consumer issues
Game On: 'SingStar: Queen' is a noble effort
"SingStar: Queen"
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PS2
Genre: Music
Publisher: Sony
ESRB Rating: T, for Teen
Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)
Not enough people will admit it, but I will say it without fear: Queen rocked.
Cash for Clunkers spawns bureaucratic battle
A battle is brewing among consumer groups, car dealers and the government over the use of contingency agreements in the "Cash for Clunkers" program.
At issue is who is left holding the bag if a transaction goes awry.
It's complex figuring out how to buy green products
The problem of saving the planet one purchase at a time doesn't seem to be a difficult one to grasp. Just to solve.
Consider the kitchen stocked with dolphin safe tuna, fair trade coffee and certified organic produce.
Blank credit card 'convenience checks' are risky
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is urging consumers to be wary of those so-called "convenience checks" that arrive with your credit card statements.
You know them: the blank checks conveniently printed with your name and touted as a way to write yourself a little loan, pay off an extra bill or splurge on a little extra spending.
Game On: Whee! Sign up for 'Wii Sports Resort'
"Wii Sports Resort"
Platform: Wii
Genre: Sports
Publisher: Nintendo
ESRB Rating: E, for Everyone
Grade: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
DriveWays: MX-5 Miata owns the sports car market
For two decades, despite challenges here and there, Mazda's MX-5 Miata has owned the popular-priced sports car market.
DriveWays Specs: Specifications for 2009 Mazda MX-5
Specifications for the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring two-seat hardtop convertible.
Engine: 2-liter four-cylinder, 167 horsepower.
Transmission: Six-speed manual.
Overall length: 13 feet 1 inch.
EPA trunk volume: 5.3 cubic feet.
Weight: 2,593 pounds.
EPA city/highway fuel consumption: 21/28 miles per gallon.
Real: Home prices finally on the rise - in some areas
Home prices rose across a large swath of the country during the second quarter, adding to the growing list of signs that the housing market has stabilized. Out of 155 markets included in the survey, 125 showed median price increases compared to the first quarter of this year.
Autos: Redesigned Chevy Equinox helps redefine GM
Busting out of bankruptcy, General Motors submitted the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox as evidence of its new direction. It's a very positive economic indicator.
With pricing pegged at Middle America, the compact crossover has remarkably broad appeal. It offers the functionality of a sport utility vehicle without the costly fuel consumption.
Autosside: Details on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox LT
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT
TYPE: Front-drive, four-door, mid-size crossover utility vehicle.
PRICE: $25,445 base, $29,075 as tested.
WHERE BUILT: Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
KEY RIVALS: Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota RAV4.
POWER: 2.4-liter, DOHC, 182-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine, six-speed auto transmission.
