Jeremiah 29:11

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Posted on Tue, Dec. 05, 2006



Car-nivorous

By Laila Derakhshanian

Despite rising fuel costs and a drop in car sales nationwide, luxury car sales continue to rise.

"You are what you drive ... Our vehicles are an expression of ourselves," said John Sackrison, executive director of Orange County Automobile Dealers Association. Successful people "want the image of success, and a vehicle is a way to show that."

While some people want to exude an image of success, others want to make a statement about their values and their concern for the environment, and perhaps, their pocketbooks. Most car companies, including high-end brands like Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, are creating fuel-efficient cars and crossover vehicles (between SUVs and sedans) to address rising gas prices and environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, traditional Big 5 car makers like Dodge and Chevrolet are bringing back old classics like the Challenger and the Camaro.

And aftermarket companies are riding high on the custom-car trend. Nothing is too gaudy or excessive: diamond-encrusted interiors or DirectTV and PC access while you drive.

Here's a closer look at this season's most noteworthy trends, from the "green" cars to every customization you'd ever imagine.

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WHAT'S REVVIN' UP THE MARKET

THROWBACKS

Back in the late `60s and early `70s, car companies created the pony car: they took big engines and put them into smaller bodies. The pony cars were pinnacle performance cars.

To pay homage to these legendary creations, Dodge is reinventing the Challenger.

If you want one, you'll have to wait until 2008. Odds are that when this car shows up, it will be available with 400-plus horsepower and a $40,000 price tag.
CROSSING OVER

To fight the dip in SUV sales, car manufacturers are creating an automobile referred to as a crossover, providing most of the perks of an SUV, like ample passenger and cargo space, with better fuel efficiency.

The CUV has become the new SUV, and it's the largest growing segment in the auto industry, according to Ford rep Sara Tatchio.

Worth checking out: the Acura RDX, the Saturn Outlook, the Ford Edge, the Lincoln MKX and the Mazda CX-7.

These are different from the smaller SUVs that came out a couple of years ago; CUVs are built on unibody platforms.

HARD TOPS

Several companies are producing hard-top convertibles, which are popular in Europe.

The new Volkswagen EOS is the first hard-top convertible of its kind. It's almost like having three cars in one: you can go completely topless, or use the hard top's sliding/tilting sunroof.

The hardtop retracts in about 25 seconds. Prices start at $27,990; navigation tools are optional.

Other hardtop convertibles available on the market: the Mazda Miata and the Pontiac G6.---