On October 1, editors at NADAguides.com announced their choices for the top 5 wagons for 2009.  No longer just a “grocery-getter,” or “your moms car,” the wagons of today are sleek, sporty and come equipped with almost everything but the kitchen sink.

The NADA Appraisal Guides is the world’s largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used vehicles and information on new and used vehicles, including valuation information and has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations.

Did your wagon make the list?  Let’s take a look:

1. 2009 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 GT

The editors at NADAguides.com chose the 2009 Mazda MAZDASPEED3 Grand Touring as its top 2009 wagon for its fun and sporty styling, spacious interior and turbocharged inline 4-cyl that generates 263 hp under the hood.

2. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen 2.0L TDI

According to NADAguides.com, this wagon has the “top-notch interior build quality of a traditional German car” and a sub-$25K price tag.  This sharp diesel wagon – which is one of my favorites for 2009 – gets EPA estimates of 29 city/40 highway.

3. 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero AWD Wagon

The 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi Wagon has a 280 hp 2.0L turbocharged V6 and optional AWD. In this category, people might opt for a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes, but according to NADAguides.com, “this is a great looking wagon with a laundry list of standard equipment.”

4. 2009 BMW 5-Series Sport Wagon 535xi

What do the editors have to say about the 2009 BMW 5 Sport Wagon 535xi?  They say, “Every bit what a BMW should be.” That’s how I like it – straight and to the point. They go on to praise the AWD-equipped, 300 hp-enabled, twin turbo-charged inline 6-cylinder-powered luxury car by noting it offers more than 58 cubic feet of space when the back seats are folded and reminds us that this is larger than some mid-sized SUV’s.

5. 2009 Mercedes-Benz E Class 6.3L AMG Wagon

If you can afford the $86,000.00 price tag, NADAguides.com editors say the 2009 Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon offers “thrill-a-minute driving with beautiful styling thrown in.” It boasts a 507 hp 6.3L V8 that generates 465 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 7 paddle-shifted automatic transmission, a sport suspension for improved handling and optional seating for seven.

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Since many Cars for Girls readers are parents of teenage drivers, I wanted to share some information about an awesome contest called, “Holiday Holla,” an online caroling contest just in time for the holidays, which invites your teen to enter for a chance to win $10,000.00 for being a little creative when it comes to driving smart and saving lives.   

The contest, which is funded by “Keep the Drive,” a teen-led driving movement which is funded by The Allstate Foundation, invites teens across the country to participate by challenging them to rewrite and perform traditional holiday carols with a twist - new, catchy lyrics about smart driving.

The top five teams will perform in front of recording artist Kate Voegele, who will also assist in selecting the winners at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota on December 6, 2008.

Danny Luebke and Carl Turner, both of Minneapolis, were last year’s winners and took home the grand prize by performing their song, “Make a Difference,” for the judges – which included country singer Taylor Swift. Their song was a version of the holiday classic, “Good King Wenceslaus.”

If you have a driving teen with a creative streak who would like to participate and have a chance to win some cool cash, here are the details:

Teens create their own video carols using smart driving lyrics and well-known, public domain holiday songs such as “Deck the Halls,” “Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah,” “Jingle Bells” and other classics listed on KeeptheDrive.com. Teens must videotape themselves performing their songs and submit their videos to the website from October 1 through November 2, and they can enter as individuals or in teams of up to three teens.

On November 7, fifteen semi-finalists will be announced. Each semi-finalist team will receive an award of $1,000.00 from The Allstate Foundation. The public will help select the top five finalist videos through online voting from November 7 through November 21 at KeeptheDrive.com. Members from the five teams whose videos get the most votes will win an expenses-paid trip to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. On Saturday, December 6, the finalists will perform their songs onstage for a panel of judges, including Kate Voegele. Voegele will award the grand-prize, second place and third place winners with $10,000.00, $5,000.00 and $3,000.00.

For a complete set of rules and all the info, visit KeeptheDrive.com and if your teen wins, let us know!

Good luck!

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It’s important to flush out your vehicle’s coolant system at least once each year to prevent corrosion and to flush out sediments that build up within the old fluid.

Flushing the coolant system is pretty easy and doesn’t require any special tools, so if you’d like to save a few bucks and do it yourself, here’s how:

What you’ll need

Pan or bucket
Regular garden hose
Radiator Flush Solution

1. Your vehicle should be cold.  Never attempt to flush the coolant system immediately after your vehicle has been running or idling.

2. Locate the radiator (see Routine Vehicle Maintenance: Understanding The Basics - Part 1 ) and remove the radiator cap.  Note the hoses to be certain they are firm without any holes.  Place the pan or bucket underneath to catch all fluid drainage from the radiator and then loosen the radiator plug located on the bottom side of the radiator. The radiator plug could be a screw plug, drain valve or even a bolt plug.  Let the coolant drain from the radiator completely.

3. After all of the coolant has been drained, you’ll replace the drain plug and add radiator flush solution directly into the radiator and then turning on your garden hose, fill it to the top with water.  Replace the radiator cap. You can also omit using the flush solution if you like and simply just use water.

4. Start your vehicle and let it run until the temperature gauge inside your car reaches a normal operating level.  While your vehicle is running, turn the vehicle heater to its’ hottest position and let it run for about 10 to 15 minutes, keeping the engine running.

5. Turn the vehicle off and let it cool down completely. Never touch the radiator cap or attempt to remove it when the car is hot. If the radiator cap is hot to the touch or very warm, its sill too hot to remove. After the engine has cooled down considerably, open the drain once again and let the fluid run out of the radiator, remembering to use your bucket or pan to catch it all. 

6. When the fluid has been completely drained, replace the plug and add new coolant to the radiator.  You can use a 50/50 mix of water and coolant or use coolant and water that has already been pre-mixed for you.  Don’t forget to fill the coolant reservoir with the same 50/50 mix if needed, as well.

7. Be certain to make sure the radiator cap and plug are tightly secure.

That’s it – you’re done!

If you notice any leaks in hoses while you’re flushing, this is a good indicator that they need to be replaced.  You won’t get far with a leaky radiator hose.

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Recently, I’ve been looking to purchase a GPS (Global Positioning System).  After living from one coast to the other and all parts in between, as well as doing a lot of traveling over the years, it’s safe to say that I have mad map reading skills.  On the other hand, having s GPS system is something that could make my excursions much easier and in the long run, I wouldn’t have to buy a new atlas every year or map out my itinerary with a yellow highlighter all while making notations along the map margins. Truth be told, I love a good atlas because I like to read about awesome places to visit and scenic travel stops along the way, so I won’t be tossing those to the way-side anytime soon, however a GPS can provide a feeling of security during my journeys that an atlas, map and ink pen just can’t provide.

That said, I’ve been doing the following to help in my decision and hopefully my tips can also help you determine the best GPS for your needs, as well.

Determine Your Needs

Will I be using a GPS for long road travel or something else?  For me, it will basically be for traveling the highways and bi-ways on cross country journeys, but others use a GPS device for things like off-road excursions or hunting/fishing/outdoor activities or navigating large metropolitan areas.  If I had a four wheel drive and still went off-road driving like I used to do, it would definitely factor in my decision. 

Research and Compare

With so many different GPS navigation systems to choose from and all with varying prices and features, it’s essential to compare brands.  I’ve been doing a lot of research online and checking out different websites, like Consumer Reports and manufacturer sites.  In doing so, I’ve also made a list of questions about things I’d like more information on concerning different brands and features, such as understanding GPX, how to track routes, etc.

• Garmin
• Magellan
• TomTom
• Navigon
• Mio
• Uniden

Visit

I’ve had the chance to visit a few different stores to check out their GPS offerings.  Armed with my list of questions, I’ve been able to get most of them answered.

Online Shopping

I’ve also been browsing Ebay to see what might be up for auction.  I’ve determined that while there are some great deals, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting, should you decide to bid or use the Buy Now option.  Also, it’s important to buy a new GPS in a sealed box from any online auction site. There’s usually a shipping cost too, so unless it’s a really good deal, I probably won’t buy a GPS online.

Compatibility

Do I want something that’s compatible with my computer, since although most GPS come with pre-loaded maps of all states, perhaps I’ll want to update maps or upload more maps, directions and cool places to visit.  Also, since many cell phones have GPS built in, do I want something compatible with a cell phone? 

Level of Use/Ease of Use

I want something that’s simple and easy to use.  If I have to fumble or wait for information to load, I’ll quickly lose interest and become frustrated.  I also want a GPS that has a long-life built-in battery as well as an A/C plug.

Pricing/Cost

I’m looking for a GPS which is affordable, has great features and is easy to use.  I don’t want to pay more than I have to for things I probably won’t need or which I won’t use often enough to justify the added expense.

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Vehicle safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests as well as evaluations of seat and head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impact crashes. To become an IIHS Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in all three IIHS tests, as well as offer electronic stability control. This requirement is based on research indicating that electronic stability control significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk single-vehicle crashes which end in fatalities, by assisting the motorist in maintaining control during emergency driving situations.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates vehicles in the following categories:

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

How safe is the new vehicle your driving?  Did it make the list? Let’s take a look at the Top Safety Award Winners of 2008 which have been stamped with the IIHS seal of approval. 

The Top Safety Award Winners of 2008:

Large Cars

• Audi A6
• Acura RL 2009 models
• Cadillac CTS
• Ford Taurus with optional electronic stability control
• Lincoln MKS 2009 models
• Mercury Sable with optional electronic stability control
• Volvo S80

Midsize Cars

• Acura TSX 2009 models
• Audi A3
• Audi A4
• Ford Fusion 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Honda Accord 4-door models
• Mercury Milan 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Saab 9-3
• Subaru Legacy with optional electronic stability control
• Volkswagen Jetta 2009 models
• Volkswagen Passat 2009 models

Midsize Convertibles

• Saab 9-3
• Volkswagen Eos 2009 models
• Volvo C70

Small Cars

• Honda Civic 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 models with optional electronic stability control
• Scion xB 2008-09 models
• Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control
• Volkswagen Rabbit 2009 models

Minivans

• Honda Odyssey
• Hyundai Entourage
• Kia Sedona

Large SUVs

• Audi Q7
• Buick Enclave 2008-09 models
• Chevrolet Traverse 2009 models
• GMC Acadia 2008-09 models
• Saturn Outlook 2008-09 models

Midsize SUVs

• Acura MDX
• Acura RDX
• BMW X3
• BMW X5
• Ford Edge
• Ford Flex 2009 models
• Ford Taurus X
• Honda Pilot 2008-09 models
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Veracruz
• Infiniti EX35
• Lincoln MKX
• Mercedes M class 2008-09 models
• Nissan Murano 2009 models
• Saturn VUE built after December 2007
• Subaru Tribeca
• Toyota Highlander
• Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

• Ford Escape 2009 models
• Honda CR-V
• Honda Element
• Mazda Tribute 2009 models
• Mercury Mariner 2009 models
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Nissan Rogue 2008-09 models
• Subaru Forester 2008-09 models
• Volkswagen Tiguan 2009 models

Large Pickup

• Toyota Tundra

Small Pickup

• Toyota Tacoma 2009 models

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