Consumer Reports Says Ford Overstating Some New Model Gas Mileage

While I tend to think that many of the manufacturers fudge the MPG number just a tad. I would expect them to use the low end figure most of the time to be safe. If they can't consistently get that number then they just didn't build it right. It's up to them to reach that goal they set, and if they can't they shouldn't be trying to fudge the number.

Consumer Reports said that Ford has been making some eye-opening claims about the fuel economy of the redesigned 2013 Fusion Hybrid sedan and new C-Max Hybrid wagon: "47 city/47 highway/47 combined mpg." After running both vehicles through Consumer Reports real-world tests, CR’s engineers have gotten very good results. But they are far below Ford's ambitious triple-47 figures.

In Consumer Reports tests, the Fusion Hybrid delivered 39 mpg overall and 35 and 41 in city and highway conditions, respectively. For the C-Max Hybrid, we got 37 mpg overall, with 35 and 38 for city and highway. These two vehicles have the largest discrepancy between our overall-mpg results and the estimates published by the EPA that we've seen among any current models

EPA fuel-economy estimates are the result of testing on a dynamometer. It's worth noting that automakers mostly self-certify their cars. Then, the EPA spot-checks about 15 percent of them with its own tests in a lab. We have reported our fuel-economy results to the EPA.

Someone is gonna need a natural latex mattress los angeles to make sure they don't ruin their beds after being called out.

2013 Ram 1500=Motor Trend Truck of the Year For 4th Time

Surely, the Motor Trend "of the year" award is a definite boost for any vehicle. The Truck of the Year this year is the 2013 Ram 1500 (I almost put "Dodge" in there. For why it is no longer called the Dodge Ram click here.). This is the 4th time the trusty Ram has been named the Truck of the Year by Motor Trend.

"The new Ram 1500 makes a powerful statement about our company and the Ram Truck Brand," said Fred Diaz, President and CEO Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. "Motor Trend's Truck of the Year is an amazing honor; truly one of the most prestigious awards an automaker can achieve. It reaffirms the fact that Ram has the best truck on the road today. Bar none."

Motor Trend editors praised the new 2013 Ram 1500 for its air suspension, choice of engines, variety of trim levels, and towing capability. The linear bearings probably aren't too shabby either.

"We had a small but solid field of contenders for Motor Trend's Truck of the Year," said Edward Loh, Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend. "But in the end, the choice was clear: Ram 1500 not only withstood our rigorous testing, it impressed at every step along the way. Our judges were won over by the performance of Ram 1500's broad array of standard and optional equipment. It's a truck that can be tailored to meet most anyone's needs. For these reasons and more, we're excited to name the Ram 1500 the Motor Trend 2013 Truck of the Year."

Motor Trend Truck of the Year contenders are evaluated using six criteria, which includes Design Advancement, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, Value and Performance of Intended Function. To be eligible, a vehicle must be all-new or have been substantially changed from the previous model.

Michigan Has Cell Phone Ban Legislation for "Novice" Teen Drivers?

OK...I live in Michigan, and frankly I was kind of under the impression that using a cell phone while driving was already illegal. Honestly, I never looked into it. I'm guessing it is in many places, but apparently it isn't here.

Anyways, this sounds like some of the stupidest legislation I've heard in a while. Why only "Novice" teens? Why not all teens? Why not everyone? Teens are surely worse drivers, but there are a lot of stupid drivers out there. Sure most of us that have driven for a while know when we can talk on a cell and when we can't, but you see idiots on a daily basis oblivious to their surroundings on cell phones now, and they aren't teens. Some guy carting his free kitchen cabinets on a trailer with no tail lights, his kids jumping around without seatbelts, trying to pick a song on his iPod, and being on of those guys that can't talk to the passenger without looking at them. Aren't they the worst? Hey man...your voice travels to them anyways. They don't have to see your face.

Under the legislation, teenage drivers with a Level 1 or 2 license will have to comply with cell phone restrictions. The only exemptions would be allowing new teen drivers to report a crash, emergency or crime. Numerous studies have shown that new teen drivers are far more likely to be involved in cell phone-related crashes than older, more experienced drivers. (Ummm...this is the case regardless.)

The bill would allow police to issue a civil infraction to teens who are in violation of the new law. AAA supports the law, which will be discussed in a House Transportation Committee hearing at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 5) in Lansing. AAA Michigan encourages passage of the law, referred to as "Kelsey's Law," named for Kelsey Raffaele, a 17-year-old Michigan resident who was killed while talking on her cell phone and driving.

2013 Dodge Dart Limited Review

This car won't be featured at any conventions behind portable stanchions ropes, but it may intrigue some. With a sticker starting prive of $25,065, and 27 MPG city, and 39 MPG high way, it isn't the best deal out there I'd imagine.

The Bottom Line: The Dodge Dart I drove may be a bit underpowered, but it has a lot of features that make it attractive, such as keyless entry, a powered driver's seat, blind spot monitor, back-up camera and cross path detection, and a heated steering wheel.

As the first vehicle to be built off Fiat Group architecture, the Dodge Dart has certainly aroused interest. the basis for the Dart is the Alfa Romeo Giuletta. This base platform, however, has been lengthened and widened to make it more American. It is also built in the United States and contains 52 percent American or Canadian parts. Mexico contributes another 21 percent to the product. full review

2013 Dodge Viper Available at Lou Fusz O'Fallon Chrysler

The reintroduction of the Dodge Viper has infused the car world with a new energy. This stylish reintroduction of the Viper is available now at the Lou Fusz O'Fallon Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealership in O'Fallon, Missouri. The 2013 model continues the muscle car tradition with sleek lines, a powerful engine, and well-made body. The car first burst in to the industry in 1992, causing ripples of awe and desire throughout the world. This vehicle hearkened back to the muscle cars of the late 1960’s and 1970’s. The image of the Viper is now as legendary as the Dodge Charger and the Plymouth Roadrunner. Yet, a Viper isn’t a care for everyone. Like all vehicles, there are pros and cons to purchasing and owning this sexy beast.

Cons:

The car isn’t cheap to own. Like all sport cars, there is a maintenance cost to owning a Viper. Aftermarket parts are rarely cheap and the official parts can break the bank. Insurance for a Dodge Viper can be expensive as well, since sports cars routinely have higher rates.

This isn’t a family car. With a small interior and limited passenger space, the Dodge Viper isn’t designed for the use of a family. There is no for extra kids or a baby seat, since the vehicle only has two seats. Storage space is at a premium and can’t hold the various items that a full sized family carries with them.

The Dodge Viper isn’t a cross-country vehicle. For long trips, this car isn’t recommended. Although it is comfortable for driving around the town or back and forth to work, visiting a relative in another state needs another vehicle. The AC doesn’t always cool the interior well over a long period. The cabin can also become cramped after hours of being on the road. Gas is also expensive and the V-10 engine does like to drink fuel.

Pros:

The car is beautiful and is fast. The sleek lines of the Viper are known worldwide. Even the silhouette is iconic; you don’t have to see the full image of the car to know it is a Viper. Heads turn as the car roars down the road as it treads through traffic as smooth as a snake. With an 8.4-liter V-10 engine that pumps out 640 horsepower, the Viper is a true beast to behold.

The Dodge Viper is unique. The Viper isn’t a common sight in cities and towns. Although the style is legendary, rarely are two Vipers seen in the same area. This uniqueness is a reason to buy a Viper, since a car is a real-life expression of the owners taste. When Viper owners do meet, they are part of a kinship that few people can claim.

The Dodge Viper is a social tool. After pulling a Viper in to any parking lot, people will want to ask questions. This can lead to networking with others and lasting friendships. There are many Viper clubs around the USA that can help an owner connect with others. Although the car is just a possession, this vehicle can lead to great interaction with others of similar taste and attitude.

2012 Toyota Camry Review

AS America's best selling car for the past 9 years tit is more likely I'd have to tell you to click here for gold coin values to give me that info rather than to give me a roundabout price on a Camry. Heck, you might even already own one. First introduced in 1983, Camry has been America’s best selling car for nine consecutive years and for 13 out of the last 14 years. So you've certainly seen your fair share of them I am sure.

The 2013 Camry hasn’t been announced yet, but it is expected to be unchanged. The 2012 model that I’m driving is very representative of the 2013 and you should keep on reading if you are shopping a midsize car.

Yes, the Camry has been everybody’s darling and satisfied many drivers from all walks of life who seek good reliable transportation in a not-to-expressive design. Well that’s changed with the all-new 2012 Camry. Styling is more sophisticated with a bolder design, a more spacious interior, a quieter ride, and better driving dynamics that provide a more-connected feeling with the road. full review

2013 Cadillac XTS Review

Been a while since i looked into Cadillacs, but they have always been some of the cars that I looked to for the mid-life luxury class. My aunt and uncle always drove Caddies and they loved them. I guess that is why they always make me think of the 50-60 year old couple that is a bit lazy, but has a good income. Government jobs that they can't possibly get fired from no matter how poorly they do their jobs. You know what I mean.

You won't usually find the young college kids wearing their northface fleece jacket driving around in a Caddy that's for sure.

American expectations for a luxury car are not what they once were. The extra-large, softly-suspended, V8-powered insulating cocoon on wheels -- exemplified most recently in the Cadillac line by the late DTS, and DeVille and Fleetwood before it -- is gone. Today's luxury car buyer is more likely than his or her parents and grandparents to be influenced by European and Asian ideas concerning luxury cars, meaning smaller on the outside while still spacious within, having useable power coupled with reasonable fuel economy, and with all of the latest electronic gadgetry and connectivity in addition to the traditional luxury accoutrements.

In Cadillac terms, the new 2013 XTS. full review

Potential Counterfeit Airbag Installations

Having a counterfeit airbag will go unnoticed until it actually deploys the vast majority of the time. Unfortunately that will be too late. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)there are likely about 3,000 fraudulent bags out there right now in the last 3 years. Not a large number (in fact 0.1% of the total), but surely a significant one for anyone that gets one that harms them, or fails to protect. So if you are worried about it you should check into the list of vehicles that are considered to be in risk of having such a claim here. That page will also give you everything you need to think about to detect, or consider that you may have a counterfeit air-bag. You'd be better off putting a sof sole from bestinsoles.com on your steering wheel for safety than to have an air-bag that won't deploy properly.

U.S.'s Most Affordable Hybrid?

It looks like the 2013 Honda Insight Hybrid may be the winner of this illustrious title. It clocks in with 44 MPG highway and the price remains unchanged from 2012 at a starting spot of $18,500. The Honda Insight received a 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Award from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com1, with a key contributor being the 5-door Insight's impressive city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating of 41/44/42 mpg.

2013 Chevrolet Spark Review

Bargain cars are the theme today and the Chevy Spark certainly fits into that category with a MSRP ranging from $12,995 up to the top of the line 2LT is priced at $15,795. With a price like that you can certainly celebrate with a some nice opus x cigars. The 2013 Chevrolet Spark is a front-drive, four-seat, five-door hatch powered by a 1.25-L, 84HP four-cylinder engine mated to either a 5-speed manual or an optional 4-speed automatic. EPA-estimated combined fuel economy ratings are 34 mpg for the manual and 32 mpg for the automatic. full review

2012 Dodge Charger SXT RWD PlusReview

The 2012 Dodge Charger SXT RWD Plus is quite eye catching I must say. Rolling with a V6 with 8-speed transmission at roughly $28,000-$38,000 is gonna catch your eye too. Of course this car isn't one that is going to be praised for its high gas mileage with an ugly 19 MPG city. Highway seems to pull over 25 MPG, however.

Let’s look her over. Initial impressions are important and this one makes speaks up for itself. The 20-inch, shinny black wheels with low-profile (245/45R20) tires announce themselves first. Next we see the dramatic profile with vertical front and rear fascia, aggressive black grille punctuated with the Dodge crosshairs, sculpted hood and sides, shallow greenhouse and jauntily bobbed tail. This unusual profile broke new ground when Gilles and his team designed it for the Chrysler 300 one generation past. Slick LED lights surround the full-width taillights and chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets peek out from the lower rear fascia. full review

2012 Volkswagen Golf R Review

For some reason I had always thought of this car as a cheap little fuel economy car. No idea where I got that idea from. I guess the name of it seems to be that sort of vehicle to me. It's not very "flashy" in my opinion so I always expected it to be one of those Ford Focus type budget cars. Not exactly the case. Get your spray on tan and get ready for a fast drive in a $35,000 car.

The Golf R is a pretty amazing little car. It drives superb with the 256 HP turbo 2-liter engine pushing through a 6-speed manual and putting power to the pavement through the 4MOTION all-wheel drive. Zero to 60 takes about 5.7 seconds and the R tops out at 130mph. All this can be had for around $35,000 of your hard earned cash. full review

2013 Ford Taurus Review

The Ford Taurus has made a lot of changes over the years. It's one of those cars though that almost everyone you know has owned at some point when they picked it up used as a youngster. It wasn't too dorky looking and ran well enough for the most part. You didn't feel like a total loser driving one around at least. If I remember correctly, the older 80s-90s Taurus' had either a problem with their brakes, or it was some sort of problem with the transmission. All I know is that between that, or one of my older Luminas I had issues with the transmission and every person I talked to said the same thing. "Oh yeah...all those cars have a problem with the transmission at around 100K miles", or something along those lines. Young guys having to get a transmission fixed wasn't exactly a banner day I can tell you that. It isn't a cheap thing to get done. Ends up sitting in the back yard as a bed for pet. Move forward to 2013 and the Taurus is completely different. It looks much sleeker, and has been completely redesigned. In fact it is much different even than the 2012 model. Although the basic architecture underneath hasn't changed, a moderate restyle of the hood and front fascia gives a refreshed appearance, also improved with projector-beam headlights. Unseen behind the grille, an active shutter system uses aerodynamics to help improve highway fuel economy. LED taillights distinguish the rear. Torque Vectoring Control uses electronic sensors and the stability control system to improve cornering behavior under acceleration. All versions of the 2013 Taurus use electrically-assisted power steering, which simplifies, reduces weight, and further helps improve fuel economy. The standard engine in the SE, SEL, and Limited models is a 3.5-liter V6, but this one has a host of upgrades to improve both power output, now 288 horsepower, and fuel economy, with 29 mpg allegedly possible on the highway. Want better economy with little loss of power? Ford's new 2.0-liter "EcoBoost" four-cylinder uses turbocharging and direct fuel injection to make a maximum of 240 horsepower when needed, with over 30 mpg possible on the highway. With more torque than the V6 -- 270 lb-ft vs. 254 -- performance is unlikely to suffer much. Both engines are matched with a six-speed automatic transmission to optimize acceleration and economy. Want more power? That would be the SHO, with 365 EcoBoosted horsepower and some new features of its own. But that's a different story for a different time. full review

The Pink Cadillac

The Pink Cadillac is kind of an interesting story. Originally created in 1969 it was by request of Mary Kay Ash of the infamous Mary Kay cosmetics company. It was requested for obvious reasons of being the car of the company and was being used by the top 5 independent sales professionals for the company. The pink Cadillac became the first Career Car program. It is an incentive for the best of the best. Today more than 19,000 pink Cadillacs have been in the hands of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants. Currently, there are more than 1,200 Mary Kay pink Cadillacs on the road nationwide. The perfect ride to park in front of your white picket fence on your louisville real estate. The pink Cadillac is the most coveted incentive awarded by Mary Kay. The modern day Cadillac comes in pearlized pink -- a color unique to the Mary Kay Career Car program. Qualified Mary Kay Independent Sales Directors who earn the use of a pink Cadillac can choose from the CTS, or SRX models. Other cars offered within the Career Car program are the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevy Malibu, Toyota Camry, Chevy Equinox and the newest addition, the Ford Mustang. Fun facts about the Mary Kay Career Car program: -In 1969 the retail price of a pink Cadillac was approx. $5,900. Today it's approx. $41,295 -Mary Kay Career Cars have logged an estimated 3.7 billion miles throughout the U.S. in the last 43 years -Mary Kay Career Cars have (figuratively) circled the Globe 148,585 times -Since 1969 nearly 140,000 Mary Kay independent sales force members have qualified or re-qualified for the use of a Mary Kay career car -Today nearly 5,600 Mary Kay Career Cars are on the road, representing a retail market value of approx. $159 million

Audubon And Toyota Over $1 Million In Funding to 41 Innovative Environmental Projects

To help some lesser known groups working on innovation in energy conservation, water, and engaging people in conservation Toyota and the National Audubon Society have awarded over $1 million in grants to 41 41 projects. That will get you a lot of medi compression stockings. Fo r a full listing of the projects and what they are working on click here. "Groups that won Innovation Grants this year have ingenuity and creativity on full display. And that's what it takes to tackle the environmental challenges we face today," said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. "I'm proud to partner with these innovators in creative approaches to achieve healthier communities and big conservation results."

2012 Honda CR-V Review

The 2012 Honda CR-V starts out at $22,495 running up to $29,995. It falls into the "compact SUV" class/market of vehicles. The fourth-generation CR-V made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and went on sale in December 2011. Exterior styling is significantly improved. Fuel economy gets a boost and the all-wheel-drive system is new. EPA ratings are 23 city mpg and 31 highway mpg for the 2wd models, and 22 city mpg and 30 highway mpg for the AWD models. That’s on regular grade fuel. The fuel tank holds 15.3 gallons and that should be good for about 450 miles of highway cruising with your Spy Sunglasses on. Living in a snowy-winter region, I would be hard pressed to decide to opt for the AWD vs 2WD with the price increment only $1250 and the fuel economy difference only 1 mpg. Honda certainly hasn’t made this decision easy. However, in a non-snowy region I would stick with the 2WD, especially since the CR-V drives through the front wheels that gives some advantage in slippery road conditions over a RWD vehicle architecture. full review

Kelley Blue Book Picks 10 Cars That 'Reignite The American Dream'

The "American Dream" seems to still be talked about although I am not quite sure what it refers to anymore. House, white picket fence, 2 kids, middle calss? Being a billionaire like Bill Gates? Own your own business? Drive a muscle car? I really don't know. Kelley Blue Book apparently knows what our dream is though and has picked 10 cars that reignite it. ;) Here are the first 3 (click here for the other 7):

Chevrolet Corvette For nearly 60 years the Corvette has captivated drivers across America and far beyond, rising in status from an innovative convertible with then-fancy features like fuel injection and power windows to the supercar that is today's ZR1. As American as Jon Stewart interviewing Springsteen for Rolling Stone, the Corvette is our homegrown exotic-fighter that is as competent pacing the Indy 500 as it is comfortably cruising down the main drag in Anytown, USA. Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is so American, it's a cliche rivaling apple pie. Cliche or not we love the Stang. It's a car with more attitude than sense, exhibited by the ultimate availability of a 550-horsepower V8 whose prodigious power is directed to the rear wheels via an impossibly dated live axle. Thankfully, the Mustang's "classic" elements are contrasted by modern touches including an impressively efficient V6 and the latest generation of infotainment technology, ensuring this quintessential American pony car will stay relevant for years to come. Jeep Wrangler With lineage tracing back to the battlefields of World War II, the Jeep Wrangler has become the 4-wheeled personification of American Exceptionalism. When we think of freedom, images of treading through waist-high water, crawling mammoth-sized rock formations, and climbing 45-degree grades frequently come to mind. To the casual observer, the Wrangler's go-anywhere, do-anything philosophy might seem like idle boasting, but to Jeep owners, it's a way of life.

Seems like these are just classic cars. According to them apparently the American Dream is a throwback to the simpler times. Maybe they have free shipping coupons for these cars. :P

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Review

The Chevy Malibu is a car I remember rolling along in to the beach with a buddy of mine who had an old classic convertible Malibu. I think it was a 1968-69 Malibu. Metallic blue. One of those a guy restores and keeps in his garage all winter and dreams of showing it off at shows, or just simply to pick up women in our redneck area of living. Let's just say that we picked up more women when the car was parked and we weren't sitting in a car with a couple of guys shouting out of it like animals. I believe he has long sold it to help pay for his Wilmington nc homes for sale. The new 2013 Malibu comes in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels, in addition to the ECO. Prices start at $23,150 for the LS and top out at $30,925 for the LTZ. The ECO has a base price of $26,095 and from an equipment comparison standpoint is most similar to the LT model with a base price starting at $24,765. That’s $1330 more for the ECO technology. The test car was the ECO 2SA model with an MSRP of $26,845. A Leather Package for $1300 brought leather seat trim, a front passenger power seat and heated front seats. Add in $325 for the Crystal Red exterior and $760 destination charge and things top out at $29,230. full review

July 4th Deadliest Driving Day!

America **** Yeah! One guess as to what makes it the deadliest driving day? I'm going with alcohol. OF course it could just be the more people on the roads the higher the chance of traffic fatalities. I mean that's obvious right? With more people on the roads there are obviously more bad drivers on the roads. Kids on vacation. Out late going to see fireworks. 4th of July festivities bring out all ages. Event planners needing commercial general liability insurance ready for the fun. A new analysis of crash data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that July 4 is the deadliest day for teens on the road and is just as deadly for the motorists that will be driving alongside them. In the U.S., car crashes are the number one cause of death for everyone ages 1-34, with teens crashing four times more often than any other age group. Based on the latest available data, IIHS reports that more than 800 people were killed on July 4 from 2006-2010, making July one of the deadliest months on the road for drivers. And if the projections remain true this year, an average of 140 people will lose their lives on July 4 due to car crashes. In 2010, Missouri lost 83 due to fatal car crashes during the month of July. more

2013 Dodge Dart First Drive Preview

The Dodge Dart is the first product of the merger between Chrysler Group and Fiat. It falls into the compact sedan category, but looks pretty sleek. Chyrsler hasn't had a compact sedan since the demise of the Neon in 2005. The Caliber that replaced the Neon was intended to be, as a sign of the times, more of a micro-crossover, but didn't get enough traffic to fill an online backup

The new Dodge Dart will start to arrive in showrooms by the end of June, with more availability in July and later. The Dart may be the most important vehicle to Chrysler since the LH cars that revitalized it twenty years ago. With stalwarts like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, and tough competitors like the Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and Mazda3 for competition, the Dart will need to be very good indeed in order to make an impression. full preview with pics

Deadliest Driving Days?

Everyday a teen driver is on the road it's one of the deadliest days zing! Why I bring this up is because Mercedes is putting out some driver safety data while talking about the 100 deadliest days of driving. Focusing on teens and it says that summer vacation isn't exactly time to rest. So keep your xeno battery fresh. According to a 2010 AAA analysis of crash data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seven of the top ten deadliest driving days of the year occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day including June 10, July 4, July 9, August 8, and August 14. "Parents should never underestimate the critical role they need to play in preparing their teens to be safe whether they're behind the wheel or in the passenger seat," said Carolyn Duchene, director of Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. "With summer time being the most dangerous period for teens on the road, parents must be more vigilant about their commitment to enforcing rules, road strategy and safety, as well as setting the right example for their new teen drivers."

2013 BMW 7 Series

Priced in the ranges of around $70,000-$120,000+ the BMW 7 Series models for 2013 are the epitome of BMW’s approach to making advanced, elegant and luxurious vehicles; the brand flagship and hence, a car with genuine presence as well as an air of sporting luxury. The main exterior changes are to the front and rear of the car, but in addition, the 8mm drop in the overall height of the vehicle has further accentuated the sleek profile of this machine. You're probably not gonna need truck seat covers in one of these. Here's a VERY detailed look at what all the 2013 7 Series has in store. Very good read for anyone looking at what is in store for the coming year in their flagship brand.

2012 Mazda CX-9 Review

Cars outsold trucks for the first time in a decade this past year. Gas prices being the only cause of this I reckon. Doesn't mean there aren't people that still need a lot of room, and a lot of seating for their families. Mini-vans just aren't cool enough IMO so you have to look into something a bit more stylish if you want to at least try to still look somewhat conscious of trying to stay young at heart right? Sure the only way you are gonna get a nice sports car now is if it is in the form of an RC cars.

Between the large families and the lake families there is a sustainable market in North America for the large SUV and the Mazda CX-9 is a cool cat that will give its owner 9 lives of enjoyment behind the wheel. Because despite its size, seating for seven (7), this is one nimble cat. full review

2013 Lexus GS 350 Review

Looks like this might just be the 20th anniversary of the Lexus GS right? I believe the first was made in 1993. So...2013-1993=20 am I right? Man I am awesome at math. I think I even have a couple plastic model cars of this car.

Well...since we have all established that I am a math savant...let's actually talk about the 2013 LExus GS 350. The 4th generation Lexus GS, is all-new for 2013, and builds on previous strengths and adds ability -- with no loss of the expected comfort and convenience. Most apparently, the styling is more emotive. Under the bold new skin is an improved chassis platform with a revised suspension system and multiple drive modes for the mostly-familiar drivetrain to take advantage of. There's an F-Sport performance package that brings some of the character of the IS-F sports sedan or even LF-A supercar to the GS. And that performance increase comes with no loss of fuel efficiency, but, rather, with improved efficiency. full review

Truck Wash That Cleans the Environment

Tis may not be something you have ever thought about, but all those semi-trucks rolling along our highways have to get cleaned. Apparently they spew tens of thousands of gallons of toxic water into our drainage systems on a daily basis. Polluted by road grime, degreasers, road salts, detergents and any number of environmentally toxic chemicals, the waste water generated by truck washes has become a high priority target for new city ordinances and regulations. This is no clean aquatic bath going on here you can bet on that. This was a lesson quickly learned by Louis Normand, CEO of Pro Wash Systems, when he first looked into building a commercial truck wash. The current regulations he faced were substantial and the trend toward even greater regulation was growing. Future regulatory hurdle promised to be daunting and inhibitive to the task of building a truck wash. But, instead of giving up on plans for a truck wash built on site with American Truck Group's large truck dealership, Normand embraced the challenge to build the ultimate green truck wash. One that not only cleans trucks but cleans the environment too. Read more about his solution.

2012 Buick Verano Review

The 2012 Buick Verano is designed to compete in a market known as the "luxury compact" market. Add that to your list of automobile classes and decide if it is descriptive enough for you, or if you need to wittle it down a little further. ;) The Verano is targeted at a younger driver. One of Buick's recent goals to lower their age groups as fans of their cars and open the cascade faucets to their wallets. Obviously, known mostly for their sedans that appeal to the older generation they want to cut into a lower age demographic. Buicks are great cars, but they do fit an older driver as they aren't necessarily as flashy as come competitors.

The Verano is Buick’s first luxury sedan designed to compete in the compact luxury segment against the likes of Lexus IS 250, Audi A3, Volvo V30 and Acura TSX. The starting MSRP is $22,585…plus $885 destination charge. Power comes from a 180 HP Ecotec 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic that helps deliver EPA ratings of 21 city mpg and 32 highway mpg. Electric power steering adds to the fuel saving while still providing good road feel and responsiveness. The Watts Z-link rear suspension is lightweight and compact thus further enhancing fuel economy and making room for the 15.2 cubic foot trunk (14 cubic feet with the compact spare and Bose Premium audio) while delivering good response and control. full review

A New Security System

Contribution by Kennith Griffin

I recently returned from a week long visit to see my daughter and her family. It had been a while since I had spent quality time with my grandsons and I was having withdrawals. I was fortunate to go when I could see them play several soccer matches. I typically do not get to enjoy them playing sports because most of their games are during the week and I am usually there on the weekend. I live three and a half hours away so I cannot just up and go at a moment’s notice to watch one of them play. One evening, while I was there, I sat with the kids while my daughter and son-in-law attended a political fundraiser. My daughter told me that they had recently called Security Systems Newry and installed a new system and gave me the code in case we went out. We left the house long enough to run an errand, take one of my grandsons’ friends home, and pick up some dinner. When we returned, I was able to turn off the alarm as instructed.

2012 Buick Verano Review

The 2012 Buick Verano seems to be built a bit with those that would normally import a vehicle in mind. visit their site to send a congratulatory gift

GM shares platforms among its brands -- like every other multi-line manufacturer -- and the Verano is based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Cruze and Volt. Any resemblance ends right there. The Verano has more power, and obviously morluxury to appeal to a different audience. In place of the Cruze's 138-horsepower 1.8 liter naturally-aspirated or 1.4-liter turbo engines is a 2.4-liter four with 180 horsepower, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. No exterior or interior styling is shared, and the Verano's interior is much better appointed. Buick benchmarked cars including the Acura TSX and Lexus IS 250 for interior noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), and claims to best them. At a more attractive price. full review

2012 Nissan Maxima SV Sport Review

The 2012 Nissan Maxima SV Sport sees the most changes in the line sine around 2009. A typical mid-product cycle refresh with a new grill, redesigned taillights, new wheel designs, and interior trim changes. Nothing major like a spinal surgery, and no complaint about that as Nissan got it right the first time. The degree of performance and refinement suggested by the strikingly-styled bodywork is delivered by its 3.5-liter, 290-horsepower V6 engine, routed to the front wheels through Nissan's "Xtronic"™ electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (CVT). Steering, suspension, and braking are as good as the drivetrain, which is to say very good.

So-equipped, the Maxima is an entry-level luxury-sport sedan in all but name. Lack of designer-label name here means better value, as you're not paying the premium. Yes, it's front-wheel drive, but it's a fine example of well-behaved front-wheel drive. The "sport" suspension is only a touch stiffer than standard, so there is no lessening of comfort, and the torquey engine is a good match to Nissan's CVT transmission. The Maxima is a thoroughly enjoyable car to drive, and offers space and comfort for passengers. full review

NY Auto Show to Showcase Many Concept Cars

From April 6-15th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center the NY auto show will have a large number of amazing concept cars on display. The world's automakers have pulled out all the stops and talked up web conferencing to show off some of the most amazing concept cars ever seen at the 2012 New York International Automobile Show. The Show opens to the public on Friday, April 6th through April 15th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.

List of a few (click here for some descriptions):

Cadillac Ciel

Volkswagen E-Bugster

Kia GT Concept

Acura NSX

Lincoln MKZ

Chevrolet Code 130R

Chevrolet Tru 140S

Land Rover

Lexus LF-LC concept

Toyota NS4 concept

2012 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Review

A bit of a beast of a luxury car with as power as luxury. The CTS-V Coupe is a lovely and lively car for daily driving, and will do any chore necessary from grocery-getting to commuting to long-distance travel. But it's potent enough -- 0-60 well under five seconds and top speed far in excess of prudent on a public road, with cornering to match -- that serious exercise of its abilities is far into the "do not pass go, go directly to jail" zone. Cadillac did development testing on Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife race track, so the beast is no stranger to competition tarmac.

Coming in at a base price of $63,215 you might need more than a few kroger jobs to afford this monster.

"Iron fist in a velvet glove" is a term that has been used to describe many a German or British high-performance car. Applied to an automobile, the term means a combination of first-rate sports car performance and handling with luxury levels of comfort and refinement.

The Europeans no longer have a monopoly on the genre. The description applies just as well to the Cadillac CTS-V, especially in coupe form. To styling that looks like a spin-off from the Lockheed F-117 program add a supercharged and intercooled 6.2-liter V8 boasting 556 horsepower and chassis upgrades to cope with that very well indeed. The interior gets subtle upgrades, and unlike many luxury cars today electronic distractions are notably subdued or absent. This is a car for driving, not a connectivity module! full review

Moving Decisions

Thanks for the guest post by Bradly Watkins

I hate moving, because I have to make so many decisions. The most difficult thing to do is find a place to live. I always ask myself if I should buy, but because I am the most indecisive person in the world, I always end up renting. Buying would be too much of a commitment, and what would happen if I didn’t like the house? Once I have that done, I feel a small sense of relief, but I know there is still many other things to get done. The next step is finding reliable movers. Then, I move on to utilities. I transfer my electricity, and then go to http://www.directstartv.com/ to decide on a satellite TV package. Am I going to spring for the expensive pay channels, or will I keep it basic? I usually end up going with a big expensive package even thought I hardly ever have time for TV. And then I move on to the worst part: decorating. I have absolutely no style when it comes to my home, so I usually depend on my sister to help me with the finishing touches.

Ford Focus Electric Is Most Fuel Efficient 5-Passenger U.S. Vehicle

Used to driving around in a car that gets you 35 MPG, or even 50? The Ford Focus Electric is blazing in at 110 MPGe EPA rating. Not only that, but it has a much faster charge time than its competitors. Easily save you enough to give those awesome monthly food gifts of steak.

Focus Electric achieves a combined rating of 105 MPGe, topping Nissan Leaf by 6 MPGe while also offering more motor power, passenger room and standard features.

Customers can make more use of this efficiency with Ford's faster charging technology that can recharge Focus Electric in about half the time of Nissan Leaf. Ford gives customers the power of choice with 10 fuel-efficiency leaders across segments and powertrain technologies.

Ford's all-new Focus Electric is now officially America's most fuel-efficient five-passenger car with a certified 110 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 99 MPGe on the highway.

Smart Driving Saves Gas

Doesn't mean most of us really care about smart driving when we have been rolling along the highway for 45 minutes and just want to get home though right? That, or when we are Speed Racer after leaving work and feeling that burst of relief and energy knowing that we can go home and do all those things we love like play with our new software bundle of games.

Sill...it is nice to know how to save a buck on road since plopping down $50-100 every time you roll into a gas station isn't exactly a highlight of your week. Here are some safe driving tips that subsequently help save you fuel at the same time as keeping you alive.

Jeep First Domestic Car Company w/ 2 Million Facebook Fans

Not sure about you, but I've pretty much flushed Facebook as a social media page of keeping in contact with the friends the same place that Myspace is. It now is nothing more to me than an annoyance for how strong it resides in Google search for anyone, or any company that has a page. Being a "fan" of something to me is absurd when it is an actually company. Do I really need to know what JEEP is talking about? God no. IF I did...Twitter is much easier to keep track of these things than giving up personal data.

Anyways, congrats Jeep for becoming the first 2 million fan car company in the U.S. Spam, spam away friends. That's what it is for after all. Not even going to post quotes about the "milestone". It's insignificant other than for those that want a place to spam their own stuff on their wall. Maybe they will recognize it with a solar address plaques;)

4 Keys To Being a Smart Car Buyer

Most people love to go out and browse new cars. Test driving them is a blast usually. As long as a salesman isn't breathing down your neck the entire time that is. One that really doesn't want to do his job anyways and just wants to sell you whatever car catches your eye as fast as they can. Assuming you pass a credit check that is.

Most people also dread having to make the decision on what car is right for them, or if they are getting ripped off. We shouldn't feel like we got screwed when we buy a car should we? Last thing I want to do is have to get some durham cleaning services to hose me down after I sign my new title to get the grease off me.

Here are 4 key lessons you should take with you into any car buying trip.

2012 Lexus CT Hybrid 200h Review

Welcome to the $35,000 version of the Prius. Gas economy, but with the Lexus luxury that we all expect. Boasting 43 MPG in the city is nothing to scoff at. You can still be a hippie guitar teacher looking to go green, but with much more style.

The Bottom Line: When I first drove the 2012 Lexus CT 200h at its introduction, I questioned, as did many of the other journalists, if the Prius fans would really spend the extra money for a Lexus-badged version. Now, having driven it for a week (mostly) I can see a greater rationale for the car. It offers Prius-type economy, Lexus-type luxury and the essentially operation you expect from a hybrid and/or a Lexus. full review

Love my Kids

Thanks for the post, Lorraine Gregory

I love that my kids are finally old enough to be entertained by the TV. I thought for the longest time they were never going to have the attention span to sit through a whole show but all of a sudden they’re able to sit down in front of Sesame Street or Dora and be quiet for a whole half hour at a time. I just can’t believe that after all this time I’m finally getting some time to really get things done and make sure the house is clean and dinner is cooked and all that. Who would have thought I’d be one of those moms who relied on HD cable to watch her kids for her? It’s just really hard when you work from home and you count on being able to have some tie without toddlers hanging off your legs to get things done? I didn’t ever realize it was this hard to entertain kids and I have a newfound respect for my mom because she’s really great about that.

2012 Ford Focus Review

The Ford Focus is one of the most affordable choices around these days. With a base price well under $20,000 it compares well with most others in the compact sedan market, but may not be as sporty. Still looks pretty nice sitting next to your vinyl gazebos.

I had a few minutes to make a direct comparison as I swapped last week’s Chevrolet Cruze for this week’s Ford Focus. Both are fresh new designs and both represent the fastest growing segment of the auto market – the compact or small car, segment.

They happened to be sitting side-by-side as I was swapping one for the other so the comparison was easy. The Focus has a much sportier look especially with the cool black and silver 16-inch alloy wheels. Swoopier exterior styling makes the Focus look more like it wants to go quickly where ever it goes. Cruze, on the other hand, appears more conventionally stylish and conservative. full review

2012 Hybrid Buyer's Guide

When the day comes that I can attack my car to a line on the highway and sleep for 4 hours I will be a happy man. Until then I suppose we have to rely on cars that humans drive that have some electric features and don't use 100% gasoline.

While there aren't many hybrids that can be used to haul stuff around like med carts, I'm sure most that buy them aren't looking for that feature.

The trendiest vehicles on the road today are hybrids, cars and trucks powered by drive-trains that use both internal combustion engines, and electric motors for propulsion or extended range electric generation.

The two current strategies are "full hybrids", which can operate under internal combustion power only, electric power only, or a combination of the two, and "light hybrids", which use an electric motor to aid the internal combustion engine when necessary. New to the hybrid scene are "Plug-ins" which carge the vehicles battereies from various electric sources and in effect extend the electric only range.

See all North American Hybrids Ranked by MPG, MSRP, Horsepower, and capacity

2012 MAZDA5 REVIEW

The 2012 Mazda R5 is really more of a mini-van than anything. 6 passenger hatchback with a lot of cargo space. Designed much sleeker than the old box vans. Much beefier front end with a a 157-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing. Available in three models, the Sport trim features a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Standard equipment included: cloth-trimmed seats; a six-speaker audio system; and steering-wheel mounted controls. With $300 fog lights and a $430 XM radio subscription, total vehicle price came to $19,975.
A bit more than your pa electricity.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW

The Mazda5 now has some honest competition with the new Toyota Pruis v. The two share a like-minded shape and boast extensive cargo configurations for a compact car. But it’s to a point, as only the Mazda5 offers a third-row and room for six. It all depends what – or who – you want to tow.