Detroit auto show Ford Focus a Winner!

2011 Ford Focus, More of a good car,

Not much change

When you have a good thing why fix it? Sometimes the more you fix it the worse it gets. Ford has a winner with it’s Ford Focus. While the Focus name is applied to a variety of platforms world wide, the vehicle America has associated with the Focus remains mostly the same for 2010.


The big change is in the powerplant and transmission. The Focus will have a new 2.0 litre four cylinder engine. The transmission will be a computer shifted dual-clutch manual six speed. When placed together with the transmission, Ford says the Focus will have 20% more horse power than the current models, a very good idea, yet the transmission will provide 9% better fuel economy!


By leaving everything else mostly the same, Ford will save a mint in new engineering fees. The US version and international models will share 80% of the parts, which will help keep the costs down on this practical car. The major differences in European and other cars will be government requirements for bumpers, headlights and the like.


The U.S. version of the Focus will be in a variety of styles. There will be the Focus five-door hatchback, popular for moms hauling groceries. There will also be the four door sedan, which has been a popular body style. In the future Ford plans a wagon syle for the Focus, which will drive sales as high as two million units in 2011.


The Ford Focus is a good buy for those who want economy and dependability. It is not such a small car you have to go on a diet to fit into it. Yet, it offers good fuel economy, available parts and service, and of course, the Ford name!

Edmunds top 10 cars for 2010, best auto buys, cars,best trucks,best car prices, best student car, mobility challenged

Edmunds Says Buy

BMW 3 Series

2010 New car buyers guide

Also best pics for mobility

 challenged and college brats

Are you in the market for a brand new 2010 vehicle but not sure which one is right for you? A good guide to consult is Edmunds. They have earned the reputation of being honest, to the point, and provide excellent value information and reviews.  Edmunds new and used buyers guides

Each year Edmunds takes a look at the 2010 model line up and gives it's top picks. This years pics include the best sedan, sport utility, mobility challenged and student car. 

US Autos Direct llc, says Edmunds to 10 new auto picks for 2010

Here are the picks: 

—Sedans Under $15,000

• 2010 Honda Fit and
• 2010 Hyundai Elantra.

—Sedans Under $20,000

2010 Mazda MAZDA3

•  2010 Suzuki Kizashi
•  and 2010 Ford Fusion.

—Sedans Under $25,000

• 2010 Honda Accord,
• 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and
•  2010 Toyota Prius.

—Sedans Under $30,000

•  2010 Buick LaCrosse and
• 2010 Volkswagen CC.

—Sedans Under $35,000

•  2010 Hyundai Genesis
• 2010 BMW 3 Series and
• 2009 Infiniti G37.

—Sedans Under $50,000

• 2010 Cadillac CTS and
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

—Sedans Under $60,000

• 2010 Jaguar XF and
• 2010 BMW M3.

—Sedans Over $60,000

 2010 Porsche Panamera

• 2010 BMW 7 Series and
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

—Compact Trucks

2010 Nissan Frontier and

2010 Toyota Tacoma.

—Large Trucks

2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500

and 2010 Toyota Tundra.

—SUVs Under $25,000

2010 Chevrolet Equinox,

2010 Honda CR-V and

2010 Toyota RAV4.

—SUVs Under $35,000

2010 Chevrolet Traverse,

2010 Volvo XC60

and 2010 Mazda CX-9.

—SUVs Under $45,000

 2010 Audi Q5

and 2010 Toyota Sequoia.

—SUVs Over $45,000

 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser

2010 BMW X5.

—Wagons Under $20,000

2010 Volkswagen Jetta and

2010 Kia Soul.

—Wagons Under $30,000

2010 Ford Flex and

2010 Subaru Outback.

—Wagons Under $40,000

 2010 Cadillac CTS and

 2010 Audi A4.

—Wagons Over $40,000

2010 BMW 5 Series and

2010 Audi A6.

—Minivans

2010 Honda Odyssey,

2010 Toyota Sienna and

2010 Kia Sedona.

—Hybrids

2010 Honda Insight,

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid,

2010 Toyota Prius,

2010 Lexus HS 250h and

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid.

—Diesels

2010 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class,

2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD,

2010 BMW 3 Series and

2010 Volkswagen Jetta.

—Convertibles Under $25,000

 2010 Mini Cooper and

2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

—Convertibles Under $35,000

 2010 Ford Mustang and

2010 BMW 1 Series.

—Convertibles Under $45,000

2010 BMW 3 Series and

2010 Nissan 370Z.

—Convertibles Under $60,000

 2009 Porsche Boxster and

2010 Chevrolet Corvette.

—Convertibles Over $60,000

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and

2009 Porsche 911.

—Coupes Under $20,000

2010 Mini Cooper and

2010 Honda Civic.

—Coupes Under $30,000

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and

2010 Ford Mustang.

—Coupes Under $40,000

2010 BMW 3 Series and

2010 Audi A5.

—Coupes Under $60,000

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and

 2009 Porsche Cayman.

—Coupes Over $60,000

2010 Audi R8 and

2010 Porsche 911.

Edmunds.com also included its Top Recommended Vehicles for Mobility Challenged Drivers in 2010, as follows:

—Sedans

2010 Toyota Prius,

2010 Chevrolet Impala and

2010 Ford Taurus.

—Wagons and SUVs

2010 Honda Element.

—Full-Size Vans and Minivans

 2010 Ford Transit Connect,

2010 Chrysler Town and Country and

2009 Dodge Sprinter.

Best bets for college kids

These picks came from Edmunds Consumers' Favorites survey of best cars for college.  Here is what your friends will be driving if daddy has the bucks to buy new:

 The Mazda3 is the most popular, according to the survey, with 30% of the votes.


"At the top of the class with 33 percent of the votes is the athletic and affordable Mazda3," Brauer of Edmund's shared. "Taking the Salutatorian honor is the Honda Fit, which is fun to drive and boasts an amazing amount of interior room within its small footprint.


"And finishing third is the new kid in the class, the Kia Soul, whose funky styling and enjoyable driving dynamics are as endearing as a professor who makes learning fun," he added.

The top ten list 

1. Mazda3,                    $19,846.

2. Honda Fit,                 $16,870.

3. Kia Soul,                   $17,253.

4. Nissan Cube,             $16,925.

5. Scion xD,                   $16,086.

6. Kia Forte,                   $18,134.
7.  Toyota Yaris,             $14,426.

8. Hyundai Elantra         $17,631.

9. Suzuki SX4,               $17,207.
10. Nissan Versa,           $15,993.

Figuring out which is the best vehicle for you is never an easy task.  Using the vehicle guides, one can get a pretty good idea about what vehicle is the best buy for the money.  Surprisingly, the BMW 3 series came up on the list in several categories, best converable, best diesel for example.  It has an excellent resale and is a dependable car. 

When it come to the best convertable under $27,000 bucks the toss up is between the  Mini Cooper and the Mazda Miata.  With driveability aside, the Mini Cooper is far and away a better bet if you like attention at the gas pump and the best resale value.  While the Miata is a fun car and well built, it just does not have the pizaz that the Mini Cooper has. 

Edmunds is an excellent source for accurate new car information.  Be sure to check the guide before you go shopping so you know what is hot and what is not!