Review: 2011 Scion tC

Historians William Strauss and Neil Howe are known for their theory that America goes through a repeating cycle of four periods: a High, an Awakening, an Unraveling and a Crisis. Depending on who you believe, we could be in an Unraveling period about to fall headlong into a major crisis, which our two historians call the Fourth Turning. But if we persevere and turn the corner, we'll find ourselves back in High times once again.

We reckon the Scion brand is in about the same spot. It hasn't had much positive to report lately, so the redesigned 2011 Scion tC gives the brand something to talk about while it works out how to improve on its initially strong showing in the U.S. Does the new tC portend a return to High times for Scion, or is it leading a parade lap right into the Fourth Turning?



The Scion tC's lines are new for 2011, but they're very familiar. That's probably because its dimensions are identical to the 2010 model with the exception of an additional 1.6 inches of overall width.

A flat roofline gives the profile a low, bulldog stance and the massive C-pillar leaves perhaps the largest first impression. Up front the lower fascia channels a prize-winning Grouper, but swept back headlamps also give it an air of aggression. The rear end lacks the most visual interest, though all of the car's lines were nicely showcased by the Sizzling Crimson Mica paint on our tester. Overall, the 2011 tC looks more butch than the model it replaces, like it went to the gym and pumped iron until some delts appeared.

The impact of age and gender on auto insurance premiums

Having a valid auto insurance policy when you are at the wheel of the car is imperative if you don’t want to brush up the wrong side of law. Not having a valid and legal policy can either result in a hefty fine or time in prison, both of which can prove to be detrimental. There are a number of factors that the insurance companies take into consideration before calculating the auto insurance premiums for the policy holders. While the role of the driving record, make of the car and the safety gadgets affixed to it cannot be overlooked, it is the gender and the age that play the most important role while the premiums are being calculated.
The cost of insuring teenagers and those below the age of 25 is expensive as compared to the cost of insuring people over the age of 25. Statistics have revealed that a majority of the accidents are caused by teenagers who drive recklessly without giving a thought to either their lives or the lives of the others on the road. This clearly increases the risk for the insurance providers who make up for this risk by increasing the cost of the auto insurance premium. Another fact that works against the youngsters is the fact that they do not have a driving history to support their credentials. Auto insurance providers take this into consideration while calculating the premiums since they reveal how careful the driver is at the wheel. Not having this history is again akin to taking a risk which in turn translates as higher premiums.
Gender is another factor that plays a crucial role in determining the amount of money a person has to pay to obtain the auto insurance policy. The premiums that men have to pay to get their car insured is significantly higher than what women have to pay to stay protected. This can be attributed to the sudden adrenaline rush in men that makes them throw caution to the wind and drive recklessly at times. Women, in most cases, have proven to be safe drivers since they give priority to their lives as well as those of their families and the others on the road over all else. Hence, the chances of them getting into accidents are lesser which in turn translates into lower auto insurance costs. The fact that, men drive more than women, cannot be ignored. This in turn increases the risk for the providers who charge more for the auto insurance policy for men.

Finding best auto insurance rates

If you live in a high-cost state like California or New York, finding best deals on auto insurance rates is complicated. Since there are several hundred companies that write auto policies in every state, and are anxious to expand their business, therefore it becomes a cumbersome task to select an appropriate policy without being fooled. Nonetheless, insurance for your vehicle is an important fact, and therefore obtaining the cheapest deal is essential.
The good news is that due to cut-throat competition, the premium rates have been declining, hopeful news for people shopping for their auto insurance. However, it is prudent to note that price is not the only deciding factor, there are other factors involved as well.
Factors to consider while shopping for Auto Insurance:
If you seek to reduce the burden of paying hefty insurance amounts, you must begin by comparing different deals. Further, you must incorporate the following suggestions to enhance your success at obtaining affordable plans.
Each insurance company offer different benefits and rate of discounts. Attention to details is the essence. Therefore, request for quotes for making a price and package comparison. Instead of spending several hours on the phone for obtaining quotes, you can use the Web to check out the affordable policies listed on the websites.
A great way to lower the insurance premiums is by maintaining a clean driving record. Insurance companies give preference to candidates with low-risk profiles. How can you have a good driving record? Simply obey the traffic rules and drive slowly and safely.
Increasing the safety value of your vehicle will strengthen your position in obtaining discounted insurance rates.  Install additional safety devices or features in your vehicle like anti-theft devices, airbags and automatic seatbelts. Several insurance companies automatically offer you discounted premiums upon discovering these safety measures.
Mathematics helps you reduce your auto premium costs. To lower your premiums by 15- 20% your auto insurance policy should have higher deductibles.
Reduce the coverage on your second hand car or an older model. A vehicle costing lesser than ten times of your insurance cover is an unhealthy deal.
Your profession can facilitate discounted premium rates than you think. Inquire from the insurance firm, if your profession will be considered under the low-risk group. Insurance companies group people under high risk and low risk, and low risk professionals are honoured with reduced premiums.
Low annual mileage is another unique way of obtaining best auto insurance rates. Provide a certificate of safe driving and walk away with a cheap insurance premium.

Weigh your policy to find the best auto insurance deal

When you want to get the best possible deals on auto insurance, it is important that you know how to go about it. Nothing comes easy in this world and auto insurance definitely is an expensive matter. However, many statistical reports and surveys have proven the fact that the best rates come to those who spend time looking for it. There can often be a large degree of difference in the rates offered across age groups. Even for the same age group, different rates may be offered by different companies. While it is not possible to pinpoint how and why this is, we can get a fair idea of some of the factors affecting automobile insurance.
When you consider auto insurance, whether you are 25 or 55, make sure that you explore multiple offers to get the best possible deals and discounts. Not everyone is honest in the insurance business, so make sure you speak to some reputed companies for your insurance needs. Once you get the right company providing you with the best policy, things will be smoother.  Ensure that when you apply for auto insurance, you know what they will be discussing. You should have a fair idea of the important terminologies in auto insurance to accomplish this.
Many people are experiencing a rise in auto insurance rate with just one offense or driving violation against them. The recent economic crisis has also led to rise in premiums as many people resorted to fraudulent means to obtain insurance using their no-fault liabilities. However, this is not to say that good deals are unavailable. If you ask around, you will be able to find very profitable insurance deals in the market. The more time you spend investigating, the better your options will be.
While it is not possible to discuss with every insurance company regarding your quotes, it is possible to do a detailed comparison through a website. This will make things very comfortable for you as you will also get familiarized with many of the commonly seen jargon in the market. When you can talk your way through a policy clearly, you can definitely negotiate better on what payments should be made. When you have gathered enough information, you can shortlist few policies and check out what are the discounts you can get on them. The discounts offered will also differ from one insurance provider to the next.  Make sure you check all the resources available before making a decision on the best deal.

Top tips to get the best insurance rates without cutting corners

People are always looking for the best deals when they buy anything new. Especially with the recent economic crisis, more and more folks are becoming more careful of what they spend on and how much they spend. Many Americans overlook the fact that there are bargains to be had and deals to be made in Auto insurance. There are very simply methods by which you can get the best possible deal on your car and insurance requirements. All you need to do is spend a little time considering the pros and cons of the situation. Bear in mind that company guidelines are different and hence discounts also tend to vary.
Here are some simple ways to save on your auto insurance costs:

1. Alarm and security credits: Many people overlook the already existing safety features of their car. If you have a lot of alarm features on your car, then your auto insurance costs will lessen as it is more secure, make sure you discuss this with your insurance agent.


2. Driving records: If you have a history of no accidents and no offenses in all the years you have been driving, it is time to negotiate your insurance quote when you renew it. Consider other options and spend good time comparing costs with different companies instead of blindly renewing it with the old company.


3. Multiple policies: this is a really good way to cut costs. Consider talking a multi-car insurance from a single company if you have more than one vehicle and negotiate the amount you will need to pay. Clubbing home insurance or boat insurance as well from one single company will also help in availing discounts.


4. Paid in full plans: Many people do not realize that when an auto insurance premium is paid in full for a year, there is considerable money saved than paying it every month. The costs for every month will be higher if you compare.


5. Defensive driving courses: this is something everyone can take to prove to the insurance company that you are a skilled driver. Make sure you are aware of the courses which can allow you to be eligible for discounts.


6. Good grades help: most students are not aware of this. Since insurance companies don’t really have much to judge a new applicant or a college student by when they apply for a policy, grades tend to be a factor. If you have good grades, you are likely to get a better discount.

10 Steps to Buying Auto Insurance

When it comes to auto insurance, you want to be adequately covered if you get in an accident, but you don't want to pay more than you have to. Unfortunately many people are doing just that, simply because they don't want to spend time shopping for car insurance. It's not inherently enjoyable, after all, despite how it looks in commercials featuring disgruntled cavemen and joke-cracking spokespeople.
But by doing some comparison shopping, you could save hundreds of dollars a year. When one of our editors used a rate-comparison service, he got basic coverage quotes for his two old cars that ranged from $1,006 to $1,807 — a difference of $801 a year. If you're paying thousands to your current insurance company because you have a couple tickets, an accident or an out-of-date and unfavorable credit rating, shopping your policy against others might be well worth the effort. Look at it this way: You can convert the money you save into buying something you've wanted or needed for a long time.
Step 1: Decide How Much Coverage You Need
To find the right auto insurance, start by figuring out the amount of coverage you need. This varies from state to state, so take a moment to find out what coverage is required where you live. You will find a list of each state's requirements and an explanation of the various types of insurance in "How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?" Also, check out "Little-Known but Important Car Insurance Issues," which has a glossary of basic insurance terminology. If you're a first-time driver and need a comprehensive overview of car insurance before you go on, review this guide from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Now you're ready to make a list of the different types of coverage you are considering.
Once you know what's required, you can decide what you need. Some people are quite cautious. They base their lives on worst-case scenarios and insurance companies love that. Insurance companies are in the risk business, and they know a policyholder's likelihood of being in an accident, as well as how likely it is for a car to be damaged or stolen. The insurance company crunches the information it has collected over decades into actuarial tables that give adjustors a quick look at the probability of just about any occurrence. You don't have those tools at your disposal, so your decision will depend on your own degree of comfort in assuming a certain level of risk.
Experts recommend that if you have a lot of assets, you should get enough liability coverage to protect them. Let's say you have $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage but $100,000 in personal assets. If you're at fault in an accident, attorneys for the other party could go after you for the $50,000 in medical bills that aren't covered by your policy.
General recommendations for liability limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all people injured in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability (usually expressed in insurance shorthand as 50/100/25). Here again, let your financial situation be your guide. If you have no assets that an attorney can seek, don't buy coverage unnecessarily.
Your driving habits might also be a consideration in determining the coverage you need. If your past is filled with crumpled fenders, or if you have a lead foot, or if you make a long commute on a treacherous winding road every day, then you should get more complete coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage that your car experiences in an accident or damage from hitting an inanimate object (a tree, light post or fence, for example). Comprehensive coverage addresses damage that didn't occur in a collision — such as from fire, theft or flood. It also covers damaged windshields.
Keep in mind that you don't have to buy collision and comprehensive coverage. Let's say your vehicle is older, you have a good driving record and there is little likelihood that your car would be totaled in an accident, but a high likelihood of it being stolen. Then you could buy comprehensive coverage and skip the collision insurance.

Deliveries Of 2012 Subaru Impreza Slowed By Brake Recall

Thinking of signing on the dotted line for a new Subaru today—or any other new car, for that matter—and planning to drive away in it this weekend? We suggest you make sure that any recalls applying to the car have already been done.

If they haven't, you might not be allowed to drive off the lot. Subaru, for example, several weeks ago announced a safety-related recall pertaining to a potential brake issue, and since then the automaker has been rushing to get enough parts out to fix thousands of vehicles that were either already sold or already in dealer lots.



At this point, at some dealerships, there are plenty of cars on the lot; but since many of those haven't yet been fixed, they're not salable—or to be more specific, they can't yet be delivered.

But it isn't the fault of Subaru dealerships that they aren't yet caught up in fixing their own inventory. That's because the recall effort prioritizes the shipment of parts for cars by manufacturing date. According to a couple of dealerships we called, the new parts are rolling in, a few at a time, so they're still chipping away at a backlog.

The recall covers 2012 Subaru Impreza models (except WRX and STI) built from April 21, 2011 through November 15, 2011, as well as 2012 Subaru Legacy and Outback models built from October 17, 2011 through November 23, 2011. A total of 31,959 U.S.-market vehicles are affected, including 11,553 Impreza sedans and wagons (or hatchbacks, as the rest of us know them) and 20,406 Legacy/Outback models. About 3,000 of those vehicles affected had already been delivered, according to Subaru's director of corporate communications, Michael McHale.

The issue relates to a manufacturing issue that could have caused one of the critical seals within the braking system's master cylinder to become deformed. Although the issue hasn't led to any accidents or injuries, it could lead to a soft brake pedal and an increase in pedal travel before the vehicle stops.

Under the recall, which was officially announced November 27, dealerships are instructed to inspect the affected components and as necessary replace the master cylinder assembly. The inspection to see if a vehicle is affected takes just 10 minutes, while the repair itself takes another hour, according to the automaker.

Subaru's McHale says that supply of the new 2012 Impreza was already limited before the recall, so now for some dealerships it might be especially tight.

Christian Manz, Internet sales and fleet manager for Carr Subaru in Beaverton, Oregon, hasn't noticed any serious supply problems due to the recall—although their dealership has had to delay some deliveries to customers about a week because of it. Another dealership reported a two-week delay in some cases.

But relative to the supply and delivery issues Subaru has already faced earlier this year--the March 11 earthquake, which caused supplier interruptions and affected inventories for months--this effort is just a minor hassle said, Manz, who put it into perspective. “Catching up with what happened in Japan in March was a much bigger issue.”