This Is a Safelier, 5-Star Podcast, Even With the New Ratings

The U.S. government is taking steps to make cars safer, and the 5-star ratings that so many vehicles have been getting. The U.S. Transportation Department on Tuesday formally launched a more rigorous system for grading car safety. The new system for the first time gives vehicles one overall safety rating, as well as various subratings, with one star for the worst and five stars for the best.

Hopefully, drunk drivers will be safer as well, even in the 20 cities where there are more convictions for DUI offenses.

One more safety update: Toyota announced it has resolved issues with over five million vehicles involved in the three main recalls of the company's products this year.

Car sales were safely above last year's numbers in September. It wasn't a surprise that the weak numbers from the Cash for Clunkers hangover provided a positive comparison. Lexus isn't getting a good comparison in the luxury sales race, with Mercedes-Benz taking the lead for now. Perhaps Mercedes is benefiting from all of the older people -- over 50 years old -- that make up the large majority (more than 60%) of car buyers in the U.S.

Mathew isn't that old, but he did join the car buying elite recently when he said goodbye to the Vibe. More on his new wheels to come.

He got such a good deal, there might be a chance he can also afford one of the electric scooters that BMW's Mini and Daimler's Smart showed at the Paris auto show.

But he probably won't be able to afford the airfare to Abu Dhabi for the opening of Ferrari World later this month.

Would you spring for a trip to see the Prancing Horse theme park. Email us.

GetThisShowOnTheRoad Oct 6, 2010.mp3