Who makes the best cars? All depends on who you ask. Everyone has a friend who will tell you their Chevy kicks the snot out your Honda. A lot of people have shifted their buying preferences to Japanese cars - but that’s not a guarantee for better performance, and most importantly, better quality. (Sorry Mazda)

The same goes for people wanting American made cars. Sure, some are good - but some still don’t keep up with the competition. (Sorry Chrysler)

Consumer Reports compiled more data and research than you can fit into a Hummerzine and created a nifty little Automaker Report Card.

In a nutshell, the highest Average Test Score went to VW/Audi (81) while the lowest Average Test Score went to Chrysler (51) Interesting fact: A high average score may have helped the name, but the number of tested vehicles Consumer Reports actually recommend is where the real info is - recommendations were based on reliability, satisfaction and despreciation. All items you should consider when making your next used car purchase.

Here’s an alphabetical Average Test Score list including the percentage of recommended test vehicles . Good luck on your used car search….

BMW:

• Avg. Test Score: 77
• Recommended Vehicles: 63%

Chrysler:

• Avg. Test Score: 51
• Recommended Vehicles: 21%

Ford:   

• Avg. Test Score: 65
• Recommended Vehicles: 54%

GM:

• Avg. Test Score: 57
• Recommended Vehicles: 36%

Honda:

• Avg. Test Score: 78
• Recommended Vehicles: 100%

Hyundai/Kia:

• Avg. Test Score: 66
• Recommended Vehicles: 42%

Mazda:

• Avg. Test Score: 75
• Recommended Vehicles: 73%

Mercedes-Benz:

• Avg. Test Score: 77
• Recommended Vehicles: 0% (Yea, that’s a zero)

Mitsubishi:

• Avg. Test Score: 60
• Recommended Vehicles: 43%

Nissan:

• Avg. Test Score: 75
• Recommended Vehicles: 59%

Subaru:

• Avg. Test Score: 72
• Recommended Vehicles: 100%

Toyota:

• Avg. Test Score: 70
• Recommended Vehicles: 85%

VW/Audi:

• Avg. Test Score: 81
• Recommended Vehicles: 45%

Volvo:

• Avg. Test Score: 65
• Recommended Vehicles: 40%

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The Auction Direct USA Kool Whip of the Week is this fun little 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

The aggressive organic stance of the top lines and the front scoop grab your eyes right away…it looks ready to jump off the line. The extra 3.3 inches added to the width & the 360lbs. help beef up the stance.

You can tell right away this one has more power than previous models - 25% more power actually. (3.8-liter MIVEC 263-hp, w/a McPherson sport-tuned suspension, compared to older 210-hp models.) Someone at Mitsubishi fell asleep at the wheel when they designed the older models; unless you’re a tuner-geek, it was getting difficult to tell a ‘99 from an ‘04 model.

The model reviewed had the 5-speed Sportronic feature; anti-lock-brakes, 17-inch wheels, cruise control, power windows and split folding rear seats are all standard on the GT models. Other GT options include a 6-speed, aluminum pedals, heated leather seats & a sunroof.

The chunky steering wheel, snug supporting seats and easy to read dash controls make both short spins down the road and long hauls thrilling and comfortable. The clean, smooth lines of the instrument controls - especially the palm-fitting, short-throw shifter - add to the openness of the cabin. The GT’s available premium-sport package includes a powerful Rockford Fosgate audio system with a 6-CD/MP3 in-dash changer and nine speakers (including a 10-inch sub)

Kelley Blue Book on this model is priced at $25,490; Auction Direct USA has a Buy It Now price of $21,970. With only 8,115 miles, you’re almost getting a brand new whip.  (An automatic 2006 model GT, without any extras, has a dealer invoice of approximately $23,262)

If you’re looking for something different, (this orange paint is wilder than a jail-free Paris Hilton) something fast and something hot for this summer - this is it. The other sporty/performance model class best buys includes the Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, Scion TC, Acura RSX, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z and the Pontiac GTO & Solstice.

My nod goes to the newly designed Eclipse GT. Enjoy.

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Part 3 of Car Dealer Confessions…by Tug Pullman.

Saturdays are the big days at a new or used car dealership. This is the day which makes or breaks your entire week. It’s not uncommon for a car salesperson to sell three or four cars on a Saturday.

At this particular dealership, they had a lovely invention entitled “Midnight Madness” every Saturday. As you may have guessed, this means the car dealership is open until midnight on Saturday all throughout the summer months.

Midnight Madness rules were simple: Sell a car and you get to go home at your regularly scheduled time. This was either 6pm or 9pm. If you didn’t sell a car, you were subjected to not only working the midnight shift, but also the shame and ridicule of your peers.

And, if you have ever worked outside, on black-top, during the summer months in North Carolina…you know that a 16 hour shift is no prize.

As you can imagine; fifty car sales people with type “A” personality aggressively pursuing a limited number of customers, in the hot summer sun, does not make for the best of customer experiences. Haven’t you ever noticed that you felt like prey when you pull into a car dealership?

So, with this enourmous threat looming over our heads, we sit in the Saturday morning sales meeting. In this particular meeting they review the newspaper ad for this week. The sales manager went into specific detail about the vehicles advertised for the super low prices. He said they were ordered special for the advertisements (car dealership lingo for price leaders), and customers will not want them.

These vehicles are the ultimate base units available; without the options most of us would consider standard. One was a Ford Explorer without power windows, door locks, or air conditioning. The sales manager said these vehicles usually only sell to fleet companies, so whatever we do: “Don’t sell them because they are hard to get!”

I didn’t have the nerve to speak up in the sales meetings - afterwards I asked my manager: “So what do we do if someone wants to buy the Ford Explorer in the newspaper?” To which he responded: “Switch them to something else.” I inquired, “Isn’t that bait and switch?”

His profound retort: “Yeah, but everyone does it.” I asked myself again “What have I gotten myself into?”

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Here’s an interesting event you & the kids won’t want to miss.

What do you do when your kids are a tad eager to start driving? Where do you take them when they’ve already mastered soap box derby racers and go-karts?

The Answer is simple: A “Teach Your Kid To Drive” clinic. Kids, ages 5 - 12, will have an opportunity to earn their ”NYS Junior Pre-Learner’s Permit.”

This Junior permit allows children the ability to operate a two-seater smart-car (automatic only) during weekdays, between the hours of 11am and 2pm. Think of the convenience factor if your kids can help with quick runs to the grocery store, pick up your dry cleaning or even just run Grandma to the doctor’s office.

This clinic teaches kids the fundamentals of defensive driving, using turn signals and, of course, how to park in standard parking lots. Advanced classes are also available to teach the finer mechanics of parallel parking, pumping gas and checking tire pressure.

For obvious safety reasons, children won’t be allowed to get under the hood to diagnose basic automotive service issues.

Get your kids ready & sign up early - there’s limited space. For more info, contact me for specific dates, locations & reservations.  (This is a rescheduled clinic previously slated for 4/1/07.)

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- By Chauncey Dumfry; A Valet from Boston…

   I’ve driven just about every Benz in production for the last five years, including the Mclaren,the SL65 and some classic models too. Working as a valet for four years in Boston, let me tell you, the new S550’s are by far the best overall. They’re as fast as you could ever ask for, and the interior is near perfect.

I’d put the CL600/550 at a close second, the body of that car is beautifull, and again the mechanics and interior are top of the line. The ML’s are glorified mini vans and the G class is just stupid (unless you like almost tipping over while you’re cornering at 25mph).

The R class are nothing special, they kind of remind me of a hearse actually. The SLK is the barbie car; you can’t look cool, as a man that is, driving this car. Women look great in it though.

The E class is solid but not outstanding, with the exception of the E55, and the C class doesn’t really do it for me, they’re too small, I’d rather spend the money on something more reliable like a Toyota.

The SL500’s with the credit card style key are awesome - just because of the key design alone. Pure genius to have a remote car key which fits in your wallet.

Obviously the Mclaren and SL65 are amazing vehicles but let’s be realistic here. We can’t afford them all…at least not working as a Valet.

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Father’s Day is approaching. If I only had a way to subtly drop some hints…

I’m all for receiving the classic Father’s Day gifts from the kids: World’s Greatest Dad T-shirts, Kiss The Cook aprons and the obligitory Dad-neckties.

However, the kids are getting older, Summer is fast approaching and well…I would really love a Viper.

Who wouldn’t? (Need more ideas where to look…?)

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Not sure if you’re getting the best deal, or dealing with the right dealer?

Check out this video report from CBS News and make sure you don’t get hosed on your next used car purchase.

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No, not that finger.

Now you can add another level of security to your favorite ride using the latest in biometric fingerprinting technology. (Fancy term for fingerprint reader)

Install a small fingerprint reader in your car and you’ll have another line of defense against theft.

How does it work? Simple - your fingerprint is scanned & loaded into the device. Run your finger across the device and start your vehicle. (And yes, you’re the only person who can start it.)

The best thing about it is that you can now install this on any car or truck - not just a high-end exotic.

Insurance companies provide additional discounts when you install security devices such as alarm systems and wheel locks; ask your insurance company if a fingerprint reader will add to that discount as well.

Check out this list of the Top Ten Stolen Vehicles:

1. Honda Civic
2. Nissan Sentra
3. Toyota pick-up truck
4. Toyota Camry
5. Dodge Caravan
6. Chevy 1500
7. Honda Accord
8. Acura Integra
9. Dodge Ram
10. Ford F150

Considering a car is stolen every 26 seconds in the US, this is a great solution for only $500.

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