Everybody has a keychain. You can also tell a lot about a person just from the keys, tags and accessories on their keychain!

Lots of keys, something cute hanging from it or even a neat light-up leather key loop with a kitschy catch-phrase from Larry the Cableguy? Whatever it is – take a picture of your keychain and send it in.

Show us yours for the chance to win some cool prizes! Here’s two from my house to get things started for the Auction Direct USA keychain contest!

The 2010 Kia Forte is the winner of the NADAguides.com choice for the August Car of the Month.

The Forte is unquestionably the first Kia that we would consider adding to our permanent fleet. Kia has made a well priced, fun-to-drive, high quality car worth coveting. That’s high praise for any car, let alone one costing less than $20,000. – “Left Lane News”

Kia Forte – Two engine options:

• 2.0L DOHC 4-cylinder with 156 hp or the 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder with 173 hp.
• 2.0 includes 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission
• 2.4L models have one additional gear
• EPA estimated 25 city/34 hwy mpg for the 2.0 L
• 23 city/31 hwy for the 2.4L,
• Fuel Economy Package on the EX trim includes:
• Electronic power steering
• Smart alternator
• Low rolling resistance tires
• Aerodynamic improvements  pushing fuel economy up to 27 city/36 hwy mpg.

Standard Features and Options – Premium & Prestige Packages Available:

• Bluetooth hands-free calling
• 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio
• SIRIUS satellite radio
• IPOD connectivity – Standard
• Both EX and SX trims include  power steering wheel mounted controls
• Also includes cruise control an optional sunroof and even heated leather seating
• 4 dual front, side and full-curtain airbags
• 4 wheel anti-lock braking system
• Electronic stability control.
• 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

This is an incredible value for within such a low priced vehicle – but did you know you can purchase this vehicle for even less than its suggested retail price of $13,695?

How? Auction Direct’s simple Order Your Car process lets you pick out exactly what you want. No obligation & it’s guaranteed if you’re not 100% satisfied.

Read all the Kia Forte Reviews in one place at MotorMouths.com.

Jenny’s back and she’s got a new message.

No, Jenny is not real. Check her out in her “original form” If you missed her incredibly successful, yet incredibly confusing viral blog meme: Girl quits job on dry erase board, emails entire office

Still not sure what she’s trying help promote. Sharpies? Farmville? Online monitoring software? Whiteboards? Encyclopedias? Ferns? If you know, please share it with us.

Oh, and if you’re interested in that red BMW, feel free to contact the #1 Independent Retailer of the Year.

We’re for real.

Update:

TechCrunch cracked the case. Turns out “Jenny” wasn’t promoting anything other than the meme creator’s ego. They also stated one of their reason’s for creating the concept was to inspire. Well done.

Regular GPS navigation is boring. If you want more enjoyment and interactivity from your GPS device, there’s an app than can solve that problem as well.

Check out Waze – a social mobile application. It’s a free GPS navigation app that is taking interactive mapping technology to the next level. The app is designed with an easy to use interface and has a fun flair to the theme with nice touches such as the ability to pick your own vehicle icon and your mood.

Key app features include:

• Constantly-updated road maps
• Alerts on traffic and accidents
• Real-time, user-generated content that creates the most efficient routes & directions
• Drivers can notify other Waze users about police traps, weather hazards, cheap gas offers & even simple chat statuses
• Turn by turn voice directions
• Connect your social accounts – especially Foursquare. (Use it to map your route & check it to unlock the Road Warrior badge as well!)

Download Waze!

NADAGuides selected the Jeep Grand Cherokee as July’s Car of the Month.

The namesake alone conjures up images of off-road driving yet combines the civility and luxury you desire for your day to day exploits.

We all expect the Jeep Grand Cherokee to whip pretenders like the Lexus RX and Acura MDX off-road, but it whips ‘em on-road as well, has plenty of space, seems well-put-together, and it’s affordable.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in the following trim levels:

• 4WD 4dr Laredo
• 4WD 4dr Limited
• 4WD 4dr Overland
• RWD 4dr Laredo
• RWD 4dr Limited
• RWD 4dr Overland

Jeep Grand Cherokee Features include:

• A new Pentastar 3.6-liter V6
• Class-leading 280-hp
• Improved fuel economy: 16/23 mpg city/hwy with a 5-speed automatic
• Optional 5.7-liter Hemi 360-hp V8
• Available RWD or three Quadra-Trac 4×4 configurations
• Towing capacity is up to 7400 lbs.
• Real wood trim
• Hand stitched leather,
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated and cooled seats
• Panoramic sunroof,
• Hill start/descent control
• Voice activated NAV.

Read all of the Jeep Grand Cherokee reviews in one spot at MotorMouths.com

Save even more and check out these quality used Jeep trucks!

Here’s six awesome convertible cars that would make killer Father’s Day gifts. Any Dad with a pulse would gladly fire these up for an exciting joy-ride. Happy Father Day!

Porsche 911 Turbo R:

This is exactly the soul-chewing, face-pulling monster you’d expect of a new Porsche Turbo Cabriolet: fitful and furious, hyperkinetic, breathtakingly responsive, with big, whopping, molten sounds on trailing throttle, the sort of aural elementalism exhibited by Icelandic volcanos. Read the complete Porsche 911 Turbo R review.

Chevrolet Corvette:

The ZR1 Corvette borders on grand larceny. You can’t get close to this level of performance without driving a wannabe race car or wiping out your bank account. Read the complete Chevrolet Convertible review.

Dodge Viper:

Six-hundred horsepower, zero-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration in less than four seconds, a reported top speed of more than 200 miles per hour, an improved highway ride and exemplary race-track behavior are all available for a starting price under $90,000. Read the complete Dodge Viper review.

Nissan 370Z:

The one word that comes to mind to describe this car is – awesome! The 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is simply in a class of its own combining the very best in performance attributes both under the hood and in the interior. Read the complete Nissan 370Z review.

MINI Cooper:

The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible likes to be driven fast. From a fun to drive standpoint it succeeds in almost every aspect. Sure, you can spend less, but you can also spend more. The MINI JCW isn’t a lot of metal for the cash, but you can’t put a price on fun. Read the complete MINI Cooper review.

BMW 6 Series:

The BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible succeed, offering a combination of comfort, luxury, sportiness, exhilarating performance and ease of operation that’s hard to beat in the class. Read the complete BMW 6 Series review.

Car of the Month – 2010 Audi TTS

The 2010 Audi TTS is the winner of the NADAguides.com choice for the June Car of the Month.

The “S” designation identifies the sport version of the well-known TT roadster. An $8,200 bump in the base price gets you a pumped-up version of Audi’s 2.0 liter turbocharged engine that puts out 265 horsepower (vs. 200 hp in the TT) as well as a host of appearance features like 19-inch 7 twin-spoke wheels. Audi doesn’t make any ugly cars, and the front end, with a body-colored bar bisecting the iconic horseshoe grille, is the brand’s best looking.

TTS Trim Breakdown:

• Six-speed S-tronic automatic transmission
• Manual shift option via steering wheel paddles
• Personalized driving modes: “normal” and “sport” options.
• All-wheel drive
• 2.0 liter turbocharged, in-line, four-cylinder engine
• 265 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque
• 29mpg on the highway and 21mpg in the city.
• Laser-welded, lightweight aluminum and steel
• Power-folding top opens and closes in 12 seconds. (And even while driving under 31 MPH!)

Standard Features and Options – Premium & Prestige Packages Available:

• Both packages offer brushed aluminum inlays,
• New shift knob
• Leather sport seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Auxiliary audio input jack for mp3 player hookup
• Cruise control
• Driver Information System
• Bluetooth and Homelink
• 9-speaker 140-watt BOSE sound system w/SIRIUS Radio
• Auto-dimming rear view mirror
• Backup camera
• LED ambient lighting
• Ten-way power heated seats.
• Dual threshold airbags
• Seat-mounted head and chest airbags w/knee airbags
• Xenon plus headlights
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Electronic stabilization
• Heated side mirrors
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Audi hill hold assist.

This is a slick convertible loaded for fun and luxury. A new 2010 Audi TTS ranges from $48,900 up to $56,320 for the Prestige model – yet a like-new Audi TTS can be found for the true enthusiast for considerably less.

How? Auction Direct’s simple Order Your Car process lets you pick out exactly what you want. No obligation & it’s guaranteed if you’re not 100% satisfied.

Read all the Audi TT Reviews in one place at MotorMouths.com

Jeff koons‘ new BMW Art Car was just released on June 1st in France.

Probably the best one yet – a 495hp BMW M3 GT2. Awesome design.

New CAFE standards and other alternative fuel concepts, including the hybrid electric car, will also impact the automotive industry with regards to styling and overall utility.

It’ll be interesting to see the impact on segments of our economy that rely on traditional automotive solutions. For instance – taxi cabs; what opportunities exist within this niche to improve operator economics while also changing the way people experience taxi cabs?

Here’s a great example, a design submitted to the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission for a redesign of the classic taxi cab.

• Fully electric
• Seats four – 3 on the bench w/1 reverse facing
• Rooftop solar panels
• Brake energy conversion for more sources of power
• Wheel chair access w/ramp
• Safe, secure driver’s cabin
• Passenger infotainment center
• Interactive screens showing guides, routes & attractions.

Read more info about the Taxi of Tomorrow.

GM made sure everyone heard the good news – they paid back their TARP funds in full and ahead of schedule.

Instantly, company naysayers do an about face upon learning this. This has to be a good thing. Maybe things are turning around for GM. But are they? Do you recall hearing how they were able to accomplish this? Here’s an interesting explanation of how things went down.

What’s your take?

Image by conhunter via Flickr

AutoPacific announced their 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards winners this week.

Award winner highlights:

• Suzuki Kizashi: Top Overall Score
• Lincoln MKT: Top Score – Truck/SUV
• Cadillac: Highest satisfaction – premium brands
• Ford: Earned five segment awards

Vehicle Satisfaction Awards winners are determined by surveying over 42,000 vehicle owners. Their answers cover questions in 48 categories providing the final awards to 27 different vehicle segments and two top brand awards.

The top overall vehicle, the Kizashi, was 99 points higher than the industry average, officials noted, while the MKT was 94 points ahead of the average.

“This is an amazing win for Suzuki,” Peterson commented. “The Kizashi is Suzuki’s most important vehicle, and this performance in our research is exceptional.”

2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award Winners:

• Highest Satisfaction Premium Brand: Cadillac
• Highest Satisfaction Popular Brand: Buick

Passenger Cars

• Premium Luxury Car: Lexus LS
• Aspirational Luxury Car: Hyundai Genesis
• Luxury Midsize Car: Nissan Maxima
• Large Car: Ford Taurus
• Premium Midsize Car: Honda Accord
• Midsize Car: Suzuki Kizashi
• Premium Compact Car: Volkswagen GTI
• Compact Car: Nissan Cube
• Economy Car: Honda Fit
• Sports Car: Porsche 911
• Sporty Car: Chevrolet Camaro
• Hybrid Car: Mercury Milan Hybrid

Light Trucks

• Heavy Duty Pickup: Dodge Ram HD
• Large Light Duty Pickup: Ford F-150
• Compact Pickup: Honda Ridgeline
• Luxury Sport Utility: Cadillac Escalade
• Large Sport Utility: Ford Expedition
• Premium Midsize Sport Utility: Nissan Pathfinder/Toyota 4Runner
• Midsize Sport Utility: Dodge Nitro
• Premium Luxury Crossover: Lincoln MKT
• Luxury Crossover SUV: Lexus RX
• Large Crossover SUV: GMC Acadia
• Premium Midsize Crossover SUV: Ford Edge
• Midsize Crossover SUV: Ford Escape
• Compact Crossover SUV: Hyundai Tucson
• Minivan: Honda Odyssey
• Hybrid Truck: Lexus RX400h Hybrid

Did their list hit the mark?

Everyone said the car industry needed to change. Traditional dealerships upgraded to modern showrooms, manufacturers eliminated entire product lines to stay innovative and fresh and we even pushed the needle by trying to evolve our progressive model further by opening the Eastview Mall used car store.

Here’s another great example of what other thought leaders, within the retail segment, are doing to contribute to this new school movement of creating a better car shopping experience. This takes our mall store concept to the next level – building an entire mall solely for car shopping.

Autopia Animation final from GADarchitecture on Vimeo.

The Autopia Europia will be world’s largest auto-mall, located in Istanbul, selling new and used cars featuring:

• 5 stories – with two underground levels
• 56 food & drink shops, cafe’s & restaurants
• 48 private car service stations
• 24 banks
• 900 car parking lot
• 200 vehicle galleries
• 443 brands
• 2526 types of cars
• Roof-top test track
• Estimated yearly visitors: 6 million

Beginning this Friday, Toyota will recall Lexus LS models because of a potential problem with its steering system. Initial estimates call for 11,500 vehicles to be recalled – only 3,800 of those vehicles are in the US.

“Toyota North America is aware that certain 2010 Lexus LS sedans equipped with optional Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) may exhibit a temporary steering wheel off-center condition, under a specific driving maneuver,” officials explained. “Based on our discussions with TMC, preparations are being made to file a recall in the United States on Friday, May 21.”

They added: “The VGRS may exhibit a temporary steering wheel off-center condition of up to 90 degrees after driving quickly from a very tight turn where the steering was at the end of its travel (full lock position — left or right).

“VGRS automatically corrects the steering wheel off-center condition as the vehicle is driven within approximately one to three seconds. The driver may notice this condition as the steering wheel slowly moves to the center position while driving straight during the VGRS correction,” officials concluded.

If you have questions about your Lexus recall, or any Toyota vehicle and how recall notices may affect you, please contact the Auction Direct USA service department.

Car of the Month – Chevrolet Equinox

A Best Car Buy winner by NADAguides.com is now Car of the Month for May; The Chevrolet Equinox is this month’s top choice.

In March 2010, Equinox sales were up 194 percent over the previous year.

Officials praised the 2010 model for its “sharp new styling, improved engine choices, impressive fuel economy and five-star safety rating.”
The latest Equinox has an “equally striking” interior and exterior, something NADAguides.com said its predecessor did not have. It also provides a ride that is “smooth and quiet,” and is priced affordably, editors shared.

The Chevrolet Equinox is available in four trim levels: LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ. NADAguides.com praises the Car of the Month choice:  “Small families or anyone looking to downsize from a cumbersome, inefficient SUV will find tremendous value in the 2010 Equinox and its many amenities.”

2.4-liter four-cylinder in LS Trim:

• 182 horsepower
• 172 lb-ft of torque
• 22/32 mpg (city/highway- front-wheel drive)
• All-wheel drive: 20/29 mpg (city/highway)
• hile the LS only includes the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine.

3-liter six-cylinder in 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trim lines:

• 264 horsepower
• 222 lb-ft of torque
• 18/25 mpg (city/highway – front-wheel drive)
• All-wheel drive fuel economy of 17/24 mpg (city/highway)

Notable features:

• Blue ambient lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Integrated rear view camera with rear park assist
• Power rear lift-gate
• Navigation system with voice recognition
• 40-gigabyte hard drive
• Premium speakers
• USB port

Safest vehicle in its category – by NADAguides.com:

• Dual threshold front airbags
• Curtain side airbags
• Front-side airbags
• Tire-pressure monitor
• Anti-lock brakes with brake assist
• Hill start assist
• Traction control
• General Motors’ StabiliTrak electronic stability control

Read all the Chevrolet Equinox Reviews in one place at MotorMouths.com

Every woman loves to look her best. And what woman doesn’t love a beautiful convertible?

Just in time for Mother’s Day, here’s three cool convertibles that would make any woman look and feel even more special!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful Mothers out there…get out there and turn some heads.

BMW Z4 M Series Convertible

BMW should be commended for building a vehicle that rewards emotionally, aesthetically and philosophically. The Z4 is a supremely well made driver’s machine.

See all the BMW Convertible reviews in one place at Motormouths.com

Ford Mustang GT Convertible

Considering the slower, less-powerful BMW 335i Coupe starts at $43,525, a well-equipped $39K GT Premium represents strong return on the dollar, to say the least. What’s not an understatement is that the 5.0 is the fiercest and fastest Mustang GT ever. New body designs may not be for everyone, one can’t forget the classic ‘67 Mustang as well.

See all the Ford Mustang Convertible reviews in one place at Motormouths.com.

Saturn Sky Roadster