Archive for September, 2011

Car Infographics: Do Americans Like Buying Cars?

We all get psyched when we are planning to buy a new car, but walking onto a car dealership doesn’t exactly send tingles up and down many people’s arms. After all, who wants to get harassed by salesmen who circle around you like predators stalk their prey and then try to make you pay full price when most people know the price on the window is just a starting point?

Turns out, most people don’t care for that scenario, but still, 42% of buyers aren’t yet willing to purchase a car online. And even though a whopping 59% of buyers hate to have to master the art of haggling, 27% of buyers love to massage the system to get that price down. It’s exhausting just thinking about it, so it’s not surprising that 67% of potential customers want to test drive their dream vehicle alone.

Buying a vehicle is a tough job, but commuting wouldn’t be the same without our four-wheeled friends so check out the infographic for 10 steps to buying a car. After all, we need all the help we can get.

Also, stay tuned for our next installment in the Car Infographics series.

By the Numbers: 2004-2012 BMW 6 Series

2012-BMW-650i-front-view


We’ve nearly approached BMW M6 territory with the new 2012 BMW 650i coupe and convertible. Thanks to a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter 400-hp V-8 engine producing 450 lb-ft of torque, the new 650i is a rocket whether you choose the popular eight-speed automatic or low-volume six-speed manual transmission.

Motor Trend has tested a 2006 BMW M6 that accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds on to a quarter mile time of 12.6 seconds at 116.0 mph. Just one generation newer, and the 2012 650i convertible with an eight-speed automatic transmission finishes the quarter mile in 13.0 seconds at 109.8 mph.

With the basic U.S.-market 650i becoming so quick, maybe it’s time to reconsider a 640i? In the UK, the six-cylinder BMW 640i has a claimed 0-62 mph time of 5.4 seconds. To really get an idea for the differences between the 2004 and 2012 BMW 6 Series cars, take a look at the Motor Trend performance data below.

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image2012 BMW 650i coupe tested on 9/12/11

Twin-turbo 4.4L V-8 and 6M with 400 hp/450 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds
Quarter mile: 13.1 seconds @ 109.5 mph
Figure Eight time: 25.3 seconds @ 0.74 g
60-0 mph: 110 feet
Pounds per horsepower: 10.7

2012 BMW 650i convertible tested on 9/12/11

Twin-turbo 4.4L V-8 and 8A with 400 hp/450 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Quarter mile: 13.0 seconds @ 109.8 mph
Figure Eight time: 25.7 seconds @ 0.74 g
60-0 mph: 109 feet
Pounds per horsepower: 11.4

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image2004 BMW 645i coupe tested on 9/22/04

4.4L V-8 and 6M with 325 hp/330 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 5.3 seconds
Quarter mile: 13.7 seconds @ 102.6 mph
Figure Eight time: 25.9 seconds @ 0.71 g
60-0 mph: 115 feet
Pounds per horsepower: 11.8

2004 BMW 645Ci convertible tested on 2/26/04

4.4L V-8 and 6M with 325 hp/330 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Quarter mile: 14.0 seconds @ 101.0 mph
Figure Eight time: 26.5 seconds @ 0.65 g
60-0 mph: 112 feet

On a vehicle like the 2012 BMW 650i, would you consider the six-speed manual over the eight-speed automatic transmission? Tell us what you’d do in the comments section below.


By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image

By the Numbers: 2004 2012 BMW 6 Series image


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