Sunday, May 29, 2011

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.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

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

Sunday, May 15, 2011

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.