Lemon-Aid New Cars and Trucks 2012

Book excerpt: Phil Edmonston, Canada's automotive "Dr. Phil," pulls no punches. He says there's never been a better time to buy a new car or truck, thanks to a stronger Canadian dollar and an auto industry offering reduced prices, more cash rebates, low financing rates, bargain leases, and free auto maintenance programs. In this all-new guide he says: Audis are beautiful to behold but hell to own (biodegradable transmissions, "rodent snack" wiring, and mind-boggling depreciationMany 2011-12 automobiles have "chin-to-chest head restraints, blinding dash reflections, and dash gauges that can't be seen in sunlight, not to mention painful wind-tunnel roar if the rear windows are opened while underwayEthanol and hybrid fuel-saving claims have more in common with Harry Potter than the Society of Automotive EngineersGM's 2012 Volt electric car is a mixture of hype and hypocrisy from the car company that "killed" its own electric car more than a decade agoYou can save $2,000 by cutting freight fees and "administrative" chargesDiesel annual urea fill-up scams cancost you $300, including an $80 "handling" charge for $25 worth of ureaLemon-Aid's 2011-12 Endangered Species List: the Chinese Volvo, the Indian Jaguar and Land Rover, the Mercedes-Benz Smart Car, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki