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IntelliChoice Value Rating
The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.
One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.
What is a good car value?
A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.
But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?
For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.
This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)
Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.
Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.
So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.
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Review From Motor Trend Magazine
First Look: 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid /
Article provided by: Motor Trend Magazine
The Mercury Mariner, like its Ford Escape sibling, received a significant redesign for the 2008 model year, including all-new sheetmetal. The 2008 Mariner Hybrid, billed by Ford (along with the Escape and Mazda Tribute Hybrids) as the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market, got the same makeover. Mercury's lone hybrid offering is powered by a modified version of Ford's 2.3L four that runs on the Atkinson cycle rather than the traditional Otto cycle. The Atkinson cycle features a longer power than compression stroke, sacrificing power for greater efficiency - a process popular in hybrid applications. In the Mariner Hybrid, the engine makes 133 hp and 124 lb-ft of torque, compared with 153 hp and 152 lb-ft in the gasoline-only four-cylinder Mariner. Mated to the engine are a 70 kw electric motor and a continuously variable transmission. A regenerative braking system is included. The Mariner Hybrid can reach speeds of up to 25 mph on electric power alone and the engine shuts off during coasting. The Mariner Hybrid is equipped comparably with the loaded Mariner Premium, though it retains the lower model's cloth upholstery instead of the Premium's leather and rear backup sensors are an option. Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, (non-hybrid Mariners have drum brakes in the back), automatic headlights, auto-dim rearview mirror, six-way power driver's seat, illuminated vanity mirrors in the visors, dual-zone climate control, and a six-disc CD changer. It's also the only Mariner available with a 110V power outlet. All Mariners come with dual front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags.  The FWD Mariner Hybrid starts at $28,845, with the 4WD starting at $30,615 including a $695 destination fee. The latter carries a significant fuel economy hit as well, achieving 29/27 mpg city/highway instead of the FWD model's 34/30 mpg city/highway. The Hybrid is equipped comparatively with the V-6-powered Mariner Premium, which starts at $25,170 for the FWD model, rated at 18/24 mpg city/highway and $26,940 for the AWD model, rated at 17/22 mpg city/highway. Using combined ratings, it will take about 50,000 miles for the FWD hybrid to recoup its premium, with the 4WD model needing about 55,000 miles with gas at $4/gallon. For 2009, the Mariner Hybrid will receive a 2.5L four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine making 153 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque, a recalibrated engine processor for smoother transitions between gas and electric mode, a new powertrain-damping system that reduces vibrations and feedback, a refined braking system, and a slightly modified front fascia that along with new rear tire spoilers helps slightly improve aerodynamics, according to the automaker. Ford's popular SYNC system will be available as well.   | 2008 MERCURY MARINER HYBRID | | Base price | $28,845 (FWD); $30,615 (4WD) | | Vehicle layout | Front engine, FWD/4WD five-passenger, four-door SUV | | Engine | 2.3L/133-hp/124-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4; 70 kW electric motor | | Transmission | Continuously variable auto | | Curb weight | 3659 lb (FWD); 3814 lb (4WD) (mfr) | | Weight distribution, f/r | 57/43% (MFR) | | Wheelbase | 103.1 in | | Length x width x height | 175.2 x 71.1 x 68.0 in | | Headroom, f/r | 40.4/39.2 in | | Legroom, f/r | 41.6/35.6 in | | Shoulder room, f/r | 56.5/55.9 in | | EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 34/30 mpg (FWD); 29/27 mpg (4WD) | | CO2 emissions | 0.60 lb/mile (FWD); 0.69 lb/mile (4WD) | ... >>next page
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