2012 Chevrolet Sonic 5DR 2LZ Review

People still buy hatchbacks? I guess so. Other than maybe a Subaru Outback I don't much notice them on the roads these days. Travelling highways mostly and long distances I guess I might just zone out a bit and not really pay as much attention as I should. I certainly am not seeing any eye-catching "5 doors" out there at least. Spend more time admiring my Luminox watches I guess than the road.

The Sonic we’re testing is the 5-door hatchback 2LZ, an eye-catcher in flashy Inferno Orange Metalic – an optional ($195) color. The fresh new design is modern in every way while not looking homogenized like many small hatchbacks. The distinctly Chevy-styled nose reflects the design language effectively used throughout that brand’s offerings. Recessed “motorcycle inspired” headlights tuck into the upper fenders and wrap nicely into the flow of the sidelines drawing our eye to the square-back rear of the car. Wheels and tires are 17-inchers contributing to a substantial, no-little-wuss stance. The nearly vertical c-pillars balance above rather than behind the rear wheels, for an even more impressive stance. full review

Crafting

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

Since I got my Satelite Internet connected a few months ago, I’ve been getting really into crafts. My new favorite website is www.craftster.org There I can find clear instructions on how to make anything from do it yourself Halloween costumes, to thoughtful hand-made Christmas gifts. One of my favorite projects that I found there was how to make my own Angry Birds play set. The instructions were so clear and easy, and my kids absolutely loved the result. They love playing the computer game, so I figured they would love to have toys that looked like the characters from it. It feels good that I have the skill to make things on my own and that I don’t have to go to the store and spend a ton of money for things that my kids want. It’s also nice to make things for other people I care about. I have also found is that the more I sew and craft, the better I get at it. I’m excited to see how my skills develop over the next few months. I’m having a great time trying different things.

Allon White Sports Cars To Exhibit The Latest Morgans

Allon White Sports Cars are an interesting lot as observed in the photo above. Always cool and ready to show off. They will be will be exhibiting a selection of the latest Morgan products at the Milton Keynes Motor Show, January 19-22. The display will include: one of the reincarnated 3-Wheelers (of which the infamous Jeremy Clarkson said: ‘A wheel’s come off, and I love it!’), a +4 Roadster from the manufacturer’s ‘classic’ range, and one of the ultra-modern Aero SuperSports. Something your Garmin GPS isn't going to find everywhere without looking a bit.

Said Allon White’s Managing Director, John Bellenger: “Our company has been a Morgan dealer for 46 years, and we believe there has never been a better time to represent this truly unique British marque. The classic models continue to sell well, while interest in the contemporary ones is growing all the time. As for the 3-Wheeler – what an inspired idea, that’s captured the hearts of both young and old. We very much look forward to January and talking Morgans with the good folk of Milton Keynes.”

2012 Mazda6 Review

The Mazda6 mid-sized sedan is in its 4th year with the initial car debuting in 2009. With improvements in 2010 and 2011 the 2012 version is not much different with almost no changes. Other than new colors replacing old it has almost all the same features as its predecessors. So if you saw the 2012 in the brochure holders stands you might not notice a ton of difference if you weren't quite familiar with the car already.

The Mazda6 is offered in a choice of seven different models. I drove the lowest priced iSport with the manual 6-speed, priced at $20,240. Power comes from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower. EPA fuel economy is 21 city mpg and 30 hwy mpg with the manual. The iSport performed well, was easy to drive, handling was nimble and responsive and shifting was light and precise. The only shortfall I found was the lack of a folding feature on the outside mirrors. The folding-in of the traffic-side outside mirror, lest it be broken off by a passing large truck, is pretty much a necessity when parallel parked on a narrow residential street in Chicago. full review

2012 Suzuki Kizashi Review

The 2012 Suzuki Kizashi is an automobile I hadn't heard much about. The name sounds somewhat familiar, but for the life of me I can't remember ever seeing one on the road, or on any fancy lapel pins. Considering it was introduced in 2010 and this is the 2012 model, the title of the review seems to say it all: A Well Kept Secret.

The Kizashi was recognized as the highest ranked vehicle among midsize cars in the JD Power & Associates’ APEAL study as well as the top sedan in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards for the second consecutive year, and received a Best Buy designation from Consumers Digest.

Studio Alarm

Contributed by Vickie Tyson

I have been looking into getting an alarm system for my studio. I have a hair studio that is behind my house. I don’t really see that many client, but usually work about two to three days a week. I read reviews on the internet and after reading ADT Reviews that were consistently better than most, I decided that it was time. I felt like I needed to get an alarm system for the studio because recently there have been break-ins into hair studios around town. I know that it sounds crazy, but apparently, there is a big black market for hair tools. I guess it is because hair dryers and irons are costing upwards of two hundred dollars now a days ( for professional ones). I never keep any cash in the register, but some studios have had petty cash stolen and in some cases even had their computers stolen. I know it isn’t a one hundred percent break-in safe, but it definitely makes me feel a lot safer!

2011 Dodge Charger R/T Review

If you are in the market for a vehicle that sports a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, and have $40K to spend, you may need to look no further than the 2011 Dodge Charger R/T. That isn't all it has going for it though. It's actually a bit of a throwback on the outside, and seems to feel a bit like a Charger from the 60s. Of course it has all kinds of new era gadgets to go along with it, but reviews say that is has the same power and the same thrill of the ride the classics did. lcd tvs samsung

The Bottom Line: The Dodge Charger R/T will gave you the feeling that you’ve entered a time warp. First, it resembles the Charger of the 1960s, it has the power of that car, it has the wheelbase of that car, and it has the same thrill ride of that car.

I had fun driving the Dodge Charger. Let me first confess that I’ve never been a great fan of the Charger, although I respected its performance and styling “back in the day.” I was always lured more to small British sports cars at the time and failed to recognize good old American iron. full review

2011 Mazda RX-8 Grand Touring Review

MAzda announced in August that the 2011 Mazda RX-8 would be the last of the series. The RX-8 comes in an entry level sports vehicle around $26,000, but a more driving enthusiest version upwards of $32,000. Standard sports colors of red, black, and silver to keep it as simple as using scholastic coupons.

The RX-8 was dropped from the European market last year. With the loss of that volume combined with the rising Yen, continuation of the RX-8 didn’t make for a good business case. The RX-8 was first shown in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and sales in North American began in 2004. Close to 200,000 have been sold around the world. Its predecessor was the RX-7 and, like it, is powered by a Wankel or rotary engine.
Mazda introduced rotary engine vehicles in the US in 1971, beginning with the RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, RX-5, and finally three generations of the RX-7 sports car. full review

2012 Hyundai Elantra Review

When it comes to the Asian auto makers we are looking for their biggest asset in most cases: fuel economy at an affordable price. The Elantra has been in this class for the most part. The 2012 isn't much different getting 29 MPG city/40 MPG highway at an affordable $19,000. This is an the price range of most and even those looking for Occupational Therapist Aide Jobs

Someone once told me that the reason she bought a Hyundai Elantra was because it had all the controls in the right places, and you could get at them easily. There's no change with this fifth generation model, except it has the added benefit of Sonata-like styling and very good fuel economy. full review

2011 Volkswagon Beetle Review

Nothing better than getting punched in the arm when a slugbug rolls by you on the highway. The Volkswagon Beetle may be one of the most iconic cars to me, or at least one that I remember much more than others. Fond memories of punching cousins in the car while we take a road trip surely has something to do with it I would guess. Good thing my uncle had a 5th wheel warranty. >:D

Volkswagen just introduced the third generation of the world's bestselling vehicle, the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. The question is: Will the newest iterations (there are two new models) of the iconic 73 year old vehicle that set automobile sales records and backed with trend setting advertising continue to resonate with today’s auto buying public? full review

Lamborghini Presents the Gallardo at Frankfurt Motor Show

What is considered the most extreme Gallardo ever was revealed this past week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. With the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale, Automobili Lamborghini is bringing motor racing excitement directly to the road. This new and most extreme top model in the Gallardo lineup is based on the successful race car from the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo, the world’s fastest single-make series.

The car will be produced in a limited run of 150 numbered units. IF you get one of these you will probably need affordable life insurance if you're over 50.

Lifetime Warranty on a Car?

Well if you live in the UK that is. The Vauxhaul Lifetime Warranty was introduced last year in the UK more than 207,000 owners benefitting from the groundbreaking offer since it was launched in August 2010.

Lifetime Warranty is unique in the UK and provides first registered keepers of a new Vauxhall with no upper time limit on their warranty, until the car has covered 100,000 miles. So for many this truly is a lifetime warranty for the life of their ownership anyways. Not many keep a car well over 100K miles so it is truly a lifetime warranty for most of the owners.

Top celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the warranty Vauxhall out to find the oldest car in the UK wearing the Griffin badge that’s still road legal, has covered less than 100,000 miles and has been owned by the same person from the date of first registration.

All Vauxhall’s qualify, and if the Prince Henry (pictured, next to the British-built Astra Sports Tourer) had not out-survived its original owner it would too, having covered little more than 50,000 miles in the last 100 years. If you are interested just for fun even check out the page here and see how it works. Maybe you can get an award to put on your fireplace mantel to show off.

What Can $108,375 Get You? The 2011 Jaguar XKR - Review

I don't think I've hidden the fact that Jaguar is probably my favorite brand of car. Odds of me ever buying a new one are quite low still, but you never know. I may win the lotto and start throwing away money like I throw away wood on metal buildings construction sites.

The 2011 JAguar XKR clocks in at $108,375, with supercharged 510 HP in a5.0 liter V8. 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, according to Jaguar.

Supercharging is a much better way of increasing power than turbocharging because you don't get the sudden boost of power; it's more gradual. Power reaches the rear wheels (as it should in a real car) through a 6-speed automatic transmission. there are paddle shifters behind the steering wheel if you choose to play that way, but in all reality, even though this is an XK, the manual option isn't really necessary. full review

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept Gets New Look for Frankfurt International Motor Show

The Alpha Romeo 4C concept was revealed at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year (video below), but, the Alfa 4C Concept will be exhibited at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt next month in a new and exclusive ‘fluid metal’ exterior color (image above)

Just in time to get a view before you send out your Halloween invitations and tell everyone you are going dressed as this car that many consider art.

Being rational with my daughter about her dorm room set up

Guest post written by Whitney Thomas

My daughter is what you may call a dreamer. She decides that she wants to do something, no matter how outrageous it is, and then sets her mind to meeting that goal. A lot of the time she actually is successful than it, but every once in a while she gets a little too ambitious and I can't of have to hold her back. Well, right now she has some really huge aspirations for how she's going to decorate her dorm room, but I've had to remind her about fire codes and that she'll be sharing this room with a complete stranger that may not be so enthusiastic about her outlandish interior design work.

I've been looking up some decorating ideas for her to use in the meantime and one night last week while I was doing that, I came across the website CLEARWIRELESSINTERNET4g.com and after I looked through it some I decided to change over our home internet service to the provider.

I did find some pretty neat dorm room designs that she's actually liked. Plus these are a lot more reasonable than the ones that she had thought of originally.

2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 Crossover Review

When you think of a MINI, I highly doubt what comes to mind is any sort of SUV. The MINI has never been a vehicle you were going to toss your crabgrass killer, and a bunch of other yard supplies into and try to haul them anywhere. The new 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 Crossover is the first dive into the SUV scene for the MINI, however.

With a price tag of $31,150 (includes $700 destination charge, $3,500 in options), 25 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25.4 mpg test drive numbers it is at least competitive with its crossover counterparts. HAving 4 doors on a MINI may sound strange, but that is exactly what you get. The videos below will show you much more of the vehicle in action as well as this full review.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited Turbo Review

As our reviewer will say in their opening remarks about the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited Turbo, "Waht's not to like?" is a common theme with this Large Car, one class above competitors like Camry, Altima, Fusion and Malibu. It looks very nice, but the reviewer has much more to say about it.

Taking it from Chicago to Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of your favorite Michigan Wolverines :P, it was driven through the highways during a nice blizzard during his journey with great results and around 34 MPG in the gas tank. I have personally driven this route many times over the years and I-94 is one of the most annoying drives on the trip. Plagued with semis running from Chicago to Detroit you have almost no chance on most days to roll around with the cruise control on since they tend to pull out in front of you randomly going 15-20 MPG slower than you are. Once you hit Chicago though, all bets are off outside of traffic jam hours. You are like a NASCAR racer if you want to live. click here to find the best network cable tester

It was really hard to find any fault with my 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0T test car and if I did it would be a nitpick. I had a week of drive time with the Sonata which included a week-end road trip from Chicago to Ann Arbor, Michigan and back. I was happy to be in a car, a sedan, and not a truck for this trip. There was no blizzard, no heavy rain, I wasn’t hauling a lot of stuff, just my wife and I off to a family gathering. full review

2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Review

Sexy. The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic that is. Looking like it is ready to leap at you from the front the e350 is one pretty looking ride. Checking in at a base price of nearly $49,000 I hope it will tuck me in at night too, and not be gone when I wake up in the morning. After all I took a diet pill that works fast just to be pretty enough to sit inside this beauty.

Steve Purdy in the Detroit division of The Auto Channel takes us on a road test for the next CILF (hehe) the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic.

The E-Class Coupe is a beautiful car. Yes, I know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and indeed subjective, but there’s no denying this one is a head-turner. Bold, brash lines flow from front to rear suggesting a big cat with arched back ready to challenge all comers. Dramatic sculpting along the body sides suggests movement. The pillarless hardtop-coupe design, a rare style today, gives a manufacturer the opportunity to make a serious design statement. Mercedes-Benz has done just that with this E350 Coupe. full review

Volkswagon Unveils Their Temporary "Auto-pilot"

I am pretty sure we have all dreamed about cruising that 300 mile trip on the highway while we are ready to knot off to have an auto-pilot. Being able to "ride" while in the driver seat would surely be a glorious thing indeed. We could chat away on the phone, play a computer game, or watch a movie. I'd go for a ride just to relax...LOL

Anyways, clearly we aren't anywhere near having a road full of cars that drive by themselves and doing it safely. My knees are still going to have to cover for me on that straightaway with nobody around when I want to change my coogi clothing, but Volkswagon at the final presentation of the EU research project HAVEit (Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport), Prof. Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Volkswagen Group Research, has presented the “Temporary Auto Pilot” by Volkswagen: Monitored by the driver. The car can drive semi-automatically up to a speed of 130 kilometres per hour on motorways. It represents a link between today’s assistance systems and the vision of fully automatic driving.

“Above all, what we have achieved today is an important milestone on the path towards accident-free car driving,” emphasises Leohold at today’s final presentation of the EU research project HAVEit in the Swedish city of Borås. The Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) bundles semi-automatic functions, i.e. functions monitored by the driver, with other driver assistance systems, such as ACC adaptive cruise control and the Lane Assist lane-keeping system into one comprehensive function. “Nonetheless, the driver always retains driving responsibility and is always in control,” continues Leohold. “The driver can override or deactivate the system at any time and must continually monitor it.” full story

Teens Tell Teens About Texting and Driving Dangers

Does anyone truly believe that texting and driving is proper, or safe? I mean I do it at times, and I KNOW it isn't safe. Texting, trying to grab the military coins I dropped on the floor, turning the iPod song to a different one, taking a drink while texting. It's like driving the problem here! Ha! Of course I am the greatest driver in the world so surely nothing will happen to me ;).

Of course we all know that many of the messages related to safe driving or nothing more than common sense. Wearing your seatbelt may be uncomfortable, but we know it is safer. That doesn't mean I would wear one if it wasn't for it being required by law. Motorcyle helmets being worn is something else many try to keep open. Catchy sayings like "Click it, or Ticket" stick with us though so I guess the easier it is to pound a message into our heads to get u to think about road safety the better. We learn by repetition so having a texting and driving discussion is necessary.

Six U.S. high school students were selected from nearly 300 journalism entries around the country as winners of the national Keep the Drive High School Journalism Awards to curb distracted driving, earning prizes totaling $7,500. The Keep the Drive High School Journalism Awards, sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, encourage high school journalists to educate their peers about the dangers of texting while driving, to raise awareness about youth traffic safety and empower teens to take on the issue locally. more

Motocross Parts

Finding motocross parts isn't easy to do if you search the net these days. You may be able to find a site here and there that offers motocross parts and other motorcycles parts, but nobody really has a quality site that gives you all the categories and search functions you need to find what it is you are looking for. Sure you may be able to find a page randomly that pops up with some dirt bike handlebar grips, but overall it is pretty limited.

So I figured I would introduce a site that is putting some effort into categorizing and displaying motocross parts in an easy to search in an easy way. If you click on the link at the beginning of this post you will come to a motocross parts category page that leads to many in depth pages for each category. Much easier to search this site for motocross parts than even some of the top listed in the search engines now. This site should be listed towards the top rather than what is there already for motocross parts so have a look.

2011 Dodge Durango Review

When the SUV market was really taking off to the point that everyone had one, and we all wanted one, the Durango was one of the middle to high end designs I liked. While test driving the smaller Jeep Cherokee, or even looking at the Grand Cherokee, I always liked the Durango quite a bit and made plans to go out and get one eventually. Like everyone else priorities change, or something else comes up, and I never got to buy one. Is the 2011 Durango finally going to get me to buy? A v* with a HEMI? Certainly a jump up from the toy I have running on 9v batteries.

Dodge says the Durango is “Re-engineered from the asphalt up” with an all-new unibody structure that is 25% stiffer than the previous model, all-new short/long arm front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Aggressive shock and spring rates and large sway bars handle body roll in hard turning maneuvers. Available electro-hydraulic performance steering, along with standard electronic stability control also contribute to maintain tire grip and vehicle stability. full review

2011 Audi A4 2.0T quattro Review

Audi is a brand that I rarely consider. Not because I don't find the automobiles to be pleasing, or that they aren't very well designed, but either they aren't marketing that well in my area, or overall. Even the reviewers I see state such things as "cult status" when referring to Audi in luxury sedan categories, or "quietly making a name for itself". This pretty much confirms my lack of notice to the brand most years simply because they aren't in the forefront usually.

While not everyone is tossing their Thermarest Neo Air Sleeping Pad into the back of their SUV and heading into the mountains, or buying hybrids, or trying to go green, it seems to be what patrols the headlines. The luxury brands we all know like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, and even Jaguar are much more likley to be talked about than Audis from what I have noticed. Why?

This review for the 2011 Audi A4 quattro has some good insights into the company and their cars. Talking in a highly favorable tone when discussing not only this car, but the entire brand in general.

Is it Even Worth it to Repair Older Cars (10-15 years old)?

All kinds of people you know, and probably many of you like myself, have at least one car sitting around they just don't get rid of, or upgrade to a newer model. A car that keeps on running, and still looks alright, but isn't going to win any beauty contests anytime soon. In this economy many of us aren't exactly out there trying to drive home a new car so we keep maintaining one that is a little bit older because it still runs well, and it doesn't cause too many problems. What is the final straw when you stop getting a car repaired and just junk it for parts?

If you have to get your car, truck, or SUV repaired by a pro, odds are it comes a lot sooner than it would if you have the ability to repair a car yourself. If you have the desire to repair your own car, you most likely need some sort of auto repair guide for certain problems, or at the very least help with diagnosing your car troubles. Even if you don't plan to repair the car yourself, it makes sense to get an auto repair estimate online before you take it in and even bother with it right?

This is where you can save yourself a lot of time and headaches. Not only can you get a quick estimate on auto repair costs, but you can get help from auto owners that have the same car, and likely the same repair issue. You can even set your self up with an online repair and maintenance schedule that will tip you off on advice about repairs and proper maintenance. This is great for any car, not just an old one. Much easier to keep an online repair and maintenance schedule for me than trying to have a file I have to pull out and look through tons of paperwork.

There aren't many top notch auto repair websites that have an easy to use interface, with everything you need from self-help to just getting repair estimates out there. Being able to plug your make and model in and then get similar auto repair questions and answers for your vehicle is one of the most useful search functions there is for someone looking to get help with car trouble. Everyone else describes their car problems with the same kind of adjectives so even if you think it makes little sense someone else is very likely to know exactly what you mean, have made the repair themselves, or had someone do it.

So when is the point of no return on car repairs? Finding that out is pretty easy with a place like RepairPal, who will show you your exact make and model, and break it down to every conceivable automotive repair problem. You can ask other auto owners who have made their own repairs, and you can see what the cost of those repairs by a professional would run you in your area. You really can't be more prepared than this when making that decision on whether it is time to just put ol' Betsy to rest, or keep her on life support for a few more years.

Paying Tolls AND Parking Even Easier?

I'm not sure there was a huge need for this, but it may be a little easier. Many of us already have those speed passes in the Midwest that we fill up with a little cash so we don't have to pick through our console and find change to toss in the toll, or talk to the grim toll booth workers. Of course we still have to pre-pay with these passes and that isn't exactly something I am a huge fan of.

In Alabama, American Roads Investments will release two mobile applications that will allow travelers to pay bridge tolls and parking charges at any Alabama Freedom Pass network facility.

"With these mobile applications travelers can link their phones with an existing Freedom Pass account or bill a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover)," said Neal Belitsky of American Roads Investments. Using the device deducts the toll amount from pre-paid funds or charges users on the go. You can even have a receipt e-mailed to you after each use.

2011 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Review

This level of truck (light, or compact trucks) has never really been something that I have considered. As most reviewers will point out, these trucks really don't offer much of a price reduction from the full-sized trucks so most people will just take the "man's truck" and ignore this light truck entirely and leave it to the diet supplements crowd. The only real benefit of these models is slightly better gas mileage while still giving you a decent hauler.

Of course we aren't looking at fantastic mileage either with these trucks. The Tacoma PreRunner is rated by the EPA at 19-mpg in the city and 25 on the highway on regular fuel. With a 21.1-gallon fuel tank and an admirable cruising range of over 500 miles. Still better than a full-sized truck, but if you are really looking for gas mileage is this the vehicle you are going to pull out?

The differential in cost, efficiency and utility between these smaller trucks and their full-size rivals is not great. As a result many buyers opt for the bigger, more macho trucks - hence fewer customers to go around in this genre. As fuel prices rise that dynamic may change. full review

2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Review

Now this is a nice looking car. A convertible ready to go right before summer truly starts. After looking into so many economical, and mid-sized sedans recently it is time to look at more of a fun car. The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriole. A car that will hide even your worst adult acne because they will be looking at the car.

Checking in with 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm/248 lb.-ft. @ 4,400 rpm, and a $48,000+ price tag this car is robust in both power and cost.

People had read about the car, had heard about it, and were in general anxious to look at it and kick the tires. My granddaughters loved it, because on the way home from nursery school with the top down, they could shout "good-bye" to all their friends and get noticed. They can't do that in Mommy's minivan.

We got reactions from nursery school parents, a woman at a gas station, parking lot attendants and other drivers who pulled up next to us at stop lights. more

2011 Toyota Corolla LE Review

Back to the old simple and useful car made for efficient transportation of you. The cars most of us can afford, and what we drive when we are sensible. The Toyota Corolla is one of the most sold vehicles in history since it has been around all the way back in 1966. It's the best-selling automotive nameplate in the world, and the best-selling subcompact in the USA, so Toyota is definitely doing something right.

This is one of those cars that typically the review will have a phrase that says something such as "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Like you rplantation shutter is now and you need to fix it. The tenth generation Corolla made its American debut for model year 2009, and has some changes for 2011. To see these changes look at the in depth review written here.

2011 Jeep Patriot Review

Gotta love a car that gives you a sense of being a true Patriot don't you? Unless you are just a New England Patriots fan I guess, but I always think of America when I see something called "Patriot" for some reason. The 2011 Jeep Patriot name makes me think of it, but let's actually talk about something relevant like my awesome newNespresso, or I mean the automobile!

The 2011 Jeep Patriot is fairly affordable with base prices ranging from $15,995 for the Sport 4x2 to $23,895 for the Latitude X 4x4. The Patriot is the lowest priced Jeep brand model. Something that is in the price range of many SUV wannabes and by a company that has traditionally been known to produce very stable vehicles. A very desirable situation. Here is a road test of the 2011 Jeep Patriot.

70 Years of Jeep (1941-2011)

Always interesting to read a story about the history of an automotive company. Especially a company that has such a unique history as Jeep.

This year will mark the 70 year mark for the Jeep. It all started way back in 1940 when they got into the military manufacturing business. Making presentations well before we had lcd projectors.

Here is an excerpt from the history story. Here is the full article.

In July 1940, the U.S. military informed automakers that it was looking for a “light reconnaissance vehicle” to replace the Army's motorcycle and modified Ford Model-T vehicles. The Army invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production and developed a lengthy specification list for the vehicle, including the following:

600-lb. (272kg) load capacity
Wheelbase less than 75 inches (190cm)
Height less than 36 inches (91sm)
Smooth-running engine from 3 to 50 miles per hour (5 to 80 km/h)
Rectangular-shaped body
Four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case
Fold-down windshield
Three bucket seats
Blackout and driving lights
Gross vehicle weight below 1,300 lbs. (590kg)

2011 Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe Review

Just a week after you were shopping at the www.happyeasterstore.com you might be feeling like spring is finally here and it is time to go out car shopping. Then you decide that you would rather do it virtually right? Much easier than being harassed by a bunch of cheesy car salesmen for sure.

2011 Infiniti G37 Sport Coupe is a second generation G coupe that debuted as the G35, with a namesake 3.5-liter, 280-horsepower V6 in 2003. Based on the same "FM" platform architecture as the Infiniti G35 Sedan and Nissan 350Z and Skyline.

This one is going to cost you upwards of $43,000 so plan on a 401(k) loan. For 2011, all models of the G37 Coupe get a sportier-looking front bumper fascia with a prominent "splitter" lower air dam. The foglamps have been moved from the headlight clusters to the lower grille area. The look is appropriately subtle but does emphasize the G37's performance potential.full review

2011 Dodge Avenger LUX Review

I guess it is safe to say that the 2011 Dodge Avenger LUX isn't the most exciting car. It may not be that flashy, but for a basic car it does what it is intended to do and does it well. It isn't overloaded with accessories, and the ones it does have work perfectly.

The Avenger's option list is relatively short; $1,795 for the 3.6-liter V6 engine that replaces the base 2.4-liter four, $475 for the Boston Acoustics sound system, $395 for the media center that includes a 30 GB hard drive with a 4,250 song capacity (my iPod has 200), and $295 for the redline two-coat pearl exterior paint. So there is little to distract from the basic car. You may not be browsing hydroxycut reviews on the road, but that media center is always nice. full review

2011 Honda Accord Sedan Review

The 2011 Honda Accord comes in a few varieties of flavors. The SE, the EX, and the EX-L. Yeah...they are all increasing in expense. The SE being the most affordable of the 3 and the equivalent of adipex weight loss on features.

What don't you get with the SE that you would with a more-expensive EX or EX-L? Climate control is single-zone, like the EX, not dual-zone like the EX-L. There's a minijack for an external audio player, not a USB port. No moonroof, and the inside rear-view mirror is not auto-dimming. XM satellite radio and a built-in navigation system are not offered although you can pick them up for a little more cost. It is not a luxury car, but it has plenty to make it worth your time.

You can read a full review that gives more comparisons to the EX and EX-L.

2011 Jaguar XJ Review

That's my car right there. Jaguars I love them. Nothing better than a badass Jaguar to me. With the debut of the newest XJ in 2010, the remake of the Jaguar lineup was completed, and stylistic nostalgia became nostalgia.

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is one pretty looking ride. Kicking back with a
discount davidoff cigars while cruising the town has never been more stylish.

Of course I can't afford one so all I can do is read reviews of people that get to driv them for free. Silly car testers. How nice of a job would that be if you really think about it? You get to chill out in Jaguars, BMWs, Mercedes, and LExus' for your job and likely get to keep them for a week or so and take a lkong trip. HEad out of town and hit up the hotels like you are a high roller and bag some girls :).

Here is the review I read.

2011 Mazda2 Hatchback Review

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "hatchback"? For me I think it is this old car I used to have called a Chevrolet Citation II. Not just a Citation, but a "II"! Classy and comfortable. IT was actually a pretty solid car for me and it had ample space. I actually looked it up in Google and ran a crossed this video (mine was light/sky blue not this putrid brown *cough*) and laughed that someone made a 10 minute video (actually there is a part 2 that is another 5 minutes 0_o) just showign off their Citation II...lol

I suppose most think of the old Subaru wagons, or even the older Ford Escorts though. I even remember some Escort knockoff called the Renault Encore.

Anyways, hatchbacks have always been a car that have relatively good fuel efficiency for the most part unless they are heavy as hell like my Citation was back in all steel days. Heck I think they even used metal hose. They are classed as sub-compact cars now and the hatchback is no exception.

Here are the specs, and here is the review:

Model: 2011 Mazda2 Touring
Engine: 1.5-liter DOHC I4
Horsepower/Torque: 100 hp @ 6,000 rpm/98 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 98.0 in.
Length x Width x Height: 155.5 x 66.7 x 58.1 in.
Tires: P185/55R15 (temporary spare)
Cargo: 13.3/27.8 cu. Ft. (rear seat up/down)
Economy: 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29.8 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 11.3 gal.
Curb Weight: 2,359 lbs.
Sticker: $17,185 (includes $750 delivery charge, $200 in options (pearl paint)

2011 Chevy Volt First Reviews

The 2011 Chevy Volt has gotten a lot of press as to it being the next big thing in hybrids, fuel efficient, availability, price, is it real?, you name it. So what do those that have actually driven one have to say about it now?

According to Carey Russ of The Auto Channel: "It feels like, and is equipped like, a regular car. There are no discrete gears, so no shifting, much like an internal-combustion or hybrid car with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT)."

What Edmunds Says: The 2011 Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is arguably the most fuel-efficient car on the market, but it's pricey for what you get.

U.S. News says: "With plenty of test-drives under their belts, reviewers agree that the Volt, which is the 2011 North American Car of the Year, exceeds their expectations."

Of course this car was won car of the Year awards in many places, but everyone says that the price is just way too steep. The Volt’s MSRP is $41,000. You are able to factor in the federal government’s $7,500 plug-in car tax credit, but even after the credit, $33,500. Quite a lot for a mid-sized sedan, even if it is a hybrid with some of th ebest fuel-efficiency on the market.

The biggest issue for most is going to be the cost. If I'm going to buy a hybrid I want to save money on fuel. I'm not really buying it so that I can save the environment,as I don't think this is going to do that anyways. Should I spend $20K on a comparable sedan that costs me an extra $100 in gas? Am I really going to keep a car long enough to foot the bill of the car and achieve gas savings worth it? This is really the only concern I have. I'd rather buy the other car with more HP and pay for the gas with the $200 a month I am saving on my car loan and dump it into some NC short term health insurance so I don't have to get Canadacare.

2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show beginning on March 3 lasts until March 13. The official site can be seen here, although it probably is less helpful than other sites like this which breaks things down better and aren't as one-sided.

The A to Z overviews there lists all the main attractions and gives a nice little preview of it all. Below is a promo preview video that gets you pumped up for everything coming during the week. Other than healthcare job sites the show is probably one of the most searched topics this week.

2011 International Geneva Motor Show Exhibitor Info

The 2011 International Geneva Motor Show opens up for everyone on March 3rd and runs until March 13. They have posted the list of exhibitors on the site here. The exhibitor platforms are here. So get ready to stock up on best tattoo removal creams since I know you are going to party down.

Quite a few exhibits are most definitely going to be in the "Green" trend. Their website even has a conveniently placed poll asking if you care about about alternative vehicles. This comes on the heals of Obama's reaffirmation that he wants 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.

50 Years of Jaguar Iconic E-Type

The 50th year of the Jaguar E-Type will get a bit of a spotlight at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Jaguar will then take their tour on the road to celebrate at Goodwood’s Revival and Festival of Speed, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Nurburgring Old Timer Grand Prix and a host of Jaguar customer, dealer and lifestyle events worldwide.

When it was launched in 1961, the appeal of E-Type transcended the automotive world. Such is the inherent rightness of its proportions, stance and purity of line (like vitamin c serum for face), that it is a permanent exhibit in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

The now iconic E-Type set new standards in automotive design and performance when it was launched in 1961. Its influence is still apparent in Jaguar’s modern range: cars that offer a peerless blend of performance, comfort, cutting-edge technology and award-winning design. more

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Given Another Made Up Award

This is one of the funny things about automobiles. There are so many random, made up awards, from so many sources that it feels like NCAA Bowl games. If you don't get one you must have really been awful

Apparently there is an award called the Official Winter Vehicle of New England Award by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). Not Car of the Year, or Best SUV, or even Best Vehicle for Users of diet pills, but Official Winter Vehicle.

I don't think there is a day that goes by where I don't see a vehicle getting an award from some random car magazine. I think the best part about these awards is how the president of whatever group that gives them talks about why they gave the award. In this case:

"A New England winter can prove to be a harsh environment for most vehicles, but it's the perfect setting for the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee to showcase its all-weather capability," said Mike Manley, President and CEO Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are delighted that these prominent New England automotive journalists have recognized the capability, comfort and refinement of the Jeep Grand Cherokee."

Consumers Make $33 Million in Errors With Vehicle Tax Credits

A report by SAndra Block of USA Today here states that about 20% of federal tax credits claimed for alternative and plug-in electric vehicles during the first seven months of 2010 were erroneous, costing U.S. taxpayers more than $33 million. The report is credited to the Treasury Department's inspector general for tax administration said Thursday.

The report states that:

"The tax credits are designed to encourage consumers to buy energy-efficient vehicles, such as General Motors' Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf, which typically cost more than conventional gas-powered vehicles. The Obama administration recently announced plans to have 1 million advanced-technology vehicles on the road by 2015.

Taxpayers who purchase eligible vehicles can receive a tax credit worth up to $7,500. The inspector general's report found, though, that most of the erroneous credits were claimed for vehicles that weren't eligible for the tax break. Ineligible vehicles owned by taxpayers who claimed the credit included the Hyundai Sonata, the Buick Enclave and a bicycle, the report found."

So what are they going to do about it? Other than try to make the forms easier to read than the ingredients on an OxyElite Pro bottle, it will require VIN numbers on the forms with a new line for new forms. It also appears they are going to try and recover the claims. From the report: "The IRS also plans to recover erroneous claims by reversing credits and conducting audits."

Lovely. Bet you can't wait to get audited.

2011 Chevy Cruze Review

I believe we had a preview last month for the Cruze, but now there is a full review with much more information available. The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze was made to try and compete with small compact car brand leaders like Kia, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Mazda and Ford. Skeptics were abound that it couldn't muster anything that would rival any of these other leaders, but reviews say otherwise.

Some of the reasons that it may compete with their rivals:

• Size does matter. Whether car or with the best creatine supplements. While officially classified as a compact sedan, the Cruze has the exterior look of a coupe with the interior spaciousness of a midsize sedan which out classes its rivals in the important interior space size category.

• Serious fuel economy. As gas prices continue their upward creep, the Cruze depending on the model, has a city rating of 22 to 24 city and from 35 to 36 mpg highway. Combined the new car sticker, known in auto circles as the Monroney named in honor of the former Oklahoma Senator, shows an EPA rating of 28 mpg. Actual mileage depends on driving style.

• Startling selection. Four different models are offered from the not-so-Spartan LS and moving up to the better 1LT and the still better 2LT to the topped out LTZ. Trim packages and options make the primary difference. more

2011 Honda CR-Z EX Review

The 2011 Honda CR-Z EX is the first sport hybrid out on the market. Many think of sports cars as fast on acceleration, a road hugger, and a sleek design. Usually something that doeesn't exactly fit with a hybrid. The sports side wants to focus on power and handling, while the hybrid side wants its focus on lowered emissions, and fuel efficiency. How can they work together?

This article makes a good point about how early sports cars were anything but fast out of the gate, or all that powerful:

Historically "sports cars" have not always been exceedingly powerful -- the MG TC that started American fascination with sports cars produced all of 54 horsepower from a 1.25-liter engine, for a top speed of less than 80 mph and a 0-60 time around 20 seconds. While it and many of the British and European sports cars that followed it from the late 1940s through the late 1960s were none too quick in acceleration or top speed compared to American sedans of the day, they were considerably better in their roadholding abilities, and much more pleasurable to drive.

While that was the case then, does the same apply today? Any reason why the sports hybrid isn't possible? car insurance quotes possible with one?

Enter the CR-Z. Think of it as a descendent of both the now-legendary CRX coupe of the 1980s and early `90s and the original Insight of 2000. It's not "the new CR-X", it's the CR-Z. Yes, it looks like what a 2011 CRX would look like, and its suspension is tuned well for sporty ride and handling characteristics, but it's a very different car than the CRX, or the first Insight. It's the sportiest hybrid yet, but its focus is broader than merely sport.

2011 Kia Optima Named One of 'Top 10 Cars To Look Forward To in 2011'

I've never really thought about buying a Kia. Something about it seems girly, or just the name bugs me for some reason. Very superficial excuses obviously, but what can I say?

That doesn't mean it isn't thought of as a great line of vehicles. v has named the 2011 Kia Optima one of "Top 10 Cars To Look Forward To in 2011". Certainly some praise here and something that I suppose I should look into, or I could look for a wireless cellular booster since right next to my computer is a dead zone for some reason.

The all-new 2011 Kia Optima has been collecting notable awards and accolades since arriving at Kia retailers in December, including being named one of the "Top 10 Cars To Look Forward To in 2011" by CarsDirect.com. In addition to the CarsDirect.com designation, the new Optima recently has been hailed as "Best New Model" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, "Best of 2011" by Cars.com and a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Kia Motors' latest vehicle in a growing stable of new and recently introduced vehicles seamlessly blends dynamic styling and high-end technology and safety features with class-leading horsepower and fuel efficiency. more

2011 Honda CR-Z Car of the Month at NADA

LEt's stick with Honda today. This time a hybrid model in the 2011 Honda CR-Z. The CR-Z is a gasoline-electric hybrid that racks up a combined 37 MPG. For a bit of an in depth look at the CR-Z take a look at the Honda Buyer's Guide review page for the 2011 CR-Z.

NADAguides,a provider of vehicle pricing and information, names the all-new 2011 gasoline-electric "sport-hybrid" Honda CR-Z the NADAguides Car of the Month for February 2011.

The 2011 Honda CR-Z was selected as the NADAguides Car of the Month based on the quality of both interior and exterior engineering, as well as fuel efficiency, safety features, value and its ability to redefine the standards for the hybrid industry by pairing performance and efficiency with Honda's 3-Mode Drive System. Like how people are trying to outduel gold and buy silver coins to win.

2011 Honda Accord Review

One of the top sellers of the past, the 2011 Honda Accord tries to compete with a dozen, or more top line mid-sized vehicles for your love. IF you are a loyal Accord owner you will probably be perfectly happy with the new 2011 Accord. What aobut anyone looking to get aew mid-sized product and lookign for some differences to set them over the top?

These mid-sized vehicles have a lot of similarities so a bit of research is required I think to decide which is best for you. This is only for the Honda Accord so stopping here may not be the right choice for you. Not as easy as grabbing some quoizel and feeling you got the best. There are many others to compare the Accord to these:

Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, as well as the Mazda6 and Nissan Altima, Suzuki Kizashi, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Jetta, Buick Regal, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Mitsubishi Galant, Subaru Legacy and whatever else any of the other manufacturers may come up with in this category are certainly worthy of a look.

Take for example, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. They are nearly identical and both, incidentally, are built - not just assembled - in the United States. The Accord is five inches longer n a one-inch longer wheelbase. Its engine offers eight more horses and the economy is almost identical. Styling of both is significantly enhanced over a few years ago. But, in my opinion, if the Camry is like meat loaf - comfort food - then the Accord is steak. From the same animal, but a different cut of meat.

Behind the wheel the engine is quiet. I have always felt that Honda made nice engines. there's enough power form the inline four, and the power gets to the front wheels through a slick 5-speed automatic transmission. The Camry had a 6-speed. full review

quoizel

Volkswagon Polo Wins Wheels Car of the Year Award

A familiar award for the folks over at Volkswagon. Coming off a win last year with the VW Golf, they take home the Car of the Year Award once again from Wheels with the VW Polo.

Wheels magazine editor, Bill Thomas, put it simply when he described the Polo as a great little car in his editorial.

“It’s the depth of engineering skill applied to the Polo and the very obvious quality of the car that impresses most – if you were to pay it the right compliment, you’d say it feels like a scaled-down Golf ( a Golf on lipozene maybe?). That means it brings new standards of refinement and comfort to the super-mini class.

“It feels like an expensive car at a good price rather than a cheap car built up with loads of extras: customers obviously come first for VW. Spacious, safe, efficient, easy to drive and easy to live with, the Polo is a great all-rounder and a very worthy winner of Australia’s most coveted motoring prize. Two Car of the Year victories in a row for Volkswagen reflect the skill of the engineers involved and the ambition of the company as a whole.”

This is Volkswagen’s fourth Wheels Car of the Year award, having twice received the award for the Golf and once for the Passat.

Toyota, One Year Later Report from Kelley Blue Book

One year later from what you didn't ask did you? Well maybe, but essentially this is a report discussing Toyota's woes over the past year with respect to the mass recalls it endured. You can view the in depth report here (it is a downloadable file on the site).

Despite Toyota's recall woes of 2010, the brand's used-car values held strong throughout the year so they probably don't really need to look for a sie operation selling the best weight loss supplements or anything. Among the best-performing used Toyotas were 2007-2009 model-years Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Sienna and Yaris, primarily due to their offering of solid fuel economy in an affordable package. Meanwhile, used vehicles from Toyota's luxury sister brand Lexus underperformed the market throughout 2010 along with all luxury brands, primarily due to the economic concerns of used-car shoppers. more

Top Selling Vehicle In U.S. For 2010

Another year past, and another month of looking back. January is the month where we look back on everything good, and bad from the past year. Having 12 months of data is always a good starting point for looking at some trends. For the auto industry 201 was a very odd year. A lot of changes and a lot of low fuel marketing was done. Companies starting new lines to save on gas, and keep from going even further into distress. The government helped a few. Let's see who had the best year for individual vehicle sales.

Vehicle Total sales Percent change from 2009
Ford F-Series 528,349 27.7 percent
Chevrolet Silverado 370,135 16.9 percent
Toyota Camry 327,804 -8.1 percent
Honda Accord 282,530 -1.7 percent
Toyota Corolla 266,082 -10.4 percent
Honda Civic 260,218 0.2 percent
Nissan Altima 229,263 12.6 percent
Ford Fusion 219,219 21.3 percent
Honda CR-V 203,714 6.5 percent
Dodge Ram 199,652 12.6 percent

Looks like Ford had a pretty good year. The F-series blew the competition away with nearly a 50% sales volume over its nearest competitor. A lot of economical vehicles on this list too. Toyota took a bit of weight loss diet supplements on their Corolla, and the Camry.

2011 Hyundai Elantra Review

I wonder if you knew that the Hyundai is the fastest growing auto brand in America right now. Some of the most highly acclaimed all around vehicles in their class have been coming out the last couple years and man are taking notice. The exit signs don't appear to be lighting up anytime soon with the 2011 Elantra.

Hyundai recently unveiled its latest redesign - the newly redesigned fifth generation Elantra at the L.A. Auto Show. But even before the official unveiling, the auto press world was abuzz with the "leaked" bit of facts and information on Hyundai's newest vehicle, serving as a precursor to the reception the Elantra went on to receive at the show. Upon its formal release, the verdict was clear: Hyundai's streak is continuing, thanks to the new Elantra. Full Review

2011 Toyota Camry LE Review

Not sure I can recall the last 4-cylinder I ever owned. In fact, I'm not sure I have ever owned a 4-cylinder vehicle. That doesn't mean you can't own one and be perfectly happy with it. Especially with news that gas could be $5 a gallon by the end of next year...OUCH!

If you're looking for a vehicle that's comfortable, safe and still looks good heading down the highway, you can't go wrong with the Toyota Camry. It won't win any drag races with the 4-cyinder engine, but it also won't break the bank when you have to buy gas. Hopefully you still have a few online gift cards left for that too. Full review

Half Of Britain's Drivers Have Had Sex In a Car?

Now don't get me wrong...I've had sex in a car so I suppose this number is probably accurate. I mean if I've done it it has to have been done by many people. I'm not one for having to go out of my way to have sex in public just to get around parents, or get out of the house. Just sort of whatever. I'm probably more likely to have to ask for a paternity test than most people are so I'm not exactly hanging out with proper young ladies...;D

It’s an unusual way to burn off the Christmas turkey, but 54% of Brits admit to having had sex in a car, according to research by Autoquake.com, the UK’s leading online car retailer.

In spite of being cramped and the risk of getting caught, 22% say sex on four wheels is a fantastic experience. However, 32% think sex in a car is overrated (sex is never overrated these people are nuts).

Some Believe Electric Vehicle Hype Is Just Diversion

Like reading from a 9/11 conspiracy blog, I find this article about how electric vehicles are propaganda to keep Big Oil in business. While the first paragraph may make you feel like you are about to hear some sort of crackpot argument of triggered demolitions and disappearing airplanes, I can assure you that it is at least coherent and brings up some nice points and we aren't picking these guys up in point of care carts from the local nut house.

From auto news:

Our EV support (we invested in, developed and publish EV-MOTORING.COM) was based on a future replacement of gasoline with sustainable, clean and domestic electric vehicles recharged on the go by hydrogen fuel-cells. But something changed, the fuel cell left the equation and our government was corrupted into supporting the replacement of gasoline by plug-in's, to that end it offered billion dollar DOE grants to Big Power and connected "entrepreneurs" for smart-grids, recharging schemes and advanced battery research to the detriment of a real solution.