transcended generations and remain cool. But the tough, militaristic Batmobile Tumbler that has appeared in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight is the most visually and technically significant Batmobile since the George Barris-designed 1960s version. A beefy 350-cid Chevy V-8 powers the tank-like Tumbler to 60 mph in around 5 seconds, even with 37-inch off-road tires, according to the filmmakers. The front tires are mounted to an independent front suspension with around 30 inches of suspension travel. And the body is said to be made of more then 65 carbon-fiber panels.

What makes the Tumbler cooler than most movie props these days is, simply, that it's a real thing, not a computer-animated fantasy. We certainly dig that.

1977 Pontiac Trans Am, Smokey and the Bandit
When Smokey and the Bandit director Hal Needham, chose a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am to star in his movie alongside Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, he couldn't have predicted the impact that car would have on America.

The Trans Am actually looked more or less the same for more than a half decade before the film debuted. But that didn't matter. When audiences saw that Trans Am slide around corners, leap over broken bridges and evade Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) for hundreds of miles, they wanted a black and gold T/A in their garage. After the movie debuted, sales leapt by about 30,000 cars from 1977 to 1978 and by another 24,000 for 1979. Americans went nuts for the Starlight Black Special Edition paint job, the T-Top roof, and the fact that the car was quicker and better handling than the Corvette of the same generation. It was probably a combination of all three — plus a heaping dollop of Burt's star appeal — that made the Trans Am a legend.



1976 Lotus Esprit Series I, The Spy Who Loved Me
One more Bond car, because it's a classic.
By the 1970s the voluptuous shapes of sports cars from the 1950s and1960s gave way to distinctive and futuristic wedge designs. Pointy cars like the Lancia Stratos and Lamborghini Countach changed the automotive landscape. But neither one of them were ever driven by James Bond.

In The Spy Who Loved Me, the secret agent drove the white Series I Lotus Esprit hard. Yet the moment that sticks in everyone's mind is when the car transforms into a submarine after Bond jumps the car into the water. The Lotus sprouts stabilizer fins and props, and later, it drives up onto the beach as it morphs back into a car — with beachgoers staring slack-jawed.

'32 Ford Coupe, American Graffiti
A few years before Star Wars, George Lucas shot American Graffiti, a reflection of his memories of the car culture in California in the 1960s. Besides a cast that included future mega-stars such as Ron Howard, Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfus, the movie had some great hot rods. But only one has become the most recognized Deuce Coupe in the world.

The brash Canary yellow '32 Ford highboy is powered by a Chevy 327 V8, and sits a little tall in the rear for some seriously cool rake. The climatic drag race on Paradise Road pits Paul Le Mat (John Milner) in the '32 Ford against an equally tough-looking '55 Chevy driven by Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford). The '32 Ford smokes the Chevy off the line, and halfway down the road the Chevy flies off the road, flips and blows. It's an amazing special effects scene, but in reality the same '55 Chevys in this movie would appear (painted flat gray) in another car movie classic, Two Lane Blacktop.





1981 DeLorean DMC-12, Back to the Future
Visually, John DeLorean's DMC-12 was a stainless steel stunner designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro. Under the hood, though the DeLorean wasn't quite the supercar that flashy bodywork promised, carrying a pokey 130-hp 2.9-liter V6. No matter. Its futuristic looks combined with a bit of movie magic gave the DeLorean legendary status, and because it was a time machine in the film, the real-life specs didn't really matter, with one exception: Reportedly, the prop staff replaced that sluggish V6 with a V8 from the Porsche 928, which went a long way toward helping Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) hit 88 mph, fire up the Flux Capacitor and shoot back to 1955.

Despite its movie celebrity, the DeLorean flopped on the market in the 1980s. But the car's unique, retro-futurist design has earned it a cult following today. There's even a new DeLorean Motor Company restoring and improving the cars.



1968 Mustang GT 390, Bullitt

Any vehicle driven, ridden or even stood next to by Steve McQueen was instantly made cooler. But the Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 didn't need much help. The movie's chase scenes on the streets of San Francisco, tailing a 1968 Dodge Charger, are some of the best ever recorded on film. And the stripped-down look of the movie Mustangs made them subtly meaner-looking than regular production 'Stangs. The original magnesium American Racing Torque Thrust wheels give McQueen's car its aggressive stance.

You know that a car has transcended its cult movie status and become an icon when a car company makes a limited edition version twice, as Ford has with the Bullitt Mustang.



1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, Vanishing Point

The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T — especially the Hemi model — was one of the most impressive pony cars to come out of the muscle boom of the late 1960s and early 1970s. And its reputation was cemented with the film Vanishing Point (though the R/Ts in the film were 440-powered). The plot is simple: Kowalski (Barry Newman) bets that he can drive from Denver to San Francisco in less than 15 hours (which would require an average speed of over 80 mph). As you can imagine, there are plenty of great stunts, which were put together by the same team that worked on Bullitt. Kowalski dusts off a Jaguar XKE, launches the Challenger over a gully and does all kinds of other crazy driving.

However, there is one glaring error: In the final crash that destroys the car, the filmmakers used a '67 Camaro rather than a Challenger. In 1997 the movie was remade as a TV movie, starring Viggo Mortensen (clip shown below)



1973 XB GT Ford Falcon, Mad Max

When it comes to cars, Australians are historically just as power-hungry as Americans. So in the 1960s and 1970s, the Australian arms of American car companies created some fairly brutal muscle machines—cars we never saw in the States.

One of them was the Ford Falcon. In its third generation, the Falcon XB GT got its power from a 351-cid V8. But for the movie Mad Max, the filmmakers transformed the already cool Falcon into the "Pursuit Special" or "Interceptor." The crew plastered a new nose on the front end, emblazoned the body with huge flares and tucked seriously fat tires underneath them. The centerpiece was under the hood—or, more precisely, sticking out of it. In the movie, the switch-activated supercharger boosts the power of the interceptor any time Max needed to skedaddle. But, alas, it was only a movie and that supercharger was a fake.



1970 Dodge Charger, The Fast and the Furious

The classic 1968–70 Dodge Charger is a TV and movie superstar. The most famous of all was the '69 Charger "General Lee" from the The Dukes of Hazzard TV show. Another Charger starred in the 1970s cult hit Dirty Mary Crazy Larry. But in 2000, the venerable Charger took to the screen again, this time built as a menacing black street racing machine for Vin Diesel. With a wicked stance, giant rear tires and a humongous engine and supercharger sticking out of the hood, the Charger was insanely cool.

It was the climactic action scene of the movie that made this car so memorable. As Vin Diesel's character Dominic lines up against Paul Walker's character, who's driving a Supra, he floors the throttle and the Charger does a sick wheelstand and burnout at the same time. Movie magic for sure, but still fun to watch. Later in that same race, the two cars jump a set of train tracks just as a locomotive passes, and a heartbeat later Diesel flips the Charger in a spectacular finish to the chase scene.