Saturday, July 16, 2011
The 10 Most Stolen Cars in United States of America
Trade-In Value*: $11,100
Original Price in 2009: $15,910
New Car Value (2011): $17,400
Original Price in 2009: $15,910
New Car Value (2011): $17,400
The Toyota Corolla is one of the "best loved cars in America" according to Kelley Blue Book . It rates high on maintenance and resale value — and it gets decent gas mileage. The 2011 had just "minor cosmetic changes," which means parts from prior year models can be used in the newer models, which makes the car very attractive to car thieves Roughly 800,000 to one million cars are stolen in America every single year. Many of the same models are on the list every year but it's not just because they're the most popular vehicles.
It's primarily because they have parts that don't change much from year to year – and most cars are stolen for the parts, not to drive around, explained Geoff Keah, a special investigator for assurance . So, thieves who steal a 1994 model, for example, could sell the parts to use in models for 1995, 1996, etc. 09 more images after the break...09. 2002 Ford Explorer
Trade-In Value*: $4,350
Original Price in 2002: $27,775
New Car Value (2011): $30,000
The Ford Explorer is one of the most popular SUVs on the market. People love the vehicle because it has the functionality of an SUV but also has style and comfort. Because they're so popular, Ford hasn't made too many changes in subsequent models, except for improvements to safety and roominess. You know what that means — thieves love them for the parts!
08. 1994 Acura Integra
Original Price in 2002: $27,775
New Car Value (2011): $30,000
The Ford Explorer is one of the most popular SUVs on the market. People love the vehicle because it has the functionality of an SUV but also has style and comfort. Because they're so popular, Ford hasn't made too many changes in subsequent models, except for improvements to safety and roominess. You know what that means — thieves love them for the parts!
08. 1994 Acura Integra
Trade-In Value*: $625
Original Price in 1994: $16,695
New Car Value (2011): N/A
The Integra makes the stolen list because it was a popular vehicle that Honda made from 1985 to 2007 that people liked to buy and soup up "Fast and Furious" style with everything from engine modification to enhanced suspension and blinged-up wheels, Keah explains.
07. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup
Original Price in 1994: $16,695
New Car Value (2011): N/A
The Integra makes the stolen list because it was a popular vehicle that Honda made from 1985 to 2007 that people liked to buy and soup up "Fast and Furious" style with everything from engine modification to enhanced suspension and blinged-up wheels, Keah explains.
07. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup
Trade-In Value*: $1,200
Original Price in 1994: $16,322
New Car Value (2011): $20,800
Pickup trucks like the 1994 Chevy Silverado are extremely popular, particularly in Texas and the south. In Texas, for example, they're often stolen and then driven across the border into Mexico where they're harder to recover.
06. 2000 Dodge Caravan
Original Price in 1994: $16,322
New Car Value (2011): $20,800
Pickup trucks like the 1994 Chevy Silverado are extremely popular, particularly in Texas and the south. In Texas, for example, they're often stolen and then driven across the border into Mexico where they're harder to recover.
06. 2000 Dodge Caravan
Trade-In Value*: $1,450
Original Price in 2000: $21,905
New Car Value (2011): $24,800
The Dodge Caravan is a popular minivan that is a big hit among soccer moms in places like Michigan and, as a result, thieves, who steal them for their parts. Thieves love the older models because they lack anti-theft devices and they have valuable parts like airbags and catalytic converters. The Caravan is so popular in Michigan, that five of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Michigan are Caravans (the 2000, the 1999, the 1998, the 1997 and the 1996).
05. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
Original Price in 2000: $21,905
New Car Value (2011): $24,800
The Dodge Caravan is a popular minivan that is a big hit among soccer moms in places like Michigan and, as a result, thieves, who steal them for their parts. Thieves love the older models because they lack anti-theft devices and they have valuable parts like airbags and catalytic converters. The Caravan is so popular in Michigan, that five of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Michigan are Caravans (the 2000, the 1999, the 1998, the 1997 and the 1996).
05. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
Trade-In Value*: $5,050
Original Price in 2004: $22,295
New Car Value (2011): $20,100
Pickup trucks like the Ram are stolen for valuable parts such as the wheels and tailgates, Keah said. Tailgates can often get mangled in an accident and the new ones are expensive to replace since they often have cameras for backing up in them. (A tailgate with a camera can set you back $1,000 to $1,500.) Plus, the older ones are easy to steal, he said.
04. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
Trade-In Value*: $1,200
Original Price in 1997: $17,480
New Car Value (2011): $22,600
Ford has been making its best-selling F-series pickup trucks since 1948 and for most of that time the F-150 has not only been the best-selling truck in America but the best-selling vehicle in America. That means there will always be a market for parts — and for thieves, who love those older models. 1997, incidentally, marked Ford's first redesign of the F-150 since 1980. It was also the model where Ford introduced the rounded nose, a risky move given the F-150?s popularity.
03. 1991 Toyota Camry
Original Price in 1997: $17,480
New Car Value (2011): $22,600
Ford has been making its best-selling F-series pickup trucks since 1948 and for most of that time the F-150 has not only been the best-selling truck in America but the best-selling vehicle in America. That means there will always be a market for parts — and for thieves, who love those older models. 1997, incidentally, marked Ford's first redesign of the F-150 since 1980. It was also the model where Ford introduced the rounded nose, a risky move given the F-150?s popularity.
03. 1991 Toyota Camry
Trade-In Value*: $700
Original Price in 1991: $14,513
New Car Value (2011): $19,900
The top three cars are all popular sedans, including the 1991 Toyota Camry. What makes them attractive to thieves is that these makes and models are easy to steal and the parts don't change much from year to year. The Camry is known for its quality and reliability and great resale value. As a result, it's a popular target for thieves all across America, from Delaware to Florida, Kansas, California and Hawaii.
02. 1995 Honda Civic
Original Price in 1991: $14,513
New Car Value (2011): $19,900
The top three cars are all popular sedans, including the 1991 Toyota Camry. What makes them attractive to thieves is that these makes and models are easy to steal and the parts don't change much from year to year. The Camry is known for its quality and reliability and great resale value. As a result, it's a popular target for thieves all across America, from Delaware to Florida, Kansas, California and Hawaii.
02. 1995 Honda Civic
Trade-In Value*: $1,100
Original Price in 1995: $11,970
New Car Value (2011): $17,400
The Civic gets great reviews and is one of the best-selling compact cars. People love them for their great fuel efficiency, reliability, repair history and resale value, according to Kelley Blue Book. It's also pretty roomy inside, despite being a compact. Thieves love them for their parts. Cars like the Camry and Civic make the most-stolen list just about every year though the model year generally goes up one.
01. 1994 Honda Accord
Original Price in 1995: $11,970
New Car Value (2011): $17,400
The Civic gets great reviews and is one of the best-selling compact cars. People love them for their great fuel efficiency, reliability, repair history and resale value, according to Kelley Blue Book. It's also pretty roomy inside, despite being a compact. Thieves love them for their parts. Cars like the Camry and Civic make the most-stolen list just about every year though the model year generally goes up one.
01. 1994 Honda Accord
Trade-In Value*: $975
Original Price in 1994: $15,430
New Car Value (2011): $20,200
The Accord is loved by both drivers and thieves and is universally stolen all over America. Drivers love it for its quality and refinement. It handles well, rates high on safety and maintenance and has a roomy interior. Thieves, of course, love them for their parts, which don't change much from year to year, and for their lack of anti-theft technology.
Original Price in 1994: $15,430
New Car Value (2011): $20,200
The Accord is loved by both drivers and thieves and is universally stolen all over America. Drivers love it for its quality and refinement. It handles well, rates high on safety and maintenance and has a roomy interior. Thieves, of course, love them for their parts, which don't change much from year to year, and for their lack of anti-theft technology.
Friday, July 15, 2011
World’s Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live
The country's capital is home to several major Swiss companies including Rolex, Toblerone, Swisscom and The Swatch Group, as well as the foreign offices of American companies, such as eBay, Cisco and Ingram Micro. Bern is popular for its lower taxes, as well as liberal labor laws. To top it off, the city has managed to retain its cultural heritage. Old Bern has been recognized as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site for being one of Europe's best examples of a medieval town. The city, which is filled with diverse historical attractions, was home to Albert Einstein from 1903 and 1905, during which he developed his groundbreaking theory of relativity. Human resources consultant ECA International has drawn up its latest list of the world's most expensive cities for U.S. expatriates. The survey examined 400 cities and regions across the world, and measured a basket of common items purchased by foreign workers in U.S. dollars terms, including food, clothing and electrical goods. 09 more cities after the break...
09. Kobe, Japan
Kobe is one of Japan's busiest container ports. It is also the point of origin and namesake of the world-renowned Kobe beef. While Japan is the only Asian country surveyed where the cost of goods in the ECA basket has fallen, it is the most expensive country for foreign workers in U.S. dollar terms. That's a largely a result of the appreciation of the yen over the past six months, as well as the already high cost of goods and services.
08. Geneva, Switzerland
Situated along Lake Geneva in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Geneva is regarded as the global center for diplomacy. It's home to many United Nations agencies, as well as the World Trade Organization, Red Cross and World Economic Forum headquarters.
One quarter of this picturesque city is made up of public parks, making it a popular destination for U.S. expatriates looking to relocate. Geneva is also well known for its haute cuisine, boasting more restaurants per capita than New York City.
07. Luanda, Angola
The capital of Angola has seen an influx of multinational companies looking to tap the country's rich energy reserves. The country is also rich in other goods, exporting coffee, diamonds, sugar, iron and salt.
But a three-decade-long civil war has devastated Luanda's infrastructure, driving up the cost of goods and services. From haircuts to gym memberships to fast-food meals, nothing comes cheap in the city. A one-year gym membership reportedly costs $2,500 and a haircut can cost upwards of $150.
06. Zurich, Switzerland
Despite its low tax rates, Switzerland's largest city ranks as the fifth most expensive for expatriates. A large reason for this is the rapid appreciation of the Swiss franc, which has strengthened 27 percent against the U.S. dollar in the last year.
The country's business center is the base for many leading financial institutions, including Credit Suisse, Julius Baer and UBS. In addition to its position as a European financial hub, Zurich is famous for its watch companies and chocolate makers, such as Lindt & Sprüngli.
05. Yokohama, Japan
As Japan's second-largest city, Yokohama is a major commercial center for the Greater Tokyo Area.
The port city has a strong economic base, particularly in the biotechnology, semiconductor and shipping industries. Carmaker Nissan and Fujitsu semiconductor have moved their headquarters to the city.
Yokohama also is a budding artistic hub. The city is gearing up to host its triennale art event from August to December this year, with artists from around the world exhibiting their works at venues around the city.
04. Stavanger, Norway
The discovery of oil in the North Sea during the 1960s, converted this quaint metropolis into Norway's petroleum capital. Over 50 energy companies have offices in Stavanger, making the city home to hundreds of expatriates working in the oil and gas sector.
During the recent economic downturn, Norway's oil wealth meant the government could sustain economic growth with a lavish stimulus program. The country also has one of the world's most generous welfare systems, including public schools that offer free, high-quality education.
It is the high cost of food and transportation that make Stavanger No. 4 on the list, however. Food prices in Norway are around 50 percent higher than the euro zone average, with meat, sugar and cereal products being the most expensive products.
03. Nagoya, Japan
Known as Japan's most dynamic region, Nagoya is located 165 miles west of Tokyo. It is the hub for most of Japan's manufacturers, and produces a large portion of the country's automobile and aircraft parts.
A number of Japanese automotive companies are headquartered in Nagoya, including Toyota and Honda. Fortunately, these manufacturing plants were largely unaffected by the impact of the March earthquake and tsunami, which struck the region north of Tokyo.
02. Oslo, Norway
Oslo has been the second most expensive city for expatriates for six years in a row — that's thanks to the relative strength of the Kroner, which has appreciated 16 percent against the U.S. dollar over the last year, and the resilience of the Norwegian economy during the financial crisis.
This hub of Norwegian trade is the home to the world's largest shipping companies, shipbrokers and maritime insurance companies.
The city also boasts of one of the world's most extensive and efficient metro transportation systems, and an environmentally friendly tram system. Efficiency comes at a price, however — a one-way ticket on public transportation costs around $5.60.
01. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world, with a movie ticket costing $24 and the average taxi fare at $8.
As a global financial center, the city is home to headquarters for many of the world's largest investment banks and insurance companies. Tokyo is also one of greenest cities in the world. Despite having a population of more than eight million, it has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions in Asia-Pacific. The city has been praised for its comprehensive transportation policy, under which the city's entire taxi fleet is being converted to electric vehicles.
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