What’s better than doing it in a convertible?

Kelley Blue Book’s Top 25 Convertibles

Kelley Blue Book recently listed its top 25 convertible models, starting with the pack leader, the Ford Mustang.

Some entrants are surprising, others not so much. They all bring to the table a feature or two attractive to all sorts of drivers, from more engine oomph to powerful sound systems to enjoy tunes while rolling down the highway in the open air.

The list was compiled based on interest shown from KBB website visitors, in terms of New Car Pricing reports. Basically these are the convertibles people are asking about most.

Ford Vs. Chrysler

Some say the Mustang’s main rival is the Chrysler Sebring, which interestingly ranked No. 8 in the KBB list of top convertibles. The Mustang is considered more hip, while the Sebring gets better gas mileage and has more space inside.

The cars don’t seem like logical competitors, but industry experts cite them as such.

The Mustang’s SHELBY GT trim also carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $49,000; while a fully equipped Limited-trim Sebring can be found in the low $30,000s.

Mustang

Not surprising was the Mustang’s strong showing. Ever since Ford, for the 2005 model year, went back to exterior stylings of the original Mustangs of the 1960s, the model has enjoyed a renaissance.

Ford executives called the new styling “retro-futurism,” and it has proved popular with autobuyers.  For convertibles, the model comes in five trims; let’s focus on the 2-door SHELBY GT500 Cobra – and its 5.4-liter V8 engine.

Where the GT’s 300-horsepower V8 won’t save you at the pump, but it will open eyes upon acceleration as well as on the open highway. You can imagine a summer trek through the desert to Vegas in one of these beasts.

Price is always a major consideration when the economy lulls and gas prices rage uncontrollably.

Seabring

Those interested in improving the ride should check out the Sebring’s MyGIG, an optional hard drive-based system that includes:

• Navigation
• Traffic information
• MP3 music
• A high-speed USB port
• Voice recognition
• Voice message recording
• Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity.

A rear-seat DVD video system is icing on the cake.  Ask about its dual headphones and audio and gaming capability.

Added in 2008 was an all-wheel drive Limited trim, and standard features including a six-disc compact disc player and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Eos

Surprising on the list of top convertibles is the Volkswagen Eos, which comes in six trims – all with hard tops. Of interest in how VW integrated a glass sunroof into the top of this new four-seat convertible for the 2008 model year.

Glass sunroof in a convertible?  What’s the world coming to?

It isn’t your parents’ Volkswagen when the MSRP starts at nearly $30,000, and can jump to the $40,000s with all goodies. But VW went all out with the Eos and it appears to be paying dividends.

Added for 2008 was a standard, powered, 12-way driver seat. Front passengers also will appreciate the tall front deflector that extends from the top of the windshield frame when needed.

An optional 10-speaker, 600-watt audio system has gotten raves from industry watchers.  All told, these features make for a fine ride, and obviously the Eos has caught the eyes of those who review new cars.

Miata

Following the Eos on the KBB list is the Mazda Miata MX-5, the Saturn SKY, Mini Cooper, Pontiac Solstice and Toyota Solara.

The Solara was noted for its slick coupe styling, plus a large back seat and the brand’s reputation for longevity.  Resale values carry a lot of weight nowadays.

A drawback is fans of the clutch: few trims come with manual transmission.

Solara

A new Toyota Solara convertible can be had for just less than $21,000. For modest price bumps you can add a V6, or a Sport trim.

Compare a Solara with all bells and whistles, priced up to a high of $34,000, to some of the convertibles mentioned above and you can see why Toyota keeps tinkering with the concept.

Today people value strong products with, well, value. Toyota knows what it has with the Solara – even moreso with a convertible trim.

The post Time of the Season – Out and About in a Convertible appeared first on Cash for Cars Selling Tips.

Of all of the car sites worth checking out to learn about different vehicles KBB is on the ‘yes’ list.

Have questions about buying or selling a vehicle? Or are you just curious about all things automotive?

The advice section of the Kelley Blue Book website offers a whole range of helpful information.

The blue book has history

It is no secret that KBB has been in the business for a long time. The story of Les Kelley is both interesting and inspiring.

Their history and experience in the automotive industry means that the information they provide will always be worth a read.

The layout

The advice page layout is simple and clean, made for finding what you need when you need it. They offer:

Each section is designed to make your automotive experience easier by making it quick and thorough.

For more information on the Blue Book, check out our KBB section.

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The Kelley Blue Book or KBB is a trusted source of market value within the automotive industry. Their pricing services are used by consumers and dealers alike, you use them and so do we.

KBB is one of the reasons we are able to buy your vehicle at such good prices. The information they provide is quick and accurate.

By educating you about the worth of your vehicle, they enable you to make good choices and should be consulted before you buy or sell any vehicle as a consumer.

For more information about the Les Kelley, his Blue Book and their website check out the KBB section in our blog.

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Cash4UsedCars.com is in the process of putting together our own review section, and we promise it will be easy to use. Unfortunately until then you are stuck with the other guys.

Because we care we did put together this handy guide to our secret sources. Websites we use in our own research, all of them credible sources which are easy to navigate.

Kelley has been pricing cars a long time

Who wouldn’t trust the Kelley Blue Books advice when it comes time to purchase a new or used vehicle? They have been an Irvine-based online guideline for people looking to buy or sell a car for over ten years.

According to Wikipedia, Kelley Blue Book was founded in 1918 in Los Angeles by none other than Les Kelley. Kelley started his dealership with 3 Model T’s and the help of his 13 year old brother.

He stocked his dealership by circulating a list of cars he wanted to purchase and the most he was willing to pay for them. These lists soon became a solid market value source used by banks and car dealerships alike.

Helpful tools and information

Not only will the blue book tell you how much your car is worth, it’ll give you a good reason why. Their review section gives recommendations, as well as large section devoted to popular models.

The KBB also offers a car finding tool. It asks basic questions about preferences and slowly weeds out options that wouldn’t interest you narrowing down your field of research.

Once you’ve got things narrowed down to several choices worth researching, check out their list of cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and luxury vehicles most researched on their website.

Then just point and click and you have immediate access to a Blue Book Review, J.D. Power ratings, a projected 5 year cost of ownership, and safety ratings, as well as additional owners reviews submitted by readers.

The Kelley Blue Book website is a good place to start or end when you want to buy or sell a car.

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Ever wondered how it all started? How the Bible of car prices came to be a guide used by banks, car dealerships and consumers alike as the market value guide for all things automotive?

We did a little research and decided to share the inspiring story of Les Kelley and his brother Buster.

The Kelley Roots

Les Kelley was a guy with an affinity for mechanics, in fact he used his understanding of all things mechanical to earn his way through college. He bought old cars, reconditioned them and sold them for a profit.

By 1918, the year World War I ended, Les decided he was ready to take the business world by storm. He started the Kelley Kar Company with 3 Model T Fords to sell and Buster, his 13 year old brother, for support.

The Blue Book

After a few years Les decided he needed to expand his inventory, business was good and he wanted to ensure that his vision continued to expand.

He developed a list which he circulated as a catalog of vehicles he was interested in purchasing along with the price he was wiling to pay.

It didn’t take long for Kelley’s early blue pages to become a staple amongst the automotive industry.

His solid judgement gained strength within the market and soon became used by banks and car dealerships as a definitive reflection of market value.

Les made his opinion worth money

In 1926 Les decided he was through providing his value guide for free and published his first Blue Book of Motor Car Values.

He noted the factory list price along with a cash value on every vehicle he was able to get information for. This helping to make the Kelley Blue Book one of the most trusted sources for the value of a vehicle.

WWII’s influence on the Blue Book

The end of World War II had an interesting effect on the automotive community. Drastic changes from wartime production coupled with the result of four years of war time rationing gave the auto industry an extreme call to action.

As a result used car prices skyrocketed and Les Kelley used this to his advantage. During this period in our countries history Les took his Blue Book from a localized regional publication to a Nationwide guide for automobile pricing.

Continuing to grow

What originally started as a convenient way to quote prices for desired inventory has grown into an empire. The Kelley Blue Book has continued to grow in scope since its inception.

In 1966 it added new car appraisals and from that point continued to add pricing information for a whole host of motorized vehicles including RV’s, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and even personal watercraft. Chances are, if it has an engine there is a Blue Book that can tell you what it’s worth.

Public knowledge

Until 1993 the Blue Book was largely a trade publication, utilized only by those within the industry. After the consumer edition was launched suddenly everyone had access to what had been primarily trade information. By 1995 the company progressed onto the web and the word was out.

Now the Kelley Blue Book website (KBB.com) is a staple for professionals in the industry as well as the individual buyer or seller. A true inspiration to anyone who believes in hard work and brilliant marketing.

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