The most expensive cars to insure in 2014

Auto News | By Jeffrey Steele, Insure.com

We know that fast, sporty, high-performance vehicles cost more to insure, but we often buy them anyway.

No one buys an expensive sports car for a leisurely Sunday drive after church. They're built to travel in a blur, which is often the precursor to crumpling sheet metal. Their awe-inspiring speed is matched only by their gasp-inducing insurance rates.

Insure.com's annual rankings of the most expensive vehicles for insurance are always powered by offerings from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar. (See the 2014 rankings for the least expensive cars to insure and car insurance rates by state.)

This year's list is topped by a beast whose nickname derives from a 1950s-era horror flick, "Godzilla." What could be more blood-curdling than owning a car with the most expensive insurance rates in the 2014 model year? It may be that shelling out well in excess of $100,000 for a car blinds many to the insurance premiums.

This year's rankings have "a lot of vehicles that are just the opposite of a family car," says Mark Takahashi, auto editor for Santa Monica, Calif.-based Edmunds.com. "They're for wealthy people who like to go fast. They're aspirational and firmly rooted in entertainment. And all of them are insanely fun."

The problem with insane fun is that many drivers get into trouble fast, says Takahashi.

For instance, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, at No. 4, "is a tricky car to drive. It comes with a lot of electronic driving aids, such as electronic stability control and traction control. But if the driver is overconfident and turns off those features, bad things can happen very quickly and significantly. That's because the car is very fast, and performance cars on the whole are designed to be a little twitchy and very responsive."

Edmunds had a Mercedes SLS AMG in its fleet for months and Takahashi drove it many times. A veteran of racing school, he never felt confident enough to turn off the safety features. "It's very rewarding, and made me feel like a million bucks," he says. "But I didn't want to be the one to bend that car."

The No. 1 most costly vehicle to insure is so flat-out over the top that its nickname is Godzilla. The $115,000 Nissan GT-R Track Edition has all-wheel-drive, twin turbochargers that help its V-6 engine develop 545 horsepower, massive brakes, a trick dual-clutch automated manual transmission and an array of electronics to customize steering, suspension and brake settings.

Takahashi calls the Nissan GT-R "an affordable supercar." The GT-R was developed for people who desire an exceptionally high level of performance, and who might be taking it out on the race track now and again. "It was developed for the race track," Takahashi says. "And while it's not as tricky as the Mercedes SLS, because it has so many features working constantly to keep it on the road, it is blindingly fast."

The most expensive cars to insure in 20143. Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic AWD
Try 190 to 200 mph. At those speeds, drivers without racing school experience are in over their heads, he says.

John Pearley Huffman, who writes on autos for Car & Driver and the New York Times, has also driven Godzilla. "It's an extremely specialized car," he says, that's "sold in extremely small numbers and goes to a dedicated cadre of enthusiasts."

Huffman also says "it's flat-out brilliant to drive."

Ron Henderson is a GT-R owner in Texas. He says because Godzilla is "very easy to drive" it can inspire confidence as a driver pushes the car to its limits, which may be why so many are wrecked.

"The GT-R is a very quick car, even without any modifications, and despite the electronic aids and all-wheel drive, any car can be pushed too far."

"I believe that given the combination of a novice driver and the ease with which the GT-R can be pushed hard, you can end up with a novice driver who has no idea how to recover from what was an inevitable mistake," Henderson says.

Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book in Irvine, Calif., says sales of high-performance cars are heavily weighted toward a male demographic that savors aggressive driving on the street, racetrack and often both. Cars like the GT-R Track Edition represent the ultimate in mechanical capability.

"Because these vehicles are equipped with advanced drive trains and exotic exterior shapes, they cost much more to repair after things go wrong," he says.

That is, if they can be repaired.

Takahashi notes that carbon fiber is used in some of the car's body panels. The components are "lightweight and strong for their intended purpose, but they're designed to shatter on impact," he reports. "You can't repair them; you just have to replace them."

Henderson agrees the GT-R is a complex, costly car with exotic materials and compact packaging throughout. Combine carbon fiber undertrays and subframe components, low front-mounted intercoolers and aluminum body panels, and "fender-benders" don't exist in a GT-R.

"Even a minor accident could easily cost tens of thousands to repair," Henderson says. "If it is repairable at all."

Don't forget the GT-R's speed, Huffman says. This is a car that goes from zero to 60 in three seconds.

"It's a fantastic car and I believe it to be an easy-to-handle car," Huffman says. "But the consequences of screwing up at 150 mph are radically different than screwing up at 50 mph."

Maybe the GT-R is still an insurance bargain at No. 1.

Takahashi, for instance, feels if a buyer has the money to buy a GT-R or other cars on the "most costly" rankings, they shouldn't have a problem with $4,000 to $6,000 for insurance.

"Sports cars and exotics are bought because they're raucous and fun," he observes. "It takes a level of affluence and skill to own and drive one of these. But as for their insurance being too expensive, I don't think it is, based on the expense of the cars themselves."

Methodology: Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to provide average auto insurance rates for 2014 models. Averages were calculated using data from six large carriers (Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm) in 10 ZIP codes per state. Not all models were available, especially exotic cars. More than 850 models are included in the 2014 study. Averages are based on full coverage for a single 40-year-old male who commutes 12 miles to work each day, with policy limits of 100/300/50 ($100,000 for injury liability for one person, $300,000 for all injuries and $50,000 for property damage in an accident) and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage. This hypothetical driver has a clean record and good credit. The rate includes uninsured motorist coverage. Average rates are for comparative purposes. Your own rate will depend on personal factors.

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10 tips for buying a car in 2014

| By Tara Baukus Mello, Bankrate.com

A purchase this big usually doesn't come without a lot of planning beforehand. Make sure you know how to pull off a successful car purchase.

If you're thinking about buying a car this year, start planning and budgeting now. Car buying is costly -- typically the second most expensive purchase that most Americans make after their homes. To avoid making a bad decision, follow these 10 tips for car buying in 2014.

Having your eye on a specific car is no help if you can't afford it. Allocating no more than 20 percent of your monthly household income for all the cars in your household is a good rule of thumb for car buying. This figure should include not only the monthly car loan payment, but all the costs to operate them, including gasoline costs and car insurance. Use Bankrate's home budget calculator to help you determine your monthly bills and necessary savings.

Used cars have been in high demand for several years now, making prices higher overall, while there is a wider array than ever of inexpensive new cars.

As a result, you may want to consider new and used cars that fit within your budget. There are trade-offs with each. Buying used means you can get a more expensive car for your money, but the trade-offs include not knowing the car's history, a shorter warranty period during your ownership and higher interest rates.

Buying a new car means you'll get less car features for the same money, but you get the benefit of the full warranty as well as often free maintenance and roadside assistance, not to mention lower interest rates.

Take that list of cars you've noticed while driving around town or at your local auto show and start researching them online. Visit the automaker websites and independent automotive information sites to assess the car's features that are important to you and get an idea of inventory available in your area.

Don't forget to note the manufacturers' suggested retail prices and invoice prices when car buying. Choose cars that are at least 5 percent less than your monthly budget to give yourself some room to cover costs such as fuel, insurance, repairs and maintenance. Create a traditional paper or electronic file for your research, but don't rush off to the dealership for a test drive yet.

Once you have a handful of cars in mind, see if you can afford them by estimating the ownership costs for each. An independent auto information website like Edmunds.com will help you with cost of ownership data for your area, but remember that these numbers will vary depending on your personal situation. Use these numbers to get the best calculation, but do your own calculation for gas based on the number of miles you drive annually and for insurance by calling your car insurance agent to get a quote for your household. Be prepared to tell the agent the exact car, including model, engine and sometimes certain options to get an accurate quote.

While you may be drawn to a certain car or brand because of an ad for a low interest rate, it's of no use unless you qualify, and only about 10 percent of car buyers qualify for the zero-percent and low-interest-rate deals automakers offer. Even then, you may be better off financially by taking the cash rebate offered and getting financing elsewhere. Don't visit a dealership until you've researched the best interest rate you can get. Use Bankrate's rate search tool to see current interest rates and also check with local lenders, including credit unions, which are 1 percent to 2 percent lower on average than conventional banks.

There are now many community credit unions open to anyone living in their area, eliminating the need to work at a certain company or in a specific industry to join. You should consider these institutions when car buying. Use CULookup.com to find a credit union you can join. Once you've determined your best interest rate, use the car rebate vs. low-interest calculator to determine which one is the better deal.

Don't let your eagerness to test drive the cars that interest you find you at the dealership too soon. Dealers don't just want to sell you a car. They want to get you to sign a car loan, too. Dealers typically receive a set fee or a commission on the car loans that they coordinate, regardless of whether that loan is from the manufacturer or a local lender they work with. Also, use caution if that offer seems too good to be true based on your credit or other loan approvals you've received. Dealers will sometimes indicate they can get you a great rate to get you to sign a contract, only to gloss over the section that says the car loan rate is contingent on the loan approval.

Your car research should have included the invoice price for new cars or wholesale price for used cars, as well as the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new cars or the dealer's asking price for used cars. While invoice pricing on third-party information sites isn't 100 percent accurate, it is a good indicator of what the dealer paid for the car. And, it's the best place to start your negotiation. Aim to reach an agreement on the sale price that is close to that number before any applicable discounts are applied. But, keep in mind that the dealer needs to make at least a few hundred dollars profit to cover the costs of running the dealership.

You've probably seen automakers touting "cash-back" deals in advertisements, and these incentives should be factored into the price you pay. In addition, many automakers also offer discounts based on the person that is buying the car as well, such as students, members of the military and even members of certain credit unions. These discounts can be combined with each other as well as with the cash-back rebates on the model. In addition, manufacturers sometimes offer dealers $1,000 or more as an incentive to sell cars that make up an unusually larger inventory. Use a vehicle information source like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.com to see what incentives are being offered to dealers on the models that you are considering and then ask the dealer to share that cash incentive with you by further discounting the price.

When you have done your research and are ready to visit dealerships, call and ask to make an appointment for a test drive with the Internet or fleet manager. That way, if you decide you are ready to buy, you will be working with someone who is less likely to strong-arm you into a deal. When you do start to discuss price, keep in mind all the discounts you researched and forget about trading in your car as part of the deal for the moment.

It's easier to get the best price for each if you negotiate the sale price of your new car and the trade-in value of your old car separately. Make sure you do your research about your current car's value online in advance so you know whether you are being offered a fair price. Once you've reached an agreement, be prepared to say no to all the extras you may be offered. Instead, do the research at home for whatever it is that interests you and contact the dealership at a later date to negotiate a fair price for that item.

To get the most bang for your buck, you'll want to keep your car for five years or longer, so take a thorough test drive to make sure you'll be happy for the long term. Take extra time with the car parked to adjust the seats and experiment with the controls and the car's other features. Make sure all of your typical passengers and cargo fit well and the passengers are comfortable -- even if that means spending some time installing a child safety seat or putting your golf clubs in the trunk while you're in the dealer's lot. Finally, think about your life five years from now and try to imagine if this car will suit your needs then in terms of people and cargo.

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Chevy Silverado tops consumer reports-truck list

General Motors Chevrolet Silverado was the full-sized pickup top-scoring in a test on the road, edging Chrysler RAM 1500, which was to be the preferred vehicle on a daily basis, according to consumer reports.

Who brag in tests as those has published by the influential consumer magazine, is crucial, since profits of more than 12,000 large trucks $ generate per vehicle in a growing segment that was always dominated by the U.S. automakers. Consumer reports is one of the most consulted sources of information by car buyers.

Sales of large pickups in the United States rose by 24 percent to nearly 1.3 million vehicles this year and make up about 12 percent of the total demand. The top-selling vehicle in the United States is Ford F-150-full-size pickup engine.

2014 Silverado 1500 has a 5.3 liter V8 engine get 81 out of 100 points, or, during the 2013 RAM 1500 with a 5.7 liter V8 scored 78, according to the test results Tuesday released "very good".

2014 Silverado is GM most important vehicle launch since the U.S. based automaker 2009 bankruptcy. The vehicle design was not overtaken since 2006. 2013 RAM was a less extensive redesign.

, The reality is that you can't go wrong with one, "said Jake Fisher, Director of automotive testing for consumer reports, in a statement. "Both are capable cars the decent gas mileage, and are as quiet inside as a good luxury car."

The GM and Chrysler vehicles higher than two versions of the Ford F-150, each 70 points scored. Rounding out the tests were motor Toyota Tundra (69 points) and Nissan Motor Titan (66 points).

Consumer reports said the Silverado beat out the RAM 1500 due to the larger cargo area, larger payload capacity, and ability to the pull heavy loads.

The Silverado tailgate is easy to raise and lower, it has a lower step-in height, 1 mpg that said magazine has agile handling as the RAM and the best-in class fuel economy of 16 miles per gallon, better than the Rams.

However, consumer reports which go RAM better for the daily drive better on the truck interior with comfortable sitting, and control layout to show something friendly said. The magazine also Silverado sometimes said to feel weak.

, Use your truck more for daily driving, is Aries a nice place to spend your time, "said consumer reports.

Its average reliability, the magazine recommended the RAM. It said the Silverado too new to have reliability data. The struggle continues, but expected Ford is rolled out next year a review of the F-150.

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Diesel comeback: Model to double tally set for 2014

At 46 miles per gallon Highway, new Chevy Cruze are diesel hybrids even a run for their money (gas).

The number of diesel models in the US market should double during the model year 2014 after different industry watchers, the biggest boost get covered high-mileage Powertrain technology since the 1980s when American motorists in disgrace.

The increase reflects the emergence of new diesel technology, which has not only an estimated 30 percent mileage advantage over gasoline engines, but also solves traditional concerns such as noise, roughness and foul-smelling emissions.

Also returning to the diesel market reflects manufacturers such as General Motors, the emergence of new manufacturers Nissan, as well as the expansion of the offerings of diesel leaders such as Volkswagen and luxury arm is Audi.

"This year the number of diesel will be doubled", said Andreas Sambal, the North American Director of marketing for German suppliers of Bosch diesel systems Division. "Until the end of the 2014 model year 40 diesel obtained on the market and as a result consumers much more choice."

Audi takes different diesel-powered models.

Diesel bit player in the U.S. market since the late 1980s, largely as American buyers, the technology by endemic problems with earlier diesel designs placed - and in the course of major and embarrassing mistakes of several GM motors.

Since then, diesel technology advocates have complained about a chicken-and egg problem. Many manufacturers refused to give the diesel market due to low sales. But advocates warned that sales increase would not, until now, there was more diesel offers. Their claims to the test will be the upcoming model-year.

Nissan this week became the latest manufacturer plans to launch a diesel option for its full-size Titan pickup known - a first for a Japanese manufacturer. The 5.0 litre V8 turbo diesel Cummins delivered, Nissan noted.

"Truck owner told us a demand for power and torque is a diesel in a capable truck, the jump is not needed until a heavy commercial pick up", said Fred Diaz, Vice President for North American Nissan sales and marketing.

Gracie former employer, Chrysler, announced only last month a diesel option for the year 2014 RAM 1500 pickup Add. There is speculation that GM will soon do the same for its GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado trucks.

But Chevy has a return to the diesel car market already staked with an "oil burner" option for the 2014 Cruze sedan. And Mazda becomes the first Japanese manufacturer with a passenger car diesel with a new version of its Mazda6 sedan.

The makers have a long way to go to catch up on the German makers, which have led to the revival of the diesel especially VW and its luxury arm Audi. One-third of the Q7 frequency switch sold the Highline brand in the United States are equipped with diesel and more than half of the old A3 cars were equipped with oil burners.

Audi is its diesel model count by two to five model year 2014-push and add a sixth when it results in a new version of the A3.

Diesel, even after the recent growth spurts, have less than 3 percent of the entire U.S. market for new vehicles but accounted for Bosch forecasts that reach less than 10 percent by 2018. This is an admittedly "bullish" forecast, said the supplier Sambal. But other, more cautious forecasts predict that the proportion could rise to 8 percent or higher.

Especially diesel sales grew 24 percent in the first seven months of 2013.

There are still obstacles to increased acceptance shows Nicole Barranco, Audi diesel lobbying-chef, outdated notions of consumers unaware modern diesel technology changes from higher fuel taxes to map.

On the other hand, there are some key factors, the diesel gain traction could help, as awareness grows, Bruce Belzowski, Assistant Research said Chief of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

For one thing, he refers, during a forum sponsored by Audi, there are the about 30 percent mileage increase the technology offers. And that in turn means that "almost all" diesel models "have a positive total cost of ownership" despite the typically higher purchase price.

A recent study by the Institute found that even a small VW Jetta of the typical owner about saves $3,000 over a period of three years, while the total cost of buying and operating a Mercedes-Benz GL diesel approx. $15,600 is less than the gasoline version.

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