5 Cars

5 Cars: Dreaming of Luxury

Picture yourself behind the wheel of one of these five upper-class conveyances.

Every now and again, 5 Cars likes to delve within the realm of imagination, and this week is one of those times. Fresh off of Mother's Day, we're thinking about being pampered and picturing ourselves in a sleek ride. For this installment, we're featuring five previously owned low-mile luxury cars now available for sale in Morris County, in order to offer two things: For normal-folks readers it's a great exercise for the mind, and for certain readers with the inclination and the means, these mindblowing vehicles could really end up their property. Who knows, one day that person might be you or me. Listings and photos come from the individual sellers, Cars.com and AOL Autos. 1. 2012 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed - Used - $151,009 …

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5 Cars a Mother Would Love

With Mom's big day this weekend, we look at family-style sedans and minivans for sale in Morris County.

Mother's Day is Sunday, and so our thoughts are filled with maternal memories. Moms do it all—bringing home the bacon, frying it in the proverbial pan, cleaning the house, schlepping the kids. She deserves a nice ride, don't you think? Now, many of us can't afford to get our female parent an elegant and reliable sedan or SUV that boasts subtle style yet holds her offspring and their equally rambunctious friends and their scads of junk, but it's nice to ponder. And for those who can produce the necessary scratch, think about what memorable Mama has done for you and check out these babies. This week's installment of 5 Cars is devoted to cars we imagine our own wonderful mother would love. We're not mentioning this to her, however, because we…

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5 Cars to Help With Spring Maintenance

These cars will help you carry items for your next project.

The weather is finally getting warmer, the sun is shining, spring is here—and that means it's time for spring projects. But as you're heading to Home Depot,  Cerbo's Parsippany Greenhouses and Garden Center or Cerbo Hardware and Lumber, you're going to need a vehicle with room to carry all those materials home with you. So instead of assuming you're OK with carrying those wood planks on your lap, we've got five vehicles with plenty of room to carry those project materials for your next great work on the house. Listings and photos from Cars.com and AOL Autos. 1. 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LT — New — $53,315 From Cars.com: This diesel-powered cab car pickup may weigh 9,500 pounds on its own, but it also has an overall length of 225 inches…

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5 Cars: We Drive the World

Some folks prefer cars from outside the U.S.

"It isn't unpatriotic to want a foreign car," said our friend David. "It's an affirmation of competition, the basis of the free enterprise system." That's David's story and he's sticking to it. And from a purely economic point of view, he is correct. Capitalism doesn't take geography into consideration; it's all about what the buyer prioritizes as most important. The best product, in his or her opinion, gets the sale. Nothing wrong with that if one isn't particularly jingoistic. And David is far from alone. While many drivers in this country are all about buying "American" as a show of patriotic pride, an act of loyalty to the construct or out of a belief that U.S.-made cars are the best available, a lot of others prefer cars from …

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5 Cars

5 Cars: Sunshine on My Shoulders

For many, the best part of spring and summer is riding in a convertible with the top down.

Is there anything better than driving along the highways and byways on a gorgeous, warm day with the car's top down and your hair flying in the breeze—or, if you are follicle-challenged, with the wind caressing your scalp as you motor? We think not. Convertibles come in a variety of forms, from compact sports roadsters to large four- and five-seat cabriolets. According to Convertible Car Magazine, the industry is expected to make a big resurgence in 2013. With an improving economy, it appears car makers are showing confidence by presenting a host of new cars. So we figure this is a great time to look at what's available in Morris County in the way of new (and one used) stylish, breezy rides. Listings and photos come from Cars.com, …

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5 Cars: Fast and Furious Like Vin Diesel

If you prefer diesel-powered cars, this is the 5 Cars for you.

"When you grow up you'll play with diesel instead of gas!" That's a phrase I have seen tossed around a lot on online car discussion boards. It appears those who drive diesel-fueled vehicles are sold on the concept.  Going diesel has pros and cons for drivers: In the negative column, diesel fuel is more expensive than conventional gasoline. On the whole, it has less horsepower, meaning that diesel cars aren't quite as speedy in the top end. Cars that use diesel fuel often are noisier than those running regular petrol, though that is improving as modern diesel engines are becoming more refined and quiet. And the fourth con is all about logistics: Diesel simply isn't as available as regular gas. But there are advantages to diesel fuel: A …

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5 Cars

5 Cars: Keeping It Green

Environmentally responsible vehicles available in Morris County.

This week's 5 Cars is all about making your ride planet-friendly. Perhaps you are in the market for a new or used vehicle that can save you money at the pump. And perhaps you also have a commitment to doing as little damage to the environment as possible. One suggestion: Get a hybrid vehicle. With a combination of a traditional gas engine and an electric motor, the cars, while often pricey, can save you money on gas in the long run. They also are better for the planet in the sense that they can increase gas mileage and offer reduced emissions going into the air. Here are a number of diverse hybrid options—hopefully one will be perfect for you and the planet. Listings and photos come from Cars.com, Craigslist and AOL Autos. 1. 2013 Toyota …

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David Harrison

8:57 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013

The Porsche gets 20/24 EPA city/highway. Better than the non-hybrid model, but not what I would classify as a 'green' vehicle. No one needs an overpowered SUV, hybrid or not.   more ›

5 Cars

5 Cars: You Better Work!

Sport utility vehicles to help you get the job done

This week's 5 Cars is all about getting things done, be it hauling cargo to or from a local warehouse or playing chauffeur for the kids and their friends or teammates. If you're planning on being productive during the slow shift from winter to spring, you'll need a sport utility vehicle that can transport your loved ones in comfort, style and safety while holding a lot of stuff. We'll present a number of diverse options—hopefully one will be perfect for you. Listings and photos come from Cars.com and AOL Autos.

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Federal Loan Deadline Looms For Hurricane Sandy Victims

Small Business Association has already approved more than a half billion dollars for home and business owners

An April 1 deadline is approaching for New Jersey home and business owners seeking federal aid for damages wrought by Hurricane Sandy last year. The Small Business Association has already approved 9,562 disaster loans worth $631 million to Hurricane Sandy victims, they said Wednesday. Of that total, 8,754 loans for $548 million went to homeowners and renters, while business owners have received 808 loans for $83 million, according to an official with the SBA.  In Morris County $3.17 million was approved for 73 home loans and nine business loans. The federal government late last year offered low-interest loans to owners of homes and small businesses in Morris County for damage or other losses related to Hurricane Sandy—up to $200,000 to …

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5 Cars

5 Cars: Buggies for the Budget Conscious

Want a new ride even though you're working with little cash? Buckle up.

It occurred to us that despite our advanced age, we have never, ever owned a brand-new car. Yes, we've purchased cars proclaimed as "new to me!," but they've all been used vehicles. While that is perfectly OK, thinking about this week's installment of 5 Cars, and given that we focused on super-expensive vehicles last week, we wanted to see what the new-car market looked like for those with thin wallets (in our search, we limited ourselves to a maximum price of $17,000, the price we paid for our last previously-owned vehicle).  And guess what: They are not easy to find. But there are options for you to smell new-car scent in an actual brand-new car. 1. 2013 Nissan Versa 1.6 S+ - New - $14,750 From Cars.com: A lot of bang for the buck with …

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