Tue.
Change my location 
List All Categories
-
- Cayman (1)
- diesel (1)
- economical (1)
- fun to drive (1)
- golf (1)
- jetta (1)
- mercedes (1)
- Mini Copper (1)
- Porsche 911 (1)
- stylish (1)
The Versatile Nissan Versa
|
With fuel prices moving toward $4.00 per gallon, several fuel efficient new cars have hit the market. These cars include the Dodge Caliber, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio5, Nissan Versa, Suzuki Reno, and Toyota Yaris. The base price for this group is from just under $13,000 to $15,000. Fuel economy is on most drivers' minds and the average fuel economy of these cars is 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Although these cars are small on the outside and easy to park, they are quite large and useful on the inside. A road test of the Nissan Versa hatchback determined that it can seat three people in the back seat. With the rear seat folded down, out of the six other cars, it tied for first place in cargo volume, and at 70 miles per hour, it was the second quietest car of this group. .jpg) The Nissan Versa Hatchback The Versa is available with a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) that gets about 35 mpg on the highway. Overall, the Versa scored near the top when compared to the other cars in this group. My personal drive of the Versa determined that it has comfortable front seats and a roomy and versatile interior. The engine is reasonably powerful with good passing ability. The Continuously Variable Transmission is smooth at all times and it helps to maximize fuel efficiency. The interior fit and finish are good, and the car handles well with reasonable ride quality. If the $13,500 base price of a new Versa is more than you can spend, used Versas are becoming available. It is one car to look for! I welcome your comments or car questions at my auto web: www.DriveTheBestBook.com.
|
Subscribe
0
Comments:
Link
Two that Do the Redline Anytime
|
Over the past 40 years, Porsche has developed and refined one of the most successful sports car ever, the 911. The flat-six boxer engines and drivetrains have gone from air-cooled to water-cooled; from non-turbo to twin-turbo; from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive, etc. In the beginning, the engine had about 120 horsepower and today it can deliver over 450 horsepower. .jpg) The Porsche 911 In recent years, car offerings from BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, and others have been pushing up against the 911's horsepower advantage. Porsche was starting to encounter the limits of the flat-six boxer's horsepower capabilities. A number of years ago, it was rumored that Porsche had considered a flat-eight boxer engine for the 911. However, even the flat-six hung off the car's rear axel. The car's weight distribution was highly rear-biased, and thus the 911 has had and continues to have unique and somewhat challenging handling characteristics. A flat-eight boxer engine would have certainly enabled Porsche's 911 to pull away from competitors with horsepower. However, the greater weight and power of the engine would have increased the 911's challenging handling characteristics. Consequently, Porsche would have put the 911 in a conundrum of more power being a plus, but increased inappropriate handling characteristics being a minus. In 2006 Porsche has introduced a "mid-engine" hardtop sports car named the Cayman. It shares the same floorpan and some other components with the Porsche Boxster convertible. This has enabled Porsche to spread the cost of production between the two models, thus lowering the Cayman's cost of production. Given today's increasingly competitive automotive environment, Porsche will be better able to maintain an acceptable profit margin on the Cayman, but also sell the car at a reasonable price.
The Porsche Cayman Is $50,000 for a Cayman 2.7 reasonable pricing? The Cayman's lap times at Nurburgring have been right on the heels of the more powerful 911. What the Cayman lacks in horsepower to the $80,000 911, it closes the gap with its superior handling. Look for the Cayman to overtake the 911 as it gains the 911's more powerful engines. Because of competitive pressures, it is likely that Porsche will basically keep future prices of the Cayman stable while offering more powerful engines. What if the competitors continue to increase the horsepower of their cars? Porsche has the ability to put a flat-eight or a flat-ten cylinder engine in the Cayman, and because of the mid-engine design, the car's handling would remain balanced and exceptional. Overall, the Cayman has the shape of a great sports car. The driving experience is smooth and refined with precise shifting and excellent brakes. Last, but not least, the Cayman obtains about 20mpg in the city and about 28 mpg on the highway. With the Cayman, Porsche has jumped out in front again! The almost endless possibilities to add more power, great handling, and reasonable production costs are a fabulous combination for Porsche. In the near future, buying a Cayman in the used car market at a 25%-35% price reduction will be a fabulous opportunity for consumers too! I welcome your comments or car questions at my auto web site: www.DriveTheBestBook.com. |
.jpg)
Categories:
British Remake Anyone?
|
In 1959 the original Mini Cooper came to life in England. It was equipped with a transverse mounted (the length of the engine was positioned between the front shock towers) engine, and it had a front-wheel drive layout. The car had mini-compact dimensions outside, but excellent useable interior space. The British Mini and Mini Cooper achieved cult like status in England and around the world because it was affordable, fun to drive, stylish, and easy to park in almost any available space. .jpg) The Original British Mini In 2002 the Mini Cooper returned to the United States under the BMW fold. Like the original, the current hatchback coupe and convertible appeals to a wide ranging audience including pop stars who can afford the upper priced models to more ordinary folks who buy the entry-level models. This car has the original’s classic British appeal combined with modern German engineering and durability.  The Modern Mini Cooper Although the Mini Cooper can be optioned out at premium prices (prices range from $18,000 - $43,700), the base models are affordable and provide a driving experience that is closer to the pure roots of the original car. The base model has a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine making 118 horsepower and a 0-60 time in the mid 8-second range. The Mini S has a turbo charged engine making 172 horsepower and a 0-60 time in the low 7- second range. To top it all off, there is a special John Cooper works option that provides a 207 horsepower engine and beefed up running gear. All cars have a 6-speed transmission available in standard or automatic forms. Some cars have a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is a non-shifting seamless automatic. Expect fuel economy to be about 27 mpg city and about 37 mpg highway.  The Mini Cooper Convertable British remake anyone? You should definitely say – yes!
Source: Edmunds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Big Economy Car?
|
Small economical cars are great cross-town commuters to transport one or two people. However, what if you’re a driver who simply needs more car? Can a big car actually be economical to drive on a daily basis? Well, surprising yes, when the big car is the Toyota Avalon! The Avalon has been available since the 1995 model year. Initially the car’s styling was considered-well, bland. During the last two vehicle redesigns, however, the car has become more stylish and visually appealing.  2006 Toyota Avalon - The Big Economy Car The Avalon is based upon an expanded version of the Camry platform, and the Avalon is Toyota’s flagship model. Since Lexus is Toyota’s upper division, some elements of the Lexus have made there way into the Avalon. For example, the Avalon has a smooth quiet ride for long-range cruising, a powerful 6-cylinder engine to charge up mountain highways, excellent rear leg room, and a large trunk to carry luggage, golf clubs, and other cargo. .jpg) The Avalon has Lexus Like Rear Leg Room Last, but not least, Toyota has managed to squeeze 31 plus miles per gallon out of this impressive vehicle. The Toyota Avalon is truly a big economy car. Oh, and one more thing – the car is as reliable as they come! 2006 Toyota Avalon Vehicle Dimensions:
Source: Consumer Guide Engine
Source: Consumer Guide
|
Doing it with the Left Foot and the Right Hand
|
Almost anyone can learn to drive a standard transmission when they put their mind to it, right? Well, sometimes not! However, almost anyone can learn to drive a standard transmission if they go about it the right way (or rather the left foot way). The easiest way to learn how to drive a standard transmission is simply by first focusing entirely on the left foot (letting its coordination become equal to that of the right foot). Sounds simple, but training the left foot is really the biggest part of smoothly moving down the road. Getting Started To get started, have someone who has a vehicle equipped with standard transmission drive you to a large flat vacant parking lot. Your friend should be in the passenger's seat to provide supervision when you drive. In the parking lot with the vehicle's engine turned off, apply your right foot to the brake pedal, and practice getting a feel of the clutch pedal by pushing it in and out with your left foot. Shifting Pattern Next, view the shift pattern shown on the top of the shift knob. 1st gear is usually located by pushing the gearshift lever forward. Then, with the clutch pedal pushed all the way in, move the gearshift through the gears (i.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and reverse) a few times and then put the gearshift into neutral. Neutral is located in the middle of the shift pattern. In simplest terms, picture the shift pattern as a H (reverse and 5th gear are also added in). The crossbar of the H represents neutral. When the transmission is in neutral, you should be able to move the gearshift to the left and to the right. Getting the Feel With the transmission in neutral, start the engine and then press the accelerator lightly to get the feel of the accelerator pedal. Next, take your right foot off of the accelerator completely and let the engine just idle. Push the clutch pedal in completely, hold it in, and place the gearshift into 1st gear. but very slowly let out the clutch until the vehicle just begins to creep forward. Try to become aware of how far you have let the clutch pedal out when the clutch just begins to engage. This is accomplished by moving the clutch pedal in and out just a little bit (about 1/2 inch) to get the vehicle to begin slowly rolling forward. Work on slowly letting the clutch pedal out until you can get the vehicle to move forward at a couple miles per hour in 1st gear without touching the accelerator. If the vehicle stalls, it is not a big deal. Just push the clutch pedal in, and restart the engine. Keeping it Smooth Your goal is to be able to smoothly let the clutch pedal out (with no accelerator) and have the vehicle move slowly forward. The purpose of this step is to allow you to focus solely on training just your left foot for a smooth controlled clutch movement. Concentrated training of the left foot will help you to avoid the herky, jerky, and stall routine. A routine can be so frustrating when you are first learning to drive a standard transmission. Once you are comfortable not using the accelerator and letting the clutch out smoothly, you can practice pressing the accelerator lightly and letting out the clutch. After you are able to drive the vehicle in 1st gear, practice releasing the accelerator, pushing the clutch in all the way, moving the gearshift in to 2nd gear, and letting out the clutch. Shift out of 1st gear at about 10 miles per hour and 2nd gear at about 20 miles per hour. Drive in the large vacant parking lot in 1st and 2nd gears until you feel comfortable (most slow speed turns are done in 2nd gear). Planning the Route When you feel comfortable and want to begin driving on public streets, have your friend drive you to low traffic secondary roads and accompany you to provide supervision. The next step is to plan driving routes that will allow you avoid starting and stopping on roads with hills. With a few miles under your tires, and continued use of your left foot, you will soon be able to hold the vehicle on a hill when starting out. In no time at all, you will be driving like a pro and shifting into 5th gear overdrive. I welcome your comments or car questions at my auto web site: www.drivethebestbook.com. |
Car Passion
|
Passion gets the blood moving! Cars can get the blood moving! Although small fuel efficient cars seem to be the current rage, occasional thoughts of cars that speed up the heart rate want acknowledgment. Passion could be found in a Mercedes Gull Wing, a Mustang GT, a Corvette ZO 6, or a Nissan GT-R. Passion might mean something different to each driver. However, it is something that is great for all drivers!  Mercedes Gull Wing  Mustang GT  Corvette ZO 6 .jpg) Nissan GT-R Some cars are track stars that accelerate and pin the driver to the seat. Some cars flow to do the weave on sweeping mountain roads. Some cars are so quiet and smooth all know of their mechanical marvels. What cars stir your passion now? What cars remind you of great times in your life? It is said that variety is the spice of life. With so many great cars available throughout time, cars surely add a little additional spice to life. I welcome your comments or car questions at my auto web site: www.DriveTheBestBook.com. |
Fuel Efficient Used Vehicles
|
Fuel efficient hybrids have received the hype, and the new diesels will also deliver the fuel saving goods. Both of these driving options, however, can be expensive to purchase. Additionally, maintaining the two systems (gasoline and electric) of a hybrid or paying an additional 18% for diesel fuel, above the price of gasoline, are costs to consider. Another option would be to buy a fuel efficient used vehicle priced at a third to one-half the cost of a hybrid or diesel. Also, the cost to insure a used vehicle will be much less than insuring a hybrid or diesel. The savings on insurance can help to offset the price of fuel. The following are several fuel efficient used vehicles that have good ratings and are economical to drive. The Toyota Corolla has been around for over 35 years. During the last few years, this car has become larger. Expect to achieve about 28 mpg (miles per gallon) in the city and about 38 mpg on the highway. .jpg) You should be able to buy a 2005 Corolla for $10,000. The Honda Civic has been a stiff rival to the Corolla. This car has also recently become a bit larger. The Civic is right there with the Corolla at about 28 mpg in the city and about 38 mpg on the highway. .jpg) You should be able to buy a 2005 Civic for $10,000. The Chevy Prizm is actually a rebadged Corolla that Toyota built for GM. This car will cost $1,000 - $1,500 less than a comparable year Corolla or Civic. Expect to achieve about 27 mpg in the city and about 36 mpg on the highway. .jpg) You should be able to buy a 2002 Prizm for $6,000. SUVs can really use the fuel, however, they are convenient for hauling cargo and some have an advantage in poor weather conditions or off-road conditions. Two vehicles to consider in this category include. The Subaru Legacy wagon/Outback wagon and Forester can carry cargo and they have all-wheel drive. These vehicles have the most powerful engines of the vehicles mentioned above. Expect to achieve about 23 mpg in the city and about 28 mpg on the highway. .jpg) You should be able to buy a 2006 Outback Wagon for $16,500. The Nissan Versa the ability to carry cargo and it is quite economical at about 28 mpg in the city and about 37 mpg on the highway. .jpg) You should be able to buy a 2007 Versa for $11,000. If you plan on buying a used vehicle, be sure to read a couple of achieved new-vehicle road tests (review road tests that were conducted when the vehicle was new) on the used vehicle of interest. Sources to check out include: Car and Driver, Road & Track, Motor Trend, Automobile, etc (these magazines are available at your local library and on the Internet). Information from the road tests will help you to zero in on which of the vehicles discussed above will be the best for you. I welcome your comments/car questions at my auto web site: |