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