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Top horsepower-per-dollar cars in 2017

Bang for the buck. That quasi-scientific statistic is bandied about by motor heads everywhere from classrooms to barrooms, though the truth of the matter is that it's exceedingly complex to measure. A fair performance-per-dollar index would include something like cross-referencing MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) with point-to-point times on a track or driving route, which is obviously hard to do comprehensively. But, for the sheer joy of talking about cars and playing with a big spreadsheet, there's always the horsepower-per-dollar index, which is more straightforward, albeit hilariously flawed. There are vagaries even with this simple formula, of course: MSRP for vehicles can change at a moment's notice, to say nothing of the bottom-line shifting that happens with local deals or showroom negotiation. For this list we're running with the straight MSRP wherever possible, and as recently reported as we can get it. All the vehicles on this list are 2017 models, and all trims are reported where the lowest price and differing power levels intersect. Some choices were made for personal preference and some for sanity, avoiding things like all 48 trim levels of the Ford Transit, all with the same horsepower). If this list were a simple top ten, or even a top fifty, you'd be bored to tears with all the red, white and blue that is represented. Following perfectly with conventional wisdom, American cars really do lead the world where hp/$ is concerned. So, for the sake of variety (and the sheer joy of seeing a minivan 'win' one round of this thing) I've sorted out some top five and bottom five lists for broad power categories. Let's dive in. Less Than 100 Horsepower Okay, okay, this is hardly a category we'll grant you. But we've often tried to click off all the sub-100-hp cars on sale in the US, and making this list gave us an excuse. It also illustrates that none of these smallish vehicles bring cheap horsepower to the table - for that you'll need a motorcycle. The segment-leading Chevy Spark (above) asks just over $139 for each hp, and that Smart Fortwo Electric Drive has hp on sale for about the same price as its very distant family cousin, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG (insert your favorite Smart joke here... we know you want to).

Ghostbusters' Ecto-1 detailed in behind-the-scenes video

The Ghostbusters reboot is coming, ready or not. And along with a gender swap between the 'busters and their secretary, the team's trusty chariot, Ecto-1, is getting a refresh. It's still a specialized Cadillac, but that's where the similarities end, judging by the new featurette you see above. Instead of a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance, 2016's Ecto-1 is a 1982 Cadillac Deville. And instead of being built to keep people from dying, the new car is meant to transport the dead. Yep, it's a hearse. It's hard not to find some kind of hidden meaning there, but this video doesn't mention it. What we have learned here is that the way the new Ghostbusters acquire their vehicle is a little bit different than it was in the original film. In the 1984 version, Dr. Ray Stantz, played by Dan Aykroyd, bought the 1959 ambulance for $4,800 – the equivalent of $11,000 today – despite a litany of problems. It was clear in the film that Ecto-1 was dilapidated long before the Ghostbusters breathed life back into it. But in the new film, the team acquires Ecto-1 from the uncle of Patty Tolan – Leslie Jones' character. And based on the film featurette, it looks like it's in solid shape before the team adds its distinctive livery and logo. You can learn more about the car, see parts of the build process, and hear the cast and crew talk about it in this two-minute featurette. Ghostbusters hits theaters on July 15. Related Video:

GM issues four new recalls, 2.4 million cars affected

General Motors has announced another set of recalls, covering some 2.42 million cars in the United States. For those keeping track, The General has now recalled over 15 million cars worldwide this year due to various issues.
Here's the breakdown for this most recent set of recalls:
1,339,355 - Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia models from the 2009 to 2014 model years; Saturn Outlook models from the 2009 to 2010 model years