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The glory of tailgating and the Indianapolis Colts

  With the NFL preseason already underway and the start of both the college (August 26) and professional seasons (September 7) just weeks away, the long wait for live football action, and some good old tailgating, is almost over. National Tailgating Day, which falls on September 2 this year, is just another day that will come and go for some individuals. For the diehard football fan, however, this day is so much more. Growing up in Indiana and living so close to the Indy 500 (one of the largest motor racing events in the world), tailgating was simply something that… Read More

Looking for a trouble-free new car? These brands are best, says J.D. Power

  Korean brands lead the way with fewest new-car problems, but domestic vehicles are outperforming imports on average, research shows. J.D. Power’s 2017 initial quality study, which looks at the number of problems reported by new-car owners in the first 90 days of ownership, shows Kia and fellow Korean nameplate Genesis topping the list of reliable auto brands. Next comes German automaker Porsche, followed by domestics Ford and Ram, which are two of the most-improved companies in this year’s study. While American brands as a whole outrank their foreign counterparts, with 93 problems per 100 vehicles compared to 99/100, another… Read More

‘Cars 3’ lines up with an inspirational tale

  It’s tough at the top, even for a serial winner like Lightning McQueen. The latest lap of Disney-Pixar’s “Cars” franchise, “Cars 3,” is a great sports comeback story that looks set to inspire as well as entertain young moviegoers this summer. The multi-Piston Cup winner, voiced by Owen Wilson, is having a hard time keeping up with the new generation of younger, faster cars and the movie opens with McQueen crashing out of a race in spectacular style. In fact, he faces being completely pushed out of the sport he loves, the makers tell us, but you can bet… Read More

Going off the grid for Memorial Day weekend

5 scenic park getaways to unplug and unwind Why not make the most of the long Memorial Day weekend with a break from the norm? These five trips will feel a world away from home, yet are surprisingly accessible. So get ready to relax and enjoy some of America’s finest state parks and protected areas. You might be able to finally test the AWD on the SUV, too.   Adirondack Park, NY At more than six million acres in size and with 2,000 miles of hiking trails, this place is plenty big enough to get lost in nature – in… Read More

Consider your car-buying options as tax filing deadline approaches

  The deadline for filing tax returns, April 18, is just ahead, and if you’re expecting money back, keep in mind the difference a refund can make to a car purchase. Millions of Americans use their refunds, which averaged $2,777 in 2016, for a down payment on a new vehicle, and all or part of a check from the IRS may help you qualify for financing. If approved, it might even enhance the loan terms, enabling you to sit back and drive towards summer with savings, style and comfort. What kind of vehicle is at the top your list? Here… Read More

Into new-car country at the 2017 DFW Auto Show

More than 650 cars, trucks and SUVs, including all-new 2017 and 2018 models, have spread out over half a million square feet for the DFW Auto Show this week. One of the largest auto shows in the United States, it’s seen as an event that kicks off the spring car-buying season in North Texas as shoppers size up the latest models, check out their features and styling, and take the opportunity for a ride and drive in downtown Dallas. Here are just a few of the very latest cars you can get more familiar with:     2018 Toyota Camry… Read More

New-car picks when safety comes first

  Some of the best new cars for safety-conscious drivers have been revealed in a 2017 list of crash test winners. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the 2017-year models that top its criteria for crash tests, crash avoidance and crash mitigation, including 43 Top Safety Pick and 44 Top Safety Pick+ award winners in 12 vehicle categories. Among them is the Subaru Impreza, when equipped with EyeSight safety features and adaptive LED headlights, which claimed a Top Safety Pick+ rating in the small cars category… Read More

Toyota the most dependable mainstream car brand, says J.D. Power

    Luxury brands Lexus and Porsche lead the way for vehicle dependability but if you’re interested in mainstream nameplates, Toyota is best pick, J.D. Power ratings reveal. The auto research firm’s 2017 vehicle dependability study examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2014 model-year) vehicles. It generates an overall dependability score of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in order to compare vehicle brands and models. While Lexus and Porsche topped the list on 110 PP100 each, Toyota scored 123 PP100 and Toyota Motor Corporation as a whole, including both Toyota and Lexus marques,… Read More

Finding car value that lasts: KBB 5-year cost-to-own winners

    Look beyond the price of a new vehicle and you begin to see all the other costs associated with ownership. Add up the years and you might even view that car or truck in a new light. The Kelley Blue Book cost-to-own awards help buyers grasp the outlay associated with different vehicles over five years, to make useful comparisons in their car-shopping process. Specifically, the awards identify the vehicles that are projected to be least expensive to own in their individual… Read More

When is spring break? Dates, destinations and details to help plan your trip

  For many college students, spring break, that American academic tradition and much anticipated vacation, is the first opportunity in the year to plan a memorable getaway. Checking your spring break dates is the important first step in planning your own special trip, and we’ve included an extensive list of dates for universities and colleges across the United States at the end of this article. Scroll through to find your school, and start thinking about destinations.   Spring break month  In general, spring break month is February, March or April, depending on where you are in the country, and the… Read More