9 Tips for Safe Holiday Driving

Whether you’re headed out of town or driving across town for the holidays, we know it can be a stressful experience. Just as in life, we have choices to make when we are behind the wheel. As California drivers we understand driving the freeways can be hazardous to our health which is why we offer these ten tips for driving safely:

1.    Take a deep breath: Holiday traffic or workday traffic you KNOW there is going to be traffic. Take a deep breath and set your mind to what is ahead.

2.    Plan ahead: Pack an emergency car kit including water and snacks. If you are stuck in a traffic jam or break down you have what you need for the short term.

3.    Eating is not part of driving: While your trip may be long enough to include a pit stop, we recommend not eating while driving. Just as you should not use your phone while driving, eating distracts you from the road.

4.    Speaking of texting and driving: If you are talking and texting you are driving distracted. Not only that but you are endangering yourself and your passengers. Check out http://www.distraction.gov/ for more information.

5.    Directionally challenged: If you are a driver who need GPS to get beyond your neighborhood then you are directionally challenged. Consider bringing GPS with voice directions or better yet bring another person who can be your human GPS. Either way you will be safer than driving while reading directions.

6.    Buckle up! No matter how long your trip is, remember to buckle up. Not being buckled costs one person their life every hour according to Buckle Up America. In fact, if 90% of Americans buckled up we would save more than 5.500 lives.

7.    Honking is not the answer: If you cannot exit the freeway and remain stuck in a jam pay attention to the traffic flow. You don’t want to cause another traffic jam by getting into an accident.

8.    The law is the law so get used to it: Regardless of what you think about particular laws like speed limits, it is important for your safety and that of others that we all comply.

9.    Ambulance chasing is passé: Avoid being the person who lurks around accidents moving at 35 mph to see a wreck. It is more likely that you will cause an accident than be on the evening news as a traffic reporter.

Enjoy your time on the road this holiday season!

The 13 Cars You Won't Be Able To Purchase in 2012

Automakers routinely weed out old models to update their ranks, but we don’t often see many nameplates die off. But for 2012, a handful of lineups are going the wayside, including a quartet of big Detroit sedans that essentially mark the end of an era for six-seat passenger cars in the United States.

Don’t go looking for the 2012 versions of any of these:

The 2012 Dead List
BMW M3 sedan
A new M3 is on the horizon, but this nameplate takes a scheduled break for 2012. You can still get your M3 jollies in a coupe or convertible for 2012, but not the family version. BMW traditionally takes a year or so off when it introduces a new model before unveiling the performance-oriented M model. With a new 3-Series set to bow by the end of the year, the E90-body (that’s BMW-speak for 2006 to 2011) M3′s time was up.

Its replacement? Since a new M3 is about a year away, 2012 hardly marks the end of the line for one of the most coveted performance nameplates in the business.

Buick Lucerne
The last vestige of “old Buick” – literally and figuratively – has bitten the dust. With it goes the option of a Buick with bench seats; other Buicks offer only individual seats up front. Lucerne was also the last General Motors product to ride on the company’s H-Body platform, a design that dates back to the 1986 Buick LeSabre and also included the Oldsmobile 88 and Pontiac Bonneville. It won’t be missed.

Its replacement? Lucerne didn’t really fit in with Buick’s more modern lineup, although it was sold alongside the excellent LaCrosse for two model years. Just why anyone would take home a Lucerne over a LaCrosse is a question worth pondering.

Cadillac DTS
See above, but replace “Buick” with “Cadillac.” DTS was an enormous four-door that appealed to the kind of buyer GM no longer wants for Cadillac. Much more modern than its Lincoln Town Car rival, the DTS was nonetheless the kind of floaty cruiser that was hard to justify for most buyers seeking something a bit more trim. Its K-Body platform was closely related to the Lucerne’s H-Body; in fact, both were built at the same Hamtramck, Michigan, assembly line that now builds the Chevrolet Volt. These times, they are a-changin’.

Its replacement? An all-wheel-drive Cadillac XTS flagship is set to debut soon.

Cadillac STS
This is starting to become a familiar story, isn’t it? The STS shared the flagship perch at Cadillac with the DTS, although the Seville Touring Sedan was based on GM’s Sigma rear-drive platform. GM had high hopes for the STS when the current generation bowed in 2005, but even a supercharged V8 STS-V couldn’t draw in buyers. Frankly, these make excellent second-hand buys.

Its replacement? For now, the STS will also be replaced with the XTS, but a rear-drive premium Cadillac is likely on the way. Until the XTS hits showrooms, Cadillac will have just three models to offer buyers.

Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet really wanted a piece of the retro action in the early 2000s, so it nabbed talented designer Bryan Nesbitt from Chrysler to pen the PT Cruiser-inspired HHR. Bigger and better in most every way than the PT, the HHR was a pretty solid hit for the automaker. But retro designs are almost impossible to improve – after all, how many times can you reinvent a classic?

Its replacement? Markets outside of the United States receive the company’s new Orlando five-door mini-minivan, but would-be HHR buyers here are out of luck unless they step up to an Equinox.

Dodge Caliber
Chrysler thought it was onto something when it replaced its venerable Neon with the Dodge Caliber in 2006. The five-door hatchback’s design was promising, but it offered an unacceptably low-buck interior and a crappy powertrain lineup mated to a miserable CVT. Retail sales were anything but brisk, even though a ludicrous, short-lived SRT4 version with a very powerful turbo four-cylinder was on offer (can you say torque steer?).

Its replacement? For Fiat to take a larger stake in Chrysler during the latter’s bankruptcy in 2009, it promised to help the Michigan automaker develop a 40 mpg compact car that would be built in the U.S. We’ll see the fruits of that labor soon.

Dodge Nitro
Desperately in need of a five-seat crossover or SUV, the Dodge brand languished in a fit of uncompetitiveness for much of the 1990s and 2000s until the Nitro rolled along. Closely related to the equally mediocre Jeep Liberty, the Nitro has been gussied up over its career with some goofy paint schemes and big chrome wheels. But you can’t put lipstick on a pig and expect the public to come kissin’.

Its replacement? For now, Dodge will soldier on with a much-reinvigorated Journey to woo crossover buyers. The Liberty remains for at least a couple of years.

Ford Crown Victoria
Much to the chagrin of police officers and taxi cab drivers throughout the continent, the industry’s longest-running passenger car platform rode off to the sunset earlier this month. Its Panther platform was first launched in 1979 and it really wouldn’t be fair of us to say that the 2011 models were substantially different than their predecessors.

Its replacement?
Ford is essentially abandoning its stronghold on the police and taxi market, but the company thinks that souped up versions of its Explorer, Taurus and Transit Connect will keep fleet users happy enough.

Honda Element
Like a pug but never actually cute, the Honda Element was a stout, boxy vehicle. Designed as a light duty recreational vehicle, it was really tremendously useful for people who made use of its hose out-style interior and flexible seating, not to mention its available all-wheel-drive. Only problem? It was ugly. Seriously ugly.

Its replacement? Honda has vetoed a new Element, so this was a one-and-done project. Mountain bikers seeking utilitarian style might need to opt for a Nissan Xterra.

Lincoln Town Car
Built on the same line and platform as the Crown Victoria, the Town Car nameplate was Lincoln’s range topper for generations. But it was painfully out of step with the needs and wants of any buyer other than limo drivers because of its ancient platform and compromised interior room – something you’d think would be essential to those hauling people around in luxury.

Its replacement? Lincoln is billing its wonky MKT crossover as its new livery car of choice. We think that’s because the MKT is barely finding any retail buyers.

Mazda RX-8
Rotary engines are gone, at least for a while, now that the slow-selling RX-8 has been dropped. Although its styling was an acquired taste for many and its unique powertrain guzzled gas, the RX-8 drove at least as well as the company’s brilliant MX-5 Miata.

Its replacement? A Mazda coupe isn’t likely to surface any time soon, so buyers will need to be happy with the MX-5 Miata’s available power-retracting hardtop.

Mazda Tribute
Mazda and Ford have essentially split ways, with the Tribute remaining the last vestige of their relationship. But this Ford Escape-based crossover is headed out to pasture. We don’t think anyone will notice. Sales have been weak, but that’s not a surprise since it’s hard to imagine just who would buy one of these antiquated machines when Mazda’s homegrown CX-7 sat across the showroom.

Its replacement? The recently-unveiled CX-5 ushers in a new era for Mazda in a number of ways, not the least of which is a new independence from Ford.

Volvo S40/V50
Technically, these two compact Volvo four and five-doors aren’t being discontinued, but they’re being dropped from the Volvo lineup in the U.S. The V50′s departure is especially bitter for Volvophiles since it marks the end of a wagon in Volvo’s lineup for the first time anyone can remember. These were good cars when launched, but former Volvo owner Ford never gave the brand the money to continue development beyond their 2005 model year introduction.

Their replacement? Volvo doesn’t seem to be courting compact buyers in the U.S., where there’s just not enough volume to justify importing such a model. For now, its S60 – which really wasn’t much pricier than the S40 – will be its cheapest four-door.

2012 Hottest Cars That Are Well Worth The Wait

It's a distinctly American trait to want what's next—even before it's here. Yes, Americans are spoiled, with too many choices in every genre of product, especially cars. But so what? This is the place where cars blossomed, where the first (and arguably best) car culture still exists. And where we haven't stopped loving—and lusting after—the cool car around the next bend. With that in mind, here's PM's calendar of 12 cool cars under $50,000 that will go on sale in the next 18 months. Note that the exact dates may not be 100 percent accurate: The timetable is based on what the notoriously vague car flacks told us. So we've pried free what info we could, and we share it with you here.

SEPTEMBER: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

While we've heard reports that the SRT will get as much as 500 hp from its new 6.4-liter Hemi V8, we're at least certain that the SRT is actually coming, and likely to arrive late this summer. If it's anything like the already deeply impressive Grand, the SRT8 is going to be both refined and scary fast, with a predicted eight-speed transmission that deeply undercuts the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and other performance crossovers.

ALSO: In 2012 we'll see a Maserati 4x4 based on this Jeep's platform, with a Ferrari-designed V8 under the hood. How come? Because Fiat owns both Chrysler (Jeep's parent) and Maserati/Ferrari. If you have a deeper philosophical question, like, "Does the world need a Jeeperati?," we'll advise that you sit back and let the market decide.

NOVEMBER: 2012 Hyundai Veloster 

Hyundai is pulling a very neat trick with its Veloster. It's a slightly larger car inside than the Scion tC (and Mini Clubman or Honda CR-Z hybrid). Yet thanks to a very low 2,600-pound curb weight—400 pounds less than the tC— it's said to get up to 40 mpg from its directly injected, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. That would best Honda's CR-Z numbers without necessity of hybrid technology, and with the benefit of a bigger cabin. One oddity: Access to the interior is a bit quirky, with one door on the driver's side, but both front and rear doors on the passenger side. Remember that weight? Fewer doors allow a carmaker to reduce structural reinforcements, and that keeps down bulk. And a low weight allows an increase in fun factor—indeed, Hyundai is promising greater sportiness than its rivals. Can the Veloster "out-fun" a Mini? Hmm, we're not sure, but Hyundai is promising a tighter turning circle than even a base Mini Cooper and a sophisticated, buttoned-down-sounding suspension. Transmissions include Hyundai's first dual-clutch six speed (hopefully with paddles) or a six-speed manual.

DECEMBER: 2012 Toyota/Subaru FT-86 Sports Car

The joint-project sports car from Toyota and Subaru is now getting far enough along to report at least the following, even though we're certain much will change. The car is said to be very light, and to use at least two versions of Subaru's flat, 2.0-liter four, with output purported to be around 200 hp in the RWD Toyota model and 250 hp in the Subaru version. Toyota's edition bows first, reportedly late this year, and not as a Toyota, but as a Scion, with the name FR-S. The Subie, if it comes to these shores, won't arrive until mid-2012 at the soonest.

JANUARY 2012: 2013 ZL1 Camaro

A hot Camaro is coming and will be powered by the Cadillac CTS-V's 6.2-liter V8 with roughly 550 hp. Given how the Camaro SS with a 6.2-liter V8 that puts out a mere 426 hp can already clock a 0-to-60-mph sprint in less than 5 seconds, the ZL1 is going to be scary fast. This Camaro will go toe-to-toe with Ford's Shelby GT500—and BMW M3 and Porsche 911 owners should watch their rearviews too.

JANUARY 2012: 2013 Ford Focus ST

The new Focus is at last debuting in the U.S., with a 2.0-liter, direct-injected, 160-hp motor and variable valve timing, as well as a five-speed manual. But, the car to wait for is the 2013 Focus ST, which debuts in early 2012. It gets a six-speed manual with the same EcoBoost (turbocharged) 2.0-liter as the much larger Edge and Explorer and will be good for somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 hp, which puts it in league with hot hatches like the MazdaSpeed3 and beyond the output of the VW GTI. Ford is also promising a tauter suspension and meatier tires as well as bigger brakes to go with all that horsepower. 

 FEBRUARY 2012: 2013 Mitsubishi Evo XI

With Mitsubishi scrapping its gas guzzlers and launching brand-new electric and gas-electric hybrids, all aimed at meeting ever-tighter global emissions standards, the rumor mill is suggesting that even the Lancer Evolution is going to go green. Or green-ish. The idea is to keep it high-performance and AWD, but also use some of the technology already behind the forthcoming i-MiEV electric city car and wed it to either a turbodiesel or a gas motor. The potential would still be there for exceptional output when both gas/electric power plants combine, but it's possible Mitsubishi may allow the driver to roll up to highway speeds on battery juice alone, vastly improving fuel economy. Evo XI may become both larger and more refined too, positioning it more naturally against rivals like Audi. 

MARCH 2012: 2013 Toyota Prius C

At this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota debuted an entire line of Prius models, including the intriguing Prius C Concept. They still stress that this is a concept, but a small, sporty hybrid hatchback is surely on its way. We can merely hope Toyota is smart enough to retain these design cues, especially as this is meant to be a "fun to drive" hybrid with taut handling and a sub-$20K price. Toyota is promising the highest mileage of any hybrid on the road that isn't a plug-in. 

APRIL 2012: 2013 Mini Paceman

The Paceman is a two-door concept coupe that debuted last year, and our sources say it's a lock for production. Mini will have to work hard with this model, though, which is essentially the forthcoming Countryman minus two doors. The Paceman should either get real horsepower and ride considerably lower than the Countryman (think: a big version of the Mini Cooper S, but with all-wheel drive), or be made even more all-road capable than the Countryman, as a rival to the likes of the Subaru WRX—of course in full rally-car livery. The latter may actually be more likely, as Mini is racing a 2011 Countryman in the World Rally Championships. That car? It gets 300 hp!

EARLY 2012: Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen had been one of the few brands in the United States that hasn't decided to Buick-ize its styling and sponge down its ride. And, indeed, the Golf R promises to be anything but vanilla. With the Golf R's AWD, 280 hp and a real six-speed gearbox, Volkswagen is at last bringing a genuine WRX fighter to the U.S. Volkswagen is even committing two body styles to the contest, pitting this car against the Mini Paceman (only a three-door). Fuel economy is said to be 20 percent better than the old R32, at a price that should be near $32,000. It will have new brake rotors, plus more aggressive stability-control settings with "track setting" or the equivalent. Expect both two- and four-door body styles, both of which will get R-body-style cosmetics and sport exhaust.

FALL 2012: Ford Fiesta ST

The Fiesta ST will have an altered body for improved cooling, but may be available only as a three-door hatch. It will have better suspension tuning, possibly Recaro racing seats, some unique trim, 17-inch wheels, speed-rated performance tires and dual exhaust. Ford reportedly experimented with cramming the 2.0-liter engine from the Focus ST into this car. Unfortunately, that won't be coming to the showroom, partly because Ford is working hard to differentiate its two hot hatches.

 

LATE 2012: Corvette C7

The current 'Vette has looked the same for nearly 13 years. Though it's still an amazing car, delivering Ferrari-like performance for one-fifth the price, it's dated in many respects. Expect a lot from the all-new C7 Corvette, then, with cool exterior cues like a split rear window and a vastly upgraded interior that's well above the coach-class quarters of the present car. But handling, which has always been the car's strongest suit, will remain largely unaltered. Horsepower targets in the 400-450 range would be a safe bet for this $50,000 car, even as GM aims to lower displacement to shave weight and nudge up the fuel economy. There might even be forced induction of some kind, and it's perfectly reasonable to expect direct fuel injection for the newest crown jewel of the Chevy badge

EARLY 2013: BMW i3 Electric City Car

BMW claim that it's new $35,000 Chevy Volt-beater will have 99 miles of range from its rear-mounted electric motor and floor-mounted batteries. BMW (being BMW) is also claiming 100 mph for the car's top speed, and the i3 could bring the equivalent of 150 horsepower. Cargo will be divided between the rear seats and in the front trunk (a la the original, rear-engine VW Beetle). Much of the body will be made of carbon-reinforced plastic.

Wireless charging is one intriguing concepts we hope makes it to market. In conjunction with industrial giant Siemens, BMW is working on a magnetic field charging system, like those used in wireless laptop and cell phone charging pads, where a car would parked above a charging station. At that point, a coil in both the ground and the vehicle would recognize each other and begin the charge. This beats having your Volt or Prius PHV plugged in via wire at a garage or mall for a few hours, where vandalism or other hazards exist.

Read more: Best New Cars for 2012 - 12 Cool Cars Worth Waiting For - Popular Mechanics