2011 Jaguar XJ: Executive Car of the Year

Jaguar has always been one of my favorite luxury brands. Well...it probably is my favorite. It I think it signifies wealth better than any other in its class at least. Maybe I'll get one when I own a website that needs about 15 dedicated hosting services just to cover my traffic.

The all-new 2011 Jaguar XJ has been named the 2010 Executive Sedan of the Year by Bloomberg News' automotive columnist for its unique and sleek design. The award is one of seven annual automotive awards bestowed this year by Bloomberg News.

"This is a great win for Jaguar and especially the engineers and designers in the U.K. who created the stunning XJ sedan," said Gary Temple, President of Jaguar Land Rover North America. "Bloomberg News is a global media outlet with a direct connection to the luxury car market. It is a testament to the success of the new Jaguar that they have selected the XJ as the best new Executive Sedan after driving every new luxury car on the market today."

Here's a bit of a gawker video...

2011 Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Vehicles

Is resale value even a consideration for you when buying a new automobile? The average American probably shouldn't think so. They keep their cars on average 8 years. After 8 years does it really even matter? I suppose it does to some degree, but I'd say resale value is a pretty low priority in the thought process of buying a new vehicle unless you are the type that likes to get something new every 3-5 years. In that case, this list is for you.

You probably aren't the type to ask: "what is term life insurance?" because you probably wouldn't ever buy something that didn't have an end date right? For these vehicles you might have a short time frame in mind and knowing this is beneficial in this regard.

For the full list of vehicles and brands click here. Here's the top 10 vehicles for 2011 resale value (alphabetical):

-Audi A5
-BMW X5
-BMW X6
-Honda CR-V
-Jeep Wrangler
-Lexus GX
-Lexus RX
-Subaru Outback
-Toyota FJ Cruiser
-Toyota Tacoma

Ford's New "Green" Plant First In World To Produce All Energy Saving Types

I think it is safe to say that many feel like Ford has been the shining example in the auto industry for the U.S. the last few years. While we watched the biggest manufacturers take handouts from the government, Ford just kept chugging away, and has literally revamped the entire company. With all the government "loans" that we have seen since the economic hardships recently, it is always nice to see a company that didn't get the help making strides.

Ford Motor Company's Michigan Assembly Plant, which once churned out large SUVs, has completed a $550 million transformation that will make it the world's first factory to build not only fuel-efficient gas-powered cars, but also three production versions of electrified vehicles including battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

We've modernized just about every square foot of this facility to establish a new standard for a high-tech, green, flexible and efficient auto factory," said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. "The transformation of Michigan Assembly Plant stands as a symbol for the transformation of Ford."

On the outside, a new 500-kilowatt solar panel system will be installed to help generate renewal energy for production of Ford's all-new Focus and Focus Electric cars. Ten new electric vehicle charging stations on the property will be used to recharge the electric trucks that transport parts between adjacent facilities. That's a little more high tech than my Murray Feiss lighting, but what are you gonna do?

It really is a great story in my opinion. Especially since I live in Michigan. Here's more on the plant if you are interested. Now only if something would rub off on the Detroit Lions...

AAA Holiday Gas Saving Tips

Let's stick with fuel savings today as the holiday driving should rack up some miles for a few of us at least. I definitely have to make a few 100 mile trips over the next couple weeks so saving a couple 6 packs in fuel money is definitely something I am interested in.

AAA tends to put out a lot of helpful reports so this one should be no different. Many of these look to be common sense, but probably not things we consciously think about while driving. Especially when other people on the road tend to dictate your driving style a lot of times. The winter drivers around here surely do for me. Making me wish Mesothelioma on some of them. So do the overextended plows that tend to only do one lane of the highways in the less traveled areas.

I will save you the explanations and just give you the bullet points of their tips. You can read the full benefits of taking their advice here. A little math for the engineering types with cents per gallon saved and all that good stuff is there for you.

Here are their main points:

-Be gentle on the gas and brake pedals
-Drive the speed limit
-Properly inflate tires
-Plan errands in advance
-Keep luggage off the roof
-Let AAA find lowest gas prices (obviously they had to give a plug right?)
-Keep up-to-date on vehicle maintenance

Of course these are all common sense, but they are definitely tried and true methods to save some dough over the course of many travels. We just choose to be lazy, or too much in a hurry to take this advice. Drive the speed limit? Yeah right. :)

Holiday Security, Babysitters, and Nanny Cams

While Christmas is the time for family, and watching the kids tear open their new favorite toys, New Years Eve is for the parents to let loose and get out of the house for a night of fun without the kids. Both holidays have another thing in common. Security.

Why security? Many of us aren't even home for Christmas. We hit the roads and head to the parents for a few days, or we at least spend a couple days out at a relative's house for a party, or two. In my case I'm out so much that you would think I abandoned my home. Hving a security system in place during the holidays is pretty important to me. While Christmas is a joyous occasion for most of us, it is also one of the worst times of the year for many others. It's also a a perfect time for them to find homes empty and ripe for the picking. Especially since the gifts are all new and worth as much as they are gonna find.

Even if you are home things aren't always secure. During the holidays, and especially New Years Eve it probably isn't easy to find someone that wants to stay home is it? By that I mean a babysitter. It's not like you have a nanny on call during the holidays or anything. You may have to take what you can get, and hopefully a trusted recommendation from someone you trust is available for the night. Of course you can also have a little look at what that babysitter is up to while you are gone with on of the best nanny cams you can find.

These are probably more important for a regular sitter anyways as you will see them more often. If you go out a lot and leave your children with a sitter a nanny cam is probably a wise investment regardless. With today's security systems, and security technology available there isn't much reason to trust your instincts on a babysitter is there? Just spend a few bucks on a personal nanny cam and make sure your family is safe.

Can You Use e85 Instead of Standard Gasoline In Your Car?

I can't verify any of this. The way it is written kind of turned me off (read it anyways as I I am not going to describe their entire theory), but when reading a bit more into it I can see that it can be quite useful. Right now the U.S. government claims that at least 10% of gasoline you buy now is ethanol. Meaning that a percentage higher than this is most likely safe, and that e85 can balance that percentage out for less money than gasoline.

e85 is an abbreviation for flex fuel meaning a mixture of up to 85% denatured fuel ethanol and gasoline or other hydrocarbon (HC) by volume. read more here if you need to get your bearings on what e85 actually is.

Their claim is that you can save "up to 20%" on your fuel costs if you are able to use enough e85 in your tank.

Here's how the saving works: The filling stations in your area that sell e85 will typically sell it for 55 to 60 cents less than their lowest octane gasoline. If low octane gasoline is selling in your neighborhood for $2.90 per gallon and you save 60 cents, then you save a bit more than 20% on every gallon you buy of e85.

Now...I don't know about you, but I have never even seen e85 available in my area. At least not visible enough that I would notice it was available. Fortunately they list a locator at the bottom of the article so I suppose if you see it and want to take a shot it is there for you. I would recommend you do a little research on your vehicle before just running out and taking their advice obviously.

How Many Crash Tests Does It Take To Satisfy Ford?

The 2012 Ford Focus crash tests have tipped the scales at over 12,000 times by Ford safety engineers in real world and virtual world tests to make sure it meets standards. With so many tests done for the 2012 Focus, testing procedures for future vehicle tests have received extensive testing procedures that will help in passing safety regulations in the future.

"Developing the Focus to meet the global safety standards has resulted in improved crash performance to help protect occupants in crashes," said Matt Niesluchowski, Focus safety manager. "Ford's safety team had a head start in working together around the world, which helped tremendously in ensuring the new Focus meets or exceeds a complex web of global safety regulations."

"We are using more computer simulations than ever to optimize the designs of all the components that make up a vehicle to help enhance safety," Niesluchowski said. "The complexity of crash tests, with hundreds of parts and systems interacting, still requires physical testing to validate those simulation results." more

Auto Insurance Select Helps You Lower Your Auto Insurance Rates

Choosing the right auto insurance provider for you seems like a long tedious task. Being able to find the correct coverage is the main concern for most, but finding the provider that serves you best is just as important. Not all auto insurance providers offer the same kind of service that you desire. Having the ability to search for auto insurance quotes and help with finding auto insurance providers is one of the better services provided online now.

What is more universal, however is the ability to lower your auto insurance rates by learning some of the tricks of the trade. Auto Insurance Select details many ways for your to lower your auto insurance rate. Several related articles on their website on the right hand column illustrate effective ways to lower your auto insurance rates.

12 Tips to lower your auto insurance rates, and factors that affect your auto rates are the recommended first stops if you want to get your auto insurance discounts. Also, don't forget to look at the Auto Insurance FAQs as well for even more depth in an easy to follow format. Why you should compare auto insurance quotes is another informative article that ties directly with finding affordable and cheap auto insurance. Make sure you answer the question "Is cheap auto insurance worth it?" in their materials before just taking the plunge too. In addition to the articles they provide dozens of informative and related videos on car insurance.

After all of your research is done, Auto Insurance Select represents most of the top auto insurance providers in the industry. You can get and compare quotes from providers like Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, Met Life, Nationwide, or AAA.

2011 BMW 1 Series Coupe First Looks

Apparently there is a lot of hype aroudn this car. At least from peopel that follow this sort of thing that think they had some amazing discoveries earlier this year when a disguised 1 Series was spotted testing at the Nürburgring, Germany and scoop photos started circulating on the internet. People thought they were super sleuths.

Now Amsterdam Senior European Editor for Auto Channel, Henny Hemmes has a chance to take a personal look at the 1 Series.

It is the first time that BMW M GmbH comes up with an M-variant in the compact 2-door segment. The 1 Series M Coupe is based on the 135i-model and brings racing oriented performance in a car that has been developed for daily driving and everything else besides treatment for acne. It was BMW’s goal to reach younger customers, interested in driving an M car that is affordable. Many people will soon call this model an M1, but that is not the intention of its creators. That name will be reserved for the only mid-engine BMW, the one that was built between 1979 and 1981. And, who knows, for a future real M-version of the 1-Series Coupe. more

2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Does Qualify for Federal Tax Credit

This will be Porsche's first production hybrid, a sport-utility vehicle, and has been certified as being eligible for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit as a Qualified Hybrid Motor Vehicle. Customers who purchase a new 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid before December 31, 2010 or who have already purchased one earlier this year may be eligible for a one-time tax credit up to $1,800. Not a huge deal when you are dropping $67,700 before the credit, but every little bit helps keep the rich richer and plenty of extra cash to buy beads for jewelry making after you spent all your money on your car. Still have to look good inside of it.

Below is a video presentation of the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid in action.

2011 Chevy Cruze Named "Urban" Car of the Year

The Emerging Diversity Education Fund (EDEF) and Decisive Media has named the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze the Urban Car of the Year. The Urban Vehicle of the Year awards are presented in three categories: (1) urban car of the year, (2) urban truck of the year, and (3) urban green vehicle of the year. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI won 2 and 3 respectively.

The Urban Wheel Awards is an interesting panel as it uses not just automotive hot shots, but uses celebrities, government reps, and a multicultural community to help select the awards. They claim that they reward "reality" in selecting the awards which I take to mean that they look at the more realistic side of buying a car rather than the dream reality many have when selecting their vehicles for the classes they meet. Like the Lipofuze crowd rather than the champagne crowd.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is being honored for its “handsome styling, an attractive interior, competent powertrains, an enjoyable driving experience, exceptional practicality, and ready affordability.”

The Chevy Cruze has the spaciousness and amenities of a midsize car with the fuel economy of a compact. The Cruze Eco model features a new Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine that delivers an Environmental Protection Agency-estimated 42 miles per gallon on the highway, leads the segment in fuel economy. It also is a segment leader in safety features, including 10 standard air bags.

The 15th Annual Urban Wheel Awards is a world-class awards show, held during the North American International Auto Show. The awards promotes inclusion in the nation’s largest auto show and brings together celebrities, automotive executives, international media, government representatives and the multicultural community to celebrate inclusion in the automotive industry. The Urban Wheel Awards promotes awareness of their inclusion and honors the companies and individuals who have made progress toward embracing this reality.

Michigan Auto Accidents and Michigan Auto Accident Attorneys

If you get into an accident on the roads in Michigan you may not even know the benefits of having a Michigan auto accident attorney. You may just think that you can do it all yourself and hope for the best. That it can't be all that complicated when you head into court. Not only is that foolish, it may cost you a lot more money in the end than if you contacted a real auto accident lawyer.

Having a Michigan personal injury attorney is always a good start for when you really need to take some action after an auto accident in Michigan. Problem is that there aren't many attorneys that completely specialize in Michigan auto law, but more on any personal injury situation. Finding a firm that specializes in Michigan Auto Law where you can find a highly skilled accident attorney in Michigan makes just that much more of a difference. They are much more seasoned when it comes to cases involving traffic accidents in Michigan.

The difference in the settlements you can be awarded with, and without a Michigan auto accident attorney should always be the main concern. A specialized car accident and Michigan personal injury lawyer is not just recommended, but crucial to getting the best reward possible, and maybe even an award at all. The cost of an attorney in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident case in Michigan is an afterthought when you are rewarded so much more than trying to do it yourself. That is if you even get a reward at all when trying to win on your own. What do you really know about Michigan auto law anyways?

Car and Driver's 10 Best of 2011

Car and Driver is one of the big names in the automobile editorial game, and when they make a list most people are interested. It is no different here where they have named their top 10 cars for the upcoming 2011 auto season. Put on your wrinkle eye cream and have a look.

"Our testing takes place over a week on real roads, in the real world, marshalling more than 60 new test cars and our entire editorial staff," said Alterman. "It's a real workout and only the best cars on the market emerge victorious."

Following is the list of Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars for 2011 (click link for all their Top 10 lists):

BMW 3-series/M3
Cadillac CTS-V
Chevrolet Volt
Ford Mustang GT
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Hyundai Sonata
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Chevy Volt AUTOMOBILE Magazine's, and Motor Trend's 2011 Car of the Year

Can't get much better than that. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is described by Chevrolet as "Powered by electricity without being tethered to electrical outlets. It drives gas- and emissions-free for most commutes. But if life takes you a little further, as it tends to do sometimes, the gas-powered onboard generator can take you wherever you need to go. So you can just sit back and drive. Isn't that what cars are for?"

This car is the cure for male enhancement it sounds like.

In naming the Volt their Automobile of the Year, AUTOMOBILE Magazine editors wrote:

"This is the most sophisticated, most important vehicle on the road today. It won't just change what we drive, but also how we drive. Owners will plug in at night, heat or cool their cabin before they leave the garage, and adopt new driving styles to maximize their electric range. Then, when the battery is depleted, they'll mindlessly motor on; free of the limitations that accompanies pure electric vehicles."

Motor Trend Editors wrote:

"We expected a science experiment, but this is a moon shot," Motor Trend editors wrote for the January 2011 issue. "The Volt delivers on the promise of the vehicle concept as originally outlined by GM, combining the smooth, silent, efficient, low-emissions capability of an electric motor with the range and flexibility of an internal combustion engine. It is a fully functional, no-compromise compact automobile that offers consumers real benefits in terms of lower running costs."

First Annual Cars.com Shoppers' Choice Awards

It's always nice to know what cars real drivers actually prefer. While they may enjoy different aspects of driving compared to the other award givers, they tend to give a little more on road insight rather than just what looks good on paper. Just like products such as the best way to lose weight.

Cars.com, one of the nation’s leading resources for buying and selling a car, announced that the Ford Mustang has been selected by the site’s users as the winner of its first annual Shoppers’ Choice Award.

Finalists were selected based on key shopping indicators and owner feedback on Cars.com including leads to dealers, vehicle searches on the site and volume and quality of consumer vehicle reviews collected on Cars.com. Additionally, thousands of consumer votes via the Cars.com’s Facebook page were tallied, and the Ford Mustang rose above the other contenders as the Shoppers’ Choice Award winner.

“The Mustang is -- and has always been -- an iconic car with a loyal following,” said Cars.com editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen. “Over the years it has remained a high-quality, fun car to own, and it’s no surprise it won. Ford should be proud of this win because it’s a direct recommendation from Mustang owners.”

The 10 finalists for the Shoppers’ Choice Award were (in alphabetical order):

Cadillac Escalade - Cadillac Buyers Guide
Chevrolet Corvette - Chevrolet Buyers Guide
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - Chevrolet Buyers Guide
Ford Expedition - Ford Buyers Guide
Ford Fusion - Ford Buyers Guide
Ford Mustang - Ford Buyers Guide
Mazda6 - Mazda Buyers Guide
Nissan Murano - Nissan Buyers Guide
Subaru Impreza - Subaru Buyers Guide
Toyota Prius - Toyota Buyers Guide

2011 LA Auto Show: Ford To Showcase Four 40MPG Vehicles

The LA Auto Show is now in full swing and we get to see everyhting new that is being shown. For the most up to date news look at the Press Pass and see everything as it happens.

Ford will lead the way in number of vehicles available for full-time automakers in the fuel efficiency department. They will be showing off their 4th vehicle that gets over 40 MPG this week.

In addition, the company today has 13 vehicles, including cars, utilities and crossovers, in the U.S. that lead their sales segments in fuel economy, a number no other automaker matches. Helping everyone get affordable fuel efficiency vehicles is Ford's main focus (haha) right now so we can all look good in our cars and still afford to look good and buy our acne skin care products.

"We are bringing customers the most fuel-efficient product portfolio in Ford's 107-year history, and customers are taking notice," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "From sports cars and hybrids to SUVs and pickups, Ford is delivering the broadest range of fun-to-drive products that are among the industry's best in fuel economy."

Three 2011 models achieve at least 40 mpg; Fiesta SE with SFE package (40 mpg highway), Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (41 mpg city). Early next year, the all-new 2012 Focus is expected to join Ford's 40-mpg club.

No other automaker offers four nameplates with 40-mpg ratings, according to the 2011 EPA Fuel Economy Guide.

2011 Nissan Leaf Zero Emission Vehicle

Want a go-kart? Well you can have one if you care so much about the environment that you will drive a car that can go about 100 miles before you have to lay her up for rest.

Nissan unveiled the all electric Zero emission LEAF August 2, 2009, a lot different than the first electric vehicle they introduced in 1947.

This ZERO emission all electric LEAF vehicle is well equipped. The 5 door hatchback has enough room for five passengers. Thanks to the flat lithium batteries and many of the items needed in a gasoline powered vehicle let the designers deliver a lot of interior space.

The Zero emission 100% electric LEAF can travel up to 100 miles at temperature of 68 to 78 degrees on flat land. Speed is the number one killer of the battery charge. Another is added weight (get your best weight loss supplement handy). Normal city driving and some freeway driving will deliver up to 100 miles per charge using the standard charging or Level 2 charging station. more

2011 Honda Accord Sedan Earns Perfect Safety Score

Even with a more stringent assessment program this year, the 2011 Honda Accord still received the best possible 5-star ratings in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) Overall vehicle rankings. Even alec bradley would be impressed.

Helping the Accord achieve the top score were five-star ratings for overall frontal crash safety, overall side crash safety and rollover resistance. The Accord is one of only six vehicles to achieve a five-star Overall Vehicle Score to date, and is the first to achieve five stars in each of the three ratings categories: 5-star frontal crash rating, 5-star side crash rating (combined results of side barrier and side pole) and 5-star rollover rating. more on ratings

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 4MATIC Wagon Review

Remember when station wagons were those big boats with wood panels on the sides and the laughing stock of all your friends as you got dropped off for school? No? I do...ehem It made me look into banking careers after watching a few movies that depicted the dudes int he movies as big shot tycoons.

The station wagon (or estate car) has evolved from its early use as a specialized vehicle to carry people and luggage to and from a train station. There aren’t many station wagons on the market today, having fallen by the wayside due to the popularity of minivans, SUVs and now crossovers. The reviewer here claims he has spent lots of time in and have owned a number of these vehicle-types. However, he always missed the car-like ride and easy of entry, exit and loading of a true station wagon.

Admittedly, I’ve been smitten with the Mercedes Benz E-class station wagon through many of its generations. Other station wagon offerings on the market today come mostly from European brands—they are extremely popular in Europe, and there is also the relatively new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. The CTS Sport Wagon and the Audi A6 Avant are the closest in size to the E350, with the E’s one slight advantage being the rear-facing third seat making it a 7-passenger. full review

2010 LA Auto Show November 19-28

The annual LA Auto Show will start November 19 this year and even though it runs through Thanksgiving weekend, there will be shows and events during the holiday weekend. To get ready fror you tour c heck out the show's home page and have a look at the Exhibit List and floor map. I'm sure you will find many point of purchase displays available for you to get your orders in for your super cars.

On of the most entertaining aspects of auto shows is the concept cars that are exhibited. This is a link to some of the concept cars that have been debuted with photos. Some are shown covered with car tarps to keep you in suspense.

Autotrader.com To Buy Kelly Blue Book

IF you hadn't realzied how big the internet was and how much money you can make on it yet, here is a nice example of how being the best at what you do pays off. This isn't a deal you are gonna make with payday advance loans.

AutoTrader announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kelley Blue Book, one of the most recognized and influential brands in the automotive industry. As part of the deal, AutoTrader.com will also acquire Kelley Blue Book's sister companies CDMdata and CDM Dealer Services.

Details of the transaction are not being disclosed. Kelley Blue Book will operate as a subsidiary of AutoTrader.com and continue to be headquartered in Irvine, CA. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. J.P. Morgan acted as Kelley Blue Book's exclusive financial advisor through this process. Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisor to AutoTrader.com.

"AutoTrader.com is excited about becoming the new owner of Kelley Blue Book because we believe the company has a great future," said AutoTrader.com President and CEO, Chip Perry. "Kelley Blue Book has a wonderful history as an iconic brand and trusted provider of vehicle information to generations of car buyers and sellers, and as we look into the future we believe together we can bring a host of new technologies and tools to market that will significantly improve the car shopping process for consumers, and help auto dealers and manufacturers better capitalize on the fundamental efficiency advantages of the Internet."

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Review

Get your spare $50K out and get ready for a measly 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway/18.3 mpg test ride. When you drop 50K n a car the last thing you care about is MPG I'm guessing. I assume you like to burn your money so low mileage in a CAR doesn't phase you. Heck...it's probably an all natural sleep aid to burn money.

Cadillac's CTS line replaced the Catera, which broke Caddy's mold of delivering only big boats for old people. The CTS itself broke Catera's mold in moving the bar higher on the performance line. The CTS Coupe is the latest iteration of the CTS philosophy, and while in standard form it's a nice car, the CTS-v version should be a knockout.

I had a sense of how attractive it is when a neighbor was in the driveway anxious to "kick the tires" before the delivery men had left. In fact, he sat in it before I did.

The CTS Coupe is all seemingly straight lines and angles. Coupe styling tends to be more dramatic than sedans, even in the same car line, and the CTS Coupe is no different. While it retains the basic CTS shape and lines, in a coupe form these lines seem more dramatic. more

Texas Makes Truck and SUV Claims as State Rides

Dozens of journalists representing the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) spent two days driving the industry's newest vehicles and have come to their findings to name the "Truck of Texas" and the "Full-sized SUV of Texas" this week. When I think of Texas I certainly think of cars deemed "of Texas" and the best weight loss pills as the top most important things they come up with. Sure.

-2011 Dodge Ram Laramie Longhorn named top pickup in annual Texas Auto Writers Association Texas Truck Rodeo

-Ram trucks also named Full-Size Truck of Texas, Heavy-Duty Truck of Texas and Luxury Truck of Texas

-2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Named 'SUV of Texas' by Texas Auto Writers Association

-New 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara named "Mid-size SUV of Texas"

2011 Chevy Volt Review

Chevrolet's electric car on pace to get rid of gasoline one year at a time. The second model year (2012) version of the Chevrolet Volt's gasoline engine will be authorized to run on Flex Fuel (E85) allowing owners to virtually eliminate use of gasoline.

Go green. Stay green. Never look back. Well...maybe if you want something that you can understand. The engineering on this rid is probably way over your head. Stick to reading about diet pills that work.

James R. Healey writing for USA TODAY about the 2011 Chevrolet Volt reported that Chevrolet's 2011 Volt battery car, due in at least a few customers' hands in December, represents a staggering amount of engineering in order to be sure you never notice all that sophistication. full review

2011 Green Car of the Year Finalists

Boy have things changed over your life if you are someone born way back in the 50s, or 60s haven't they when it comes to automobiles? Sadly, we don't have any flying cars, at least in mass production, and highways in the sky, but we are technically a head. Maybe, at least from the engines, and all that. Cars may break down 5 years earlier than the old beasts you used to drive, but doggone it they are better for the environment!

So get off your abtronic and get ready to see the next year of GREEN transportation, and what you will be driving if you care about your children. Laying it on a little thick? I hope you realize that was all completely sarcastic. I know how hard it is to tell in text :D.

Green Car Journal announced today its five finalists for the 2011 Green Car of the Year®, including the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the 2011 Nissan LEAF. For the sixth consecutive year, this increasingly important award will be announced during a press conference at the LA Auto Show Press Days on Nov. 18.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Review

Pricing of this bad boy has been released and it rolls in at a starting price of just around $63,000. WHAT A BARGAIN! Put me down for 2 and a bottle of shampoo for thinning hair for women because this will be the only kind of woman I will be able to afford after I buy this car.


The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon will be available at U.S. Cadillac dealers later this year, with pricing from $62,990, including destination. With a 556-horsepower V-8, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.0 seconds.

"The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is a limited production offering for connoisseurs who are interested in the unique combination of V-Series performance with wagon style and capability," said Don Butler, vice president, Cadillac marketing. more

2010 Motorist Choice Awards

20101 is 2/3 of the way done and it is time to start giving out awards is it? Of course. It is ALWAYS time to give out awards for something. I'm sure you can get an award for an online accredited degrees, other than the degree of course. Money hopefully.

Irvine, Calif. September 21, 2010; There is only one annual automotive award handpicked by active consumers in the marketplace that goes beyond the editorial and performance test data and provides a window into the wants and needs of motorists. This year's Motorist Choice Awards highlight a collection of 15 unique buyer categories covering both market segments - Popular and Premium. Both reflect the purpose and perception of the consumer and illustrate the results of practical analysis, like total cost of ownership, fuel economy and resale value.read more

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

The brand that most likely vaulted the SUV into the garages of most Americans is set to release the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and they have come a long ways in many respects since the beginning. You probably need the best hair loss shampoo since they first came about.

The newest Grand Cherokee really is completely new in the structural and suspension departments, with architecture shared with ex-partner Mercedes-Benz's ML. Looks like Chrysler got something good in the divorce, and yes I too am wondering what new partner Fiat thinks about that. No cause for complaint about the result - offered in Laredo, Laredo X, Limited, and Overland trim levels with two- or four-wheel drive, the 2011 Grand Cherokee is the best yet. full review

Saab's First Electric Vehicle

Saab Automobile is taking its first step towards developing an all-electric vehicle with the Saab 9-3 ePower.

While not the first electric vehicle ever made, it is for Saab and I'm sure the testing over the next year will provide a need for many Saab execs to find the best under eye cream

Making its world premiere at the Paris International Motor Show later this month, the Saab 9-3 ePower is the prototype for a test fleet of 70 vehicles which will participate in extensive field trials in Sweden early next year. This all-electric family estate represents an important step forward for Saab’s pursuit of delivering cleaner and sustainable mobility solutions.

Jeep Celebrates 70 Years As the Original SUV

Jeep is synonymous with SUV and the legendary Jeep image. Before there were the sporty SUV's of today everyone remembers the old school Jeep and its position as the major off road vehicle of choice for those that wanted to go anywhere. Sports lovers taking the best daily multivitamin always found the Jeep to be a perfect travelign companion to their most out of the way destinations.

Jeep builds on its tradition of providing unique, iconic, versatile and capable vehicles for 2011, with its next-generation, premium flagship vehicle - the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee - and with significant improvements across the Jeep vehicle lineup.

"The Jeep brand's legendary heritage and capability has made it iconic - well-known and loved throughout the world," said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "No other automotive brand has ever been able to provide a lineup of vehicles to safely take owners wherever they want to go, whether on-road or across the most rugged terrain they can find."

"For 2011, Jeep continues to improve the formula," Manley added. "We started with the all-new Grand Cherokee - the ultimate premium SUV, blending a new level of on-road refinement and efficiency with unmatched Jeep capability. And we are making significant improvements across the Jeep lineup that will continue to delight our customers."

2011 Volvo S60 Review

the 2011 Volvo S60 is in a line that has typically offered great value for its class. The 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline six engine hides 300 horses and a galloping 325 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood. You won't feel like it has to work too much for you to get moving.

Volvo compensates for different buyers with three completely different chassis choices and everythign except a herpes cure. Consumers would be wise to test drive all three variations to insure their temperament is matched. A Touring, a Dynamic and a Four-C are all available on North American models. Both the Dynamic and the Touring are no cost options while the Four-C is an addition to the base model. For those unsure of which choice to make due to limited testing roadways, the Touring model is the one that is tuned to provide the smoothest ride on poor road surfaces.

The S60 is competitively priced within its class at $37,700 and provides reasonable fuel economy in this new energy conscious world with 18 mpg anticipated in city driving and 26 mpg projected for the highway. full review

2011 Scion tC

If you have never heard of the Scion tC model you are not alone. I certainly am not real familiar with it, and if you had to guess would you have guessed it is a Toyota car? Well...maybe you would have, but let's see what the Scion is all about.

Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion, says Scion is “a non-traditional, underground brand, a huge supporter of up-and-coming artists and a host of 1,500 events a year”.

Yeah...I suppose that is relevant. Aimed at "trendsetters" apparently and dudes that love some Swisher Sweets probably.

Scion, a line of vehicles from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. aimed at trend-setting younger buyers, is the first new brand from Toyota since the debut of Lexus in 1989. Unveiled by TMS in March 2002, Scion’s line of vehicles is aimed at a new generation of consumers who actively seek out the latest trends in style and innovation. Some of the innovations include marketing techniques, new approaches to product styling, versatility, and the sales process. 800,000 Scions are on the road. Full review

2011 Ford Mustang Review

Not to be outdone by the Chevy Camero, Ford went back and beefed up their Ford Mustang for 2011. One of the American classic automobiles, the Ford Mustang is an icon in the American auto industry.

When the latest incarnation of Chevy's Camaro was announced, in 2009 for model year 2010, the V6 had 304 horsepower and the V8 had 400 -- or 426 with a stick. At the time, the Ford Mustang had a paltry 210 in V6 trim, and 315 max for the V8. Would Ford match Chevy?

Of course. Development times being what they are (shorter than ever!), it took until just about… now! So, after some evolutionary changes last year -- refreshed styling and, most noteworthy, a much-improved interior, the Mustang's engine compartment gets the bulk of attention for 2011. The old 4.0-liter sohc V6 has been replaced by a new version of Ford's 3.7-liter engine, in which dual overhead cams and continuously-variable cam phasing on all help to make more power -- now 305 hp -- and improve fuel economy and lower emissions. Similar technology allows the all-now 5.0-liter V8 to make 412 horsepower, something not seen out of the old and completely-unrelated pushrod 5.0 without serious tuning work. For both engines, transmissions are six-speed whether manual or automatic, further improving performance and economy.

When you get done with your electronic cigarette comparison check out the full review

Alcohol and Driveing DO Mix?

Saw this title today and had to read the article. It is a clever title, but shocking at the same time. Clearly this isn't something like a promotion of drunken driving I assume from a common sense standpoint, but I had to read it anyways just to make sure obviously. Maybe it is just an elaborate green shopping promotion?

Take a look at the full article yourself and see if they really are intending for it to come off that way .

It actually does have way more to do with green energy, gasoline, and oil that it has to do with drunk driving, which it has nothing to do with.

20101 AllState America's Best Drivers

The annual report ranking America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers has been released. The safest city to drive in according to the report is Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14.5 years, which is 31.2 percent less likely than the national average.

Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 35,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Buy a Hansgrohe faucet.

"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said London Bradley, Territory Sales Leader for Allstate's Wisconsin Territory. Milwaukee entered at 42 on the list while Madison, WI entered at 26.

2011 Ford Fiesta SEL Review

The Ford Fiesta has long been either goofy hatchback that you really didn't want to be seen in, or it was considered a good deal. the newest version of the Fiesta has not only become a very economical car fuel-wise, but it has done a little bit to become sleeker, but the big seller is the 36.3 MPG overall with 38 MPG on the highway. Having to sell used books just to buy gas for a trip home to con mom and dad for some cash has never gone further.

Ford is resurging, and one of the reasons for this is that its cars are good and make sense. Take the new Fiesta for example. The old Fiesta was a standard squareish hatchback with minimal performance and not-that-great economy. But oh, how the Ford designers and engineers have worked on this new one.

The 2011 Fiesta looks good, has decent performance (for an economy car) and knows how to behave itself, whether on an Interstate or suburban roads. full review

2011 Lincoln MKT AWD Review

The 2011 Lincoln MKT AWD features a hefty $57,000 price tag with a few essentials. Even sending the best of us for wholesale diamonds after the 0purchase. Based on the Ford Edge platform, is a much better looking, larger and more capable vehicle. Technically a crossover, the MKT can serve as a cargo or people hauler, a limousine, or a family car.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Lincoln has a nomenclature problem. What's the difference between a MKT, MKZ and whatever other MK they have? Life is so much easier for we senior citizens with names like Zephyr, etc.

That said, the new 2011 MKT is the kind of vehicle Lincoln needs if it is to survive. Based loosely on the Ford Edge, it is so much more than the Edge. It's bigger, wider, has a longer wheelbase and, while it shares some of the Edge's styling, the MKT has a more limousine-like rear end treatment.

I also fell in love with the "cinnamon metallic" exterior paint color, which is more chocolate-like. Chocolate or cinnamon, I like `em both. full review

2011 Ford Explorer Leads Class in Fuel Efficiency

On top of being the most feul efficient mid-size SUV, the Ford Explorer makes a lot of moves towards higher sustainability. A package that takes going green seriously.

The reinvented Explorer, which arrives later this year, also sets a new benchmark for sustainability in the SUV segment due to an increased use of renewable and recycled content, such as parts made from steel left over from F-150 production.

The new Explorer also leverages Ford's industry-leading use of bio foam and recycled fabric in its interior. These and other eco-improvements help make Explorer 85 percent recyclable. Quite an interesting concept and again shows that Ford has been well a head of the curve in the industry while taking care of their own business. Trying to help keep the need for home ventilation to a minimum.

"Ford has made tremendous strides, not only in improving fuel economy in the new Explorer, but also in using more environmentally friendly materials," said Jim Holland, chief nameplate engineer. "By offering better fuel efficiency in an overall greener package, we're offering our SUV customers an appealing and sustainable product."

Online Car Repair Guides Are Quite Helpful

Whether you need to do some work on your automobile yourself, or you need to find a Houston auto repair service, there are quite a few helpful guides online for you to use. Specifically, Repair Pal has become on of the most user friendly, and helpful auto repair sites I have found.


The site is so in depth that you can look up virtually any vehicle you want help with. Just search for a 1999 Acura TL for example. When you get to the page there are many reviews for the vehicle itself, but also listings of common problems, and you can even ask questions of other users about your precious Acura TL.

On top of car specific pages, you can even just take tips on how to do an oil change, or how to perform, or where to get a professional brake job. These handy guides talk about your car symptoms just like your doctor would and let you know exactly what is going on. this is VERY helpful for those of us who don't want to do our own repair work, but aren't exactly trusting of our mechanics. Just knowing what needs to be fixed before you go even if you can't do it yourself is very empowering.

2010 Ford Transit Connect Review

After seeing a picture of this thing I just had to write something about it. Look at it. Does it not look like a short bus to you? It certainly does to me...;)

Of course this isn't designed to get you to drool over it. It is made as more of a commercial vehicle most likely, and probably not something the average stud trying to impress women is going to buy. Well...they won't buy it at all. You aren't going to find pictures of these in books sitting on contemporary coffee tables in uppity shops let's just say.

Read this review:

Even with globalization of the auto industry, who would expect that a vehicle made in Turkey would have an impact? But I felt as soon as I saw the Ford Transit Connect that here was a vehicle that connected with me. Unlike the larger Dodge/Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter, the Transit Connect is smaller. Yet it has just as much potential, both commercially and in general use, as the larger Sprinter.

Our tester was a basic TC, with three paneled sides and no windows. Hence, there were no rear view mirrors to see what's behind you. The driver must learn how to drive using only the exterior rear view mirrors, but it isn't a steep learning curve. A back-up camera would have helped, because I found myself parking way too far away from the rear line. We discovered later that there was a reverse sensing system that would beep if we got too close to objects behind us.

Also, this was a commercial vehicle, so there were no visor mirrors for my wife and me to check how beautiful we are. We coped.

Anyone Still Use Radar Detectors?

Of all the technology I carry with me in the car the one thing I never think about is are radar detectors. I have a Tom Tom, iPod Touch, my cell phone, headset for my cell phone, but no radar detector.

Funny thing is that I drive on the highway a lot to and I ALWAYS speed. I may only be going 10 over, but sometimes I go 15 over, and have to pay strict attention the whole time because when you have as many points on your career driving record as I do the next ticket is probably a suspension of your license. Don't even get me started on how much my insurance costs :(.

Anyways, I figured I would just mention radar detectors since it was on my mind after getting another speeding ticket today. I won't learn my lesson so I may as well just add one more piece of technology to my bag of car toys.

A Nice Car Doesn't Cover You Everywhere

It doesn't matter how nice your car is, when you step out that door and into another you still ahve to look the part. You don't get to sit in your car while you are having a few drinks at the bar, so looking like a farm hand probably isn't the result you want to go for.

One of the things guys have a problem with is dressing right. Personally, I get my men's clothing at places where I have to get them fitted. If I am going to be hitting clubs I wear clothes I can get at a suit shop. This may sound expensive, but in reality it is actually petty comparable to going anywhere else. Plus it isn't real difficult to fins something that looks good, and you really don't need to worry about seeing what you have on everywhere.

Dress clothes for men are real easy to get by with because they aren't really that unique like what women go through. What we need are quality clothing. Made well, and still look good. Better material certainly helps obviously, and spending a ton of money is still going to get the best, but you can still get nice dress clothes relatively cheap. The difference is that dress clothes ALWAYS look better than casual clothing even if they cost less in my opinion.

Heat, Not Cold Hurts Car Battery Life

It is widely believed that cold temperatures were bad for battery life. The exact opposite is true. High temperatures, or a faulty component in the charging system are bigger culprits.

When temperatures outside reach 90 degrees, the temperature under a car's hood
reaches upward of 140 degrees. That's weight loss success story temps. Heat causes car battery fluid to evaporate and that can damage the internal structure of the battery as well as speed up car battery corrosion. Specifically, if a component malfunctions in the charging system, that can force the battery to charge at too high of a rate year round.


Adding to the strain on car batteries in summer months is the frequent use of
various electronic devices by many drivers. Devices like satellite radios, GPS
systems, portable DVD players and radar detectors are plugged in or in some
cases hardwired to the electrical system all of which add stress to car
batteries.

Owners Rank Poesche Ideal Vehicle 3rd Straight Year

For the third straight year, owners of a Porsche ranked it #1 in AutoPacific's annual 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) survey.The ratings were so high that it is also considered the most ideal vehicle in the United States of America.

The IVA's are considered some of the most professional and inclusive in the industry. More than 42,000 owners participated in ratings of their new 2010 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes that measure just how closely a vehicle matches their expectations. The cars that owners would change the least are considered the most ideal.

"An ideal vehicle is one that meets the owner's expectations for the product. They do not want it changed. They don't want it bigger. They don't want it faster. They don't want its styling changed," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "When asked what they would change about their new vehicle, buyers who want the least change are driving their ideal vehicle. This means Porsche has created cars that owners essentially say are perfect."

These awards demonstrate that car makers are finely tuned to their customers. Porsche winning the award for the third straight year says that their cars most meet customer expectations and their owners are very satisfied. Probably more so than their search for diet pills that work.

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid Review (Heels on Wheels)

The Mercury Milan is basically a sleeker looking version of the Ford Fusion with the same award winning hybrid that racks up about 39 MPG. Price difference is around the $200 range most likely so you aren't getting a whole lot of apidexin to the price of the Fusion if that is the difference for you. The Milan has a flashier front grille and side fascia.

I read a review from "Heels on Wheels" that uses a criteria of Style, performance, reliability, and green factor.

The Mercury Milan Hybrid has a fancier exterior than its Ford Fusion Hybrid twin but features the same engine configurations to achieve 39-mpg and a sporty gas-electric powered drive. Convenient and easy to use interior technology combined with a base price under $30k makes both sedans clear winners. Full Review

BMW 328i xDrive Sport Wagon Review

The BMW 328i xDrive Sport Wagon is a bit of a mouthful for me I guess. It also has a lot of space to stretch the legs and pack it full of stuff. You won't be cramped up needing any joint supplement to make the ride here.


An interesting comparison of the the X3, BMW’s smaller Sport Activity Vehicle or crossover, pricing starts at $38,850 whereas the Sport Wagon starts at $37,700. Both come with the 3.0L in-line 6 cylinder---which I must comment is a very wonderful engine that I find more pleasing than some equivalent-output Turbo 4-cylinders of other brands---the X3 engine has 30 more HP over the 230 HP of the Sport Wagon, which is needed for its heavier weight. The X3 is a little quicker 0 to 60 mph at 7.1 sec. v 7.3 sec. for the Sport Wagon but there is a fuel economy tradeoff with the Sport Wagon at 17 city mpg and 26 highway mpg and the X3 at 17 city mpg but 24 highway mpg. full review

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Review

A stylish 5-door hatchback from Mitsubishi turns a few heads with its good looks inside and out. At first glance it looks like a bit of a throwback to the days of those cars like the Dodge Daytona to me. I mean when is the last time you thought about a hatchback? Probably about the time you first heard about a real chance of a cure for hair loss.

Sportronic Paddle Shifters, a Turbocharger with a front mounted intercooler, All-Wheel drive (just in case!), Sport-Tuned suspension and anti-lock brakes even thrown in to help insure safety. Although not a large vehicle, the Ralliart boasts 237 horses and combines them with enough torque to make anyone who loves to scream off the line proud (253 lbs ft at 2500 rpm). I find it hard to resist pouncing on the accelerator everytime I fire this baby up.

Oh, I need to point out the convenience of keyless entry and even keyless start. The $30k pocket rocket has many of the same features of a $140k BMW 760, and, I might add even a few that aren’t found on any vehicle costing four times the price. Full review

Americans Of All Political Affiliation Support Electic Car Movement

A recent poll by The Electrification Coalition (EC) suggested that Americans are high on electric cars no matter what side of the political fence they ride on. Not much of a surprise after the huge Gulf oil spill, but a big reversal from the past election where we heard the chant by idiots of "Drill baby, drill!" every other news story.

With plenty of camcorder recordings of the trouble in the Gulf to push people towards cleaner fuel options even the EC is surprised at the results of the poll.

"The results of this poll surprised even us," EC President Robbie Diamond said. "Regardless of party affiliation, the American people are in favor of a national plan to deploy electric vehicles and infrastructure, starting in cities selected in a competitive process. Typical Americans have seen firsthand the consequences of our addiction to oil, and they not only understand the enormous potential of electric vehicles, but have made it clear that they will support policymakers who lead on this issue."

Among other results, the poll showed that:
-- Electric cars are seen favorably by majorities across party, ideology,
and education level.
-- Voters believe electric cars will lead to increased security, more
jobs, and a cleaner environment.
-- Voters support using tax credits, loan guarantees and other incentives
to create a system for building and recharging electric cars.
-- Voters overwhelmingly prefer a candidate who supports the proposal to
employ temporary, targeted incentives to deploy electric vehicles in
select geographic areas.
-- Of particular appeal in the plan was its ability to test the
deployment of electric vehicles in select areas instead of an
immediate full national rollout, and immediate credits to offset costs
of electric vehicles.
-- The more voters heard about these proposals, the more they supported
them.

Become a Smart New Car Buyer

Buying a new car is a pain. It's a lot of work usually if you care to take any time at all into comparison shopping. Sure you can just buy the car that looks great, or the one you can afford, but there are so many other aspects to buying a car that should be looked into. Unless you are a grease monkey you probably don't have the faintest clue as to what is good about a car while you know all about weight loss drinks. Especially if it is one of the first you have ever bought. That is why some tips are in order.

Here are 4 Steps to becoming a better New Car Buyer. These steps are simple and quite helpful. If you need more just follow the link and there is much more to find on the impossible task of figuring out which car is right for your taste, budget, and sensibilities.

2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Review

Man there are a lot of new crossovers/SUVs this year aren't there? Well...I guess that is what most people are interested in so may as well keep them coming with the 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD. This one is supposed to crossover more to the side of the station wagon than the sporty side of things I guess if that makes any more sense than a fat burner in a sumo wrestling cap.

Volvo's XC60 is a crossover sport utility that leans more toward the station wagon side of things than the SUV side. By that I mean Volvo used its considerable wagon experience to craft the XC60 rather than sharing some of Ford's Explorer experience (Volvo was a part of Ford when the XC 60 was designed). That's a good thing.

For years, Volvo wagons have led the market. Adding all-wheel drive to the equation only adds to their practicality without reducing their overall appeal. The price is higher than a Toyota Highlander, for example, but the luxury part of the equation is also higher, making it almost worth the sticker. Full review

2010 MAZDASpeed3 Sport 5-Door Review

What kind of name is this for a vehicle? Did I miss a space in the title? Nope. This thing is called the Mazdaspeed3. This isn't exactly a new line, but it is an upgraded version that was released earlier in 2009 with the 2010 label on it. Say that and apidexin reviews 10 times fast.

The newest iteration of the Mazda 3 had an early model-year 2010 debut in 2009. It was significantly upgraded and restyled, but there was no immediate Mazdaspeed version. These things take time - and so the Mazdaspeed 3 is now available.

As before, it builds from the standard hatchback model, taking its exterior styling in an even sportier direction, upgrading the interior, and re-tuning the suspension to take advantage of the improved unibody structure. The engine is the familiar 2.3-liter turbocharged, intercooled, and direct fuel-injected four-cylinder of the last version, with a number of detail improvements for drivability and fuel economy. Power output is unchanged -- at 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, changes were not exactly needed. Transmission is anything you want, as long as it's a six-speed manual. This is a car for the involved driver, and it is a car that rewards involvement. With quick steering, a sensitive clutch, and massive low-end torque, it demands that attention is paid to driving, and rewards in kind. full review

America's 100 Deadliest Highways

Nothing worse than knowing that the highway you travel every morning is a raging death trap is it? Well...I guess if you have made it long enough to sell used books, then it can't be that bad now can it?

The Daily Beast looked at five years of accident data, courtesy of the National Highway Safety Administration, from nearly 250 stretches of interstate highways to find out which roads are the most deadly, mile-for-mile.

Each interstate was broken into stretches within a single state. The Daily Beast measured fatal accidents, rather than total fatalities, which was then divided by the number of miles of that stretch. And any ties that may appear on these raw numbers driving these rankings are only because of rounding.

Here's the top 20:

#1, I-95, Florida
#2, I-76, New Jersey
#3, I-4, Florida
#4, I-15, California
#5, I-10, California
#6, I-59, Louisiana
#7, I-94, Illinois
#8, I-93, Massachusetts
#9, I-95, Delaware
#10, I-55, Tennessee
#11, I-12, Louisiana
#12, I-81, West Virginia
#13, I-35, Texas
#14, I-45, Texas
#15, I-75, Florida
#16, I-80, California
#17, I-64, Missouri
#18, I-10, Arizona
#19, I-95, New Jersey
#20, I-80, New Jersey

Toyota Recalls Continue To Hurt Sales

Obviously, we all expected Toyota to have a bit of a decline on their sales after the highly publicized recalls last year. According to the most recent Cars.com Consumer Lead Index, Toyota's recalls continue to have a negative impact on sales activity. Leads for Toyota vehicles overall declined close to 5 percent year over year on Cars.com, and interest in the brand's vehicles continues to slip month over month. The Toyota RAV4 topped the list of vehicles experiencing the largest month over month irvingia type decline in leads, followed closely by the Camry.

"While the Toyota trend is somewhat expected, what's more interesting is the fact that Honda has seen a significant decline as well," said Cars.com Editor in Chief Patrick Olsen. "Honda execs mentioned that they felt there might be some consumer backlash towards Japanese manufacturers as a result of the Toyota recalls and that certainly could be at play here."

2010 Honda Crosstour EX-L Review

A Honda Accord with 4-doors. Honda has gone all out to create a different kind of crossover with the Crosstour EX-L. Honda says the 2010 Crosstour "combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with versatile aspects from an SUV to create an entirely distinct concept within the crossover segment." Yes, yet another crossover, and yet another type of crossover. It's the crossover for people who don't want a crossover, or at least one that looks like every other crossover.

It looks a little different than most other crossovers. Do we even know what a crossover is anymore? I know I don't. Apprently this is one, but doesn't really want to be one, but it is one anyways. Don't make yourself need the best under eye wrinkle cream staying up at nights pondering this question. full review.

Simple Summer Car Cleanup Ideas With The Right Automotive Accessories

Now that we are out of the wild Midwest winters up here, it is time to pull off the car covers and get cracking on cleaning up our beautiful rides. No better way to make your cars and trucks look better than to pick out some great, but cheap automotive accessories.

Car and Truck Floor Mats

One of the easiest ways to make your car, or truck look great, and hide those nasty stains on the floor is to pick up some new car floor mats. Sure, a traditional, cheap floor mat may be what you usually buy, but why not look into something more exquisite? Custom-fit sheepskin floor mats for your Mercedes, or even a great "catch all" style floor mat that covers the entire floor of your vehicle.

You would be amazed how well a floor mat can hide driving disasters. I can't even tell you how many times I have spilled something that is never coming out. I am a big fan of any sort of red drink. Soda, juice, you name it. If I spill that stuff I have no other choice, but to cover it up until I can get a serious carpet cleaning, and even then it may not work.

Car and Truck Seat Covers

Another great way to keep your car looking fresh and clean is to don some new seat covers. Car seat covers can hide a lot of wear and tear in a vehicle. Those pesky coffee stains that you can't get out, those nasty gum stains that you probably couldn't get rid of with a blow torch, and of course they protect admirably against all types of pet stains and deep pet odors.

Unless you go for an extremely high end material seat cover, they traditionally are machine washable, and make it even easier to keep your car in top shape. When they inevitably get a bit dirty themselves, just pull them out and get them cleaned, and your car is perfect once again.

Now all you have to do is get your car detailed, cleaned, and waxed, and you can cruise the beaches in style. Just make sure that you clean your seats and floors before you put these things on ;).

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Review

Just got done listening to a podcast by Jorge Garcia (Hurley from the TV show Lost) in which he had Desmond on and they talked about him driving a Camero on the show a bunch of times so I figured this was a good place to go with today's review. Besides we need to talk about our toys a bit sometimes.

When you first look at the Chevrolet Camaro SS, especially if the paint color is pumpkin orange (not its real name) with black racing stripes, you're somewhat awed. The car is gorgeous, with enough retro from the 1969 Camaro to evoke serious memories (if you're old enough to remember). The only (slight) flaw is that the top looks like it has been chopped (lowered) and the windows are too narrow.

Get in it and fire up the engine and a whole new set of senses come into play. First, there's the sound. The 6.2-liter V8 emits a powerful roar through what must be well-tuned exhaust pipes. then there's the smell. Fool around with the gas pedal too much and there's a scent of exhaust gas that permeates the cabin. It also happens if you blip the throttle when you're driving. It isn't enough carbon monoxide to kill you, but it is enough to set your heart pumping a bit faster. Full review

Subaru "New Eyestight" Safety Device

There can never be too much safety in vehicle can there? Subaru has developed a 'New EyeSight’ driving assist system – a unique active safety device that uses camera technology to help drivers avoid collisions.

Using two forward-facing cameras mounted either side of the rear-view mirror, New EyeSight incorporates a ‘Pre-Collision Braking Control’ feature, which sounds an alarm to warn the driver of a potential collision with a vehicle in front. If the speed difference between the driver’s vehicle and that in front is below 30 km/h, and if there is no action taken by the driver, the system will also automatically slow or stop the car in order to avoid a collision or minimize damage.

Interesting piece of tech I must say. Certainly will help those who are distracted by their wedding invitations in the passenger seat , or the texting they are doing while they drive ;).

2010 Chevrolet Traverse AWD LTZ Review

It isn't exactly as expensive as the Cadillac SRX we looked at the other day, but it still rakes in about $42,000 on the sticker, and will likely cause a few people to get out the wrinkle creams by the end of their loan.

For some time now, a family friend of my daughter’s in Ashland, Virginia, has been trying to convince her and her husband to purchase a Chevrolet Traverse. Ross Luck’s philosophy is that it would be an ideal vehicle for a family living miles out of town on a dirt road who needs reliable transportation and occasionally all-wheel drive. After a week behind the wheel of a Traverse, I must agree. Here is a solid sport utility vehicle that has a ton of features, decent power and good size. The only flaw I could find was that the economy could have been better. We only averaged 14.3 mpg in our test, even though the EPA estimates are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. full review

Young Adults Can Build Credit Early With a Car Loan

TAbout the only credit a young adult can get is a ridiculously high interest rate credit card. In fact, you can probably get 20 of them if you want. I know I had $10,000 in credit at 19 years old with NO JOB. America, where credit is given to those who can't afford it.

A more standard way to start credit building for youngsters is with the purchase of a car. You are much more likely to pay this one as they can take your car away if you don't, and you only get that credit once, as it isn't revolving like credit cards you can use to buy just about anything now like booze, order Phentermine online, and play poker.

Here is an article about how to do it, and advice on how to do it right.

Ford and Honda Lead Awards for "Best Value In America 2010"

Vincentric provides awards for the best values in the auto industry on an annual basis. This means that each year they look at each category of vehicles and pick the one with the best value in that class. For a complete list as to what data they use to give these awards click here.

For 2010 the leaders overall look to be Ford and Honda. While Honda is a mainstay on their list at the top with 5 time winners like the Civic and Accord, Ford is rather new to showing up with multiple awards. Both Ford and Honda walked away with 6 awards this year. Ford’s 6 awards include the high-end Lincoln MKS and MKT vehicles complementing the strong showing from Ford’s heavy duty pickups. Honda’s six awards were led by two five-time winners, the Accord and the Civic, and the CR-V which won its fourth Vincentric award. BMW, General Motors, and Toyota also did well, with each organization having four award winning vehicles.

For the 2010 complete list check here for the appetite suppressants version. You can expand it into detail on the site.

Here is a short video about their 2010 winners:

2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo AWD Review

If you have half a Midwest mortgage worth of cash to throw at an SUV, the 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo might be for you. With a $53,000 price tag, it probably values about as much as you can get for a house these days in places like Michigan.

After you roll off your elliptical looking nice and trim, you have to look like a bigshot out on the road too. Your goal is to get women, and high end ones.

Caddy, which has enjoyed a renaissance, is branching out into a smaller SUV market with the SRX, which is more of a mid-size. It’s still fairly unique to the Cadillac brand, although the Chevrolet Traverse seems to be built on a similar platform. Styling is very much in the modern Cadillac idiom, with angles and trapezoids all over the place. Styling again makes the SRX unique even to the point of reinventing tail fins into a stylized tail light design. full review

2010 Beijing Auto Show: Best in Show Awards

Can't get enough of auto shows? How about all the way over in Beijing for some awards? AutoWeek editors have needed plenty of protein powder to walk the show floors in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, selecting winners in four categories: Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Fun and Most Significant. This year they picked Beijing as their platform.

The winners are:

BEST IN SHOW: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept
BEST CONCEPT: Ford Start
MOST SIGNIFICANT: Chevrolet MPV5
MOST FUN: Geely Gleagle IG

Click here for more in depth analysis.

Dog Friendly? 2010 Honda Element Review

Dog lover? The 2010 Honda Element is the vehicle for you it appears with their trademarked Dog Friendly package. Obviously, the vehicle is ready for the regular driver, but it has a little niche marketing going on where it has a package for the dog owner as well.

The dog package has a few things that a dog lover would be proud of. A kind of doggie tent zippered kennel with a padded floor (complete with dog pattern cloth) fits in the cargo area behind the rear seat, and a folding ramp for Rover's access is stored under that. A 12-volt DC rear ventilation fan helps keep third-row canine passengers cool. The kennel is big enough for one medium-sized dog -- think Golden, Lab, or German Shepherd -- or a couple of smaller ones, and is rated for dogs up to 80 pounds so your dog with the clinicallix need probably won't fit. It promotes canine safety by keeping dogs in place, and out of the way of the driver.

Dog-Friendly joins the existing ski, snowboard, bicycle, and other "lifestyle accessory" packages that make the Element useful. full review

2011 BMW X5 xDrive 40d Review

The BMW X5 is the second generation of the BMW SUV, and it appears that the test driver for the review had all sort of problems when trying to get one he wanted. Not with the vehicle itself, but with getting the American version in which he wanted to drive due to malfunction, but because the gas station that they used to fuel the vehicles had leaked water into the gas tanks! And to think that the least of my worries in a rainstorm are that I don't actually have any decent outdoor rugs/

So...considering that this would take a couple days to figure out he was able to drive a diesel model and give a review and he basically fell in love with it as you can see from the review and some video below.

Tesla Roadster World Tour

The Tesla Roadster world tour spent part of its 37,000 km trip in Budapest this week as one of the most significant parts of the tour. Budapest was where Nikola Tesla came up with the design for his revolutionary alternating-current induction motor in 1882, during a feverish hallucination along the banks of the Danube River. Well before the days of the great wristech blood pressure monitor.

The Tesla Roadster - the only electric car for sale in Europe or North America - uses an AC induction motor descended from the scientist's original vision. Tesla Motors unveiled the Roadster in 2006, which UNESCO declared the Year of Nikola Tesla in celebration of the 150th anniversary of his birth.

2010 Lexus GS Hybrid 450h Review

Lexus calls the GS Hybrid a new genre. At least it appears to be the only vehicle in the “performance luxury hybrid" genre that they have coined. A few sources say that Mercedes and Inifinity are making vehicles that fit this same mold as well, but none are available yet. So only Lexus can swing around on chandeliers
and make the claim so far this year.

What’s the purpose of hybridizing a performance luxury car? A good question that tries to be answered in the review here:

What you get, essentially, is the performance of a V8 and the fuel economy of a V6. In order to do that a high-output, permanent-magnet electric drive motor along with all the electronic controls and some extra content is added to the V6 GS. All that stuff adds a little more than $11,000 to the sticker price of the standard V6 and it costs about $2,500 more than the V8 version of the same car. If we calculate fuel savings based on EPA numbers and divide that into cost differential we show a payback period of about 11 years when compared to the V8 and 132 years compared to the V6.

Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X Begins to Roll Out Final Model

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will b the final model in the Viper series. The SRT10 ACR-X will have a retail price of $110,000. Production has startd to roll them off the assembly line, and it will be a limited edition spec-series car. So...that means you won't be able to get one, but you can at least get to see a bit of the production on your desktop computers below.

It is fitted with a 640-horsepower 8.4-liter V10, a race-tuned suspension and aerodynamic modifications designed to improve downforce and high-speed handling.

Here's a good video showing the production of the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X

Toyota Bounces Back From Recalls With Increased Sales

The recall fiasco for Toyota didn't seem to hurt their sales in March, as American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted March sales of 108,262 vehicles, an increase of 17.8 percent based on the daily selling rate, the company announced today. American Honda year-to-date sales of 256,412 represent an increase of 12.5 percent based on the daily selling rate.

Sales also went up 16.9% over the 2009 sales for the same month.

So...it looks like they are back in the swing of things, and drivers aren't worried about having to wear protective clothing when they get behind the wheel. I assume that Toyota has done a good job at offering a lot of deals the last couple months as well.

"Our truck models are seeing the biggest gains compared to last year," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "Across the lineup, people are seeking long-term value and are placing a high priority on making smart purchase decisions."

AAA's Top Vehicles For Commuters

For those that have long drives to work everyday they need a different kind of vehicle according to AAA. With so many having to commute further away due to lack of jobs in their area they need a car that is both comfortable (like www.reliefhemorrhoid.com), and fuel-efficient. AAA also added that they were looking at ones that are environmentally friendly too.

The average motorist spends about 41 minutes a day traveling about 22.5 miles roundtrip to/from work in personal vehicles, according to the National Household Travel Survey.

AAA Auto Buying's team of experts, who test drove and reviewed hundreds of vehicles for the AAA AutoMaker vehicle research web site (AAA.com/AutoMaker), have compiled a list of their top vehicles picks for commuters based upon practicality, safety, comfort, fuel efficiency and affordability.

AAA's Top Picks for Commuter Vehicles includes some of the following:

Honda Insight, Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Chevy Malibu, and all the way up to the BMW 3-series. Click the link above for a more in depth explanation and links to reviews on each vehicle.

BMW Launches New X5

The BMW X5 is the leading vehicle in the four-wheel drive, premium vehicle segment. The new release doesn't appear to be in any jeopardy of losing that title anytime soon.

While many others are probably using the best eye cream for dark circles while they lost sleep, the BMW X5 is still the class of the group.

Since launching the original BMW X5 in 1999, this new model X5, the fourth generation, features a completely revised range of engines, standard eight-speed automatic transmission and innovative driver assistance systems that ensure the driving pleasure of the new X5 offers even greater fascination.

“The new model X5 features exterior design changes including new front and rear bumpers, new front fenders, new headlights and new tail lights. This adaptation significantly enhances the presence of the new X5, making it look fresher and more elegant,” said Bobby Hitt, Department Manager for Corporate Affairs, BMW Manufacturing Co. “In spite of significantly improved performance, thanks to BMW EfficientDynamics, fuel consumption and emission levels are lower by up to 10%.”

2010 NY Auto Show: Lexus Announces Compact Hybrid For U.S.

The CT 200h premium compact hybrid was first debuted at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in early March and will join the HS 250h as Lexus' second dedicated hybrid. At the NY Auto Show this week they announced that it will be available to the U.S. markets in early 2011.

"The CT 200h is expected to lead the class in fuel economy and deliver low emissions, but the CT 200h isn't just about being a hybrid, it's about having fun," said Mark Templin, Lexus division group vice president and general manager. "The stylish CT 200h has an attitude and driving dynamic unlike any other Lexus hybrid. It will excite eco-conscious, young consumers and symbolize urban, luxury living."

With the luxury living car, may as well get the luxury living body with cellulite cures too. The Lexus hybrid will take a new approach in marketing as well. As part of an integrated launch in the U.S., Lexus will release a breakthrough interactive short film that offers a new take on the test drive by providing the viewer a fully immersive way to experience the new Lexus CT 200h. Read review

2010 Subaru Tribeca Racall: Defective Door Latches

Hey...can't read a paper any day and not see something for being recalled these days can you. Of course this one isn't really as significant as the problems with those pesky accelerator issues. Well...maybe they are.

According to the release below the door latches may actually open in traffic! Now wouln't that be scary? Reminds me of a time when I was on a roller coaster going upside down and I felt the latch open up and I thought I was going to fall out. :/

Sound slike a quick fix though so you can probalby have it done before you get done reading these weight loss pill reviews.

Subaru is recalling 1,585 of its 2010 Tribeca vehicles because of faulty door latches that could cause the doors to open in traffic, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"The door latch cables located inside the vehicle's driver and front passenger doors were improperly positioned during production," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "As a result, a cable can catch in the door glass regulator when a window is opened or closed. Should that occur, it may unlatch the door, causing it to come open unexpectedly when raising or lowering the window.

"If a door were to unlatch, it could open suddenly and without warning, creating a risk that an occupant could be ejected as well as a risk that the driver may become distracted, leading to a crash. This condition may also result in the failure of a door latch to operate, in which case occupants would be unable to open the door to exit the vehicle."

Subaru dealers will reposition and secure the latch cable in both front doors for free. The recall is expected to begin in March. Owners can contact Subaru at 800-782-2783.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS Review

While many of us are out looking for employment, we may as well look at some cars that we would buy if we could rub two pennies together right? The Lancer looks like a a pretty badass car to start with.

The Lancer is a small car, front-wheel drive, 4-door, 5-passenger, on par with Civic, Corolla, Cobalt and that ilk. It looks larger, I thought, both inside and out. Lancer visually projects an aggressive image right from the gaping, air-gulping grill back. Standard 18-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels with low profile (45-series) all-weather tires make it look grippy. A rakish, low front, high tail, profile with modestly sharp contour lines give it an up-to-date look as well. The bobbed tail sports a large, tuner-car-style wing mounted up high. My pretty blonde had trouble seeing through it when she drove the car but it didn’t restrict my field of view at all. A function of our various torso lengths, I suppose. To top it off this one’s premium ($150 extra) “Rotor Glow” (orange) paint just accentuates the already bold look. Full review

2010 Jeep Compass 4x4 Review

For all of you that have stuck with the Jeep SUVs over the years, the Compass 4x4 is probably not the most relevant vehicle for you. The Compass is a 4 cylinder engine, and more or less a "car". This isn't an off-road vehicle for you. It's appearance is more that of a standard car, but with the Jeep look.

A Compass is a Jeep, no doubt about that. With the signature seven-vertical-slot grille, round headlights, and trapezoidal wheel arches in athletic but not muscle-bound flared fenders, it could only be a Jeep, and bears a more-than-passing resemblance to the first-generation Liberty. It does -- appropriately -- have a more car-like, or crossover-like, look, with a sloping, curved windshield, arched roofline (with built-in luggage rack, of course), triangular D-pillars, and decidedly un-boxy proportions and profile. The strong shoulder line and distinct fender flares give it a healthily muscular look, no steroids, and large taillights give it presence from the rear.

Read full review

3 Porsche Hybrids at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

This show is fancy. Everything I have seen so far has been some amazing high end super cars instead of industrial supplies shows. Yesterday, at a press conference at the Geneva Auto Show, Porsche revealed three new advanced hybrid vehicles that include a high-performance super sports car concept, a revolutionary new race car and Porsche's first production hybrid, the new Cayenne S Hybrid. more

Here is a video of them all:

Amazing Alfa Romeo at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

That thing looks sick. No funny business down low for the driver while in this car though. Grandma would be looking for more life insurance quotes after the close heart attack she would have on the road...lol

After a two year absence from the international scene, Bertone returns to the Geneva Motor Show, unveiling a concept car that makes its world premiere here: the Pandion, an aggressive yet beautiful coupé designed as a tribute to Alfa Romeos’ one hundred year anniversary.

The Pandion: an extreme and controversial sports car in typical Bertone fashion. The size of the concept car (4620 mm in length, 1971 mm wide, 1230 mm high, 2850 mm wheelbase) offers a compact sports car external dimensions with a large sports car interior feeling, all powered by a 4.7 litre, 450 CV 8-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine. more