The Right Way to Buy Fuel Saving Cars
by Jim Warren
You should be extremely careful in buying your new car what with sky high gasoline prices in the market. Not exercising care in this aspect would mean you ending up getting a car that will gulp down a lot of fuel, yet not get you driving anywhere.Jack Nerrad, managing editor of Kelley Blue Book, believes that there is an element of being wise by the pennies and foolish by the pounds.Getting StartedFueleconomy.gov is one of the best places you could get started. This site is operated jointly by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This site gives you the city and highway fuel economy for all the cars, market passenger cars and trucks, sold in the USA.A new testing system was introduced last year. This testing method has produced realistic numbers as opposed to previous years, which did give some really inflated numbers for the cars.Along with these information, you would get all the additional information that will help you in choosing a car. All you have to do is to click on a particular car, and you would be able to find all the information you wanted to find.In the page where all the details of the car are given, you would find the annual fuel costs. This is one good comparison between vehicles. In an instant, you would be able to compare a fuel-efficient vehicle with let's say a Suzuki sedan.The Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition differ just by the 2-mpg. But did you know that in terms of fuel costs, the difference is about $435 every year. On the other hand, you also have the Toyota Corolla compact car and the Toyota Camry midsized car, both different by about 4-mpg, but differing by $270 in terms of fuel costs.You would certainly need to keep an eye on the fuel efficiency as this is one of the main determinants before you get buying a car.Fueleconomy.gov's annual fuel cost estimates are based on 15,000 miles per year of driving. This number is evenly split between the city and highway. Before looking at these numbers and trying to apply them to your case, you would do well to look into your case.Factor in All Other CostsBefore buying a car, you would need to factor in the depreciation costs. This is the difference in the cost at which you bought the car, and the price at which you can sell the car, at the time of selling.Let us take the example of The Honda Fit and Ford Focus. These cars do not differ a lot in their prices. The Ford Focus car is lesser efficient in fuel. This almost causes it to lose $3,600 more in depreciation over a period of time as compared to the Honda Fit Model. Depreciation costs thus play a deciding role in making you choose the right car.Just so you know, this depreciation cost would not be too big in difference in the case of cars that are priced similarly.Don't Get Caught Up in HypePeople often make the mistake in thinking that buying hybrid cars would get them to be more fuel-efficient. This is a myth that requires some explanation.Hybrid vehicles are not available a lot in the market. Add to this the fact that some of the non-hybrid vehicles come cheaper than the hybrid vehicles. One of the main reasons for this is the use of hybrid technology in the hybrid vehicles, which makes them a touch expensive.Compare Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 for example. You would find that the Highlander has a fuel economy of 26 mpg. This makes for a spacious and a three-row SUV. On the other hand, you would find the Toyota RAV4 is a touch smaller than the Highlander. With that being said, you would also find that the price of the RAV4 is a touch less.You could look at the Toyota Prius if you are really preoccupied with the thought of buying a hybrid vehicle. This car surely gives good performance and other features that makes it a car to buy for the price you would pay for it.One of the best known cars for effective use of hybrid technology is the General Motors' Saturn Vue Green Line. This car uses a mild hybrid system. Use of the mini hybrid system ensures that the car just does not run on electric power alone.This enables the car to give good fuel economy. Overall, it must be said that the supplies of components for hybrid vehicles are tight.From this summer onwards, you would find a lot diesel trucks hitting showrooms as opposed to the gas trucks. Now, these trucks do have a good fuel economy but are also priced a bit higher than their gas counterparts.Gains on the fuel economy front and a higher resale price of these diesel cars surely should make them good buys over the next couple of years. Considering that these benefits will stay with you for some time to come, you would find that diesel cars are indeed popular.Don't Forget Your Real NeedsOne of the important things you would need to think of is your need. Why do you really want to buy a car? Do you really require a SUV for your driving needs? Get out of the mindset that small cars do not offer space for people to sit in.Small cars like the Nissan Versa offer good legroom and seating space for people to sit in. This could easily be compared to some of the midsized cars like Toyota Camry. One big advantage of using a Versa is its fuel economy. This car runs four miles further than some of the midsized cars thus saving you about $269 every year.One thing you need to look at carefully are the trade-offs. This could hurt you in the longer run, especially if you wish to resale this at some point of time.With most cars, you would need to take into count the advantages of an all-wheel drive. See if it impacts your fuel economy. If it does, you would be advised to stay away from it, because somewhere down the line you would realize that the resale value for such cars is low.Gas prices are an important point to think of before you get buying a new car. With that being said, this surely should not be the only thing that consumes your mind. If you look only at the gas prices and not think of other benefits the car may offer you, you could end up on a losing deal.
Posted by Land Of Smile &
Can A Truck Really Run On Water? : New hybrid water cars review
Can A Truck Really Run On Water?
by Jim Warren
Have you heard truck that runs on water? It may sound surprising to some but it is quite real. Some people just do not believe it to be true and think that someone would have played a joke on them. And it does! To be honest, this new idea does break all rules that truck has to run on some form of gasoline.
Even electrically run trucks can be thought of but to think of a truck that can run on water is outrageous. The idea is noble and in a sense, can save one a lot of money provided they take interest.
The gasoline prices are anyways high, and by using water as an alternate fuel instead of gasoline, you could convert the gas guzzlers into mean machines for sure. For you to know, how can you use water to run your trucks, you should read this article.
You would already be thinking that you should be pouring water into the engine. Do that and be prepared to be hit by a hefty repair bill. See - Water is made of Hydrogen and Oxygen. All you have to do is work a technique in separating the Hydrogen and Oxygen. Once you do that you could use Hydrogen, a highly inflammable substance as fuel.
Now they key is - How do you do it? With a process of electrolysis, you could easily break water into Hydrogen and Oxygen separately. There comes the need of an electrolysis device that could do this task, because you cannot do this manually.
A truck that runs on water uses an electrolysis device. This device is used to extract hydrogen from water. The hydrogen extracted can be used as a fuel source in the engine. There are couple of challenges with this working here - 1) Enough amounts of Hydrogen has to be generated, and 2) There has to be a mechanism by which the hydrogen can be transported to the engine. Drivers who have used this as a source have reported difference in results. Thus, you may be better off finding if you can use this as a source or not.
"There's a sucker born every minute," carnival king P.T. Barnum allegedly proclaimed in the fall of 1869. And while Barnum was never known to own an auto dealership (after all, he died in 1891 -- several years before Henry cranked out his first Ford), some might believe his words live on in the heart of every car salesman.
by Jim Warren
Have you heard truck that runs on water? It may sound surprising to some but it is quite real. Some people just do not believe it to be true and think that someone would have played a joke on them. And it does! To be honest, this new idea does break all rules that truck has to run on some form of gasoline.
Even electrically run trucks can be thought of but to think of a truck that can run on water is outrageous. The idea is noble and in a sense, can save one a lot of money provided they take interest.
The gasoline prices are anyways high, and by using water as an alternate fuel instead of gasoline, you could convert the gas guzzlers into mean machines for sure. For you to know, how can you use water to run your trucks, you should read this article.
You would already be thinking that you should be pouring water into the engine. Do that and be prepared to be hit by a hefty repair bill. See - Water is made of Hydrogen and Oxygen. All you have to do is work a technique in separating the Hydrogen and Oxygen. Once you do that you could use Hydrogen, a highly inflammable substance as fuel.
Now they key is - How do you do it? With a process of electrolysis, you could easily break water into Hydrogen and Oxygen separately. There comes the need of an electrolysis device that could do this task, because you cannot do this manually.
A truck that runs on water uses an electrolysis device. This device is used to extract hydrogen from water. The hydrogen extracted can be used as a fuel source in the engine. There are couple of challenges with this working here - 1) Enough amounts of Hydrogen has to be generated, and 2) There has to be a mechanism by which the hydrogen can be transported to the engine. Drivers who have used this as a source have reported difference in results. Thus, you may be better off finding if you can use this as a source or not.
"There's a sucker born every minute," carnival king P.T. Barnum allegedly proclaimed in the fall of 1869. And while Barnum was never known to own an auto dealership (after all, he died in 1891 -- several years before Henry cranked out his first Ford), some might believe his words live on in the heart of every car salesman.
Honda is on Charge : New honda 2009
Honda is on Charge
by Mark Creese
To all intents and purposes Formula One should be the most exciting sport on Earth. Just one look at the key ingredients that concoct this sport has me salivating with excitement. Firstly you have a global giant of the car world such as Honda breaking away from the hatchback market and producing nearly 1,000bhp in a car that weighs less than the original Mini. Secondly this outlandish performance is put in the trust of 20 of the most skilled drivers on the planet, who are only ever 2-3 seconds away from a high speed shunt. Thirdly, the races take place in the most exotic locations around the world, including: Bahrain, Monaco, Brazil, Australia and Singapore. Why oh why then is it so dull?
As a child I'd drag myself out of bed at 3am just to watch a Friday practice, before repeating the feat for Saturday qualifying and Sunday race day. I knew all the drivers statistics, why rear down force shouldn't be an issue around the Hockenheim circuit and the past winners of the championship for 50 years. Much like a lot of the population I've tired in recent years of no overtaking, the same winners and consistent rule changes that try and fail to re-ignite excitement. Michael Schumacher was the greatest driver in the history of the sport but his constant winning also destroyed my love for it.
Then there was the tobacco sponsorship ban of a few years ago. Such a furore was made over banning the cancer-givers that the sport's focus was lost. So what that I fancied a cigarette after watching 'Marlboro' on Schumacher's car cross the winning line again, the advertising really wasn't the root of the problem Formula One was suffering.
Not content with banning cigarettes, overtaking had to be improved (or at least occur once in a race). So cars were slowed down and made more difficult to drive. The result? The best drivers were still in the fastest cars and could cope far better than the weaker drivers already in cars to suit their abilities. The emergence of Lewis Hamilton last year has certainly gone some way to undo the monotony of the now-retired Schumacher era. Not only is he the first black driver in Formula One, but he's super-quick - if a bit erratic.
Problem is that even if we overlook the unsolved overtaking problem, the President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Max Mosley's sexual preferences, constant rule changes and Lewis's efforts to promote the sport, there's one massive problem that looms like an Eagle over its prey - global warming. With the Earth dying thanks to mankind's greed it seems everyone from every walk of life is being encouraged to recycle, use less energy and travel using green transport. I guess doing four miles to the gallon at 200mph every other weekend, with hundreds of articulated lorries, private jets and motor homes in tow doesn't quite reflect that Formula One is listening.
Well maybe Honda has got the hint with their 'Earth' car from the 2007 season. Sponsorship free and painted with the planet Earth on it, Honda sold every pixel on its livery with each donation helping towards climate change. This season's car has continued with promoting the dangers of climate change in a more subtle manner and once again no sponsorship - wise when you consider the car was previously run by BAT - British American Tobacco.
Ok so you like Formula One, you love Honda, support Jenson Button (although you agree he's not much cop) and therefore want to reflect this in your everyday life - whilst saving the planet. The answer is a simple three words - Honda Civic Hybrid. Yep Honda has produced an eco-friendly car that doesn't need plugging into the wall, look stupid or cost the earth. The Honda Hybrid looks like any other saloon which when you consider the stylings of most electric or hybrid cars is a major plus point. Road Tax in the United Kingdom is stupidly expensive so having to fork out a mere £15 a year for driving the Civic Hybrid is probably all the encouragement you'll need to buy one. The other justification for buying one is that other than great fuel economy thanks to the electric motor doing a fair proportion of the work, it's actually a good drive. Yes it's not a 0-60mph monster but every other aspect is as you'd expect from a car from the Civic range - it's a main contender in the green race.
So there you have it, buy a Honda Hybrid and watch Formula One guilt free. Now if Jenson could just overtake someone…
by Mark Creese
To all intents and purposes Formula One should be the most exciting sport on Earth. Just one look at the key ingredients that concoct this sport has me salivating with excitement. Firstly you have a global giant of the car world such as Honda breaking away from the hatchback market and producing nearly 1,000bhp in a car that weighs less than the original Mini. Secondly this outlandish performance is put in the trust of 20 of the most skilled drivers on the planet, who are only ever 2-3 seconds away from a high speed shunt. Thirdly, the races take place in the most exotic locations around the world, including: Bahrain, Monaco, Brazil, Australia and Singapore. Why oh why then is it so dull?
As a child I'd drag myself out of bed at 3am just to watch a Friday practice, before repeating the feat for Saturday qualifying and Sunday race day. I knew all the drivers statistics, why rear down force shouldn't be an issue around the Hockenheim circuit and the past winners of the championship for 50 years. Much like a lot of the population I've tired in recent years of no overtaking, the same winners and consistent rule changes that try and fail to re-ignite excitement. Michael Schumacher was the greatest driver in the history of the sport but his constant winning also destroyed my love for it.
Then there was the tobacco sponsorship ban of a few years ago. Such a furore was made over banning the cancer-givers that the sport's focus was lost. So what that I fancied a cigarette after watching 'Marlboro' on Schumacher's car cross the winning line again, the advertising really wasn't the root of the problem Formula One was suffering.
Not content with banning cigarettes, overtaking had to be improved (or at least occur once in a race). So cars were slowed down and made more difficult to drive. The result? The best drivers were still in the fastest cars and could cope far better than the weaker drivers already in cars to suit their abilities. The emergence of Lewis Hamilton last year has certainly gone some way to undo the monotony of the now-retired Schumacher era. Not only is he the first black driver in Formula One, but he's super-quick - if a bit erratic.
Problem is that even if we overlook the unsolved overtaking problem, the President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Max Mosley's sexual preferences, constant rule changes and Lewis's efforts to promote the sport, there's one massive problem that looms like an Eagle over its prey - global warming. With the Earth dying thanks to mankind's greed it seems everyone from every walk of life is being encouraged to recycle, use less energy and travel using green transport. I guess doing four miles to the gallon at 200mph every other weekend, with hundreds of articulated lorries, private jets and motor homes in tow doesn't quite reflect that Formula One is listening.
Well maybe Honda has got the hint with their 'Earth' car from the 2007 season. Sponsorship free and painted with the planet Earth on it, Honda sold every pixel on its livery with each donation helping towards climate change. This season's car has continued with promoting the dangers of climate change in a more subtle manner and once again no sponsorship - wise when you consider the car was previously run by BAT - British American Tobacco.
Ok so you like Formula One, you love Honda, support Jenson Button (although you agree he's not much cop) and therefore want to reflect this in your everyday life - whilst saving the planet. The answer is a simple three words - Honda Civic Hybrid. Yep Honda has produced an eco-friendly car that doesn't need plugging into the wall, look stupid or cost the earth. The Honda Hybrid looks like any other saloon which when you consider the stylings of most electric or hybrid cars is a major plus point. Road Tax in the United Kingdom is stupidly expensive so having to fork out a mere £15 a year for driving the Civic Hybrid is probably all the encouragement you'll need to buy one. The other justification for buying one is that other than great fuel economy thanks to the electric motor doing a fair proportion of the work, it's actually a good drive. Yes it's not a 0-60mph monster but every other aspect is as you'd expect from a car from the Civic range - it's a main contender in the green race.
So there you have it, buy a Honda Hybrid and watch Formula One guilt free. Now if Jenson could just overtake someone…