Just a few weeks back we gave you a report on the most ticketed vehicles in America, based on data from ISO Quality Planning. Now, The Truth About Cars gives us a new list, this time from QPC, a division of Verisk Analytics. There are a lot of similarities between the lists, but the QPC data does include a few vehicles that the ISO Quality Planning list omitted. Do you drive a “spirited vehicle” (QPC’s term for a high risk car)? Read on to find out:

1. Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

Ticketed: 404% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: No

2. Toyota Camry Solara

Ticketed: 349% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: Yes

3. Scion TC

Ticketed: 343% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: Yes

4. Hummer H2/H3

Ticketed: 292% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: Yes

5. Scion XB

Ticketed: 270% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: Yes

6. Mercedes-Benz CLS-63 AMG

Ticketed: 264% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: Yes

7. Acura Integra

Ticketed: 185% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: No

8. Pontiac Grand Prix

Ticketed: 182% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: No

9. Mercedes-Benz CLK-63 AMG

Ticketed: 179% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: Yes

10. Volkswagen GTI

Ticketed: 178% of average, per 100K miles driven
On ISO Quality Planning Top 10?: No

So what does this actually mean? I’m not sure, since it factors in mileage but doesn’t correct for time. How long will it take the owner of a Mercedes Benz SL roadster to hit 100k miles? Probably a lot longer than it takes the owner of a Scion TC, which means that a Mercedes Benz SL driver can go years between tickets, whereas a Scion driver may be racking up one ticket per month.

This is an insurance company sponsored survey, so chances are good it won’t work out in your favor regardless of what the real numbers are. My advice? If your car made both lists, you may want to think about trading it in on a new ride unless the cost of tickets and insurance rate hikes don’t worry you.

ISO Quality Planning, whose research helps insurance companies estimate risk (and therefore determine how expensive your premiums are) has compiled a list of the most and least ticketed vehicles on U.S. roads. We are, of course, talking about speeding tickets here, the kind that come with points on your drivers license and increases to your insurance rates. Like herpes, they’re the gift that keeps on giving.

Hummer H2/H3, ticketed 4.63x more often than average

Lots of vertical surfaces to bounce laser or radar off of.

Scion tC, ticketed 4.6x more often than average

Since most tC drivers are young, think there's some profiling here?

Scion XB, ticketed 4.03x more often than average

Young drivers, lots of vertical surface = high ticket rate.

Mercedes Benz CLK63 AMG, ticketed 3.97x more often than average

At least CLK AMG drivers can afford the tickets.

Toyota Solara Coupe, ticketed 3.06x more often than average

Solara owners speed? None that I've ever seen.

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, ticketed 2.76x more often than average

Another ticket? Who cares, that's what lawyers are for.

Scion XA, ticketed 2.75x more often than average

Here's that profiling thing again.

Subaru Outback, ticketed 2.66x more often than average

You're supposed to drive them where there aren't any speed traps.

Audi A4, ticketed 2.64x more often than average

Explaining the car's racing heritage won't get you out of a ticket.

Toyota Matrix, ticketed 2,64x more often than average

Should have bought a Pontic Vibe; they didn't make the list.

Lifehacker quotes Raj Bhat, president of ISO Quality Planning, on his explanation of why Hummers topped the list:

“The sense of power that Hummer drivers derive from their vehicle may be directly correlated with the number of violations they incur, or perhaps Hummer drivers, by virtue of their driving position, are less likely to notice road hazards, signs, pedestrians and other drivers.”

It’s therefore a safe assumption that Mr. Bhat doesn’t drive a Hummer himself. In fact, I’d be willing to bet he drives a Jaguar XJ sedan, coincidentally the least ticketed car on the list. As you’d expect, nothing with entertainment value made the least ticketed list, proving once again that you have to pay to play.

We all know how the MTV reality show Jersey Shore has popularized the crap out of the New Jersey Guido. Sure it’s a fun place to go and hang out and to people watch there is probably no better place on earth. The guys and gals that populate this area of the stinky state show up around June 1st and don’t leave until the end of the Labor Day weekend. One aspect of the Jersey shore that some people fail to take into consideration are the cars in which these wonderful individuals showcase themselves in. Just like Los Angeles the Jersey shore is all about show and bling. Sure, most of the beach and club goers live at home in their parents basement in real life, but once the sun comes out it’s all about rolling heavy and showing off. Here is a listing of some of the Jersey Shore’s rolling hardware.

• Infiniti G35

Embraced fully by the Guido nation, the Infiniti G35 epitomizes the Jersey Shore. It’s one step above a Nissan Altima Coupe, but yet still below a BMW or Mercedes. Owners generally average 5’7″ tall, have multiple tatoo’s and sport enough flammable hair gel on their heads to make them a walking fire hazard.

• BMW 328i

They should have popped for the 335i but will tell you that they couldn’t “justify” spending the extra cash for just a little better performance. The 328i is a car owned by those who have just entered the world of high finance. They just received their first internship at H & R Block and figured they’d celebrate by leasing this new little beastie. Thankfully they’re still living in their parents basement so they can, “almost” afford the payment.

• Hummer H2

Hi, my name is Vinny and I’m hung like a fruit bat… how are you?

• Scion TC

The Scion TC owners of the Jersey shore will do anything to convince you that their little TC is cool. They’ll adorn it with rims, neon lights and of course the fart pipe/air-intake combo pack from Pep Boys. It also packs some ridiculous sound system which was most likely owner installed. What this means is that this vehicle is a rolling fire hazard that is set to burn to the ground the moment the owner turns the sound knob up to eleven.

• Bentley Continental GT

Yep, here is a guy that came into some money and dammit if he’s not going to show it off to everyone. He read in a magazine someplace that a Bentley was cooler than a Beemer so he bought one sight unseen with the hope that it will get him laid. The owner, having no idea of how good a car the Continental GT really is, will never see the high side of 35 mph, as going any faster will result in people not being able to get a good look at him.

• Lamborghini Gallardo

They’re fast, loud and an all around amazing automobile. They scream I HAVE MONEY, but just not enough to purchase a Murcielago. The Jersey Gallardo owner also must purchase large 22-inch wheels that are so heavy that they’re likely to blowout the Gallardo’s AWD system during the first week of ownership, but that’s ok in the Gallardo owners mind, as he can say he owns… wait for it… a Lamborghini.

• Audi S5

The Audi S5 is the arch nemesis of the Infiniti G35. It’s newer, faster more and more stylish and the S5 owner knows it. His main goal in life is to put existing G35 owners down by constantly humiliating them with a better exhaust burble and a higher quality interior. He also upgraded his footwear from a pair of Sketchers to a nice pair of Piloti driving shoes just so he can get in that little extra “dig” when the moment presents itself.

• Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Mitsubishi Eclipse owner averages from age 18-21. To them this little front wheel drive rice rocket makes them feel like their part of the Fast and the Furious crowd. They’ve got wheels, a big ass wing and a stereo that could make the state of Rhode Island deaf inside of ten minutes. They’re also driving around in them all night as they’re not yet old enough to get into the clubs. This means they’ll just be cruising the strip nightly in search of high quality jail bait.

• Nissan Altima Coupe

The Nissan Altima Coupe is one step above the Mitsubishi Eclipse, but still below the Infiniti G35 that it tries to emulate. Sure it’s stylish and will probably run forever, but when there are no less than 25 of them parked in the same parking lot it sure doesn’t do much in helping to get you laid.

• Porsche Boxster

Just like the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Porsche Boxster screams – I CAN’T AFFORD A 911! It’s unfortunate really as the Boxster is actually a fantastic car. Most owners know this as well, but soon tire of trying to explain it to those who don’t understand automobiles. The Porsche Boxster can also usually be seen parked on the outskirts of the club parking lots due to a bit of owner embarrassment and 911 envy.

A white Maybach 57S with 'King of Ohio' plates - I wonder who that could be.

Lebron James has some tough choices ahead of him. The NBA free agent is the darling of the league, and finds himself in the enviable position of being able to play for any team that can afford him. The most current rumors have him headed to Miami, which is just about ground zero for obscenely rich car guys. Even James’ custom Maybach 57 will be just another car on the streets of South Beach. Of course he could fool us all and sign with New York, where even his F430 would blend in with the crowd.

So what else does Lebron James drive? The list is extensive, and cars seem to come and go. Below are just a few of the cars associated with the King of Ohio, and I think you’ll agree that he’s got some pretty decent taste when it comes to rides.

Dodge Challenger SRT

Done up in the colors of the Dallas Cowboys, the car rolls on what looks to be 22” rims. I’m not a Cowboys fan so I’d have to take a pass on this particular car, but props to James for going with an American muscle car as part of his collection. If you ask me, he needs to balance it with a 1970 Hemi Challenger drop top. LeBron, just hit me up if you’d like me to track one down for you.

Ferrari F430 Spider

You probably wondered the same thing I did: would 6’8” tall Lebron James even fit in a Ferrari F430? The answer is yes, once it’s been worked over by Will Castro and Unique Autosports. The F43 features stretched seats with LB logos replacing the prancing horses, a custom stereo and aftermarket but tasteful rims.

Mercedes Benz S63 AMG

Think “understated elegance” and you get the idea behind this car. White with color matched wheels, the only flashy thing on this ride is Jame’s logo swap; instead of wearing the usual S63 badge on the trunk, his ride sports L23 for his first initial and his Cavaliers jersey number.

Hummer H2

James' Hummer H2, after its 2007 redo.

A gift from his mother on James’ 18th birthday, his yellow Hummer H2 prompted an investigation as to whether or not James could still be considered an amateur athlete. The 2003 H2 received a complete makeover from Unique Autosports in 2007, and sports 28” wheels, a custom grille and ebony paint. The inside received a complete reworking, including a state of the art touchscreen computer (with mobile internet, of course).

James also drives a white Range Rover and has donated two Kias (won as league MVP in 2009 and 2010) to charity. Kia, unfortunately, requires the winner to keep the vehicle for one year, delaying his gift to the Akron Urban League and the SUMMA Foundation.

I’m already having visions of another Toyota lynching, but this time the mob will be out to get GM. Beginning on June 14 GM will be recalling 1.5 million cars and trucks for an issue that was supposed to have been fixed two years ago. Vehicles with heated window washer-fluid systems run a risk of going up in flames due to a faulty circuit board. In 2008 GM recalled 858,000 cars and trucks when reports of fires surfaced. The fix was a fused link inserted by dealers to cure the problem. Interestingly enough GM is not really offering a fix for the problem since the supplier who created the part is no longer in business. With that being said GM’s solution is to simply the disconnect the heater system all together and rob customers of one of the cars options – nice right.

GM’s executive director of safety, Jeff Boyer stated that: “While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind”. Well, piece of mind and a bit of cash as GM will offer $100 as compensation for pulling out the heater system.

The list of recalled vehicles are as follows: 2006-09 Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS and Hummer H2; the 2008-09 Buick Enclave and Cadillac CTS; and the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse. Also included are the 2007-09 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL; and Saturn Outlook.

Source: Autonews.com

High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) – there you go. You now know how the Hummer got it’s name. For the last 20+ years Humvee’s have been carrying, transporting and protecting U.S. service men and women in regions around the globe. Their off-road capabilities are legendary and their ability to withstand combat conditions is simply amazing. There are also no less than 17 different configurations and according to Wikipedia they can be set up as the following: Cargo/troop carriers, automatic weapons platforms, ambulances (four litter patients or eight ambulatory patients), M220 TOW missile carriers, M119 howitzer prime movers, M1097 Avenger Pedestal Mounted Stinger platforms, MRQ-12 direct air support vehicles, S250 shelter carriers, and other roles. Not too shabby for a vehicle that has roots derived from the little Willy’s Jeep that first saw service in WWII.

The Shreveport plant in better days.

Hummer was pronounced dead a few months back when the deal to sell the GM brand to Sichuan Tengzhong fell through. The Hummer assembly line workers in Shreveport, Louisiana got a stay of execution when Avis ordered up 849 Hummer H3s for their rental car fleet. The last H3 of this special build rolled off the assembly line earlier this week, and the brand will now fade into the sunset of automotive history, alongside such other GM casualties as Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn.

The Shreveport plant will continue to build Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups (for now), but the workforce will be reduced from 900 to 700. White collar Hummer employees have either been terminated or re-assigned to other GM brands.

Source: Autoblog

Don't you want to do the same thing in the desert with a Jeep?

The basic formula for a Japanese haiku is simple: it’s composed of three lines, the first having five syllables, the second having seven and the third having five again. You don’t get many words, but if you choose them carefully they say a lot.

Bugatti Veyron
Will sell liver for my own
Sadly, no takers

Maybach 62S
Piss off, I am filthy rich
Your house worth this much?

New Dodge Challenger
Looks cool, is fast in straight line
Sucks ass in corners

Mazda Miata
Stupid fun to drive it fast
Too bad I’m not gay

Dodge Charger R/T
Can’t resist smoky burnouts
New tires this week, also

Ford Mustang GT
Finally, blue oval wins
Bow tie brigade bummed

Porsche Panamera
Fast, pricey German sedan
Can’t outrun ugly

Ford Pinto gas tank
Fine, if not in accident
Rear crash, not so much

Harley Davidson
Not ready to ride that slow
Ain’t my cup of meat

Kia Soul is hot
We used to laugh at their cars
Now wish we owned stock

Lambo Gallardo
Baby Lambo still pricey
But gets a geek laid

A Bentley Azure
May impress the hot women
Those who charge for dates

A new Range Rover
Can take you many places
Sometimes brings you back

Goodbye to Hummer
Not much good on road or off
Nice parked, with dub wheels

BMW M5
Proof that Darwin was correct
Drive like ass and die

Just like we told you on Tuesday, GM’s deal to sell Hummer to Sichuan Tengzhong is now deader than Generalissimo Francisco Franco. Before giving the ‘do not resuscitate’ order, GM admitted their disappointment with the deal’s collapse. Plans are to wind down the Hummer business and close the remaining dealerships in an orderly fashion; GM will continue to honor warranties on Hummer vehicles, presumably through GMC Truck dealerships.

Break out the lutefisk, the Spyker deal is done.

First, the good news: Saab is now officially owned by Spyker, so open up the aquavit and turn the freak knob up to 12, Saabophiles.

Now the bad news: it looks the the deal to dump sell Hummer to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery is terminally pooched. The original sale deadline was to be this week, but GM agreed to a 30 day extension to get Chinese regulatory approval. China’s commerce ministry appears reluctant to approve the deal, which goes counter to their plans of domestic automaker consolidation. Furthermore, the Chinese government is encouraging citizens to purchase small, environmentally friendly vehicles, which is counter to Hummer’s brand and identity. In short, Beijing has stamped “no deal” across the GM – Sichuan Tengzhong contract.

No saving this Hummer, either.

Sichuan Tengzhong is hoping to put together a deal with a third party outside of China, but the likelihood of this seems slim. Looks like Hummers days may be numbered, which should come as a surprise to no one.

Source: Financial Times