Archive for July, 2010

Lindsay Lohan has had roughly one car crash, arrest, or DUI for every car she’s owned. And as you’ll see below, the former child star has owned a lot of cars.

After a string of hits in the early naughties that included Freaky Friday, Mean Girls, and Herbie: Fully Loaded, Lindsay Lohan earned a reputation as a party girl. Her next string of hits was of the vehicular kind, with crashes in Studio City (August, 2004), West Hollywood (October, 2005), London (November, 2006), and Beverly Hills (May, 2007).  She’s also had several fender benders and has been accused of bumping into paparazzi with her car on multiple occasions.

Authorities finally got serious with the actress when cocaine was found in her Mercedes SL65 AMG convertible following the 2007 crash. Though she was placed on probation, reports of Lohan’s partying and bad behavior did not let up. On July 6th of this year, Judge Marsha Revel sentenced the actress to 90 days in prison and 90 days at an in-patient rehab facility for violating the terms of her probation.  She’s scheduled to begin her sentence on July 20th.

So what does a hard-partying celebrity like Lindsay Lohan drive? We combed through the interwebz and found eight models with confirmed LiLo sightings. And while we appreciate Miss Lohan’s taste in automobiles, we do not approve of her driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  Stay safe out there, people!

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Mercedes SL65 AMG

Lohan crashed this $180,000 convertible into the back of a minivan in 2005. The actress claimed that she was looking over her shoulder to avoid paparazzi and didn’t see the van as it slowed to make an illegal U-turn. At the time, the SL65 AMG was the most expensive version of the SL-Class and featured a twin-turbo V12 engine with just over 600-horsepower. Lohan has since replaced the car with an SL550, which has a more reasonable $100k price tag and 382-horsepower engine.

PHOTO: injury.com

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Ferrari F430 Spider

At over $215,000, it’s a good thing Lindsay hasn’t wrecked this Italian stallion. She was, however, spotted being driven around LA a few times in a silver model.

PHOTO: CoolSpotters

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Rolls-Royce Phantom

For a time, Lindsay rented a Rolls-Royce Phantom.  At $380,000, it’s one of the most most expensive luxury cars in the world. And with a custom matte black paint job, you can rest assured that this Rolls was pricier still.

PHOTO: Daily Mail

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Maserati Quattroporte

Lohan has been spotted all over LA in this rare Italian luxury sedan. She most famously left the car parked outside Samantha Ronson’s house after the police were called for a domestic disturbance. The authorities later towed the car for a parking violation and it was sold soon afterwords. Lindsay’s particular model was said to be a 2007 Quattroporte Sport GT, which stickered for $121,000 when new.

PHOTO: TampaBay.com

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Porsche 911

Okay, so this iconic German sports car actually belonged to gal-pal/ex, Samantha Ronson. Lindsay was nonetheless spotted in this 911 Targa a few times while shopping in Beverly Hills. The actress certainly has a thing for fast cars, doesn’t she?

PHOTO: WENN

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Cadillac Escalade

We already know what you’re thinking: what celebrity doesn’t have a Cadillac Escalade? Lindsay Lohan is no exception and has been spotted numerous times in this blingtastic luxury SUV. In keeping with her obsession for fast cars, this Caddy features a 403-horsepower V8 engine.

PHOTO: CoolSpotters

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Mercedes C350 sedan

The most reasonably priced car that Miss Lohan has been spotted in is this $37,000 Mercedes C350 luxury sedan. Despite the affordable (for a celebrity) price tag, this Benz can still scoot to 60 in less than six seconds. That kind of performance should come in handy if you’re late for a luncheon at the Ivy.

PHOTO: CoolSpotters

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Lindsay Lohan’s Cars: Herbie the Love Bug

Who could forget Herbie? Lindsay drove this unlikely race car in Disney’s 2005 movie Herbie: Fully Loaded. The film features a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own. Sadly, Herbie’s driving has proven better than Lindsay’s.

Kia’s animated hamsters are at it once again. This time they’re clad in Fubu and Ecko as they rap about the Kia Soul and play various instruments.  In a word… adorable.

I’m not really sure how this whole, “putting hamsters behind the wheel of a car,” thing started but it apparently wasn’t the one hit wonder most assumed it would be. The original video now has over one million views on YouTube and the second is closing in on 1.1 million.

That first video aired in early 2009 and replaced the cars on Los Angeles streets with hamsters running around in squeaky exercise wheels.  And just when you start to wonder why every hamster is driving the same thing, a brand new Soul rolls up at a traffic light to a chorus of gasps and surprised looks. The Soul is a new way to roll, the tag line explains.

The new commercial takes the same concept and turns it into a music video. Since the exercise wheel concept got exhausted in the first video, this new one features a few alternatives: toasters, cardboard boxes, and washing machines. If you look closely, you can still spot one or two late-model exercise wheels on “Hamsterdam Avenue.”

For the next one, I think they should go for Emo hamsters rocking their heads to Dashboard Confessional as they apply eyeliner in the rearview mirror. Just a thought.

What do you think of the Kia Soul hamster commercials? Are they worth the hype or are they just another squeaky wheel?

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of driving away in your first brand new car. Between the new car smell and the promise of road trips to come, that first big purchase is sure to make memories.

A new car is a symbol of success and of good financial stewardship. It celebrates your sense of style and reflects your personality.  And assuming it’s well cared for, that vehicle will be with you for work and play for many years to come.

With new car season now in full swing, we were curious to see which vehicles were most popular among first time buyers. So we fired up the Honk search tool and honed in on young people who recently made that first big purchase.

Owing to economic conditions, we also added in a budget-friendly cap on price at $20,000.  Practical sedans and minivans were banned because hey – it’s summer and we wanted to have some fun!

Our final list is full of coupes, hatchbacks, and trucks with plenty of personality.  You can read about the Top 10 winners below or take in that new car smell with the complete list of Best Cars for First Time Buyers on Honk.

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#1 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Scion tC

The Scion tC proves that you can drive a stylish car and still be able to make those student loan payment at the end of each month.  This coupe is easy on the eyes and easy on the wallet.  Owners brag about the tC’s panoramic moonroof and bumpin’ Pioneer audio system – both standard – making this Scion a great buy if you want a car that can spoil you without breaking the bank.

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#2 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Jeep Patriot

Outdoorsy types love the Jeep Patriot for its ability to tackle adventures and stay composed in rough conditions.  Road trips and ski trips will be frequent but trips to the gas station will not thanks to fuel economy that can range as high as 29 mpg on the highway.  The Patriot is a great choice if you need extra cargo space for outdoor sports or large pets.

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#3 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Honda Fit

Fun and flexible, the Honda Fit is loaded with more deep thinking than that philosophy class you took in college.  The secret here is the ingenious second row “Magic Seats,” which can fold up or down to accommodate cargo of various shapes and sizes.  Despite being small on the outside, the Fit has more cargo space inside than some SUVs.  Owners rave that this Honda is fun to drive and has excellent fuel economy, making this hatchback good for the soul and easy on the wallet.

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#4 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Nissan Versa

Compact on the outside and enormous on the inside, this Nissan is notable for space, space, and more space.  Rear seat leg room is a step above anything else in the class, as is the quality of interior materials.  For such an affordable car, the Versa impresses with high-quality cloth upholstery and premium plastics that are soft to the touch.  Nissan didn’t skimp on technology, either: the Versa can be had with navigation, Bluetooth, and an Intelligent Key that lets you enter the car and start the engine without ever taking the key out of your pocket.

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#5 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Ford Focus

If you’re the kind of person who is into the latest gadgets and technology, you’ll love the SYNC system that Ford has built into the Focus coupe and sedan.  It’s a tethered system that connects to your mobile devices via Bluetooth or USB, allowing you to control your devices through simple voice commands.  You can use SYNC to search through your music library or to have it read you an important email while you drive.  And your inner environmentalist will be happy to know that the seat cushions in the Focus are derived from a bio-based polyurethane foam that’s derived from the oils of various plant seeds.

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#6 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Volkswagen Golf

One look at the stunning interior in the Golf is all it took for reviewers on Honk to fall in love with this sleek and chic Volkswagen.  The design is subtle and sporty with impeccable fit and finish and a level of refinement that betters some luxury cars.  Owners love the feisty, fun-to-drive spirit and the ample cargo space.  Volkswagen’s optional audio and navigation systems both come with crisp displays and an easy-to-use interface.  There’s also an available TDI clean diesel engine that boasts up to 42 miles per gallon.

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#7 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Scion xD

With funky styling and a long list of standard features, the Scion xD is a great value for grads who want to stand apart from the crowd.  The hatchback bodystyle has lots of space for people and cargo and the four-cylinder engine was praised for a nice balance of power and fuel efficiency.  Owner love the excellent value, noting that, “The xD also has the best price compared to other cars in its class, but offers more standard features.”

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#8 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Nissan Frontier

Nissan’s Frontier packs fullsize features into a midsize truck.  It’s the best choice here if you need a rugged vehicle that can tow a trailer or get you to the outdoors.  There’s a choice of economical 4-cylinder or powerful 6-cylinder engine and a fully-boxed frame that allows the Frontier to tow up to 6,500 pounds.  Owners love this Nissan’s many clever innovations, like a handy storage bin under the rear seats and a Utili-track system in the pickup bed that can make securing cargo a cinch.

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#9 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Toyota Yaris

With highway fuel economy higher than that of some hybrids, the Yaris is a smart move if you’re looking to save money or the environment.  In Europe, the Yaris won many awards when it was first launched, thanks to cheeky styling and fun handling.  Owners rave about the value, too, pointing out a low sticker price that starts under $13,000.

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#10 Best Car for First Time Buyers: Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse is one of the best options for sleek and stylish transportation on a budget.  The design is racy and the engine is thrifty – a great combination for anyone who wants to save money and look good in the process.  The Eclipse impresses with a practical side, as well.  That steeply-raked roofline hides a hatchback opening and fold-down rear seats that make it easy to bring bulky gear along for the ride.

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The new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the perfect car to overcome these rocky times.

And as the first all-new product to emerge after Chrysler’s bankruptcy last year, this grandest of Jeeps certainly has a lot riding on it. With 70 years of serious off-road heritage and 12 billion dollars of bailout money at stake, Chrysler is counting on this new model to show the world what its new organization is capable of.

Fortunately, there’s a whole lot to like about the new Grand Cherokee.

Jeep’s new flagship has clever technology, amazing capability, and considerably higher quality than its predecessor. Most importantly, this upscale off-roader is a great value. Chrysler claims to have added $2,000 to $6,000 in features to each trim level while simultaneously holding the line on price. Impressive.

Conspicuous consumption is out these days and the Grand Cherokee’s handsome styling says that it’s about function, not flash. The stern face and deep sculpting on the doors are tasteful and restrained. This is how SUVs should look: muscular, confident, solemn.

You won’t be disappointed inside, either. The Grand Cherokee’s new interior impresses with soft plastics, quality leather, and a clean design. There’s also Bluetooth, navigation, voice recognition, adaptive cruise control, satellite television with up to 20 channels, and a mobile wi-fi internet service available for technophiles.

As you’d expect from a Grand Cherokee, off-road technology abounds. Twist the knob on the (optional) Selec-Terrain system and its advanced software will raise the Quadra-Lift air suspension and tweak the operation of the Quadra-Drive II for maximum traction. This Jeep just plain gets the job done.

Grunt comes courtesy of Chrysler’s brand new 290-horsepower “Phoenix” V6 engine, which is surprisingly efficient at 16 MPG in the city and 22-23 MPG on the highway. An optional HEMI V8 engine with 360-horsepower is available and boosts towing capacity from 5,000 to 7,400 pounds.

With it’s reasonable price, graceful appointments, and hefty towing capacity, the Grand Cherokee compares favorably against truck-based competitors like the Nissan Pathfinder.  Stack it up to car-based crossovers, like the Ford Edge or Toyota Venza, though, and it gets more complicated.

Do you need the Jeep’s 7,400-pound towing capacity? Are you willing to lose an MPG or two? Do you prefer the quiet, confident type?

Once upon a time the Jeep Grand Cherokee sold in dizzying numbers because it broadcast adventure and promised an escape from the ordinary. This time, I think Jeep’s flagship will sell because it delivers the kind of confidence and roll-up-your-sleeves determination that our country needs right now.

That’s my take.

Love it? Check out Grand Cherokee pricing and reviews on Honk.

Hate it?  Tell me why with a review of your own.

Free agent fever is hitting a new high and the only known cure seems to be more LeBron coverage.  Is King James leaving Cleveland for New York or Miami?

Everyone from New York’s Mayor Bloomberg to LA’s media mogul, David Geffen has wooed him but LeBron still hasn’t dropped any hints as to where he’s leaning.

Fact is; LeBron could turn either of the Knicks or the Heat into a basketball powerhouse with his arrival.  But the man is a self-described competitor who desperately wants a ring.  He needs a strong team that can seal the deal at the Finals next year.

LeBron’s consolation prize for losing the basketball semifinals a few weeks ago had been to steal attention away from the Lakers and Celtics.  That he clearly enjoyed all the coverage since then suggests that James also wants to grow his share of the NBA spotlight.  So while a fat deal with the Clippers would have been nice for the bottom line, it’s no surprise that he dropped the possibility. What global sports icon would want to share the LA stage with Kobe Bryant, anyway?

LeBron already owns Cleveland and they Cavs no doubt have another strong season ahead.  Maybe that’s why he claims Cleveland still has an “edge” when it comes to his next contract.

So what will it be when the King makes his announcement tomorrow night on ESPN’s The Decision?

Cars are our passion and after checking out the man’s garage for some insight, we’re pretty confident that LeBron James is headed to the New York Knicks.

The King may have traded in the Hummer that earned him so much controversy years ago but he still maintains a love for flashy, expensive cars.  Parked in his driveway right now is a $1.1 million fleet that includes a Maybach 57S, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes S63 AMG, and Ferrari F430 Spider.

Each car is confident and in-your-face powerful, just like their owner.  But the thing that stands out for us is the basketball star’s affinity for big sedans.

Most NBA players have driveways full of sport utility vehicles and luxury coupes.  LeBron’s garage is instead full of decadent luxury cars – the kind of stately rides that you’d expect to see bankers and financiers rolling around in on their way to Wall Street.

Big luxury sedans are practically indigenous to Manhattan.  They have a subtle, powerful presence that’s perfectly in step with New York’s business elite and old money society.

Cleveland has its Escalades and Miami has its Porsches, but Gothamites love the drama of arriving in a sleek black sedan.

That LeBron has a garage full of stretch four-doors says to us that he aspires to chauffer-driven glamour.  And a chauffeured car is definitely the way to get around crowded New York.  Just ask the Chosen One’s Big Apple buddy and fellow Maybach enthusiast, Jay-Z.

As for that Ferrari F430 Spyder, we suspect it would make a perfect toy for weekends in the Hamptons.

Let’s put it this way: LeBron may be speaking fondly of Cleveland but his fleet of cars is shouting New York.