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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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.

But there's always a way to find a good deal, even in tough times. My new article, Car-Buying Tips for a Slow Economy, aims to give you a leg up if you're planning to buy a car during the "economic slowdown" (cough cough). Here's a hint: Many automakers and dealers are hurting, too.

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. After that, I'd like to consider gas mileage and emissions. This car doesn't get a whole lot of use because I have a short commute. My other car is a 2002 Honda Odyssey.

Thing is, working as the senior features editor for Edmunds is sort of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I see the new cars that come out, and so naturally lust after the latest/greatest. If I had unlimited funds, for example, I could easily go for a Mazda CX-9 or GMC Acadia, though that would mean I'd have to sell my Odyssey. (No need for two large cars in the family.)

On the other hand, I tell readers all the time that buying a car that's a year or two old will save them tons of money. Since funds are tight right now, I want to "walk the walk" and focus on what I really need, not what I really want. (I'd also like a sunroof, steering wheel audio controls, and leather, but when you're in the used car market, you can't custom order.)

So, right now, my list consists of all 2007 models: Kia Rondo, Mitsubishi Outlook, RAV4. They all have pros and cons, and I'd like to know if any of you have experience with them, or if you have something else to suggest.

I'll give you progress reports on my hunt. If it works out well, I'll even write an article about it for the site.

Have at it!

-- Joanne

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. The city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the second oldest city in the Americas, was founded in the early 16th Century by Juan Ponce De León. The seven-square-block historic district (where the Sheraton Old San Juan is located ) is  flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and fort Castillo San Felipe del Morro on one side and  San Juan Bay on the other.

Old San Juan is a magical walking town with  narrow stone streets, 16th century churches and galleries and a maze of hidden courtyards with statues and fountains. It’s just the kind of urban environment where electric cars make sense.

The Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel is apparently thinking green. Their special package rate starting at $188 per night from May 1 until November 30, 2008, includes two hours of use of an electric “Fun Car” to explore Old San Juan. You also get a booklet with discounts to merchants, museums, retailers and restaurants; a backpack with two water bottles; deluxe bay-view accommodations; unlimited use of the fitness center and rooftop pool, daily breakfast buffet for two and a coupon for the on-site casino.  Kids under 16 stay and eat for free. FYI : Each of the 240 guest rooms feature Sheraton’s Sweet SleeperSM Beds. Ahhh….

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. The Subaru R1e can be “quick-charged” to 80 percent capacity in only 15 minutes using quick-charge technology. The vehicle can be fully charged overnight (eight hours) while connected to a standard household electrical outlet.

With 40 Subaru R1e vehicles currently in use, Subaru parent Fuji Heavy Industries is adding 100 more electric vehicles into a consumer test program in Japan in 2009.

The testing doesn’t stop there. Subaru is concentrating on developing battery technology that could be used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FEVs). Compared to nickel metal hydride or nickel-hydrogen battery technology, lithium-ion battery technology offers advantages including easier packaging, higher power density, better cooling for longer life and potentially lower cost.

Another green benefit? Service life for the high-density lithium-ion battery is estimated at 10 years and 130,000 miles and the battery pack is designed to be easily recycled.

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. This is the same ethanol formula that is the official fuel of the 2008 American Le Mans Race Series and the IRL,” said Paul Wilbur, Saleen President and CEO, when he introduced the sports car.
 
“The higher octane rating of E85 results in more power,” he explained. “With ethanol power, the car is both mean and clean!”

Want proof? The supercharged 5.0-liter engine has  650-horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque and can jet from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 200 mph.

The S5S Raptor, a mid-engine two-seater, has a possible production date of 2010 and will be priced around $185,000.

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.

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. Still, I can't complain about 31.4!

This is the part that is unbelievable. In my last post, I mentioned the magic trick that somehow makes my rear-facing car seat fit better in the 2008 Scion xD than it did in the 2006 Volvo XC90, but get a load of that haul above. That is at least a dozen grocery bags back there with room for more! Also, and I am floored by this one, last night at Target I made a bit of an impulse purchase. I saw two end tables on clearance for $24.98 each and I bought them without thinking about the fact that I was driving the Scion and that I had forgotten to take the the baby's stroller out of the back from an earlier trip. Well, the rest of the stuff I bought at Target fit in the back with the stroller and the two end tables fit side-by-side, upside-down in the back seat, next to the car seat base. I STILL could have fit the baby and another passenger in the car.

My point is this: I bought this car for the gas mileage thinking we would be inconvenienced by its size and have to deal with that in the course of normal activities. So far, that has not been the case at all. We'll see what happens in November when my best friend comes down from Seattle for our annual Day After Thanksgiving shopping marathon.

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.

Over 43 mph a roof spoiler automatically extends to lengthen the roofline and an underbody diffuser deploys from the bottom of the rear bumper.  Both improve aerodynamics by reducing drag. Its competitive market would most likely include vehicles like the Mini Cooper, the Honda Fit and the Scion xD. 

The 9-X Bio-Hybrid compact was shown alongside Saab’'s 9-4X BioPower crossover. "The 9-X BioHybrid is a vision of what a future premium compact car from Saab could look like; while the 9-4X BioPower is a statement of Saab’s intent to enter the growing Crossover segment," said Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile’s Managing Director.  "Together, they are evidence of Saab’s plan to enter all major segment of the car market.”  That’s good news for Saab fans.

Sir Richard Branson In front of a Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle

Sir 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. But, kudos to Branson who is on a mission to become the most sustainable airline in the world. Judging by his past successes, this is the man to take on the job.

To that end he has bought Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines to power a fleet of 15 new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircrafts.. The Trent 1000, “the cleanest engines possible” will cut emissions per flight by 30 per cent  and the lighter weight planes will l burn 27% less fuel per passenger than the A340-300 they are replacing.

Virgin Atlantic will also offer complementary ground transfer services for upper class passengers for planes landing at Los Angeles International Airport. And here’s the match—the limos will be none other than Chevy's Equinox zero emission hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Lastly, Sir Richard Branson is calling upon governments worldwide to help assist businesses by building hydrogen fueling stations in key cities around the globe.

Ready to take a Dreamliner flight? You’ll have to wait a few years. The fleet will be delivered sometime between 2011 and 2014.