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.

Read More

Aston Martin recalls 17.590 cars through fake parts

Aston Martin extended a callback on Wednesday cover most of its sports cars built since end of 2007 after the discovery of a Chinese supplier was supplied with fake plastic in a part of the British luxury sports car manufacturer.

Owned by Kuwait and private-equity investors, Aston Martin said it would now recall 17.590 cars, including all his left-hand drive models, which built since November 2007 and all RL models built since may, 2012.

Roughly 75 percent of all vehicles built, that concerns in this period, said a spokeswoman. The vanquish model is not affected.

Aston Martin noted that Shenzhen Kexiang mould tool co limited, a Chinese subcontractor, the the affected accelerator pedal arms, forming fake DuPont plastic material, used according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents deposited.

Read more: We probe Honda accords for airbag problem

The material was supplied by synthetic plastic raw material Co Ltd. Dongguan, according to the documents.

The cars from model years are recalled in 2008 to 2014 because the accelerator pedal can break arm, the risk of a crash increases according to NHTSA documents. The engine idle would return and the driver would not be able to keep or increase the speed, according to the documents.

Aston Martin spokeswoman Sarah Calam said there were no reports of accidents and injuries, which in connection with the execution and 22 faulty parts had been reported. She said that small, but the sum does not quantify financial implications was the car manufacturer.

The cost of the recall is affected of great interest because Aston Martin has struggled to finance the development of a range of new vehicles, while competitors such as Bentley, owned by Volkswagen, and Rolls-Royce, owned by BMW, have can draw on the resources of its parent company.

Aston Martin owners are Italian private equity fund Investindustrial, Kuwait-based Adeem investment and Prime car.

Germany's Daimler AG also has share at less than 5 percent of the British automobile manufacturer.

The Aston Martin cars in the recall affected 7.271 in Europe and in the United States, said 5,001 Calam. The company sold cars in 41 countries.

The last callback replaces one announced in May and in October expanded.

Aston Martin dealer is delivered now because the question directly by DuPont.

Aston Martin and chemical company DuPont people to China to directly monitor the production of pedal weapons, including checking each piece of plastic DuPont, Calam said sent.

Piracy problem

The auto manufacturer plans production of pedal arms from China to Britain "as soon as possible" in the year 2014, shift she said.

Reminded last may Aston Martin Calam said first 2,832 cars worldwide, the gas pedal arm to replace pedal, contain material that does not meet specifications, according to the finding of the affected part.

After a further arm, which was not part of the group broke, the company expanded the recall to 16.825 cars and required the use of material by DuPont.

When in December during the installation of a US dealer in Connecticut broke, but Aston Martin froze the callback and found the fake plastic instead of one of the replacement parts DuPont material was used, she said.

Read more: Ford profit beats estimates on strength in North America

The callback previously repaired cars contains all, Calam said. The callback will replace Aston Martin Accelerator pedal assemblies.

The manufacturer of the throttle pedal Assembly, containing the fake material is precision Varionic International Limited, according to the NHTSA documents.

The company quality Director, John Penman, return immediately calls and messages for comment.

It is not the first time that dealt with piracy in China of DuPont.

US prosecutors accused California in 2011 with DuPont trade secrets to steal businessman, to sell it to a Chinese company. This process is not completed.

Read More

Toyota recalls on the 10,000 U.S. cars to wiper fix switch

DETROIT, Oct 10 Reuters)-Toyota Motor Corp said on Thursday that it sold 10,000 cars in the United States from model years 2013 and 2014, including its best-selling Camry sedan, faulty wiper switch replace will remember.

Toyota said a possible electrical short circuit in the switch could cause that the windshield wipers work to stop.

The vehicles include camrys 2013-2014 recalled and Camry hybrids, 2013 Avalon and Avalon of hybrid 2014 Corollas.

Toyota no reports of accidents or injuries related to the defect has received, a spokeswoman said.

US-Toyota dealer will replace free of charge the switch. Owners will be notified by e-Mail.

Read More

7 Cars get top marks in the high-tech security check

NEW YORK: seven medium-sized vehicles earned the top score in a test of the insurance industry in the high-tech security features, to prevent the front end collisions.

The Cadillac ATS and SRX, Subaru legacy and Outback, Mercedes c-class and Volvo S60 and XC60 won "superior" ratings in tests Insurance Institute for highway safety.

The Institute tested 74 medium-sized cars and SUVs from model years 2013 and 2014th those who are equipped with front collision warning and automatic braking systems typically better. The systems can alert either the driver or the car automatically to stop when they detect a possible collision.

The Institute of IIHS, a non-profit research group of insurance companies has pushed funded, Federal agencies and automakers require or offer new safety systems such as antilock brakes as an option. The Group urges auto manufacturers to strengthen front end crash resistance.

Since the frontal-crash systems offer car manufacturers more and more models as the price of the technology falls. The systems use radar, cameras, Ultrasonic sensors and computer local objects before cars and determine whether a collision is possible. The system applies the brakes themselves, or a driver can be warned to take action.

The IIHS said that its data Institute usually are not found that the devices help to avoid crashes, but even so, drivers auto insurance companies offer discounts for people who buy them.

Insurance companies say, how the systems in certain models of more popular insurance claims will go back. These models will eventually see a reduced price.

In the tests, six other cars received second-best 'Advanced' reviews, while 25 'basic' get reviews. A further 36 received no rating because they had not the systems or their systems not the Institute standards.

The Institute says that the tests will help people who decide, what features to buy and to encourage car manufacturers to adopt the new technology faster.

Read More

BMW recalls 140,000 cars in the United States and Canada over faulty tail lights

DETROIT, 21.Aug of Reuters) - German automaker Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is recalling 140,000 5 series sedans in North America to potentially incorrect address of rear lights.

Some are 134.100 vehicles in the United States and Canada, a spokesman in the BMW Munich headquarters of the news agency of Reuters on Friday a further 5,800 retrieves.

BMW is due to problems with the tail light electrical contact points, some 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 vehicles from model years 2008 to 2010, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration deposited documents recalls. In turn, this could be a temporary or permanent loss of one or more functions that lead lights.

BMW has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue according to NHTSA documents.

BMW dealer replace tail lights bulb holder free of charge. The recall is expected to begin after the NHTSA documents in October.

Read More

Hollande is aimed at robots, driverless cars to the revival of the French industry

PARIS, 12 September Reuters) - François hollande on Thursday to the French industry by promoting new technologies to the creation of jobs with the revival created a 10-year timetable, but offered little public money from stretched state coffers.

Socialist President, whose 2014 vowed State budget that next month to focus expenditure restraint, to turn, as he called it, a "lost decade" of conservative rule in which domestic industries fled roughly 700,000 jobs back.

But instructs the system to private investment and the Government Act as a coordinator to bolster growth in 34 areas of driverless cars on electric machines and a new generation of high-speed trains.

"France is a nation of inventors, engineers and producers," said hollande, citing France's role in past centuries and decades in the development of technologies from the steam engine to the hot-air balloons and rechargeable batteries.

"We have to remain duty," he added, however, that the plan no return to a State-directed industrial policy "has turned statist" was the 1960s and 1970s years with so-called.

France new public investment bank on the one hand to provide credit for innovation – no amount has been specified - but representatives declared that they invested with 10 euros from private investors increases accordingly hoped every euro of public funds.

State-appointed "industrial officers" will collaborate with companies and French projects the past successor to develop, as the supersonic Concorde or high-speed TGV urge train - both fruits of the funded research projects.

Stuck with about 10 percent unemployment and the Government forced this week its 2014 lower growth forecast hollande is struggling to raise his poll numbers about 30 percent. He hopes that such purposeful display optimism helps raise hopes for the future among the French.

While officials say 475,000 jobs created or, if your roadmap can be followed by more than 10 years, current data the Statistics Office INSEE remains but grim, with 49.600 industrial jobs lost in the year to August, after.

DRIVERLESS CARS, ELECTRICAL MACHINES

Presented the most new designs hollande on the trade fair car parts Valeo or air built by industrial giants such as car manufacturer Renault,- and vast EADS Group.

Flanked by industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg, showed robot technology, models for an electrical machine, hollande built by EADS, driverless car by Renault-Nissan and an ultra-efficient vehicle Peugeot laboratories, developed in that retail would tested with 15,000 euros ($20,000).

Currently both Peugeot and Renault production in France because of high labour costs continue to struggle and adapt employment laws, to make difficult personnel strength.

Montebourg it lacked no ideas for the promotion of industry, production costs in France for example, create an online tool to help companies that have relocated abroad to recalculate.

But clear successes are deceptive, despite his statement after 10 months of work, that his mediation with vulnerable companies saved some 60,000 threatened industrial jobs.

More jobs to come still France as home. Figures from the March showed that businesses 44, production, since 2009 was returned, had outsourced activities 267, after France according to the Observatoire de l' Investissement. ($1 = 0,7518 Euro)

Read More

The most successful cars in 2012

Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe sold well and enjoys high praise from customers.

It was a good summer for car manufacturers in the United States.

Total vehicle sales hit 1,290 million units last month, to 20 percent compared to the previous year, while sales of medium-sized models sold 22 percent to 2,520 million vehicles this year, according to Autodata.

Chrysler, Ford and General Motors each beat expected sales figures for August, with Chrysler by 14 percent, Ford by 13 percent and GM by 10 percent.

Under export brands, particularly stellar pay and Toyota reported: sales rose 46 percent last month, more than many analysts had predicted the 40-percent gain.

Executives at the company, based in Toyota city, Japan thanks to the rise of the power of the new and updated models, so it's no wonder that four of them made our list of the most successful cars of the year. The Toyota Camry, Toyota Carolla, Toyota Prius and Toyota RAV4 made the cut.

Behind the numbers

The to do more than just sales success - think high sales in combination with high consumer satisfaction rates and rave reviews in consumer reports.

To determine which cars and trucks were the most successful 2012, we looked at three factors: total sales to date nationwide; Awarded customer satisfaction to brand the American customer satisfaction index compiled, and overall grade for performance, reliability, security and value of consumer reports consumer.

We are included in the potential winners of the top 5 selling luxury cars, because often extremely high satisfaction and CR get lower as the economy sedans scores their sale prices but by design. Some of these, such as the BMW 3-series, make the final cut.

For simplicity, we mixed versions in core model rated. For example listed, when a Lexus LS 460 L does highest total results for consumer reports series - and it - we it under the Lexus LS line.

To be noted is that our list does not contain some perennial bestsellers, such as the Ford F-150 truck, of more than about sold numbers qualify but fell short as a brand with satisfaction. It may also not contain, the Porsche Cayenne, which - despite his great success in the American market, missed the cut, because it excluded the lower sales of our criteria.

The list however includes such gems as the Hyundai Genesis.

Hyundai's $34,200 sedan saw double-digit sales compared to the previous year and consistently A6, Infiniti M and Lexus GS sold better than mid-luxury players such as Audi. Consumer reports called it the most reliable medium-sized premium car, the first car of this distinction wins his first year of eligibility.

In fact, it was a good year of the Korean manufacturer - the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra made our list.

Mercedes-Benz, landed a few winners. The Benz gateway model qualified c-class due to his exceptional satisfaction and high popularity among consumers (sold better there than routinely its competitors). As well, a high score of consumer reports and best-selling status compared to some competitors helped to land a place the $51,000 Mercedes-Benz E-class.

Read More

10 cool cars with great gas mileage

Not long ago Zack O’Malley Greenburg had a problem.

His parents had finally decided to replace the 1991 Nissan Sentra he had driven in high school and still used occasionally to make the trip from Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., back to Manhattan.

The Sentra, among other foibles, lacked air-conditioning and a side mirror. It rattled and hummed at any speed approaching 80 miles per hour. Thing is, the elder Greenburg wanted to replace it with something affordable and fuel efficient, such as a Honda Civic or Chevy Cruze. Greenburg the younger wanted — nay, needed — something cool.

“When I heard what they were looking at, I kind of groaned and thought that I would be doomed to be borrowing rental cars from them for the rest of my life,” he said.

Fortunately for Zack — a music reporter here at Forbes — his sense of style won out. After weeks of debating the relative merits of reliability, maintenance costs, safety scores and, most importantly, fuel economy, he convinced his parents to choose a cherry red, black-roofed Mini Cooper. With rally-car handling and an impressive 37 miles per gallon on the highway, the iconic coupe proved the perfect compromise between efficiency and style.

“In the end they decided to buy the Mini because it had personality and spunk,” he told me. “It was fun to drive — and got good gas mileage.”

Fighting the bulge at the pump

In this instance, Zack’s sense of style prevailed. But his parents weren’t totally wrong to insist on something fuel efficient. Gas prices currently average $3.59 per gallon nationally, with analysts at Kelley Blue Book saying they will surpass $4.00 per gallon sometime this year.

Alec Gutierrez, the senior market analyst of automotive insights at KBB, said the change won’t cost consumers that much. Assuming 12,000 annual miles driven on a 20-mpg car, even a $1 raise in prices from $3.60 to $4.60 per gallon would result in paying $11.50 more per week. In short, he says, don’t assume high gas prices mean you’ll get a special discount on a high-efficiency car this year.

But wanting to save money on gas doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be stuck with a Toyota Prius. Consider the 2012 Subaru Impreza. The $20,295 2.0i Sport Premium edition gets 36 miles per gallon on the highway and is renowned for its dexterity in the snow. It also has 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, roof rails and fog lights; standard, too, is an all-weather package that will do wonders on weekend trips up to the mountain.

Or try a more luxurious hatchback, the Audi A3. This $30,250 diesel gets 30 miles per gallon and 40 on the highway — and has fantastic electronics like speed-sensitive steering, quattro all-wheel drive, ambient interior lighting and electronic brake stabilization. Plus a leather-clad interior and halogen headlights.

For a more urban environment, consider the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC. Mercedes is known for its progressive technology and posh interiors. The E Class doesn’t disappoint: It has advanced sound and comfort technology in the cabin paired with burnished trim and wooden veneers. It also has LED daytime lights and enough stability programs to ensure a smooth ride in even the most pockmarked of Manhattan streets. The $51,690 BlueTEC diesel edition gets 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

And for likely the best overall value on this list, consider something from Hyundai.

“Veloster is one of my favorites,” says Jake Fisher, the head automotive tester for Consumer Reports.

He’s right: The $17,300 hatchback is distinctive because it has three passenger doors rather than two or four — one side of the car has a second side door while the other has only a driver-side door. Veloster combines an aggressively styled front grill with a 1.6-liter engine that sips fuel with the best of them (40 mpg on the highway). But it drives with spunk, thanks in part to the fact that it weighs about as much as a Mazda Miata.

Electric Avenue

The ultimate high-mpg status symbol, though, requires nothing less than electricity. Fisker’s plug-in Karma sedan, with a buttery smooth ride and exotic good looks — plus 300-mile driving range — has received rave reviews.

And the Tesla Model S, due out in July, combines progressive technology inside with a 0-60mph time on par with the Porsche Panamera.

A 40 kWh version of the seven-passenger sedan will cost just under $50,000 with federal rebates; the higher performing will cost more: $59,900 for a 60 kWh (230-mile-range) model and $69,900 for an 85 kWh (300-mile-range) model. The 85 kWh performance Model S, which comes with additional equipment like Nappa leather interior and performance wheels, will cost $79,900 after federal tax rebates.

The dashing good looks and cool personality of both these sedans are nearly as electric as their motors. Of course, if you drive a green car like one of these, you may miss the sound of a rumbling engine and the challenge of changing gears.

It’s no small thing. Just ask Zack.

“I’m really thrilled because with the Mini because I get to drive a car that actively excites me,” he says. “But I still wish they had gotten a stick shift!”

© 2012 Forbes.com

Read More