Strategies for Smart Car Buyers
Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
August 27, 2008
We have a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevrolet Equinox in the office right now, but I don't get to drive it. Anyone who wants to drive the vehicle while it's here for a week or so was required to attend a training session on how to fill it up with all that odorless, volatile hydrogen gas. I missed the training. But that's OK. I can live vicariously (and you can, too), through Senior Editor John O'Dell, the man who embodies the words Green Car Advisor and happens to head up our blog of the same name, who wrote a post here all about the fueling training our drivers got before they could grab the keys to the Equinox.
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- Bryn MacKinnon August 27, 2008, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
- Technorati Tags:
- Alternative Fuel, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevy, Fuel Cell, Hydrogen
A Monday feature on FoxNews.com, Green With Envy: Prius Owners Smile as Neighbors Fume, is just the latest in a long string of articles that equates owning a Toyota Prius with being holier-than-thou. An excerpt:
"Studies conducted by J.D. Power show that the typical hybrid purchaser is better educated and wealthier than the average car buyer. Furthering the exclusivity is the fact that available hybrids are hard to find... Toss in the tax breaks and access to highway HOV lanes that hybrid drivers get in many locales, and it's no wonder old-school drivers can get irritated."
To which the non-profit 40mpg.org, which encourages hybrid ownership says, "Enough already!" with all the hybrid owner bashing.
But is there some truth to the idea that Prius owners are eco-snobs?
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- Joanne Helperin August 27, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Buying New Cars, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
- Technorati Tags:
- Gas Mileage, Gas Prices, Hybrid Cars, Toyota Prius
August 6, 2008
When I recently got my 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, whose EPA MPG estimate is 35/33, I thought it would be no sweat to achieve the fuel economy estimates on the sticker. After all, the 2008 EPA estimates were revised to reflect real-world driving, right?
Apparently, I'm not part of the real world, because my second tank of gas yielded me only 27 mpg. After doing a little research, it appears that to my poor fuel efficiency was caused by 1) the car not being broken in, 2) the Altima, unlike the Prius, prefers longer trips rather than short city hops, and 3) my driving habits.
Now, I always knew I was a rather aggressive driver, but never thought much of it. When you work around a bunch of enthusiasts, many of whom race for a hobby, my minor-league bobbing and weaving on the busy freeway pale by comparison. Yet I was beginning to wonder if paying the extra money for the hybrid was a bad decision.
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- Joanne Helperin August 6, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Driving, Fuel Economy, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
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- Fuel Economy, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Cars, Nissan Altima Hybrid
July 9, 2008
It's all about bashing Detroit these days. Everywhere I look someone is groaning about the automotive industry. The dialogue goes something like this: Why didn't they think of alternative technology sooner? Why did they wait so long? Why were they thinking producing all those big SUVs?
There's a legitimate point to those questions, yet I sometimes find myself defending domestic automakers. Especially because I have seen the other side of the industry... the non-business, philanthropic side.
Last weekend, for example, I attended the Essence Music Festival that takes place around the 4th of July every year in New Orleans, sponsored by Chevrolet. The festival incorporates hip music with inspiring empowerment sessions. Hence the motto, "Party with a purpose." Chevy thinks of itself as "America's brand," and there's nothing more American on the 4th of July than lending a hand where it's needed.
Chevrolet, which has partnered with Essence Magazine on this festival for the last eight years, provided 100 hybrid vehicles for transportation and sponsored an online talent competition, Voice of Tomorrow (which awarded the winning singer a set of keys to a 2009 Chevy Malibu.) But what really stands out at this weekend is Chevy's involvement with the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Music Therapy programs.
The CDF Freedom Schools serve 8,500 children across the country, spanning 64 cities in 25 states. In the Gulf-area, The Freedom School is helping more than 1,000 students, in line with the "Revolution to Rebuild" theme that Chevy developed last year.
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- Holly Reich July 9, 2008, 2:00 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves, What Women Want in a Car
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- Chevrolet, Chevy, Chevy Malibu, Children's Defense Fund, Essence Music Festival
June 25, 2008
Yesterday, J.D. Power and Associates released their U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study, in which they polled 19,000 people across the country.
Some of the interesting highlights: 72% of consumers said they were "definitely/probably" interested in having hybrid technology. After they were told that it would cost them $5000 extra, that figure dropped to 46%...
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- Joanne Helperin June 25, 2008, 1:14 PM
- Categories:
- Car Safety, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
June 23, 2008
With all the talk of hypermiling and fuel-efficient vehicles, something else is being overlooked: Left lane road hogs.
You know, the innattentive idiots that go too slowly in the left lane, forcing everyone to brake, change lanes, and pass them on the right? All that unnecessary acceleration means wasted gas!
Not too mention the traffic jams it causes...
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- Joanne Helperin June 23, 2008, 5:06 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves
June 19, 2008
While most auto writers have filed their long lead reviews of the
2009 Audi A4, the story is changing ever so slightly for Audi. With anxious Americans, increasingly making purchase decisions based on gas cash, the German brand has joined the banter, emphasizing 15% fuel economy improvement in the re-hauled product that hits show rooms in September.
It's crunch time in the car world, with falling sales and ominous fuel reports dampening the mood as the high fall season approaches, when most new cars hit the market. This week, Audi execs sculpted a fuel economy story in a
media presentation from a product planner perspective at their Manhattan showroom on Park Avenue...
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- June 19, 2008, 2:44 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
June 18, 2008
Summer is high book-reading season. If you're tired of the Oprah list, or want something other than fiction, here are some reads you might enjoy.
First is Car Advice for Women (and Smart Men), by the husband and wife team of Alexander Law and Susan Winlaw. Unlike Lauren Fix's book, this one has no illustrations, just a couple of charts and lots of information, all broken down into easily digestible bits...
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- Joanne Helperin June 18, 2008, 11:35 AM
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- Car Safety, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
June 5, 2008
Although I'm happily back in the saddle of my new 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid (the battery's working fine, thanks!), I couldn't pass up the opportunity to drive home from the office in our long-term 2008 smart fortwo passion. Edmunds readers are giving it rave reviews, but the buzz aound the office after our Gas-Sipper Smackdown was that it is a real dog.
I admit I was nervous about riding in such a small car...
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- Joanne Helperin June 5, 2008, 3:24 PM
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- Car Design and Car Shows, Car Safety, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, The Car I Drove Last Night
May 30, 2008
Nice, huh? Too bad it wouldn't start!
Yesterday I continued my story on how I came to choose the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid as my new ride, and the deal I got on it. What I didn't have room for, though, was the details on how the car died as I tried to leave the lot.
Yes, after a few hours with the salesman and the finance woman -- during which time I had to do all the paperwork twice because someone screwed up the VIN -- I was finally ready to leave. But my new car was missing floor mats, the navigation manual, and a second key. What's up with that? Well, these things get poached when a car is sitting on the lot for a while... Would I come back at a later date to get those things? Well, what choice did I have at that point?
The car had been gassed and washed (at least on the outside; the inside was still really dusty, as I found later.) But when I pushed the START button to drive it off the lot, nothing happened.
Was my foot on the brake, as required? Yes it was. I tried repeatedly, but no dice. The salesman tried, but again, no dice. He looked concerned. He said, "I don't get it, it was working fine all day." I looked back at him and said, "You know, this isn't supposed to happen, right?"
Right. So they jumped the car, got it started, and the battery continued to charge itself as the car ran. The salesman and I drove around the dealership for a mile or so just to make sure it wouldn't die, then I dropped him off and went home.
All went well for two days. Then, on Wednesday evening, aftering return from an event for Planet Green, the Discovery's Channel's new eco-lifestyle channel (launching June 4), I parked in front of my house and turned the car off. Two minutes later, when I went to take the babysitter home, the car wouldn't start. Dead in the water. I got the babysitter home using the Highlander (which I hadn't yet returned to the Toyota dealership yet), and went to work to figure the damn thing out.
I went through the manual till after midnight, then gave it a rest. In the morning, I prayed for a miracle, but there was nothing. So Thursday, after I returned from work, the Nissan dealership had my new car towed -- towed! -- back to the dealership for repairs. And there it still sits now.
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- Joanne Helperin May 30, 2008, 3:36 PM
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- Dealing with Car Dealers, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
Yesterday, Mark LaNeve, North American VP of vehicle sales and marketing for General Motors, visited our offices. During his hour-plus-long conversation with a roomful of staffers from various departments, the subject of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro came up. I found it interesting and surprising (and our enthusiast-focused sister publication, Inside Line’s editor-in-chief Scott Oldham found it alarming) when Mr. LaNeve said that they won't be pushing it as a musclecar and are only expecting about one third of sales to be of the big, smoky burnout variation that most of us associate with the name “Camaro.” But according to GM, the other two thirds of their expected buyers will be people who want a sporty, fun-to-drive compact car alternative, and they expect a large percentage of that buyer to be female...
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- Bryn MacKinnon May 30, 2008, 10:35 AM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
May 29, 2008
Love those lights: The interior of the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.
Yesterday I wrote about changing my new car focus from a six+-seater to a sedan. Here's the continuation of that story, on how I chose my new ride, the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.
I started looking at regular five-seater vehicles. I spent Sunday testing a ton of cars at Galpin Motors, because 1) they responded to my Edmunds quote request, and 2) they have Volvo, Ford, Saturn, Mazda, and Honda -- as well as five other brands -- all under one roof. My salesman from the Internet department, James K., was a mensch, letting me test drive everything I had my eye on without any pressure. (And no, he didn't know I was from Edmunds until later in the process.) I tried out everything from the small Mazda 3 (because the editors always loved that car, and after driving it, I could see why) to the Mazda CX-7, to the Ford Escape Hybrid, to the Volvo S40. All cars I had liked for one reason or another. The smaller cars on that list I ruled out because the back seat wasn't comfortable for three people.
So why not get the Mazda CX-7? I love the way Mazdas drive (the "zoom-zoom" ads are actually true). But SUVs are generally more expensive than sedans of the same size and get poorer fuel economy. In California, gas prices are already well over $4 / gallon. And prices are only going to go up. While it's true that hybrids don't yet make financial sense for most people (because the price premium for the hybrid usually outweighs the money saved on gas), that changes as gas prices rise. And besides, I'm even "greener" now than I used to be, and my husband and I really like the idea of less pollution / great fuel economy.
I started thinking: "family" sedan (for the rear seat) + great gas mileage + driving dynamics + style. Right there, that limited my list. I probably should have tested the Honda Accord -- but I was in overwhelm mode, and the Internet manager at the dealership needed his salesman back.
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- Joanne Helperin May 29, 2008, 4:26 PM
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- Dealing with Car Dealers, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
May 28, 2008
A few weeks ago, I asked for feedback on my next new car. Well, so much has changed since then, and I finally (finally!) made a decision over the Memorial Day Weekend: A 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.
What happened?..
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- Joanne Helperin May 28, 2008, 2:08 PM
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- Dealing with Car Dealers, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, The Car I Drove Last Night, What Women Want in a Car
May 23, 2008
Would you want to drive a Smart Fortwo from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back (a 270-miles trip)? Yeah, neither would I. But recently some of our fearless staffers did just that. It was part of a fuel economy test called the Gas-Sipper Smackdown that pitted the Fortwo, a diesel VW Jetta, a Ford Focus (all three from our long-term test fleet) and a Toyota Prius against each other in a fuel-economy cage match to the death...
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- Bryn MacKinnon May 23, 2008, 9:01 AM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves, What Women Want in a Car
May 16, 2008
Pedestrians walk and bike in ItalyThe last few days I have been in Modena, Italy on a business trip. Like most European cities, I see people of all ages walking and biking instead of driving around town to do their errands.
I realize that not all of you reading this blog live in a city and drive to do your errands but I think we can all take another look at WALKING. It’s free, doesn’t leave a carbon footprint and is better for your health.
Walking is free, doesn’t leave a carbon footprint and is good for your health...
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- Holly Reich May 16, 2008, 10:08 AM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves, What Women Want in a Car
April 18, 2008
Earth Day is approaching fast (it’s next Tuesday, in case you didn’t already know), and if you’re in the market for a new vehicle, it’s the perfect time to consider buying a car that gets the best fuel economy in its class. (Truthfully, every day is a great time to do this, but I needed a hook, didn’t I?)
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- Bryn MacKinnon April 18, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves, What Women Want in a Car
April 3, 2008
Even if you're not working on Wall Street or an employee of one of the four airlines that failed in 2008, chances are you're feeling the pain of the slow economy. Gas prices up, unemployment up, spending money down. Sounds like a lousy time to buy some wheels...
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- Joanne Helperin April 3, 2008, 4:04 PM
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- Dealing with Car Dealers, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
April 1, 2008
Since y'all were so helpful in Michelle's quest for a new car, which resulted in her happy purchase of a 2008 Scion xD, I thought I'd ask for your input for my next purchase. The lease on my 2005 Toyota Highlander is up in July. Once I crunch the numbers, it may turn out that buying out the lease is a good idea, but in the meantime, I want to consider other contenders.
My most important criteria: seating for 6 or more (for carpool when necessary), safety (good crash test scores, side curtain airbags, stability control), and a low price...
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- Joanne Helperin April 1, 2008, 4:36 PM
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- Car Safety, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
March 25, 2008
Old San Juan is a perfect location for electric cars
I was intrigued when I got a press release from the
Sheraton Old San Juan in Puerto Rico announcing the addition of electric cars to a package deal. This demonstrates how alternative transportation is spreading beyond the usual suspects--US, Europe and Asia. The Caribbean has been wise to the green mentality with eco-conscious notes in the rooms about towel usage, but this is the first I’ve heard about electric cars—besides golf carts.
First, a little history...
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- Holly Reich March 25, 2008, 12:14 PM
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March 21, 2008
At the
NYIAS, Subaru and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) hooked up for a good cause. In a partnership between NYPA and Subaru, two of Subaru's 2009 R1e electric vehicles will become part of NYPA’s green fleet.
The stats: The
Subaru R1e uses fast-charge lithium ion battery technology. The two-seat Subaru R1e is capable of driving at speeds up to 65 mph with a range of up to 50 miles...
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- Holly Reich March 21, 2008, 11:23 AM
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- Car Design and Car Shows, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
Listen up, ethanol skeptics. Saleen, the 25-year-old company that has made a name for itself in the specialty market has created a roaring concept that can run on ethanol E85. Yup, that’s right! The company that has been involved with wild cars like the Viper, Prowler and Fort GT, introduced the
S5S Raptor at the
NYIAS. “The Raptor is designed to digest cellulosic ethanol...
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- Holly Reich March 21, 2008, 10:45 AM
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- Car Design and Car Shows, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves, What Women Want in a Car
March 20, 2008
With gas prices hovering around the $4/a gallon mark, I'm sure you're looking to save gas anyway you can short of
hypermiling. Fortunately our editors have tested the gas-saving tips you read about everywhere and proved which ones actually work.
Check it out at We Test the Tips, Part II.
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- Caroline Pardilla March 20, 2008, 12:07 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, Rants and Raves
March 7, 2008
I have had my new 2008 Scion xD for a few weeks now and I am happy to report that I have consistently been averaging 32.5 m.p.g. under mixed driving conditions. My last tank of gas and the one I am on now have had something closer to 31.4 m.p.g. because I have been having some issues with punctuality and regulating my aggressive acceleration tendencies...
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- Michelle Magoffin March 7, 2008, 12:38 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
March 4, 2008
Saab showed off its 9-X BioHybrid concept car at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd. The 9-X BioHybrid showcases a 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine backed by GM’s next-generation hybrid system that runs on E85 and is flex-fuel, meaning it can also run on regular gasoline. In addition, the 9-X has solar cells in the glass roof that charges the battery pack. Green-o.
This 3-door compact puts an emphasis on efficiency both in design and performance. Wheels are placed at all four corners for better performance. A smooth body without visible door handles or side mirrors gives the vehicle a super sleek profile. The design, including minimal body overhangs and an extended roof line, is inspired by the Aero X coupe concept Saab showed two years ago in Geneva.
The vehicle is intended to be built on General Motor’s global compact architecture, which is under development in Europe and is expected to be used for a broad range of products like the 2009 Saturn Astra and the much talked about Chevrolet Volt plug-in...
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- March 4, 2008, 4:03 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage
Sir Richard Branson In front of a Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicleSir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic Airways was in New York City yesterday to announce a partnership between Chevrolet Equinox hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Virgin Atlantic and Rolls Royce. Seems like an unlikely combo?
Not if you’re talking about Sir Branson. Last week Virgin Atlantic “became the first airline in the world to successfully fly a plane using biofuel.” The Boeing 747-400 flew between London Heathrow and Amsterdam on a mix of babassu nuts from the Amazon rainforest and coconuts from the Philippines. Sounds like a good combo for a facial to me...
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- Holly Reich March 4, 2008, 2:34 PM
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February 28, 2008
Chevy’s green motto, "From Gas Friendly to Gas Free," was in full flower last week as Chevy and Disney hosted more than 150 L.A.-area school children at Chevy Rocks the Future event at Disney Studios in Burbank. The lucky students, grades 4-8 attended a private concert with teen musical sensations the Jonas Brothers and Jordan Pruit. The event was also attended by many of the up-and-coming actors appearing on Disney-produced shows such as Desperate Housewives (a personal fave) and Hannah Montana.
The grand event was the culmination of a months-long campaign to educate school children in the Los Angeles/Ventura area about environmental issues. While they are too young to drive, students participated by making "Promise To Live Better" pledges to recycle, turn off unneeded lights and water, bring canvas tote bags to the grocery store with their parents, and so on. Thousands of such pledges were made, and that really adds up.
But the concert was only half the fun. Kids (and adults, trust me) played and ate in a giant "biosphere" while learning about the wide range of technologies Chevy is using to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. Kids ran from interactive exhibits on hybrid and electric technologies to active fuel management and ethanol.
For example, the ethanol exhibit (above) features a huge biofuel-powered corn popper that sometimes blew its top, raining popcorn down on the happy participants. The point? To teach kids that stuff that grows from the ground can really be used to power a car, like the E85 Flexfuel Chevy Avalanche in the display.
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- Joanne Helperin February 28, 2008, 6:18 PM
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February 19, 2008
We have a winner! We traded in my 2006 Volvo XC90 for a 2008 Scion xD this weekend. For $16,000, we got a car that averages 30 mpg city/hwy. Although we originally planned to get a manual transmission, we ended up choosing the automatic...
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- Michelle Magoffin February 19, 2008, 10:14 AM
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February 13, 2008
Monterey, California
I am out here to drive a trio of BMW's starting with the
MINI Cooper Clubman S. The others are the
BMW 1 series couple/convertible and the
M3 coupe/sedan. And there's a new reveal from Rolls-Royce. However, the embargo on that is Sunday!
On Tuesday I spent the day with the MINI Cooper Clubman S. Before I even get into the car, I must tell you that MINI has come up with a new word-ZUG.
Some ZUG quotes to follow...
"ZUG likes it when weird happens."
"ZUG is about moving confidently in our own direction, with no apologies. And Zug is about going that way in style."
"The MINI CLUBMAN IS ZUG."
"It looks odd. It runs on irregular. It is the brown sheep of the family. It may not be right for you. Then again, you may not be right for it."
OK, I won't repeat the entire book but you get the drift...right? ZUG incorporates the BE HERE NOW philosophy. It is everything I keep trying to be and why I read spiritual books like Your Best Life Now on a daily basis. But, enough about me.
Is the MINI Clubman all that?
Well, it passed the test for me. It would certainly do just fine for a family, empty nesters, a surfer or a commuter.
First of all, it's bigger than the MINI.The door on the right hand-side opens backwards for wider access to the back seats; the rear doors split for a more practical opening to the cargo area. Also, the luggage compartment floor is flat and the rear seat bench can fold for more room.
Secondly, the mileage is phenomenal- MINI Cooper S Clubman does 34 MPG Highway/ 26 MPG City. The MINI Cooper Clubman does 37 MPG Highway / 28 MPG City.
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- Holly Reich February 13, 2008, 6:55 PM
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February 12, 2008
In image-conscious Los Angeles, more than most other places, the car you drive is seen as a statement. That's part of why the Hollywood celebs upgrade every year or two to the latest/greatest vehicle -- whether they need it or not. It's why real estate brokers here all seem to drive Mercedes (they project "successful"), why middle-aged men with second wives buy sports cars ("youthful"), why rappers buy Bentleys and Escalades ("I've got plenty o' cash"), why soccer moms buy Tahoes and Suburbans when, in truth, minivans would suit them better. Even the Prius, while it does indeed save gas, is associated with folks who want their car to scream, "I"m green!"
Other people's opinions are a main ingredient in our "vehicle satisfaction" recipe, yet it's not something that's measured by the customer satisfaction polls.
Buying a new car is like having a child: You want people to cast admiring looks and ask questions about your new baby. If they don't, you begin to wonder if your new bundle of joy has a case of the uglies...
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- Joanne Helperin February 12, 2008, 5:30 PM
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- Car Design and Car Shows, Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, What Women Want in a Car
When last I posted, I tested a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid on my 100-mile round trip commute. Last night, I drove a car that is $10K cheaper with better gas mileage.
I borrowed the 2007 Honda Fit Sport from our long-term fleet. I filled up the tank this morning so that I could calculate the mileage for my commute and I actually thought there was a problem with the pump when it stopped at 2.5 gallons, but that was all it took...
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- Michelle Magoffin February 12, 2008, 4:30 PM
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- Hybrid Cars and Better Gas Mileage, The Car I Drove Last Night
February 7, 2008
A few months ago a new fuel station opened up on Olympic and Robertson Boulevards, not far from where I live in West L.A. The huge billboards that tower over it indicated something "green" was going on, but what?
Turns out that BP -- British Petroleum -- has built the Helios House, a well-thought-out, LEEDS-certified fuel dispensary that's all shiny chrome, hard angles, and colored lighting. It replaced a really dirty, dumpy old station...
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- Joanne Helperin February 7, 2008, 5:30 PM
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January 24, 2008
Buick Riviera ConceptThere was a generous amount of environmental concepts at the Detroit Auto Show, like the trio from Saturn, the offerings from Chevy, the plug-ins from Ford. All well and good. But, it’s always the wacky ones that I’m drawn to. The colors, shapes, and the images they drum up for me...
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- Holly Reich January 24, 2008, 5:00 PM
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January 18, 2008
Plug in Volvo concept
Eco-alternative materials and fuels were a big presence at the Detroit Auto Show. Following, some of the ones I was drawn to.
I saw the
Volvo ReCharge Concept (C30) in Frankfurt last fall. Seeing it in Motor City made me feel that it’s not such a far-off thought...
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- Holly Reich January 18, 2008, 1:28 PM
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