A is for Automobile

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2008-03-01T21:23:00.000-10:00

This policy is valid from 01 March 2008

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Cadillac’s Fashion At The Park

2007-02-01T00:09:00.000-10:00

First Lexus goes on a fashion trend and now Cadillac is going to have its own fashion event – the Fashion at the Park and it would be starting on the 7th of March up until the 10th. It would be held at the North Park Center and there would be fifteen different shows.

Aside from the usual glitter and glamor of designers and their creations, Cadillac would also be showing off some of its best fashionable vehicles. It would be also setting on display the different designs and technologies that their cars have. You would also be able to meet the sexy Cadillac XLR roadster as well as the much talked about Cadillac Escalade at the event.

Interested? Tickets are sold at $25 at the cheapest.

Jeep’s Safety Tips

2007-01-31T00:10:00.000-10:00

The Winter X Games is on! And extreme as this event may be, the Jeep brand is, at the same time, sharing its safety tips for everybody.

Dr. John R. Tongue, a fellow at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, says, “More than 12 million Americans will take advantage of the winter season and spend time outdoors sledding, skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling this year. Of those, nearly 400,000 -- or approximately one out of every 30 -- Americans will sustain a winter sports-related injury. Our goal is to make sure consumers embodying the adventurous Jeep motto, 'go anywhere, do anything,' are acting in a safe and intelligent manner whether they're on the slopes or in their own backyard.”

The doctor even further shares, “A proud sponsor of the Winter X Games since 2002, Jeep has been dedicated to safety and outdoor action sports for more than 66 years. The Jeep Safe Way to Play campaign combines Jeep's commitment to safety and adventure in an effort to ensure that the same attention to safety designed into every Jeep vehicle is carried over to sledding, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.”

Here are some of the driving tips as shared by automobile brand, Jeep:

Drive slowly. Snow on the road could make driving quite slippery so drive slower than usual. Make sure that your vehicles come with the best safety features and technologies.

Be aware of the ice. The sun may already be up but there are still some icy areas around.

Have first aid kits handy. Anywhere you go, do not forget to bring a first aid kit. You might need that.

Alabama To Use Alternative Fuel

2007-01-31T00:08:00.000-10:00

Many states are trying out vehicles that use alternative fuel. And the state of Alabama is joining in the band wagon. What it’s head, Governor Bob Riley, mentioned is that the state would then be transferring from ordinary vehicles to units that use ethanol for their fleet. This, of course, is a way to let the public know that using alternative fuel vehicles can be actually done.

Aside from this, the governor also mentioned that they would also be working on making the availability of alternative fuels much easier for consumers. And at the state’s Motor Pool, the state would be investing $324,000 so as to be able to put in a fuel tank of E-85 which has the capacity to hold 12,000 gallons of such a kind of alternative fuel.

Be excited for such would be available come this May.

2008 Lexus RX 350: How Much?

2007-01-30T00:05:00.000-10:00

A couple of days ago, the Lexus luxury brand has already shared the new prices for the 2008 Lexus RX 350 – the leader in sales of luxury SUVs. With the new prices, there would also be new upgrades to the vehicle which include:

exterior enhancements

new front grille design

extgerior door handles in chrome

18-inch alloy wheels with seven spokes

two exterior colors: brandy wine mica & desert sage metallic

new interior wood trim color

So much would be the new prices for the vehicle?
$37,400 – front wheel drive unit
$38,800 – all wheel drive model

Good deal, I may say.

Which Sedan Gets The Best Fuel Economy?

2007-01-29T00:02:00.000-10:00

Are you in the market for a good sedan? Well, not only a good sedan that would give you the things you need in a vehicle. But more of a sedan that would also allow you to save much on fuel. After all, the prices of fuel is sure going higher and higher again these days.

Well, here is a list of 2007 model year sedans and their fuel economy. Maybe it could help you out pick the right one for you.

55 mpg
Toyota Prius 4-Door Liftback
Toyota Prius Touring

39 mpg
Toyota Camry Hybrid 4-Door Sedan

37 mpg
Toyota Yaris Sedan
Toyota Yaris S

36 mpg
Toyota Corolla CE
Toyota Corolla S
Toyota Corolla LE

35 mpg
Honda Fit 5-Spd MT
Honda Fit Sport 5-Spd MT

34 mpg
Honda Fit 5-Spd AT
Honda Civic Sedan DX 5-Spd AT
Honda Civic Sedan LX 5-Spd AT
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd AT
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd AT w/ Navigation System

33 mpg
Hyundai Accent GS 3-Door
Hyundai Accent SE 3-Door
Honda Fit Sport 5-Spd AT
Hyundai Accent GLS 4-Door
Kia Rio Base
Kia Rio LX
Kia Rio SX
Honda Civic Sedan LX 5-Spd MT
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd MT
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd MT w/ Navigation System

31 mpg
Ford Focus Sedan S
Ford Focus Sedan SE
Ford Focus Sedan SES
Ford Focus 5-Door Hatchback S
Ford Focus 5-Door Hatchback SE
Ford Focus 5-Door Hatchback SES
Mazda MAZDA3 i Sport 4-Door
Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4-Door
Hyundai Elantra GLS
Hyundai Elantra SE
Hyundai Elantra Limited

30 mpg
Chevrolet Aveo LS 4-Door
Chevrolet Aveo LT 4-Door
Saturn ION 2 Sedan Manual
Saturn ION 3 Sedan Manual
Nissan Sentra 2.0
Nissan Sentra 2.0 S
Nissan Altima 2.5
Nissan Altima 2.5 S

Driving Safely During The Winter

2007-01-25T21:17:00.000-10:00

Here are some tips to keep you and your car in mint condition despite driving through snowy and icy roads:

If you are driving through snowy roads, make sure that you do not speed up. You see, your tires may give up and send you skidding through the road.

A temperature gauge would help you out a lot during driving. That way, you can check if you can already speed up or slow down.

If you are on black ice, drive more slowly. You would know you are on black ice if your car’s tires are kind of quiet. Other hints are that the temperature has dropped and your windshield has started fogging up.

If you start skidding, keep your feet on the gas pedal. And make sure that you do not panic. Always keep your head clear and let your mind show you where you want to go. More likely than not, you’ll be back on the road in no time at all.

Driving In Winter

2007-01-24T21:14:00.000-10:00

If you have ever dealt with black ice, you would know that it would seem as if there was no ice at all. All you experience is when your car starts to skid off the road.

Did you know that black ice is one of the main causes of accidents during the months when the temperature is low? However, it is not the only reason for accidents during the said wintery months. Here are some:

Your vehicle is using old tires or is using tires not made for snow.

You lack a gauge that checks out the outside temperature.

You never thought that you would be driving in such road conditions.

Well, it still is best to be safe and sure. So when the temperature starts dropping, be on the alert. You would never know when black ice would hit.

You Need Good Tires In Winter

2007-01-23T21:16:00.000-10:00

Why do you need good tires during winter driving? Well, tire manufacturers made winter tires to have a different tread design so much so that they get a good grip of the road. Plus, these winter tires also have been created with some rubber compounds so much so that you would not be skidding through the road during driving in the cold.

Normand Latremouille is the expert of winter tires from Michelin and he shares, “Changing, mounting and balancing tires every six months ends up costing a lot more over three to five years than having a separate winter driving set.”

“With four-wheel drive, it comes down to adhesion,” expresses Steve Erlichman of Mercedes Benz. “With four-wheel drive, it comes down to adhesion. The more power you have to all four wheels and double the grip, the safer and better handling you have in both wet and dry conditions.” Erlichman even shares his philosophy on this, “A smoothness to your driving in bad weather also helps. Go as smooth on the throttle and brakes as posisble. Also, don’t make any quick movements that will cause you to break traction. You can’t defy the laws of physics and when you lose too much grip, sometimes there is nothing that will help.”

AutoWeek Releases Best List Of 2007 NAIAS

2007-01-11T18:53:00.000-10:00

AutoWeek’s editorial staff annually does their share of judgments during the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and just recently, the magazine has already informed the public of their top choices among the lots of vehicles set on display at the car show.

Most Fun: Dodge Viper

Bob Gritzinger (senior news ed for AutoWeek): 600 hp, 8.4 liter V10, breathing so heavy the Dodge boys had to add half a dozen new hood vents just to bleed off the excess heat. The car goes 0-60 mph in less than four seconds, and goes 0-100-0 mph in 12 seconds flat. What could be more fun than that?

Best Concept: Ford Interceptor

Mandel (senior editor at AutoWeek): No matter what you call it, this Ford sports sedan based on a stretched Mustang chassis is one hot concept. We can only hope Ford takes the next step to put this pony car for the family man into production as soon as possible.

Most Significant: Chevrolet Volt

Gritzinger: The idea behind the car – a pure electric powertrain that gets its energy from plugging in at home or work, or from an on-board generator powered by a small gasoline engine – is surprisingly simple. GM says they’ll be ready to build this car by 2010 or 2012, and unless battery companies can’t come through, Volt and GM’s E-flex System could spell the beginning of the end of America’s addiction to foreign oil.

Best In Show: Jaguar C-XF

Mandel: C-XF, the concept version of the coming S-Type replacement, is the sexiest four-door we’ve seen from Jaguar in years. This car draws a line from past Jaguar sedans to Jaguar sedans of the future.

Best Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette

Best Exotic: Bugatti Veyron

Best Sedan: BMW 3-Series

Best People Mover/SUV: Honda Odyssey

Best Economy Car: Audi A3

Best Luxury Car: Audi A8L

Best Coupe/Convertible: BMW 6-Series

Best Truck: Ford F-Series

Best First New Car: Honda Civic

Star-Studded 2007 NAIAS

2007-01-11T18:52:00.000-10:00

Have you been to the 2007 NAIAS?

If you’re a car lover, you would surely not want to be left behind. In fact, many people have already been there.

Which celebrities have been there?

* Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke (Dancing With The Stars)

* Bobby Flay (chef and restaurateur)

* Seal, Kelis, Tamia, and Sisqo (R & B singers)

* Bill Gates (Microsoft)

* Bobbie Thomas (Fashion Police)

* Deborah Norville (Inside Edition)

* Tommy Davidson (comedian)

* Marvin Winans, Jr. (songwriter)

And the list is still continuing to grow! Join up and rub elbows with the stars and the cars.

Ford Fusion, Goes To The Top As The Favorite Customization Vehicle

2006-10-27T13:45:00.000-10:00

You want to customize a vehicle? Sure. Go ahead. But it also important to note that not all vehicles can be customized that easily. And it looks like the Ford Fusion has become the target of customizations from many areas all throughout the world.

The reason behind this is very simple. Sure. The Ford Fusion has got good looks and it really does perform well. And according to a spokesperson for the Ford Motor Company, a person or a car owner would be customizing a good looking vehicle to make it even better. And it is also not very quite a trend for a car owner to purchase a bad looking car to make it look good.

Well, sounds good enough for me though.

Auction Gets Movies’ Scariest Cars

2006-10-02T21:01:00.000-10:00

Three of the most scary cars are going to be back. And this time, on auction. Thanks to Volo Auto Museum who had to go through auto graveyards to find these three vehicles. They would b available on eBay starting on the 1st of October up until the 10th.

Who what would these three terrfying vehicles be?
* 1958 Plymouth Fury – right from the movie Christine
* 1970 Dodge van A-100 – right from the Texas Chain Massacre flick
* Cadillac Eldorado – straight out of the Devil’s Rejects

Christine is sold online as eBay item no. 170033211331. The Dodge van is item number 170033214132.

Lexus In Fashion Season This Fall With Vogue

2006-08-18T20:54:00.000-10:00

Who says a car cannot be part of fashion?

If you’re one who says that a car can’t be part of a fashion show, then this one would prove you wrong.

Lexus would be part of the opening show for this year’s fall fashion. It would be working alongside with Vogue. Both could be presenting for the very first time “The Lexus Fashion Preview” which is a fashion show that would be held at the 56th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on the 18th of August.

If you’re interested, sorry. This one’s purely invitation. The collections to be showcased would be including creations of young American talents in design.

Deborah Meyer, the vice president of Lexus for marketing, says, “Lexus is delisghted with what we hope is the beginning of a long-term partnership with Vogue, an international driving force in fashion and culture. Our relationship highlights the affinity between fashion and automotive design.”

Keep Safe While Driving

2006-08-13T17:48:00.000-10:00

Here are some tips to help you be safe as you drive through roads and streets.

First off, if you have a companion or a passenger with you while you are in your vehicle, try to talk to him or her but avoid at all extends to use gestures. Even a split second of keeping your mind off your task – driving – could lead to disaster. You also do not need to look at the person you are speaking with. Or else, you might find yourself in an accident.

If you need to use your celphone, pull over. It’s best that way. At least, you’re safe.

Go to the right lane if you are not passing. Remember that the left lane has been put there for passing purposes.

Just a simple buckling of your seatbelt increases your chances of safety. Do not forget to buckle up each time you’re in the car. Make sure you teach your children that, too.

Make sure your mirrors are adjusted just fine to give you maximum visibility. That’s why they were designed for vehicles.

Tips From BCAA

2006-07-27T19:22:00.000-10:00

I came across this article from the British Columbia Automobile Association and it looks promising. These tips are for those car owners and drivers who drive around with kids or pets.

The tips have been copied in toto for better understanding by all. Enjoy!

To help drivers protect their precious cargo this summer, BCAA recommends:
- Never leave a child or pet alone in a car - even with the windows down.
- Teach children not to play in cars and keep car keys out of reach and sight.
- Keep your vehicle locked at all times - even at home in the garage or driveway. This will help prevent toddlers from crawling into a car and accidentally locking themselves inside.
- Use drive-through services when possible or leave children with a responsible adult when running errands.
- Before heading off to run errands, think about whether your pets really needs to come with you, or if they would be more comfortable and safer left at home.
- If a child or pet is locked inside a vehicle, call BCAA, and if necessary, other emergency service patrols immediately.

Tiguan, The New VW Car

2006-07-20T20:29:00.000-10:00

Meet the Volkswagen Tiguan. It is the Volkswagen Touareg’s little bro and this new car would be launched in a couple of years. Remember how there was a contest on what to name the new car? Well, the contest is over and the Tiguan name won over all other entries. There were more than 350,000 votes during the whole duration of the voting.

The name Tiguan won over other names which are Nanuk, Namib, Rockton, and Samun. And this name actually represents something exotic, adventurous, exciting, and up for long journeys. That’s the VW Tiguan for you.

VW Eos: Goodyear Tire Equipped

2006-07-19T21:27:00.000-10:00

What’s new with the latest VW Eos?

One very prominent thing: Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tires.

But there’s more that the VW Eos has got to offer. There’s the distinctive metal roof that could fold neatly into the trunk. No mess! And really does offer great performance and driving experience.

The VW Eos is also known and called as a CSC. No it does not stand for something quite breathtaking or completely foreign. It simply stands for coupe, sunroof, convertible. Nice, huh?

Here are other stuff that you could find with the Eos:
* 2.0-liter turbo engine
* 3.2 liter V6 engine
* stability control
* sports seats
* 17-inch alloy wheels

Nissan’s Ready For 2007

2006-07-17T19:36:00.000-10:00

The list of Nissan vehicles is already on for 2007.

2007 Nissan Altima
* redesigned platform
* new distinct styling
* improved body rigidity
* Xtronic CVT
* Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition
* advanced touch-screen navigation system

2007 Nissan Maxima
* redesigned exterior
* fine premium interior
* Xtronic CVT
* more muscular
* more sporty
* Fine Visino gauge display

2007 Nissan Sentra
* flexibility
* built on new Nissan C platform
* 60/40 split fold-down rear seat
* Intelligent Key keyless entry system
* premium Rockford Fosgate audio system

2007 Nissan Versa
* built on Nissan B platform
* spacious cabin
* roomy rear
* high quality interior
* available in hatchback (5 doors) and sedan (4 doors)

2007 Nissan Quest
* redesigned interior
* redesigned exterior
* innovative
* more convenience features
* new grille and front bumpers
* Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System

2007 Nissan Titan King Cab and Titan Crew Cab
* nearly unlimited interior access
* high utility bed
* Utili-track tie-down system
* flexible hauling
* integrated and lockable bedside storage compartment

2007 Nissan Armada
* full-length boxed high-strength steel frame
* independent rear suspension
* distinctive exterior style
* roominess for 2nd row
* full-length overhead console
* DVD entertainment system

2007 Nissan Frontier King Cab and Frontier Crew Cab
* rugged suspension design
* innovative factory-applied spray-on bedliner
* Utili-track bed channel tie-down system
* 4.0 liter V6 engine
* Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System

2007 Nissan Pathfinder
* three-row seating
* enhanced off road capabilities
* 4.0 liter V6 engine
* fully boxed and all-steel frame
* new Desert Stone exterior color

2007 Nissan Xterra
* off-road capabilities
* 4.0 liter V6 engine
* rugged and fully boxed all-steel frame
* highly functional roof rack
* large interior cabin
* multi-flex cargo area

2007 Nissan Murano
* innovative design
* multipurpose SUV functionality
* sport-sedan-like ride and performance
* 3.5 liter DOHC V6 engine
* Xtronic CVT
* smooth and responsive acceleration
* improved gas mileage

2007 Nissan 350Z Coupe and 350Z Roadster
* new exterior colors
* new gray colored convertible top
* Active Head Restraints
* new VQ35HR engine

Sedans That Achieve 30+ Miles Per Gallon

2006-07-14T19:49:00.000-10:00

Chevrolet Aveo LS Sedan (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Aveo LT Sedan (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Aveo Special Value Sedan (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sedan (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Cavalier LS Sport Sedan (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Cavalier Sedan (30 mpg)
Dodge Neon SE (32 mpg)
Dodge Neon SXT (32 mpg)
Honda Civic GX NGV CVT w/ ABS [Limited Availability] (32 mpg)
Honda Civic Hybrid 5-Spd MT (48 mpg)
Honda Civic Hybrid 5-Spd MT AT-PZEV (47 mpg)
Honda Civic Hybrid CVT (48 mpg)
Honda Civic Hybrid CVT AT-PZEV (47 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan DX 5-Spd AT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan DX 5-Spd MT (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan DX 5-Spd MT w/ Front Side Airbags (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 4-Spd AT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 4-Spd AT w/ Front Side Airbags (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd AT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd AT w/ Navigation System (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd MT (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd MT w/ Front Side Airbags (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX 5-Spd MT w/ Navigation System (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX SE 4-Spd AT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan EX SE 5-Spd MT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX 4-Spd AT (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX 4-Spd AT w/ Front Side Airbags (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX 5-Spd AT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX 5-Spd MT (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX 5-Spd MT w/ Front Side Airbags (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX SE 4-Spd AT (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan LX SE 5-Spd MT (34 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan VP 4-Spd AT (33 mpg)
Honda Civic Sedan VP 4-Spd AT w/ Front Side Airbags (33 mpg)
Hyundai Accent GLS (33 mpg)
Hyundai Accent GLS 4-Door (31 mpg)
Hyundai Elantra GLS 4-Door (30 mpg)
Hyundai Elantra GLS 5-Door (30 mpg)
Hyundai Elantra GT 4-Door (30 mpg)
Hyundai Elantra GT 5-Door (30 mpg)
Kia Rio Base (33 mpg)
Kia Rio LX Sedan (33 mpg)
Mazda MAZDA3 i 4-Door (30 mpg)
Mazda MAZDA3 i Touring 4-Door (31 mpg)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 CDI Sedan (30 mpg)
Mitsubishi Lancer ES (30 mpg)
Mitsubishi Lancer OZ-Rally (30 mpg)
Nissan Sentra 1.8 (31 mpg)
Nissan Sentra 1.8 S (31 mpg)
Saturn ION 1 Sedan (30 mpg)
Saturn ION 2 Sedan (30 mpg)
Saturn ION 2 Sedan Manual (30 mpg)
Saturn ION 3 Sedan (30 mpg)
Saturn ION 3 Sedan Manual (30 mpg)
Scion xA 5-Door Hatch Back (34 mpg)
Toyota Camry Hybrid 4-Door Sedan (40 mpg)
Toyota Corolla CE (36 mpg)
Toyota Corolla LE (36 mpg)
Toyota Corolla S (36 mpg)
Toyota ECHO 4-Door Sedan (38 mpg)
Toyota Prius 4-Door Liftback (55 mpg)
Volkswagen Golf GL 1.9 TDI Sedan (41 mpg)
Volkswagen Golf GLS 1.9 TDI (40 mpg)
Volkswagen Jetta Sedan GLS TDI (41 mpg)
Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI (38 mpg)
Volkswagen Passat Sedan GL TDI (31 mpg)
Volkswagen Passat Sedan GLS TDI (31 mpg)

Minivans That Achieve 20+ Miles Per Gallon

2006-07-14T19:42:00.000-10:00

Buick Terraza CX (21 mpg)
Buick Terraza CX FWD (20 mpg)
Buick Terraza CX Plus (21 mpg)
Buick Terraza CXL (21 mpg)
Buick Terraza CXL FWD (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Uplander Cargo Van FWD (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander Base FWD 1SA (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LS Extended Wheelbase 1LS (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LS FWD 1SC (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LS FWD Regular Wheelbase 1LS (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT Extended Wheelbase 1LT (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT Extended Wheelbase 2LT (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT Extended Wheelbase 3LT (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT FWD 1SD (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT FWD 1SE (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT FWD Extended Wheelbase 1LT (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT FWD Extended Wheelbase 2LT (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Uplander LT FWD Extended Wheelbase 3LT (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Venture Extended Wheelbase LS (22 mpg)
Chevrolet Venture Extended Wheelbase LT (22 mpg)
Chevrolet Venture Extended Wheelbase Plus (22 mpg)
Chrysler Town & Country LWB Limited (20 mpg)
Chrysler Town & Country LWB LX (21 mpg)
Chrysler Town & Country LWB Signature Series [Discontinued] (20 mpg)
Chrysler Town & Country LWB Touring (20 mpg)
Chrysler Town & Country SWB Base (21 mpg)
Dodge Caravan SWB SE (22 mpg)
Dodge Caravan SWB SXT (21 mpg)
Dodge Grand Caravan SE (21 mpg)
Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus [Discontinued] (21 mpg)
Dodge Grand Caravan SXT (20 mpg)
Ford Freestar Wagon S (20 mpg)
Ford Freestar Wagon SE (20 mpg)
Ford Freestar Wagon SES (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Freestar Cargo Van (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Freestar Cargo Van Base (20 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX (21 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX 5-Spd AT (21 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX 5-Spd AT w/ Leather (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX 5-Spd AT w/ Leather and DVD (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX 5-Spd AT w/ Leather/Nav/DVD (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX-L (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX-L with DVD (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey EX-L with DVD and NAV (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey LX (21 mpg)
Honda Odyssey LX 5-Spd AT (21 mpg)
Honda Odyssey Touring 5-Spd AT w/ Leather (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey Touring 5-Spd AT w/ Leather/Nav/DVD (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey Touring with DVD (23 mpg)
Honda Odyssey Touring with DVD and NAV (23 mpg)
Kia Sedona EX (20 mpg)
Kia Sedona LX (20 mpg)
Mazda MPV ES (20 mpg)
Mazda MPV LX (20 mpg)
Mazda MPV LX-SV (20 mpg)
Nissan Quest 3.5 (21 mpg)
Nissan Quest 3.5 S (21 mpg)
Nissan Quest 3.5 S Special Edition (22 mpg)
Nissan Quest 3.5 SE (21 mpg)
Nissan Quest 3.5 SL (21 mpg)
Pontiac Montana Extended Wheelbase 1SA (21 mpg)
Pontiac Montana Extended Wheelbase 1SE (21 mpg)
Pontiac Montana SV6 Extended Wheelbase FWD 1SA (20 mpg)
Pontiac Montana SV6 Extended Wheelbase FWD 1SB (20 mpg)
Pontiac SV6 Extended Wheelbase FWD (21 mpg)
Saturn RELAY FWD 3 (21 mpg)
Toyota Sienna CE FWD with 7 Passenger Seating (21 mpg)
Toyota Sienna CE FWD with 8 Passenger Seating (21 mpg)
Toyota Sienna LE AWD (20 mpg)
Toyota Sienna LE FWD with 7 Passenger Seating (21 mpg)
Toyota Sienna LE FWD with 8 Passenger Seating (21 mpg)
Toyota Sienna XLE AWD (20 mpg)
Toyota Sienna XLE FWD (21 mpg)
Toyota Sienna XLE Limited AWD (20 mpg)
Toyota Sienna XLE Limited FWD (21 mpg)

SUVs That Achieve 30+ Miles Per Gallon

2006-07-14T19:41:00.000-10:00

Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD (31 mpg)
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD (33 mpg)
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD (31 mpg)
Scion xB 5-Door Wagon (32 mpg)
Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4X2 (30 mpg)
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4X2 (30 mpg)

Trucks That Achieve 20+ Miles Per Gallon

2006-07-14T19:37:00.000-10:00

Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LS Z71 w/1SE (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LS Z71 w/1SF (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LS Z85 w/1SB (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LS Z85 w/1SC (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LS ZQ8 w/1SH (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LS ZQ8 w/1SJ (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LT2 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 2WD LT3 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 4WD LS Z85 w/1SB (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Crew Cab 4WD LS Z85 w/1SC (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD Base Z71 (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD Base Z85 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD Base ZQ8 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD LS (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD LS Z71 (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD LS Z85 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD LS ZQ8 (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD LT1 (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD LT3 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 2WD Work Truck (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD Base Z71 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD Base Z85 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD LS (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD LS Z71 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD LS Z85 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD LT1 (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Extended Cab 4WD Work Truck (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD Base Z71 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD Base Z85 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD Base ZQ8 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD LS (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD LS Z71 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD LS Z85 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD LS ZQ8 (23 mpg) mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD LT1 (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD LT3 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 2WD Work Truck (23 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD Base Z71 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD Base Z85 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD LS (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD LS Z71 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD LS Z85 (21 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD LT1 (20 mpg)
Chevrolet Truck Colorado Regular Cab 4WD Work Truck (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Regular Cab 4X2 112-in. WB Sport Styleside (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Regular Cab 4X2 112-in. WB STX Styleside (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Regular Cab 4X2 112-in. WB XL Styleside (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Regular Cab 4X2 112-in. WB XLT Styleside (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Regular Cab 4X2 118-in. WB XL Styleside (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Regular Cab 4X2 118-in. WB XLT Styleside (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB Sport Styleside 2 Door (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB Sport Styleside 4 Door (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB STX Styleside 2 Door (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB STX Styleside 4 Door (20 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB XL Styleside 2 Door (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB XLT Styleside 2 Door (26 mpg)
Ford Truck Ranger Super Cab 4X2 126-in. WB XLT Styleside 4 Door (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLE Z71 w/1SE (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLE Z71 w/1SF (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLE Z85 w/1SB (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLE Z85 w/1SC (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLE-1 (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLE-2 (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 2WD SLT (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 4WD SLE Z85 w/1SB (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 4WD SLE Z85 w/1SC (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Crew Cab 4WD SLE-1 (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD SL (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD SLE-1 (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD SLT (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD Work Truck (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD Z71 SL (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD Z71 SLE (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD Z85 SL (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 2WD Z85 SLE (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD SL (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD SLE-1 (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD Work Truck (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD Z71 SL (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD Z71 SLE (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD Z85 SL (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Extended Cab 4WD Z85 SLE (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD SL (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD SLE-1 (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD SLE-3 (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD Work Truck (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD Z71 SL (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD Z71 SLE (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD Z85 SL (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 2WD Z85 SLE (23 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD SL (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD SLE-1 (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD Work Truck (20 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD Z71 SL (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD Z71 SLE (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD Z85 SL (21 mpg)
GMC Truck Canyon Regular Cab 4WD Z85 SLE (21 mpg)
Isuzu i-280 LS (23 mpg)
Isuzu i-280 S (23 mpg)
Mazda Truck B2300 4X2 Regular Cab (26 mpg)
Mazda Truck B-Series B2300 Regular Cab 4X2 (26 mpg)
Mazda Truck B-Series B3000 Cab Plus 4 4X2 (20 mpg)
Mazda Truck B-Series B3000 Cab Plus 4 Dual Sport 4X2 (20 mpg)
Mazda Truck B-Series B3000 Regular Cab Dual Sport 4X2 (20 mpg)
Nissan Truck Frontier King Cab XE 4X2 (23 mpg)
Subaru Baja Sport (23 mpg)
Subaru Baja Turbo (21 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 Access Cab I4 Automatic (23 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 Access Cab I4 Manual (23 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 PreRunner Access Cab I4 Manual (23 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 PreRunner Access Cab V6 Automatic (20 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 PreRunner Double Cab Long Bed V6 (20 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 PreRunner Double Cab V6 Automatic (20 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 PreRunner Regular Cab I4 Manual (23 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 Regular Cab I4 Automatic (23 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X2 Regular Cab I4 Manual (23 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X4 Access Cab I4 Manual (20 mpg)
Toyota Truck Tacoma 4X4 Regular Cab I4 Manual (20 mpg)

Wagons That Achieve 30+ Miles Per Gallon

2006-07-14T19:35:00.000-10:00

Chevrolet Aveo LS Wagon (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Aveo LT Wagon (30 mpg)
Chevrolet Aveo Special Value Wagon (30 mpg)
Kia Rio SX 5-Door (33 mpg)
Pontiac Vibe Base (33 mpg)
Scion xB 5-Door Wagon (31 mpg)
Toyota Matrix 4X2 (33 mpg)
Toyota Matrix Standard 4X2 (33 mpg)
Toyota Matrix XR 4X2 (33 mpg)
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon GL TDI (41 mpg)
Volkswagen Jetta Wagon GLS TDI (41 mpg)
Volkswagen Passat Wagon GL TDI (31 mpg)
Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLS TDI (31 mpg)

The New 2007 GMC Acadia Crossover SUV

2006-07-12T19:40:00.000-10:00

The crossover segment is quite hot in the market at present, and another GMC would soon be joining the blazing back. Welcome the new 2007 GMC Acadia crossover SUV.

This is the very first GMC crossover. But this should not be something that other car manufacturers should take for granted. You see, despite it being new to the segment, it already could deliver smoothly and also offers a responsive driving experience. Its design is very athletic and sporty. As for the interior, space is given in great generosity.

John Larson, the general manager for Pontiac-GMC, says, “Acadia is a natural extension of the GMC brand. Its combination of smooth, responsive ride and handling and SUV versatility embodies GMC’s professional grade philosophy. Acadia is a great looking vehicle that will attract customers who’ve never visited a GMC showroom.”

For the new GMC Acadia, this crossover is proud to boast about:
* Built on new body-frame integral vehicle architecture
* Seating for up to eight with agile ride and handling
* Sophisticated 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing
* Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission
* GM’s exclusive Smart Slide® second-row feature for easier access to the third row
* Six standard air bags: dual-stage frontal air bags; seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the front row and head curtain side-impact air bags that protect occupants in all three rows

Hello Kitty Meets Mitsubishi

2006-07-11T18:20:00.000-10:00

Want the total Japanese car?

Then you should try out the Mitsubishi i “Princess Kitty” Hello Kitty limited edition car. You know why it is limited? It is because there is only one of these made.

This car has been painted pink. Pink also goes to its wheels. The front doots and the roof of this Mitsubishi vehicle hold the trademark ribbon logo of Hello Kitty. The rear doors have a “Princess Kitty” drawing and Hello Kitty’s face. As for the back window, it has a large Hello Kitty face decal.

But it does not end there. Take a peek at this car’s interior and you would see that the seatcovers are striped pink and white. And there is still the “Princess Kitty” logo stamped all over. The headrests do not get some rest from the whole Hello Kitty mode. It has got Hello Kitty’s head with ribbon on the left ear.

Now, that’s Japanese for you.

Driving Tips For The Summer

2006-07-10T18:39:00.000-10:00

According to the information given by Insurance.com, July, August, and September are the most popular months for automobile accidents. You may ask why. Well, this is because these months are when the summer traffic gets at its peak and with many vehicles on the road, there are plenty of chances to actually meet accidents.

Another reason is that during the summer there are more hours of daylight which travelers and motorists do take full advantage of up until they become truly exhausted thus leading to lack of concentration on the road ahead. Exhaustion also causes a much slower reaction time for any situations on the road.

Here are some tips to much avoid summer accidents:
CHECK: all parts of your vehicle especially the air pressure and the fluid levels
REPLACE: worn out parts like the air filter
OBSERVE: speed limit and your body’s driving limits
PLAN: your itinerary and direction weeks before the trip
TAKE: breaks especially when needed
BRING: first aid kits, roadside assistance kits, auto insurance proof, emergency phone numbers and food

2007 Suzuki XL7: A Car Of The Future

2006-07-07T18:44:00.000-10:00

What is the Suzuki XL7?
* a midsize SUV
* redesigned car
* seats five or seven
* has a five speed automatic transmission
* available with a front wheel drive or all wheel drive
* has a 250-hp engine
* standard ABS and traction/antiskid controls
* standard front side airbags
* standard curtain side airbags
* has a navigation system or a DVD entertainment system

Got A Rolls Royce Phantom?

2006-07-06T18:05:00.000-10:00

The name spells mystery. It even sounds enigmatic. Like a black hooded hero who would not reveal itself but has got a lot to share.

But there is indeed a Rolls Royce Phantom and it is crafted by Rolls Royce Motor Cars. What is unique about this vehicle is that it has been hand built and there are only twenty of these. It goes by the name Phantom Black.

What has it got? It specially demonstrates the company’s design, craftsmanship, engineering, performance, dynamism, and character.

Here’s what the Phantom Black has to offer:
* high luster metallic diamond black paint
* twin silver coach lines
* 21-inch alloy wheels
* Goodyear run flat tires
* unique black detailing and center caps with Rolls Royce badges
* visible tail pipes in the rear for added performance
* 6.75 liter V12 engine with gloss black inlet manifolds and Rolls Royce badges
* soft black leather upholstery
* black ash wood veneers
* black finishing
* silver pinstripe door capping

Good Cars, Bad Sales

2006-07-05T18:24:00.000-10:00

Audi TT
It's a fine little coupe, sporty and neat and peppy. It has one of the most fabulous interiors in the business, even if only Mini Me can sit at the back. Okay, it's not a pure sports car, but heck, when did that ever make a difference? For heaven's sake, doesn't it look great? So, what's the problem? Some believe this lack of success is because Audi brought in the wrong model. However nice it may be in the real world, a 1.8-litre coupe with manual-adjust seats and a high price tag looks ghastly on paper; a 3.2 V6 with four-wheel drive and DSG transmission and hilariously useless toys like heated mirrors. And that's what most people want: they not only want to buy something exotic, they want to be seen doing so. And so, a hero bites the dust.

Fiat Petra
Ever since people turned their noses up at the fish-faced Siena and Fiat's dealers decided that a "treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen" policy would work wonders, Fiat's saloon has been a lost cause. It's a pleasant looker, solid, has a great chassis, decent space for people and luggage, and (in 1.6 form) plenty of punch. And now of course, it has both a shattering price and some steel in its service backbone. Yes, it has its flaws, not least of which is its much-talked fuel economy, but that's not enough of an excuse to ignore it so thoroughly. Nor are the seats any great, you’ve got to do a bit of fiddling around until you're truly comfy in them. So, again, why?

Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Grand Vitara is a pretty odd car, to be perfectly frank. The CR-V has sold because it's so good on the road, and because it's a Honda; the Maruti was neither. The badge was probably the biggest problem. But it had some very big points in its favour: one was the cabin, which was plush, very well equipped and comfy for at least five passengers. It looked nice, felt nice and generally felt worth the price. And there was the wonderful V6 - which, of course, drank petrol and lots more petrol, but sang lustily and gave the Grand Vitara the sort of performance most SUVs don't even dare dream about. It wasn't great on tarmac, but it had genuine talent off-road, so it could have been a stunning weekend car. And (pre-facelift of course) it looked quite nice, very old-school and conservative, with a bluff handsomeness. But it just didn't click, which is a big shame.

Hyundai Sonata Embera
The Sonata Embera is a genuinely handsome car, extremely comfortable and a quiet, fast cruiser, all at a damned good price. So why is it that you hardly see any on the road? It can't simply be image: the old Sonata sold really well, which means the badge didn't matter that much, nor can it be that the Accord is so much more talented, because it isn't. So what's wrong? Is it the looks, the switch from aping Jaguar to aping Audi that turned buyers off? Or have those clonky plastics made such a big impression on buyers? It’s a puzzling one, this. If anybody knows the correct answer, do let Hyundai know.

Hyundai Tucson
The CRDi engine giving you more than enough acceleration to get your backside ahead of stubborn trucks, its handling good enough to get nearly as much pleasure out of it in the ghats as you would in a saloon. No one can see just how right it would be to stock up that cubbyhole-lined cabin with sweets and a thermos of coffee, or to stick those annoying toll receipts and maps in the perfectly designed slots, or how it would feel so perfect when I do a bit of light off-roading and have a nice picnic on the grass, the part-time four-wheel-drive good enough to keep the car moving through the mud. No one? It's depressing.

Skoda Superb
You want luxury? You got it. You want a ballroom-sized cabin, with much legroom for the diamond-merchant owner? You got it. You want lots of glossy wood and supple leather and toys that you'll never figure out? You got it. You want diesel? You got it. It’s true that not many in other countries have taken to the car either. The whole world has gone mad.

Ford Mondeo
The Ford Mondeo, winner of countless awards all over the world, generally recognised as one of the landmark cars of the last 10 years. Everyone recognised its combination of sharp looks, big interior, fantastic handling and build quality as something way beyond the ordinary. Worldwide, it's been a huge success. It's a press favourite, that's for sure, so it's not under-rated in that sense. Everyone loves its space, the performance from its small but feisty engines, the solidity of the cabin, the leech-like grip, the way this big car shrinkwraps itself around you through corners. Everyone conceded though, that it didn't feel luxury car plush, that it didn't cosset you like a Camry or Accord. Everyone knew that could be a problem, and sure enough, it was. Ford responded after a while, throwing bucketful of chrome and dark wood at it, but that had no effect either. And what can Ford do about it? What area can be improved, when everything is so good already? That's the damn problem: they have a fine car that doesn't sell, and when that happens, there's really nothing you can do except wail at the unfairness of life.

Reva
Reva is tiny, incredibly easy to drive and will never, ever require a visit to a petrol pump. Everybody should be getting themselves one, especially those who commute everyday. The flaws are: it's impractical in terms of person-carrying capacity and range. But well, so many of us can afford a second car - why not make it this one? And one secret: chicks dig the car. It has much the same effect on them as carrying a baby or fluffy little quadruped in your arms. As a means of getting women, it's as good as a Ferrari, and much cheaper. Perhaps it's the government's fault: maybe it should subsidise the car. But it has to do something: this car is important.

Happy 5th MINI!

2006-07-03T19:30:00.000-10:00

Small. Sturdy. Sensational.

* MINI went on sale five years ago.
* To date, it has now received 100 awards.
* July 7, 2001 marks the date when the very first MINI car went on sale.
* MINI is an instant global success.
* MINI offers the market small cars that are quality.
* There have been over 800,000 MINI cars sold around the globe.
* These cars have been sold in over seventy markets.
* There are eight MINI models: One, One D, Cooper, Cooper S, One Convertible, Cooper Convertible, Cooper S Convertible, Cooper S withJohn Cooper Works GP Kit. * MINI is a very popular car brand in the United Kingdom.

Auto Collections USA Joins First China Auto Museum

2006-06-30T19:01:00.000-10:00

Based in Imperial Palace Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Auto Collections would be making history by being one of the non-Chinese participant to the very first automobile history in China. Auto Collections would be loaning the museum with exotic and classic cars. This group would be joined by the Blackhawk Colelction from Danville, California.

There would be six vehicles who would be taking off soon towards the 24-day journey to Shanghai, China where the museum is located. However, this would be just the first batch for Auto Collection is loaning 38 cars. There would be an additional 37 cars from Blackhawk Collection.

The Shanghai Automobile Museum would be opening in the middle of September this year as part of China’s international automobile city development which they named as Autotown. All the 75 vehicles from the US would be representing 23 various makes and models. There would be an 1886 Mercedes Benz and a 1972 Alfa Romeo. The vehicles’ worth ranges from $20,000 to $1 million each.

Don Williams is the co-owner of The Auto Collections and Blackhawk and he comments, “The Chinese are now buying newer cars, and the vehicles we are loaning the museum were selected because of their significance in the timeline of automobile development. The musem vehicles will give them an understanding of automobile history that will serve them well with future purchases.”

Electric Cars Joins G8 Summit

2006-06-29T18:45:00.000-10:00

There is still hope for all electric cars.

This year’s G8 Summit would be taking place in St. Petersburg, Russia from the 15th of July up until the 17th. All the world leaders who come from leading democracies that are already industrialized would be using and traveling in electric vehicles from Global Electric Motorcars, LLC. The leaders would be coming from countries like the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Japan, Canada, Germany, and Italy.

30 e4 GEM electric vehicles would be used by these heads. Each e4 would bear the participating country’s flag and official logo so as to denote to whom each vehicle belongs.

Certainly, this is not the first time that GEM would be sporting off their vehicles for the G8 Summit. Tracing back to 2004, GEM has been providing participating countries transportation. They are proud of their vehicles for they are very environment friendly. E4 vehicles also have no emissions. They are clean, quiet and very efficient. As per regular use, electric vehicles also are very much affordable.

So it seems that hope is still there for electric vehicles to come to life once again.

Dodge Viper For Rent

2006-06-27T18:57:00.000-10:00

A Dodge Viper SRT-10 has just been added. For rent. By whom? Pure Exotics Dream Automobile Rentals. This is a company that offers various vehicles for rent or for lease.

Those who are interested could simply contact the company and they could choose from a wide range of vehicles. Now, the Dodge Viper SRT-10 is going to be another cool choice.

"The Viper is a powerful addition to our expanding exotic car rental fleet." This is according to Jennifer Adeli, the owner and vice president of customer relations for the company. She even adds, "It has a 500 horsepower 8.3-liter V10 engine, which provides power and performance that rivals our Ferrari 360 and Lamborghini Gallardo."

This Summer Make Your Car Be Thief-Free

2006-06-26T20:24:00.000-10:00

Statistics from the Help Eliminate Auto Thefts (HEAT) show that during the summer months – July and August, car theft has become rampant. The 2006 FBI Uniform Crime Report also shows such data. This is because car owners become careless during these times and they also do put down their guard.

So what do you do?
* Close your car. Even your windows should be kept close.
* Keep all valuables out of sight.
* For convertibles, close the tops. And lock them.

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line, Out In The Fall

2006-06-26T20:20:00.000-10:00

The 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line would out in the market this fall. It has got a turbocharged engine that produces 260 units of horsepower. And yes, for under $28,000, you can own this one yourself. Its engine is a 2.0 liter Ecotec Turbo and it has got direct injection technology.

“Through its design and advanced technology, the Sky Red Line shows that Saturn is making vehicles like never before,” said Dave Smidebush, Saturn’s director of marketing. “But the Sky Red Line also demonstrates that the brand’s commitment to great value and innovation in our product lineup is as strong as ever.”

Features in store include: stabilitrak electronic stability control traction control, close-ratio five-speed manual transmission with self-adjusting clutch, four-wheel ABS disc brakes, limited slip differential, performance-tuned suspension with coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks, air conditioning, power locks, power windows and power mirrors, and OnStar system with one year of Safe & Sound service.

Get More For Your Gas

2006-06-26T20:17:00.000-10:00

Despite the high price of gases, many families are still going on that road trip that has been part of their tradition during summer. Now you still can get more for your gas by simply following these tips:

Remove unnecessary garbage from your trunk. This could include stuff that you may have already forgotten. Go through your trunk and sort out those that your car needs and those that simply are plain junk.

Go for the recommended tire pressure. Check your owner’s manual for the right pressure.

Use the right motor oil for your vehicle.

Dig In!

2006-06-22T18:49:00.000-10:00

First Volvo. Now, it’s the Jeep’s turn.

Just put on your shades and get your flip flips. Head towards one of the greatest and largest treasure hunts in San Diego. Head out towards the Imperial Beach this 21st of July.

Jeep is having a treasure hunt and they’re calling it the “Jeep Come And Dig It” event. It will be part of the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition which is one of the largest sand castle competitions in the country.

Try out your luck. You would be needing that to find the various gadgets and gizmos buried in the sand. The list includes beach gear and summer accessories. To top it all off, you might even win a new Jeep vehicle for yourself. But not, it is not buried.

If you are interested, you can sign up. Just go to http://www.jeepcomeanddig.com/. You have up until the 14th of July to register. You must be 18 years old and above though.

Summer Is Deadly For Teen Drivers

2006-06-22T18:44:00.000-10:00

According to a recent study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety, July and August are the deadlist months of the year for teenage drivers. When referring to teenage drivers, the study actually means those drivers who are aged sixteen and seventeen.

However, there is good news in spite of such a morbid result. The group also claims that if these young drivers have properly enforced driving restrictions, the rate could go down by twenty per cent which is such a great deal. Still with the results of the study, teenagers who have been in crashes and accidents are those that ignore driving and traffic rules.

Brad Roeber, the AAA Chicago Regional President, says, “Summer vacation for teens often means unstructured schedules, less guidance from mom and dad, and more exposure to crashes. Enforcing safe driving rules that include passenger and nighttime limits is essential in keeping your teen and others safe on the road.”

Results were taken from a collection of data which the group took themselves. They took information on teenagers who have been free from crashes and those who have already been involved in such bad luck. Now, they have come up with factors that could differentiate the two groups. The list includes:
1. Compliance with state graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws
2. Adherence to traffic laws and regulations
3. Parental involvement

Roeber continues, “Teens whose parents take an active role, obey traffic rules and regulations, and follow GDL requirements are much less likely to crash. Just think how many lives we could save with the combination of the right laws and parental involvement.”

Volvo Is On A Pirate Spree

2006-06-21T18:39:00.000-10:00

Seems like Volvo is suffering from too much pirates. Or maybe too much of being around with pirates. But it is all part of their sponsoring a pirate-themed hunt for a Volvo XC90 that has been buried. This XC90 is one-of-a-kind and is pirate themed. As I have posted in previous posts, the hunt is done online for all those who are interested in locating such a cool vehicle.

Helen Gore is the spokesperson for Volvo Cars. She states, “We thought it would be helpful to give those hunting for our buried pirate car some roll models from throughout history to look for guidance. Not that we’re condoning everything that the tougher characters on our list stood for, but at the very least, they can be looked to for inspiration, wardrobe tips and a passion for acquiring things without paying for them – a.k.a. pirates booty.”

Wanna know them? The list has been taken from this site:

• Blackbeard. "Terrorizing the Caribbean and Atlantic in the early 1700's, he led a crew of 300 but was a slave to fear inspiring fashion -- sporting a long, braided beard with ribbons, a burning rope underneath his hat and an iron fist."

• The Great Pirate Roberts. "Roberts was tall, dark and handsome. He adorned himself in a crimson waistcoat, breeches, a hat with a feather, a diamond cross on a golden chain around his neck and two pairs of pistols at the end of a silk sling around his shoulder. Scary? Maybe not like Blackbeard, but a successful buccaneer all the same."

• An Unnamed Band of Ex-Enron Executives. "What's the old saying -- the pen is mightier than the sword, especially when held by a creative accountant?"

• Anyone who has a friend or relative with cable repair experience and a toolbox. "Pirated cable -- ever heard of it?"

• Captain Kidd. "A pirate hunter turned pirate, Kidd's short but successful career plundering vessels was crowned by taking a 400-ton merchant treasure ship. Kidd was caught shortly thereafter and sent to England were he was executed. Ouch."

• Willie Stargell. "One of the all-time great Pittsburgh Pirates, he deposited leather treasure in the outfield bleachers exactly 475 times over his 20-year, Hall of Fame career."

• Derek Brooks (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). "He's a modern day Buccaneer and the undisputed leader of one of the NFL's most feared defenses. This salty, all-pro linebacker patrols the field like a mad pirate on the high seas; sacking quarterbacks, stealing footballs and protecting the goal line."

• Captain Hook (the band). "These rockers really knew how to shake a wooden leg!"

Whatever Happened To ‘Rev It Up’?

2006-06-20T19:52:00.000-10:00

It is back!

But what is ‘Rev It Up’? You may simply ask that question.

Well, Rev It Up is just the world’s largest performance driving school. It also is a national racing competition. This program is so popular that it draws thousands of interested participants all around the country to join this. And yes, this event features some of Chevrolet’s performance vehicles.

Of course, you do have to shell out $50 but they do get much. They get seat time, instructions, horsepower, some hot laps, and a chance to win a Chevy Cobalt SS. Top that.

Rev It Up is also known as the RIU and this is presented by Chevrolet. This is where you get fast cars and meet up with challenging courses. There are expert trainers who would be giving you the tips on having an experience that would be drool-worthy.

Chevrolet’s General Manager, Ed Peper, could not help but state, “Chevrolet's line of products make high-performance cars accessible to everyone and Rev It Up gets race fans off the couch and onto the race course. It's a perfect fit. From the Cobalt SS to Corvette, participants will find out why Chevrolet is America's best selling brand.”

So you’re thinking about joining this event? Don’t worry. There might be some stops right near your home. There would be six stops included in the 2006 RIU. Check it out yourself.
- Southern California: July 22-23 - El Toro Marine Base
- Dallas: July 29-30 - Lone Star Park
- Miami: August 5-6 - Hialeah Park Racetrack
- Chicago: August 12-13 - Balmoral Park Racetrack
- New York: August 19-20 - Belmont Park Racetrack
- Washington, DC: August 26-27 - FedEx Field

Where Not To Look For The Buried Volvo

2006-06-19T19:04:00.000-10:00

If you have been looking for the buried Volvo XC90 which Volvo is giving away as part of their support for the new Disney movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”, Volvo has given out a list of places where you should not look.

Read on and discover such places which might never even had crossed your mind. By the way, these have been the excerpts from the main press release from Volvo:

•Underneath the uprights at Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands. “We love American football, but learned at the last minute somebody else may already be buried there.”

•Neverland, Middle Earth, Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and Elizabethtown, KY. “All great ideas, but wrong movie tie-in,” Gore said.

•Inside a huge Cracker Jack box. “We even had the design team try construct a massive, Volvo XC90-worthy box, but we ran out of time because everyone kept eating all the Cracker Jacks, especially those little caramel-coated peanuts at the bottom.”

•The Pirates of the Caribbean Ride at Disneyland. “It is just a few miles up the 405 from Volvo’s North American headquarters, but this one fell under the category of ‘way too obvious’.”

•Irv Gordon’s garage. “He’s a guy in Long Island who’s driven 2.5 million miles in his 1966 Volvo P1800, a world record. This actually was strongly considered but we figured the guy would be too tempted to drive our XC90 around, especially with the AC in the hot summer months.”

•Any sports bar in the United States showing World Cup games on their big screen TVs. “We were seeking a place where not a lot of people will be, but we felt this was too extreme.”

J.D. And Associates Power Survey Results

2006-06-16T18:02:00.000-10:00

So who’s who for this survey?

Here are the results. Just read on.

Subcompact Car
Kia Rio/Cinco and Suzuki Aerio (tie)
The Kia Rio has been in production since 2000. It replaced the Kia Pride in the line of Kia vehicles. The Suzuki Aerio has been in production since 2001 and it replaced the Suzuki Baleno or Suzuki Esteem. It has been built in two body styles which are the hatchback with five doors and the sedan with four.

Compact Car
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla has been around since 1966. It replaced the Toyota Publica and is now known across the globe as a reliable vehicle.

Midsize Car
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has been in production since 1980. It has been one of the best selling cars in the United States.

Large Car
Pontiac Grand Prix
The Pontiac Grand Prix has been produced since 1962 and there are reports that the company is planning on halting its production come 2008 and would be replaced by the Pontiac G8.

Compact Sporty Car
Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 is a very popular sports car and has been produced since 1989. It has been built as a convertible.

Midsize Sporty Car
Toyota Solara
The Toyota Solara has been crafted since 1999. It has been built as a convertible and as a coupe, both holding two doors.

Compact SUV
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson has been in the market since 1999 and has been built as a wagon with five doors.

Large Premium SUV
Lexus LX 470
The Lexus LX 470 has been produced since 1996 and its production would be stopping this year. In its place, the new Lexus JX would take the spot.

Midsize SUV
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander has been crafted since 2001. It replaced the Toyota Camry station wagon in the Toyota vehicle line up.

Large SUV
Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia has been around since 2001. It has been based on the company’s Tundra pickup truck.

Midsize Pickup
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger has been produced since 1983. It took the spot that was formerly owned by the Ford Courier.

Minivan
Chrysler Town & Country
The Chrysler Town & Country is a minivan which has been produced since 1990. It has been noted as one of the best selling minivans in the US.

Large Pickup
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado has been around since 1999. This vehicle replaced the Chevrolet C/K and the GMC C/K.

Changes To The Audi A4 And S4 Line For 2007

2006-06-15T19:03:00.000-10:00

* aggressive DTM exterior bumpers
* front/rear carbon fiber trim as option
* redesigned Symphony radio with ability to play MP3-encoded CDs in the integrated 6-disc changer
* larger screen with larger font
* no more cassette player.
* two main packages (Premium/Convenience) instead of three (Sunroof/Premium/Technology).
* Wheels: New design base 16” wheel; 17” wheels: 5 double spoke wheel continues as an option; 3.2 has a new standard 3.2-specific 17” 5-spoke wheel from quattro GmbH.
* Trip computer available with Convenience Package
* Driver seat and mirror memory is no longer offered in the 2.0T.
* 2.0T models receive 4-spoke leather multi-function steering wheels. 2.0T S line Package keeps 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel, with shift paddles on automatic models.
* Heated front seats as a stand-alone option. Heated rear seats are discontinued on 2.0T models.
* All-season versions of the 18” wheels in the S line and Titanium Packages are now being offered
* A4 2.0T and 3.2 Sedan/Avant/Cabriolet models have full-size spare tires, but now with steel rims, not alloy. S4 Sedan/Avant/Cabriolet continue to offer full-size spare tires with matching alloy wheels.
* Sunroof standard to reduce complexity
* New standard 17” 3.2-specific 5-spoke wheel from quattro GmbH
* 3-spoke steering wheel with partially-perforated leather standard
* Shift paddles on steering wheels standard on all automatic models
* Driver seat and exterior mirror memory optional on 3.2
* 3.2 Cold Weather Package: heated rear seats
* Rear Parktronic optional
* Sport suspension optional
* New 18” S4 wheel is the only wheel on all 2007 S4 models. It is identical in design to the upcoming 20” S8 wheel.
* Sunroof standard.
* DTM Exterior Package (identical to S4 24quattro) with carbon fiber front and rear spoilers is an available option, sedan-only, USA-only.
* Interior Alcantara® color combinations have been increased. This year, both the ebony/ebony and silver/silver combinations will be offered.
* S4 Sedan/Avant/Cabriolet brake calipers will be painted glossy black.

Changes To The Audi A3 For 2007

2006-06-15T19:02:00.000-10:00

2.0T Technology Package
· Light and rain sensor
· Audi Phone Preparation with Bluetooth
· Auto-dimming interior mirror
· Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System

3.2 Technology Package
· Audi Phone Preparation with Bluetooth
· Bi-Xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System

Audio Package
· Sirius Satellite Radio
· Bose Premium Sound System with AudioPilotTM
· Symphony II Radio with in-dash 6-disc CD Changer

Changes To The Audi A4 Model Line For 2007

2006-06-15T19:01:00.000-10:00

* S line Package (replaces the Sport Package)
* more aggressive front and rear fascias
* S line badging on the exterior.
* new Technology Package
* Sound Package has been renamed the Audio Package
* Sirius Satellite Radio is added to the package

Is Your Car A Lemon?

2006-06-09T18:27:00.000-10:00

Are you thinking if your car might be a lemon? Are you confused just when you do consider a car to be a lemon? Well, the answer is, it depends. Read on and familiarize yourself with the Lemon Laws in your state.

Alabama
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days within shorter of 24 months or 24,000 miles, provided 1 repair attempt or 1 day out of service is within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer + opportunity for final repair attempt within 14 calendar days.

Alaska
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified mail to manufacturer + dealer (or repair agent) that problem has not been corrected in reasonable number of attempts + refund or replacement demanded within 60 days. Manufacturer has 30 calendar days for final repair attempt. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

Arizona
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.

Arkansas
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs, or 1 unsuccessful repair of a problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within longer of 24 months or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified or registered mail notice to manufacturer. Manufacturer has 10 days to notify consumer of repair facility. Facility has 10 days to repair.

California
Qualification: 4 times subject to repair or 30 calendar days out of service (can be non-consecutive) within shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles, or ìreasonableî number of attempts during entire express warranty period.† Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice to manufacturer + delivery of car to repair facility for repair attempt within 30 days. UPDATE:† As of 1/1/01, only 2 times subject to repair allowed for safety defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.† Coverage also expanded to include small businesses registering up to 5 vehicles, weighing up to 10,000 pounds each.

Colorado
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Prior certified mail notice for each defect occurrence + opportunity to repair for manufacturer.

Connecticut
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles, or 2 unsuccessful repairs of a problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within warranty period or 1 year.† Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, agent or dealer. Written notice to manufacturer only if required in owner's manual or warranty.† State-run arbitration mechanism available.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Delaware
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

D.C.
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of safety-related defect, within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Report of each defect occurrence to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Note: Enforcement is suspended until October 1, 2000. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Florida
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 15 calendar days within 24 months from delivery.† Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified or express mail to manufacturer who has 10 calendar days for final repair attempt after delivery to designated dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.†

Georgia
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 24,000 miles or 24 months, with 1 repair or 15 days out of service within shorter or 1 year or 12,000 miles; or one unsuccessful repair of serious safety defect in braking or steering system within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles.. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice return receipt requested. Manufacturer has 7 days to notify consumer of repair facility. Facility has 14 calendar days to repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles. Note: Proceeding under this stateís lemon law may cause consumer to lose other important rights regarding the manufacturer and dealer.

Hawaii
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repair attempts, or 1 unsuccessful repair attempt of defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or 30 business days out of service within shorter of two years or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Idaho
Qualification: 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles, or 1 repair of a complete failure of the braking or steering system likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer or dealer and opportunity to repair.† State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Illinois
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Indiana
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within the shorter of 18 months or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer only if manufacturer included this requirement in the warranty. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Iowa
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs, or 1 unsuccessful repair of a nonconformity likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified registered mail + final opportunity to repair within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Kansas
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 10 total repairs within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Actual notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

Kentucky
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

Louisiana
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Maine
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs (when at least 2 times same agent attempted repair) or 15 business days out of service within shorter of warranty or 2 years or 18,000 miles. Applies to vehicles within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years regardless of whether the claimant is the original owner.† Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer or dealer only if required in warranty or owner's manual. Manufacturer has 7 business days after receipt for final repair attempt. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Maryland
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs, 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of braking or steering system within shorter of 15 months or 15,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested + opportunity to repair within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice to manufacturer or factory branch. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Massachussetts
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 15 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 15,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Notice to manufacturer or dealer who has 7 business days to attempt final repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available.

Michigan
Qualification: Total of 4 unsuccessful repairs within 2 years from the date of the first unsuccessful repair or 30 calendar days within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested, to manufacturer who has 5 business days to repair after delivery. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Minnesota
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days or 1 unsuccessful repair of total braking or steering loss likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 2 years or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer, agent or dealer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Mississippi
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 15 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer who has 10 business days to repair after delivery to designated dealer.

Missouri
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer who has 10 calendar days to repair after delivery to designated dealer.

Montana
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service after notice within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available.

Nebraska
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 40 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

Nevada
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

New Hampshire
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs by same dealer or 30 business days out of service within warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, distributor, agent or dealer (on forms provided by manufacturer) + final opportunity to repair before arbitration. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

New Jersey
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 20 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice, return receipt requested to manufacturer who has 10 days to repair. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

New Mexico
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

New York
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Notice to manufacturer, agent or dealer. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

North Carolina
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs within shorter of 24 months, 24,000 miles or warranty or 20 business days out of service during any 12 month period of warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer + opportunity to repair within 15 calendar days of receipt only if required in warranty or owner's manual. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

North Dakota
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. (Manufacturerís informal arbitration process serves as a prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)† State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Ohio
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs of same nonconformity, 30 calendar days out of service, 8 total repairs of any nonconformity, or 1 unsuccessful repair of problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 1 year or 18,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, its agent or dealer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Oklahoma
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 45 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration.

Oregon
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Pennsylvannia
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days within shorter of 1 year, 12,000 miles, or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Delivery to authorized service + repair facility. If delivery impossible, written notice to manufacturer or its repair facility obligates them to pay for delivery.† (Manufacturerís informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)

Rhode Island
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 15,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Report to dealer or manufacturer who has 7 days for final repair opportunity. (Manufacturerís informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.) Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

S. Carolina
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice by certified mail + opportunity to repair (not more than 10 business days) to manufacturer only if manufacturer informed consumer of such at time of sale. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

S. Dakota
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs, 1 of which occurred during the shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles, or 30 calendar days out of service during shorter of 24 months or 24,000 miles.† Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer and final opportunity to repair + 7 calendar days to notify consumer of repair facility.† (Manufacturerís informal arbitration process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)†

Tennessee
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Certified mail notice to manufacturer + final opportunity to repair within 10 calendar days. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Texas
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs when 2 occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles, + other 2 occur within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles immediately following second repair attempt; or 2 unsuccessful repairs of a serious safety defect when 1 occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles + other occurred within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles immediately following first repair; or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 2 years or 24,000 miles + at least 2 attempts were made within shorter of 1 year or 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Utah
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer, agent or dealer. (Manufacturerís informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Vermont
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs when at least first repair was within warranty, or 30 calendar days out of service within warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer (on provided forms) after third repair attempt, or 30 days. Arbitration must be held within 45 days after notice, during which time manufacturer has 1 final repair. State-run arbitration mechanism available. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Virginia
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs, or 1 repair attempt of serious safety defect, or 30 calendar days out of service within 18 months. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. If 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 days already exhausted before notice, manufacturer has 1 more repair attempt not to exceed 15 days. State has certified guidelines for arbitration. Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Washington
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs, 30 calendar days out of service (15 during warranty period), or 2 repairs of serious safety defects, first reported within shorter of warranty or 24 months or 24,000 miles. One repair attempt + 15 of the 30 days must fall within manufacturer's express warranty of at least 1 year of 12,000 miles. Notification/Trigger: Written notice to manufacturer. State-run arbitration mechanism available.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.† Note: Consumer should receive replacement or refund within 40 calendar days of request.

West Virginia
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service or 1 unsuccessful repair of problem likely to cause death or serious bodily injury within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.

Wisconsin
Qualification: 4 unsuccessful repairs or 30 calendar days out of service within shorter of 1 year or warranty. Notification/Trigger: Report to manufacturer or dealer.† Law specifically applies to leased vehicles.† Note: Consumer should receive replacement or refund within 30 calendar days after offer to return title.

Wyoming
Qualification: 3 unsuccessful repairs or 30 business days out of service within 1 year. Notification/Trigger: Direct written notice + opportunity to repair to manufacturer. (Manufacturerís informal arbitrations process serves as prerequisite to consumer refund or replacement.)

A Pirate Treasure Hunt For A Volvo XC90

2006-06-08T18:12:00.000-10:00

As part of its support to Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ movie, Volvo is setting out a pirate treasure hunt for those who wants to find buried treasure. And the treasure in stock? Oh yes, it is indeed a Volvo XC90.

The whole hunt starts on June 12th and ends on July 11th. All those who are interested can go to a Volvo retailer anywhere in the US and ask for a free treasure map. The hunt is done online at www.volvocars.us/thehunt. However, there are challenges, puzzles, and clues that treasure hunters would have to solve. Just keep in mind that somewhere on the earth, there is a buried Volvo XC90 waiting for you.

To top it all off, this buried car treasure is surely something that you would not want to miss. Not only because it is a cool Volvo vehicle, but because it is certainly one of a kind. It is pirate-theme. There are many parts that have the movie’s elements in it. There are even graphics straight right out of the film. Black leather seats have also been put in as well as 20 inch wheels that have been custom painted. Well, there are a lot more things to this car that you may not want to miss.

Once you find the Volvo XC90, its yours. Start your search.

Diesel Cars

2006-06-07T20:27:00.000-10:00

What are diesel cars? Well, most people call them those that are very loud and produce a lot of smoke. However, there are new diesel cars already created. It has got a much cleaner fuel system. And this new diesel car is going to be called Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel or much easier called as ULSD.

Remember, this new one is much more quieter. It has even more power and is very fuel efficient.

New Cars For 2006

2006-06-06T18:33:00.000-10:00

Every year, there will always be new cars. I do not think that there will be a time when there will be no new cars. I believe that as I am writing this down, auto manufacturers are continuously thinking about new creations that they could send rolling down to the auto market.

For this year, 2006, here is a list of new cars that has come our way.

Sedans
2006 Honda Civic Sedan
2006 Volvo S40
2006 Chrysler 300
2006 Subaru Impreza
2006 Ford Five Hundred

Coupes
2006 Honda Accord Coupe
2006 BMW 3 Series
2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2006 Honda Civic Coupe
2006 Ford Mustang

Sports Cars
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2006 Ford Focus
2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
2006 Nissan 350Z Coupe
2006 Scion tC

SUVs
2006 Ford Explorer 4x2
2006 Chrysler Pacifica
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2006 Ford Escape
2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca

Convertibles
2006 BMW 3 Series Convertible
2006 Ford Mustang
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
2007 Saturn Sky
2006 Volvo C70

Wagons
2006 Ford Freestar Wagon
2006 BMW 5 Series
2006 Dodge Magnum
2006 Mazda Mazda3
2006 Subaru Legacy

Vans
2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
2006 Chrysler Town & Country SWB
2006 Honda Odyssey
2006 Dodge Caravan Cargo Van
2006 Toyota Sienna

Trucks
2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
2006 Dodge Dakota Club Cab 4x2
2006 Honda Ridgeline
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x2
2006 Toyota Tacoma 4x2

Luxury
2006 Cadillac CTS-V
2006 BMW 5 Series
2006 Cadillac STS-V
2006 Mercedes Benz E-Class
2006 Volvo V70

Hybrid
2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid Extended Cab
2006 Honda Accord Hybrid
2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid Extended Cab
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Economy Cars

2006-06-06T18:30:00.000-10:00

An economy car is an automobile that is designed for low-cost operation. They are designed for drivers who use their car primarily for personal transportation. Typical economy cars are small, light weight, and inexpensive to buy.

This is a list of some of the newest economy cars in the market at present:

2006 Ford Escape XLS 4WD ($21,820)
2006 Pontiac Solstice ($19,915)
2006 Mazda Mazda3 ($13,710)
2006 Scion tC ($16,300)
2006 Toyota Corolla ($14,105)
2006 Ford Mustang ($19,115)
2006 MINI Cooper ($17,450)
2006 Nissan Altima ($17,750)
2006 Honda Civic Sedan ($14,760)
2006 Honda Civic Coupe ($14,560)
2006 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan ($17,900)
2006 Toyota Matrix ($15,260)
2006 Dodge Truck Dakota Club Cab 4x2 SLT ($22,170)

Learning About Rental Cars

2006-06-01T19:20:00.000-10:00

Traveling need not be worrisome for you. In fact, with rental cars available, you still can go about anywhere in your location far away from home.

To find rental cars, you can actually try looking for them through search engines or local directories. A quick tip though. There are many rental car centers found near airports. So that means, when your plane lands in the airport, you can easily locate a rental car office. Some companies who would book your plane and hotel for you could even include in booking a car of your choice for you as part of the whole deal.

Also keep in mind that you would be paying not only for just the rental rate. For rental car companies, they ask for airport surcharge. Of course, not all rental cars ask about that. You should also be able to present a full valid driving license as well as identification. For most companies they ask if you are at least 21 years old before they do provide you with a rental car.

These rental car companies charge you by the day and when it says a day it means 24 hours. If you are late in returning the vehicle, it would equate to additional charges.

During the holiday season, you should not be surprised if you find it difficult to find a rental car. This is because this is one season where many people are renting cars. So to be sure, always make reservations ahead of time. This means not only during the holiday season but every day of the year.

For The Car Lover

2006-05-29T18:18:00.000-10:00

So you’re stumped, huh? Well, here are a couple of ideas that you can purchase and give as gifts to those car lovers you know.

Access roll top tonneau, air horns, aluminum grills, backseat organizers, battery saver, bedrug, car care products, CD visor organizer, front end hitch, garage accessories, grille guards, Hella lights, hitch basket carrier, leather cleaners, neon license plate frame, neon wires, mud flaps, pet barriers, pilot driving and fog lights, power inverters, racing pedals, roll bars, running boards, seat covers, service manuals, splash guards, soft top replacements, tie downs, towing mirrors, and wheel flares.
These may be something very ordinary but any car lover would surely love to get these items for they would not have to spend any more of their money on these items.

Take the Acura TL for a Ride

2006-05-26T19:33:00.000-10:00

I’ve got a riddle. A new body. New aerodynamic features. It has got a 0.29 drag coefficient. What is it?

Yup. It is the Acura TL version for 2004. And yes, this is for the younger generations. You know why? Because it performs and it just shows a beautiful and wonderful type of appearance. Something that a person from the younger years would like to show off to his peers. And yes, to get the younger buyers’ attention, the Acura TL has got high technology gadgets and gizmos! And yes, these high tech thingies are very functional.
* Bluetooth access
* Hands free use of cellular phones and mobile phones
* A voice activated system
* A touch screen navigation system
* 3D solar sensing system
* a GPS navigation unit
* a functioning climate control system

And what more would a teenager want than a car that not only performs and is high tech? Well, this car offers something more! The Acura TL has got entertainment as part of the whole package.
* ELS DVD audio system
* DVD audio
* 5.1 digital stereo with six channels
* stereo surround
* eight speakers
* a stereo with XM satellite radio access

Speeding Up With the Mazda3

2006-05-26T19:31:00.000-10:00

Two years ago, Mazda has been busy with its launch of the Mazda Mazda3. And yes, every effort they did was worth it. The result was a total vehicle that would make heads turn. No doubt about it. And if you’re asking if this would be just a new line of models, perhaps it could be. However, the company had to halt the Mazda Protégé series to make room for the Mazda3.

Upon its introduction, what does the Mazda3 boast of? Well, here are some:
* It looks high class and sophisticated.
* If you think Europe means sophistication and grace, then that is also what the Mazda3 has.
* It has been made available in a couple of options with regards to its body style. You can have it as a four door vehicle. Or you can also choose to purchase it as a hatchback with five doors.
* You want space? This vehicle has it. Graciously.
* It also has fat fender flares, an Alfa 147-esque rear, and a Mazda front end. What is the Mazda front end? Look at what a Mazda looks like from the front.
* Yes, it is dynamic, and delivers superbly.
* Elegant. Comfortable. Safe.
* Options include LED tail lights, a electroluminiscent backlit blue and red display, stereo, aero enhancements, a new grille, 17 inch wheels, and package upgrades like the Sports Appearance package.
* Available power sources? There’s the 2.0 liter engine that can produce some 148 units of horsepower. Also is the 2.3 liter engine with four cylinders that can produce 150 units of horsepower. The latter is used in the Mazda6!
* To assist performance is a five speed manual transmission system or a four speed automatic transmission system. The Mazda3 also gets help from a 11.8 inch front brake and a 11 inch rear disc brake.

Top 10 SUVs For Yahoo!

2006-05-26T18:51:00.000-10:00

1. 2006 Hummer H3 SUV
* MSRP $28,935 - $28,935
* Invoice $26,620 - $26,620

2. 2006 BMW X5
* MSRP $42,500 - $71,100
* Invoice $38,855 - $64,880

3. 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
* MSRP $39,750 - $48,500
* Invoice $36,968 - $45,105

4. 2006 Toyota 4Runner
* MSRP $27,635 - $38,385
* Invoice $24,677 - $34,275

5. 2006 Scion xB
* MSRP $14,030 - $14,030
* Invoice $13,328 - $13,328

6. 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee
* MSRP $27,415 - $42,680
* Invoice $25,179 - $38,800

7. 2006 Honda CR-V
* MSRP $20,395 - $25,450
* Invoice $18,847 - $23,510

8. 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
* MSRP $33,030 - $39,290
* Invoice $29,561 - $35,198

9. 2006 Volvo XC90
* MSRP $36,075 - $46,400
* Invoice $33,954 - $43,651

10. 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
* MSRP $56,085 - $69,085
* Invoice $51,037 - $62,867

2007 Toyota Camry

2006-05-24T19:34:00.000-10:00

MSRP: $16,715 - $18,270

What are the 2007 Toyota Camry’s standard features?

5-Speed Manual Transmission With Overdrive, Power Rack and Pinion Variable Assisted Steering, Tilt Steering Column, Telescopic Steering Column, Independent MacPherson Strut Front Suspension With Coil Springs and Shock Absorbers, Independent Dual Link Rear Suspension With Coil Springs and Shock Absorbers, 24.2-mm Front Stabilizer Bar, Portable Media Player Audio Pre-Wiring, 12-Volt Battery, 2 Front Power Outlets, Braking & Traction, 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes, Front Power 296-mm Ventilated Disc and Rear Power 281-mm Solid Disc Brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Front and Rear Side Head Curtain Airbags, Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters, Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt, Front and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors, Driver Knee Airbag, Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment, Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags, Passenger Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment, Front and Rear Crumple Zones, Front and Rear Outboard 3-Point Seatbelts, Front Pretensioners With Force Limiters, Side Guard Door Beams, Trunk Anti-Trap Device, Child Safety Door Locks Located On Rear Doors, Power Door Locks, Vehicle Anti-Lockout, Vehicle Anti-Theft Via Engine Immobilizer, Remote Controls & Remote Releases, Panic Alarm, Rear 60/40 Folding Bench Seat With Manually Adjustable Headrests and Fold-Down Armrest, Cloth Seats, Front Dual Reclining Bucket Seats With Driver Side Manually Adjusts 6-Ways Total, Passenger Side Manually Adjusts 4-Ways Total, Driver Adjustable Seat Height and Adjustable Headrests, Lockable Glovebox, Covered Lower Console Storage Located On Floor, 2 Front and 2 Rear; 4 Cupholders Total, Front Door Mounted Storage, Tire Pressure Monitor, Steering Wheel Mounted Controls For Audio, Digital Clock, Cruise Control, Warning Lights Include Door Ajar and Electrical System, Maintenance Interval Indicator, Tachometer, Exterior Lighting, Daytime Running Lights, Halogen Headlights, AM/FM Radio With 160-Watts and 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player, Radio Antenna, Heating, Interior Air Filter, Manual Air Conditioning, Cloth Located On Doors, Carpet Located In Passenger Cabin and Trunk, Compact Spare Tire, Steel Wheels, 16-In. X 6.5-In., SBRP215/60R16 94V, All-Season Tires, Power Window Lockout/Override, Dual Color-Keyed Power Adjustable Exterior Rearview Mirrors, Power Windows With Driver Side One-Touch Down, Rear Window Defroster, Dual Sunvisors, Intermittent Windshield Wipers, Front and Rear Color-Keyed Bumpers, Front Air Dam, Metallic Paint (If Selected)

Soon: New Cars

2006-05-23T20:21:00.000-10:00

h2007 Audi TT
On Sale: Spring 2007
Expected Pricing: $35,000

2007 Ford Edge
On Sale: Fall 2006
Expected Pricing: $22,000-$28,000

2007 Ford Shelby GT500
On Sale: Summer 2006
Expected Pricing: $42,000-$46,000

2007 Jeep Wrangler
On Sale: Fall 2006
Expected Pricing: $18,000 - $28,000

2007 Jeep Compass
On Sale: Fall 2006
Expected Pricing: $16,000-$19,000

2007 Jeep Patriot
On Sale: Late fall 2006
Expected Pricing: $19,000-$23,000

2007 Nissan Versa
On Sale: Summer 2006
Expected Pricing: $12,000-$15,000

2007 Saturn Sky
On Sale: Early 2006
Expected Pricing: Starting below $25,000

2007 Toyota Tundra
On Sale: January 2007
Expected Pricing: $17,000 to $37,000

2008 Dodge Challenger
On Sale: Early 2008?
Expected Pricing: $25,000-$35,000

2009 Chevrolet Camaro
On Sale: Winter 2008/2009
Expected Pricing: Comparable to Ford Mustang

Soon: New Cars

2006-05-23T20:20:00.000-10:00

Meet The Nissan Armada

2006-05-22T20:42:00.000-10:00

Let us take a look at the Nissan Armada.

Before, this vehicle was known and called as the Pathfinder Armada. Since its production, this vehicle has been crafted and manufactured as a full size sport utility vehicle (SUV). It has been built on the F-Alpha platform of Nissan, thus making it a relative of the Infiniti QX56, Nissan Titan, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Xterra, and Nissan Pathfinder.

What gives the Armada power?
What we are talking about here is a 5.6 liter VK56DE V8 engine that produces 305 units of horsepower. Along with it, the engine works well with a five speed automatic transmission system that gives it a further boost in performance and handling. Owners of Nissan Armadas have been given the chance of choosing between either a rear wheel drive system or a four wheel drive system.

The Nissan Armada has been in production since 2004. It has been crafted and sold in one body style only which is the SUV that holds four doors.

In the automobile market, this vehicle has been known as a competitor for the Ford Expedition, the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Toyota Sequioa, and the Chevrolet Suburban.

Don’t Steal A Car When Drunk

2006-05-18T20:20:00.000-10:00

A Polish woman was arrested. She was driving drunk. She was driving a stolen car. She also driving on the wrong side of the road. And yes, she was driving without a license.

Helmuth Klinger, the police spokesperson, had some reactions, “I don’t think I’ve ever encountered such an accumulation of traffic offenses. The normal combination would be to drink and then drive against the traffic, but people who steal a car tend to be a bit more discreet as rule.”

Can’t Pay For Gas? Leave Your Friend.

2006-05-18T19:45:00.000-10:00

That’s what a 20-year-old woman in Germany did. She left her friend to serve as deposit at a gas station. She did not have enough cash to pay for the fuel when she refueled her vehicle in Germany’s southern town of Muenchberg.

According to the police’s spokesperson, “She didn’t have enough money to pay the bill, so her friend stayed behind as a human deposit while she went to withdraw cash. Unfortunately, the woman did not return.”

Too bad for the “deposit”.

Edmunds.com’s Most Wanted Vehicles (2006)

2006-05-17T19:53:00.000-10:00

Most Significant Vehicle of The Year:

Pontiac Solstice

Sedans
Under $15,000: Mazda 3
Under $25,000: Dodge Charger
Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series
Under $45,000: BMW 5 Series
Over $45,000: Audi A8

Wagons
Under $15,000: Scion xB
Under $25,000: Dodge Magnum
Under $35,000: Audi A4 Avant
Over $35,000: Mercedes Benz E-Class

Coupes
Under $15,000: Honda Civic
Under $25,000: Ford Mustang
Under $35,000: BMW 3 Series
Under $45,000: Chevrolette Corvette
Over $45,000: BMW 6 Series

Convertibles
Under $25,000: Ford Mustang
Under $35,000: BMW Z4
Under $45,000: Lotus Elise
Over $45,000: Mercedes Benz SL-Class

Trucks
Compact Truck: Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck: Nissan Titan

SUVs
Under $25,000: Nissan Xterra
Under $35,000: Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
Under $45,000: BMW X5
Over $45,000: Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX 470

Vans
Minivan: Honda Odyssey

Exotics
Exotics: Bentley GT Coupe and Bentley Flying Spur Sedan

You can find more information about these vehicles and the whole Edmunds.com report from this site.

Cool Down With AC Compressors

2006-05-17T19:44:00.000-10:00

If your car’s air conditioning unit seems not to be spewing out the right amount or the right temperature of cool air, then something could be wrong with your AC compressor. What is the AC compressor, you may ask?
* it is a part of the air conditioning unit
* it serves as the heart of the air conditioning whole system
* it serves as a pumping component of the liquid refrigerant (just like the heart pumps blood for our body)

The AC compressor is the most important part of the whole air conditioning sytem of your vehicle. In fact this is damaged, the whole system would not work. The compressor could be easily damaged if we do not take good care of it. Some instances include:
* low coolant levels
* low lubricant levels
* improper use of lubricants

Make Your Car Breathe Okay

2006-05-16T19:26:00.000-10:00

You can help out your car perform well by making it breath well. And valve covers could help out. A lot. It acts as a covering or as a protection of the valve train. You see, the valve train actually is a mechanism in your machine that opens or closes a set of valves and it allows the engine to breathe. And while functioning, this valve train actually disperses oil. So to avoid any leaks, the valve cover does that function.

A valve cover in your car should not be tightened too much for it could damage the valve train. On the other hand, it should not be kept loose for there could be leaks. You can adjust your car’s valve covers for it is only fastened to the head .

If there is a damaged valve cover, replace it immediately. So you know, a damaged valve cover rocks when you put it on a flat surface. If it stays firm and flat, then, you can still make use of it.

These covers are made from various material. There are some that come in plastic, or in metal. Others have been made from composite materials. In fact, they can also be customized as per your preference. Some could have logos, flames, or other designs. These designs are engraved on the surface of the valve cover.

How Fast Can You Go?

2006-05-16T19:20:00.000-10:00

One of major components of the antilock braking system (ABS) is the speed sensor. Its job is to actually initiate the process so that the other parts of the ABS could do their functions well. It measures how fast the car is running.

This is done by the speed sensors by providing accurate information to the system. When the car’s speed has gone over the limit, these sensors inform the system to lock up. These sensors are located at each wheel. It measures the speed by computing how fast does the crankshaft of your car spins.

A speed sensor is wireless. It measures not only speed but distance as well. They are made up of a toothed metal disc.

Noises No More

2006-05-16T19:13:00.000-10:00

A car cannot be free from any kind of noise or sound. But the noise can be reduced with the assistance of sound deadeners.

Sound deadeners are made up of asphaltic mastic acoustical shet material. This material works best at damping or reducing vibrations. Here’s something quite scientific: vibrations when reduced also reduce resonant noise. Meaning, it reduces sound and noise.

A fundamental part of sound deadeners are its pressure-sensitive adhesives. They are resistant to heat so you need not replace them every month.

Oxygen Sensors

2006-05-16T19:09:00.000-10:00

What are oxygen sensors?
An oxygen sensor is one of the most important sensors you can find your car. It may look like your spark plug but it is not a spark plug. Tinker your car and you will find it located somewhere between the turbo and the catalytic converter.

What is it made of?
It has a ceramic body. Its tip is made of platinum. This tip is also protected by a metal casing. The other parts are coated. And this is what is exposed to the oxygen.

What does the oxygen sensor do for your car?
The other part that is exposed to the oxygen is what comes in contact to the exhaust system of your car. It monitors the air-fuel mixture by measuring the oxygen content of the exhaust gases. Later on, it sends out a voltage signal to the ECU (Electronic Control Module).

Car Wash: You Can Do It Yourself!

2006-05-15T19:07:00.000-10:00

Dirt could accumulate. The longer dirt stays on your vehicle, the greater the chances of these dirt to actually become permanent stains. That is something you surely would not like to have. After all, it only makes your car look dull and old. The solution: wash your car regularly.

Here are some reminders when you do have to wash your own car:
* Wash your car only in shaded places. Direct sunlight only makes the water evaporate faster, thus leaving marks on your vehicle.
* Hose your car down. This removes dust and those elements (like bird droppings) easily. Also, while you are at it, spray inside the wheels to remove road salt and debris. Try using warm water to moisten and soften tough spots.
* Best cloth to use? Sheepskin mitt. Or soft cotton cloth. Sponges are a no-no for they only scratch the paint.
* Use a good car wash shampoo or soap and not any ordinary house cleaner.
* Be organized and start cleaning your car and work your way to the bottom.

Basic Things To Check

2006-05-15T18:57:00.000-10:00

Lights – keep your indicators and headlamps clean. Make sure that they are working properly.

Fuel – be sure that you would not be caught on an empty tank. You would not know where you might get stuck.

Water – always check if the water reservoir is at the maximum mark. Also check if it has been mixed properly with the right amount of ant-freeze. You do not know the mixture? It usually is one third (1/3) anti-freeze and two-thirds (2/3) water. To be sure, you can check your car owner’s manual.

Oil – check the oil levels. Look for any leakages. If there are, you do need to find out why and fix ‘em up.

Windshield and wipers – wipers should be cleaned. Tip: replace the blades every year.

Rubber – make sure your tires are in good condition and do not look like it has gone through much wear and damage. Remove any stones or treads in the flint. Also check your tire pressure. Including the spare tire.

Smallest Street-Legal Car

2006-05-04T18:05:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Peel P50
* length: 134 cm
* width: 99 cm
* height: 134 cm
* built by Peel Engineering Co., from Manchester, UK

Most Valuable Car

2006-05-04T18:01:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Bugatti Type 41 Royale
* length: six meters
* wheelbase: 4.3 meters
* engine: 12.7 liter, eight cylinders

Longest Manufactured Production Car

2006-05-04T17:58:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Morgan 4/4
* built by Morgan Motor Car Company
* hails from Malvern, Worcester, England
* waiting for delivery still is some six to eight years

Longest Car

2006-05-04T17:53:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

A Limousine
* length: 30.5 meters
* holds 26 wheels
* designed by Jay Ohrberg of California, USA
* used mainly for films and exhibitions
* includes a swimming pool with diving board
* has a king-sized waterbed
* could be a rigid vehicle or could also be bent in the middle

Largest Production Car

2006-05-04T17:49:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Bugatti Royale Type 41
* also known as the Golden Bugatti
* first assembled at Molsheim, France
* designed by Ettore Buggati, an Italian
* created in 1927
* measures over 6.7 meters in length

Fastest Electric Car

2006-05-04T16:50:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

White Lightning Electric Streamliner
* 395.821 km/h
* driven by Patrick Rummerfield of USA
* done on October 22, 1999

Biggest Monster Truck

2006-05-04T16:47:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Bigfoot 5
* height: 4.7 meters
* tires: 3 meters high
* weight: 17,236 kg
* created by Bob Chandler of St. Louis, USA
* built in 1986

Best Selling Hybrid Car

2006-05-04T16:43:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Toyota Prius Hybrid
* over 35,000 units sold in Japan alone
* has produced a fuel consumption of 77 mpg
* environmentally-friendly
* provides performance, has a good price, gives comfort

Best Selling Automobile

2006-05-04T16:40:00.000-10:00

[from the Guinness Book of World Records]

Toyota Corolla
* sold more than 24,986,607 units last December 2000
* produced worldwide
* first produced in 1966
* introduced in the US in 1968 as a two-door subcompact car
* has built a reputation for reliability

A Car Made Of Wood

2006-05-03T18:57:00.000-10:00

Goodbye Bentley!

2006-05-03T18:43:00.000-10:00

When Paris Hilton was in Vegas, she lost her Bentley.

How?

Rumors say that it was during a poker game. If it’s true then her luck in gambling just ran out. That’s saying goodbye to some $200,000 which is the tag price of her Bentley GT.

Don’t worry about Paris. She’s got back up. She still has got a Mercedes Benz SLR.

Fast facts:
Bentley GT is a two-door coupe. Has a 2+2 seating capacity. It holds a 6 liter W12 engine with twin turbochargers. Also is the first Bentley to have a four wheel drive.

Minivan Must Haves

2006-04-27T18:13:00.000-10:00

Edmunds.com’s editors have come up with a list of features that minivans should have. Well, of course, these are of great importance since minivans really do so much for families. Imagine driving in a coupe or a sedan with your kids. It would be like one crowded company. Of course, with minivans, they do provide you ample space and room for passengers as well as for other activities.

The following is the list of the features that minivans should have, according to the mentioned site. The list underneath each one is composed of those minivans that have those features. Well, just in case you would like to own one.

1. adjustable panels / telescoping steering wheel
* Chrysler Town & Country
* Dodge Caravan
* Dodge Grand Caravan
* Ford Freestar
* Mercury Monterey
* Nissan Quest
* Toyota Sienna

2. center folding storage tray
* Honda Odyssey
* Kia Sedona
* Toyota Sienna

3. conversation mirror
* Ford Freestar
* Mercury Monterey
* Toyota Sienna

4. fold-flat third-row seat
* Ford Freestar
* Honda Odyssey
* Mazda MPV
* Mercury Monterey
* Nissan Quest
* Oldsmobile Silhouette
* Chevrolet Venture (long wheelbase version)
* Pontiac Montana (long wheelbase version)
* Toyota Sienna
* Chrysler Town & Country
* Dodge Grand Caravan

5. low tire pressure warning system
* Chrysler Town & Country
* Dodge Grand Caravan
* Ford Freestar
* Mercury Monterey
* Nissan Quest
* Toyota Sienna

6. reconfigurable second-row seats
* Honda Odyssey
* Mazda MPV
* Toyota Sienna
* Kia Sedona
* Nissan Quest

7. reverse sensing system / rearview camera
* Chevrolet Venture
* Chrysler Town & Country
* Dodge Grand Caravan
* Ford Freestar
* Mercury Monterey
* Nissan Quest
* Oldsmobile Silhouette
* Pontiac Montana
* Toyota Sienna

8. side curtain airbags for all three rows
* Chrysler Town & Country
* Dodge Grand Caravan
* Ford Freestar
* Mercury Monterey
* Nissan Quest
* Toyota Sienna

9. traction and stability control
* Ford Freestar
* Mercury Monterey
* Nissan Quest
* Toyota Sienna

10. trip computer with compass and external temperature display
* all offer such except for the Honda Odyssey

Now, this is something that I did so as to see which one could out-do everybody else when it comes to these must have features. After all, you would like to know which minivan would have the most features once you purchase it. That is, if you do want to have one. Anyways, here is the list. The vehicle at the top would be the one with the most number of the mentioned features.

1. Toyota Sienna
2. Ford Freestar / Mercury Monterey / Nissan Quest
3. Dodge Grand Caravan / Chrysler Town & Country
4. Honda Odyssey
5. Pontiac Montana / Oldsmobile Silhouette / Mazda MPV, Kia Sedona / Chevrolet Venture

Consumer Guide's Most Popular

2006-04-25T19:08:00.000-10:00

Consumer Guide has given its readers and visitors a view on what are the most popular vehicles when it comes to their website. Here are the results.

2006 Honda Accord
Midsize car. $18,225 - $32,290

2007 Toyota Camry
Midsize car. $18,270 - $27,520

2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Midsize sport utility vehicle. $24,430 - $30,230

2006 Land Rover LR3
Premium midsize sport utility vehicle. $38,285 - $52,985

2007 Dodge Caliber
Compact car. $13,425 - $19,425

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Midsize sport utility vehicle. $21,710 - $23,300

2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Sporty/Performance car. $19,399 - $24,599

2006 Ford Fusion
Midsize car. $17,145 - $21,710

2006 Nissan Altima
Midsize car. $17,750 - $29,650

2006 Scion tC
Sporty/Performance car. $16,300 - $17,100

Audi Q7

2006-04-25T18:56:00.000-10:00

What is it? It could be considered as another version of the Volkswagen Touareg. Yet, the Audi Q7 is more elongated and more dressed up. However, you can say that the Audi Q7 has got more style, more appeal, more equipment, and yes, a higher tag price.

This vehicle can actually seat six or seven passengers inside. Its powertrain is a 350 horsepower V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission system to match. Features include antilock brake system, and a traction/antiskid control system with rollover sensors. These two mentioned features actually have been made standard for the vehicle.

Toyota Family Line Of Vehicles

2006-04-25T18:43:00.000-10:00

If you are a fan, aficionado, or follower of this automobile manufacturer from Japan, you would be most specially glad to know about the list of automobiles found to run the streets bearing their brand. The lists here are classified into three. The cars, the sport utility vehicles and vans, and the trucks. Find the one that fits you right.

Cars
Corolla ($14,105)
Matrix ($15,260)
Yaris Sedan ($11,825)
Yaris Liftback ($10,950)
Camry ($18,270)
Camry Solara ($19,530)
Prius ($21,725)
Avalon ($26,775)

SUVs and Vans
RAV4 ($20,300)
Sienna ($23,775)
FJ Cruiser ($21,710)
Highlander ($24,530)
4Runner ($27,635)
Sequoia ($32,820)
Land Cruiser ($56,215)

Trucks
Tacoma Access Cab ($17,420)
Tacoma Regular Cab ($13,980)
Tundra Regular Cab ($16,155)
Tacoma Double Cab ($22, 240)
Tundra Access Cab ($22,590)
Tundra Double Cab ($26,620)

Toyota Concept Vehicles

2006-04-25T18:40:00.000-10:00

Toyota has its own fair share of concept vehicles. Here is the Toyota Motor Company’s collection of concept vehicles:

Alessandro Volta – a hybrid vehicle created by Italdesign
Crown Concept – has innovative styling
CS&S – a hybrid vehicle
FINE-N – a vehicle that holds a revolutionized design and style
FINE-S – a hydrogen-powered vehicle
FTX – provides functionality
FT-SX – exudes versatility, luxury, and sportiness
NLSV – another functional vehicle
PM – a personal mobility vehicle

What To Do When Your New Car Is Already Acting Up

2006-04-25T18:05:00.000-10:00

If your newly-acquired car is starting to act up, well, that could be quite a problem. Of course, you would be expecting a new car to work very well. In fact, it is a given that new cars should work well.

Anyhow, if you do start to feel your car acting up, take note of the things happening, when it is happening, around what occasions do you notice them acting up. These could come in various sorts – a strange smell, noise, tinker, clang, or even smoke. If you do notice any of these, go to the car dealer from where you bought your car. They actually have all the manpower, equipment, and knowledge regarding this.

If working on your car has been done and yet the car is still acting up, it might be an even bigger problem. You can file a complaint and try the Better Business Bureau. They do assist customers and consumers with regards to any complaints regarding businesses.

On the other hand, vehicle manufacturers have actually supplied customers with contact numbers in any case you do need to call them regarding complaints about their car. Feel free to contact them. They sure would be glad to assist you since it is their product you bought.

Acura: (800) 382-2238
AM General: (866) 486-6376
Audi: (800) 822-2834
BMW: (800) 831-1117
Buick: (800) 521-7300
Cadillac: (800) 458-8006
Chevrolet: (800) 222-1020
Chrysler: (800) 992-1997
Daewoo: (877) 362-1234
Dodge: (800) 992-1997
Eagle: (800) 992-1997
Ford: (800) 392-3673
Geo: (800) 222-1020
GMC: (800) 462-8782
Honda: (800) 999-1009
Hyundai: (800) 633-5151
Infiniti: (800) 662-6200
Isuzu: (800) 255-6727
Jaguar: (800) 4-JAGUAR
Jeep: (800) 992-1997
Kia: (800) 333-4542
Land Rover: (800) 637-6837
Lexus: (800) 255-3987
Lincoln: (800) 392-3673
Mazda: (800) 222-5500
Mercedes-Benz: (800) 222-0100
Mercury: (800) 392-3673
Mini: (866) ASK-MINI
Mitsubishi: (888) 648-7820
Nissan: (800) 647-7261
Oldsmobile: (800) 442-6537
Plymouth: (800) 992-1997
Pontiac: (800) 762-2737
Porsche: (800) 545-8039
Saab: (800) 955-9007
Saturn: (800) 553-6000
Scion: (800) 331-4331
Subaru: (800) 782-2783
Suzuki: (800) 934-0934
Toyota: (800) 331-4331
Volkswagen: (800) 822-8987
Volvo: (800) 458-1552

Around The World With 24 Tanks of Petrol

2006-04-24T15:52:00.000-10:00

A new record has been set. And it is a new fuel efficiency record. It was done by driving around the world on just 24 tanks of petrol. This was done by a husband and wife team. Their names? John and Helen Taylor.

It took then 78 days to accomplish this feat. And it took them 18,000 miles. They went through Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. They expected to use around 50 tanks but it looked like they needed less than half of this.

What they used was a Volkswagen Golf hatchback. Their trip around the world stopped in London. And yes, it was after they had gone through 25 countries.

Maybach: The Car That Has Everything

2006-04-17T18:20:00.000-10:00

What is a Maybach?

A Maybach is a high-end, ultra-luxury sedan. It can take in a maximum of four passengers in its very luxurious and very sophisticated interior. Oh yes. It means regal. It means splendor. However, the price ranges from $300,000 to $400,000. The Maybach comes in two models which are the Maybach 57 and the Maybach 62.

The Maybach 57 is 5.7 meters long, and the 62 is 6.2 meters long, hence the model names. The two models are very nearly identical except for the length. The extra length of the 62 is used to increase the rear seat leg room.
The Maybach 62 also offers several options unavailable in the 57. The 62 has fully reclining rear seats because it has extra leg room available in the rear to accommodate them.

The Maybach 62 also offers a huge skylight in the roof. This roof is officially known in the automobile world as the electro-transparent panoramic glass roof. The laminated glass pane on the inside of the panoramic roof contains a layer of liquid crystal foil made from electrically conductive polymer material which becomes transparent when AC voltage is applied. The glass in this skylight can be electronically changed between clear, frosted or completely opaque depending on your mood. The interior of the Maybach is designed for opulence.

It has every creature comfort you can imagine, and several that you may have never thought of. The list of standard and optional features includes:

A built-in refrigerator that is operated by its own compressor
The mentioned electro-transparent panoramic glass roof
Solar cells built into the roof to operate a ventilation system while the car is parked
Ten air bags: four normal airbags for all four passengers, four side-impact airbags and two curtain airbags
Charcoal and pollen filters to clean incoming air
Ambient lighting
Writing desks that unfold from the armrests
Curtains to cover rear and side windows
Two cell phones
Automatic door unlocking and ignition using a fob transmitter (When you approach the car, it unlocks; when you touch the gear-selector knob, it starts.)
Heated seats and steering wheel
Optional fully-reclining rear seats with built-in massage
Intercom between front and rear seats
Retractable window between front and rear seats, with electro-frosting when desired
Bose sound system, 600 watts with 21 speakers
Navigation system, self-monitoring tires, telediagnostics, etc.
100 wood veneer accent pieces and leather throughout

Each of the two rear seats in the Maybach 62 has a folding table which is housed in a special compartment, one on either side of the rear center console. DVD player in the back seat and two screens embedded in the backs of the front seats, along with a TV tuner and a 6-disc CD changer with cordless headphones

In other words, this car has everything.

Cars At The 2006 New York International Auto Show

2006-04-11T18:13:00.000-10:00

The 2006 New York International Auto Show will start on April 14th up until April 23rd.

So how do you get there? The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is located on 11th Avenue between 34th and 39th streets in New York City. For more information, you can look up the 2006 New York International Auto Show's website.

Anyway, here are some of the vehicles in the auto show's list:

Latest Production Vehicles:
* Chrysler Aspen
* Dodge Caliber SRT4
* Ford Edge
* Ford Expedition
* Jaguar XK Rear
* Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
* Lexus LS460
* Lexus ES350
* Jeep Compass
* Lincoln Navigator
* Mazda CX-7
* Mercedes Benz GL-Class
* Mercedes Benz R-Class
* Mercedes Benz S-Class
* Saturn Sky
* Toyota Camry
* Toyota Yari
* Toyota Tundra
* Volvo C70 Convertible
* Volkswagen Eos
* 2007 Suzuki SX4

Concept Cars:
> Acura RDX
> Aston Martin Rapide
> Chrysler Imperial Exterior
> Hyundai HCD9
> Lamborghini Miura
> Mazda Kabura
> Mitsubishi Concept CT
> Nissan Urge
> Subaru B5
> Toyota F3R
> Volvo Exterior
> Saab Aero X

New York Debuts:
* Audi TT
* Bentley Continental GTC
* BMW Z4 Coupe
* Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
* Lotus Exige
* Mazda Speed
* Saab Aero X
* Suzuki SX4
* Volvo S80

Alternative Fuel:
> 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid
> 2005 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
> Ford Escape Hybrid
> Ford Focus FCV
> GMC Sierra Hybrid
> Honda Civic Hybrid
> Honda FCX
> Honda Insight
> Lexus RX 300H Hybrid
> Mazda RX8 Hydro Rotary Engine
> Saturn Vue Hybrid
> Toyota Prius

World Report:
* Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon
* Fiat Panda
* Ford KA Hardtop
* Honda HSC Concept
* Honda Kiwami Concept
* Lancia Fulvia Coupe
* Lancia Thesis Promenade
* Lancia Ypsilon
* Megane Renaultsport 225
* Mercedes F500 Mind Concept
* Nissan Dunehawk
* Nissan Moco
* Opel Insignia
* Peugeot 407 Elixir Concept
* Renault Be Pop Concept
* Skoda Fabia RS
* Suzuki Ignis
* Toyota CS&S Concept
* Toyota Fine N Concept
* Toyota NLSV Concept
* Vauxhall Coupe Roadster
* Volkswagen Golf
* Volkswagen Touran

Best Buys

2006-04-11T18:07:00.000-10:00

If you thinking about purchasing one of the best vehicles around, then you should read this post. This is all about Vincentric’s Best Value in America list. And yes, they could be considered the best buys around. I found this here.

Passenger Cars and Crossovers
• Compact, over $17,000: Honda Civic Hybrid
• Compact, under $17,000: Honda Civic(non-hybrid)
• Convertible, over $39,000: Chevrolet Corvette
• Convertible, under $39,000: Toyota Camry Solara
• Large: Toyota Avalon
• Luxury: Lexus LS-430
• Mid-Size, over $23,000: Honda Accord
• Mid-Size, under $23,000: Toyota Prius
• Near Luxury: Acura TL
• Crossover, over $28,000: Nissan Murano
• Crossover, under $28,000: Nissan Murano
• Sports Car, over $37,500: Chevrolet Corvette
• Sports Car, under $37,500: Acura RSX
• Subcompact: Scion xB
• Wagon, over $24,500: Volvo V70
• Wagon, under $24,500: Toyota Matrix

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)
• Compact SUV, over $22,500: Ford Escape Hybrid
• Compact SUV, under $22,500: Honda CR-V
• Large SUV, over $40,500: Lexus GX-470
• Large SUV, under $40,500: Toyota Sequoia SR5
• Mid-Size SUV, over $30,000: Toyota Highlander Hybrid
• Mid-Size SUV, under $30,000: Toyota Highlander

Pick-Ups
• Compact Pickup, 2WD: Toyota Tacoma
• Compact Pickup, 4WD: Toyota Tacoma
• Full Size Pickup, 2WD: Toyota Tundra
• Full Size Pickup, 4WD: Toyota Tundra
• Heavy Duty ¾ Ton Pickup, 2WD: Dodge Ram 2500
• Heavy Duty ¾ Ton Pickup, 4WD: Dodge Ram 2500
• Heavy Duty 1 Ton Pickup, 2WD: Ford F-350
• Heavy Duty 1 Ton Pickup, 4WD: Ford F-350

Vans
• Full Size Passenger Van: Dodge Sprinter Wagon
• Minivan, over $27,000: Honda Odyssey
• Minivan, under $27,000: Honda Odyssey

Cool and Clean vs. Hot and Mean

2006-03-24T16:26:00.000-10:00

There are green cars. And there are also those belchers, and monsters. According to an article I came across while trying to find out about good and clean and green cars, here is a list of those cars that give off a good performance when it comes to being environment friendly.

1. Honda Civic GX
2. Honda Insight
3. Toyota Prius
4. Honda Civic Hybrid
5. Toyota Corolla
6. Toyota Echo
7. Nissan Sentra
8. Honda Civic HX
9. Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix
10. Mazda 3
11. Ford Escape Hybrid
12. Ford Focus/Focus Wagon

Honestly, I do not quite take into consideration what cars do spurt off bad and black smoke. But I realized that there is some correlation between a vehicle that is clean and green to that same vehicle’s capacity to rank and rate a high mpg (miles per gallon).

Anyhow, here are the monsters of the road when it comes to being friendly to the earth and air:

1. Dodge Ram SRT10
2. Ford Excursion
3. Hummer H2
4. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
5. Lamborghini Murciélago
6. GMC Yukon XL K2500
7. Chevrolet Suburban K2500
8. Land Rover Range Rover
9. Bentley Arnage
10. Mercedes-Benz G500
11. Lamborghini Gallardo
12. Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Car Names And What They Really Are About

2006-03-24T16:15:00.000-10:00

Have you ever wondered about all those car names and what is the purpose for naming their vehicles such? Well, I did. That is the very reason why I did some research. Thanks to Borgna Brunner, she was so gracious that she wrote about it through this site. She says that these car names have some kind of aura or image that they would want to convey. Here’s what she told the Internet readers:

Rugged Adventure: Nissan Frontier, GMC Safari, Toyota Tundra, Ford Expedition

The Wild, Wild West: Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Dakota, GMC Yukon

No Directions Necessary: Lincoln Navigator, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Focus

Space Age: Infiniti FX45, Cadillac SRX, Audi S4, Jaguar X-Type

Cosmic: Pontiac Solstice. Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Aries, Saturn Sky

Aristocratic: Buick Regal, Lincoln Continental, Dodge St. Regis, Buick Park Avenue

Artistocratic and French: Lincoln Versailles, Pontiac Parisienne, Buick LeSabre, Chrystler LeBaron

Animal Magnetism: Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Corvette Stingray, Plymouth Barracuda

Birds of Prey: Ford Thunderbird, Pontiac Firebird, Ford Falcon

Hipster: Pontiac Vibe, Ford Freestyle. Dodge Neon, Toyota Matrix

Cute as a Button: Renault Le Car, Mini Cooper, VW Bug, Nissan Cube

Too Cute for Words: Reliant Kitten, Chevrolet Luv

Wall Street Power Broker: Pontiac Executive, Oldsmobile Achieva

Don't Mess With Me: Chrystler Crossfire, Aston Martin Vanquish, Lamborgini Diablo, Plymouth Fury

Vroom! Vroom!: Triumph Spitfire, Pontiac Gran Prix

Good Citizen: Honda Civic, Acura Integra, Plymouth Reliant

Poetry in Motion: Hyundai Sonata, Datsun Bluebird, Honda Prelude, Nissan Silhouette

Secret Agent: Dodge Stealth, Mitsubishi Mirage, Dodge Shadow, RollsRoyce Phantom

Strange Japanese Conceptions of cool American Car Names: Honda Life Dunk, Isuzu's Mysterious Utility, Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear

The Jeep Hurricane Dream

2006-03-23T18:08:00.000-10:00

I just love those vehicles that have been specially crafted for off roading. And yes, I would like to own one.

But truth is, I just don’t know where I would be using it. On the other hand, I feel like it is indeed a great thing to ride an off roading vehicle because, for me, it gives me class and the feeling of being unique, and wild, and untamed, and very adventurous.

You want to know the truth? I’m not the adventurous type of person. I’m just trying to be one. That is why I would like to own one. You know. Maybe it would help me pick up my courage and be a good adventurer. Who knows, right?

Well, one vehicle that has certainly took my attention is the Jeep Hurricane. I know. It is not a production vehicle. It is still a concept vehicle. But still. I love the concept. So much. I decided to write about it. Here.

Here is what Trevor Creed (the Senior Vice President of Chrysler Group’s department for Design) said about the Jeep Hurricane: "Jeep Hurricane is simply the most maneuverable, most capable and most powerful 4x4 ever built. It pays homage to the extreme enthusiasts' Jeep vehicles in form and off-road capability, but is a unique interpretation of Jeep design. Simply stated, it is the extreme example for the Jeep brand."

I don’t really care if it holds two HEMI engines in it. Actually, two 5.7 liter HEMI engines in just one vehicle – one for the front, and one for the back. Top that! The statistics show that one HEMI engine could produce 335 units of horsepower and 370 pound feet of torque. But think again. These statistics are just for one vehicle. But the Jeep Hurricane is mounted with two. Just imagine how much power this vehicle holds.

Here are the rest of the specifications of the concept vehicle, Jeep Hurricane (taken from here):
Weight (estimated): 3,850 lbs. (1,746 kg)
Length: 151.8 inches (3,856 mm)
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches (2,746 mm)
Front Overhang: 25.0 inches (635 mm)
Rear Overhang: 18.7 inches (475mm)
Width: 80.0 inches (2,033 mm)
Height: 68.2 inches (1,732 mm)
Track, Frt/Rr: 67.5/67.5 inches (1,715/1,715 mm)
Engine: two 5.7-liter HEMI® engines
Transfer Case: Custom multi-mode with 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1 ratios
Transmission: 5-Speed automatic
Front and Rear Suspension: Long-travel, short/long arm independent
Ground Clearance: 14.3 inches (363 mm)
Break-Over Angle: 31.5 degrees
Approach/Depart Angle: 64.0/86.7 degrees
Tire Size: 305/70R20
Wheel Size: 20x10 inches

The Sound of Music

2006-03-23T15:38:00.000-10:00

Should you want to have some relaxing time while driving your car or even just while riding with someone else, nothing is hindering you from doing such. After all, many online stores now offer upgrades that would spruce up your ride.

Cars stereos and components are one of the very popular ways of making a drive less boring. There are CD players, radios, and cassette players. If you do not know yet, there are already rear view cameras, surround sound processors, satellite radios, and other car kits that could keep you entertained. To make everything more fun, there are various types of components and speakers that would make you up and alive.

When Looking For Safety Features, What Should Be Included?

2006-03-23T15:08:00.000-10:00

That is actually a question that has many answers. After all, different people have different views as to what kind of safety should be included in their cars and vehicles. Yes, there are the usual seatbelts. However, there are some drawbacks when it comes to seatbelts. You see, some seatbelts still do not even totally protect passengers. Some are not strong enough so much so that during hard crashes and collisions, the passengers are even thrown at the windshield, or even outside the car. For minor accidents, some passengers suffer from whiplash. Ouch!

Well, here are some safety features I have gathered over the Internet. Maybe it could help you out choose which ones would be right for your vehicle.

Active head restraints – move forward upon impact to catch the head and increase neck protection
Adaptive cruise control – uses radar or lidar (laser-based radar) to monitor and regulate the distance between vehicles
Advanced airbags – isolate and protect various body parts and, in some systems, deploy at different depths or velocities depending on the occupant's size and position
Advanced seat belt pretensioners – tense up when a collision is imminent and are sometimes paired with seats that automatically adjust for increased crash protection (conventional pretensioners activate during a collision)
Air bags – inflate and prevent the occupants’ head and face from striking the car’s interior, dashboard, steering wheel, and windshield
Anti-lock brake system – prevent the car’s wheels from locking during sudden ‘panic’ braking, thus allowing the driver to maintain control of the steering as it slows down
Automatic dimming rearview mirrors – reduce the glare from rear approaching cars. They also dim gradually as the glare and light behind gets brighter.
Child safety locks – prevents the doors in the rear from being accidentally opened from the inside
Collapsible steering – absorbs the impact during air crashes, and also protects the driver from being trapped between the steering wheel and seat during a crash or collision
Crumple zone – designed so as to compress during an accident so much so that it absorbs the energy from the impact
Daytime running lights – increases the ability of oncoming drivers to see your car, and also makes your car more visible
Electronic stability control –monitors traction loss and steering angle and automatically applies one or more of the brakes to keep the vehicle on course
Fuel tank safety – designed so as to stay intact even during hard crashes so that there would be no leaks that could lead to explosions
Laminated glass – would not shatter during accidents and would not cause additional harm and injuries to the occupants
Lane departure warning systems – signal a driver when his or her vehicle drifts from its lane
Non-jamming doors – prevents the rear doors from jamming, making them free to open in cases of collisions when the front doors could not be opened
Roll control – a device in the front suspension that gives out greater stability and assists the car to not tip or roll over
Seat belts – keep the passengers in place
Seat type – prevents the passengers from sliding forward and colliding during strong crashes
Side impact bars / side door beams – made from high steel strength tubes that strongly protects a car’s occupants during side crashes
Telematics – an after-crash technology that combines the functions of cellular phones, Global Positioning System receivers and 911 operators
Three stage protective bumpers – has an energy absorber that crushes during collision so as to prevent great damage to occupants
Tire pressure monitoring –alerts the driver when a tire's pressure is dangerously low.
Traction control – improves car stability and steering control

Funny Things On The Road

2006-03-22T18:56:00.000-10:00

Oh yes. Sometimes, things can get pretty boring driving or riding your car. Sometimes, the roads get clogged by a huge traffic jam. And there is nothing you can do.

Nothing? Is that right?

Well, let me tell you one secret. I read bumper stickers. That amuses me. Here are some samples.

Is Stealing Your Thing?

2006-03-22T18:35:00.000-10:00

Well, if you do own any one of these vehicles listed below, you might want to take extra caution. You know why? Because these are the top vehicles that have been constantly stolen as per the year 2004.

Compiling everything, it seems that these are the Acura Integra has been the most stolen of all!

The CCC Information Services’ list:
1. 1999 Acura Integra
2. 2002 BMW M Roadster
3. 1998 Acura Integra
4. 1991 GMC V2500
5. 2002 Audi S4
6. 1996 Acura Integra
7. 1995 Acura Integra
8. 2004 Mercury Marauder
9. 1997 Acura Integra
10. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600

When the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has listed theirs, the results were:
1. Honda Civic (1995)
2. Toyota Camry (1989)
3. Honda Accord (1991)
4. Dodge Caravan (1994)
5. Chevrolet C/K 1500 (1994)
6. Ford F-150 (1997)
7. Dodge Ram Pickup (2003)
8. Acura Integra (1990)
9. Toyota Pickup (1988)
10 Nissan Sentra (1991)

The Highway Loss Data Institute, on the other hand, found that these vehicles were prone to being stolen:
1. Cadillac Escalade EXT
2. Nissan Maxima
3. Cadillac Escalade
4. Dodge Stratus/Chrysler Sebring
5. Dodge Intrepid

Infoplease now gives a list of their own:
1. 1999 Acura Integra
2. 2002 BMW M Roadster
3. 1998 Acura Integra
4. 1991 GMC V2500
5. 2002 Audi S4
6. 1996 Acura Integra
7. 1995 Acura Integra
8. 2004 Mercury Marauder
9. 1997 Acura Integra
10. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 600
11. 2001 Acura Integra
12. 1989 Chevrolet R25
13. 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood
14. 1994 Acura Integra
15. 1996 Lexus GS
16. 2000 Acura Integra
17. 1999 Mercedes-Benz CL
18. 1996 Lexus SC
19. 2004 Cadillac Escalade
20. 1996 BMW 750
21. 1998 Land Rover Range
22. 1994 Audi Cabriolet
23. 2001 BMW M Roadster
24. 2003 Cadillac Escalade
25. 2000 Honda Civic

Save On Gas

2006-03-21T20:57:00.000-10:00

I know. I know. You are actually looking for a vehicle that has a good fuel economy. Who would like to spend so much on gas when you could actually do more things with your money, right? Well, Cars.com gives us an idea on what are the best cars and vehicles when it comes to fuel economy.

Before I proceed with the list, let me just do inform you that the cars and vehicles mentioned here have been broken down into the best vehicles per segment. That way, I presume Cars.com have made it easier for interested parties to choose. The data has been broken down into (1) the name of the vehicle, (2) what type of gas does it run on, (3) its miles per gallon on city driving and on highway driving, (4) and its price, well, MSRP to be exact. Well, anyway, here is the list:

Two-Seater Cars
* Honda Insight (hybrid) 60/66 ($19,330 to 21,530)

Mini Compact Cars
* Mini Cooper manual 28/36 ($17,450 to $25,400)

Subcompact Cars
* Volkswagen New Beetle (diesel) manual 37/44 ($17,180 to $18,390)

Compact Cars
* Volkswagen Golf (diesel) manual 37/44 ($16,030 to $19,580)
* Volkswagen Jetta (diesel) automatic 35/42 ($17,900 to $23,790)

Midsize Cars
* Toyota Prius (hybrid) automatic (CVT) 60/51 ($21,725)
* Hyundai Elantra manual 27/34 ($13,675 to $15,475)

Full-Size Cars
* Hyundai Sonata manual 24/34 ($17,895 to $22,895)

Compact Wagons
* Pontiac Vibe manual 30/36 ($16,430 to $20,105)
* Toyota Matrix manual 30/36 ($15,260 to $19,250)
* Scion xB automatic 30/34 ($14,030)

Midsize Wagons
* Ford Focus Wagon manual 26/34 ($13,450 to $17,495)

Cargo Vans / Passenger Vans
* Chevrolet Express (2WD) automatic 15/20 ($24,375 to $28,774)
* GMC Savana (2WD) automatic 15/20 ($24,375 to $28,774)

Minivans
* Honda Odyssey (2WD) automatic 20/28 ($25,345 to $38,795)

Sport Utility Vehicles
* Ford Escape Hybrid (FWD) automatic (CVT) 36/31 ($26,900 to $28,525)
* Ford Escape (FWD) manual 24/29 ($19,380 to $26,680)
* Mazda Tribute (2WD) manual 24/29 ($20,115 to $24,700)

Standard Pickup Trucks
* Ford Ranger (2WD) manual 24/29 ($14,450 to $17,300)
* Mazda B2300 (2WD) manual 24/29 ($15,340)
* Toyota Tacoma (2WD) automatic 21/26 ($13,980 to $23,745)

The Larger, The Better

2006-03-20T16:40:00.000-10:00

If you are looking for large cars since it has been said that the larger, the safer. Well here are some cars that you may want to take for a ride...

Buick Lucerne
Base Price Range: $25,265-$34,265
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Chrysler 300
Base Price Range: $23,525-$39,920
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Dodge Charger
Base Price Range: $22,320-$35,320
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Dodge Magnum
Base Price Range: $22,430-$37,320
Body Styles: 4-door wagon

Ford Crown Victoria
Base Price Range: $24,510-$30,830
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Ford Five Hundred
Base Price Range: $22,230-$28,230
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Kia Amanti
Base Price: $27,795
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Mercury Grand Marquis
Base Price Range: $24,780-$31,135
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Mercury Montego
Base Price Range: $24,430-$28,730
Body Styles: 4-door sedan

Toyota Avalon
Base Price Range: $26,625-$33,815
Body Styles: 4-door sedan