Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek

Memorial Day weekend has already kicked-off. Heavy flow of traffic is expected during this week-long celebration. Here’s the important statement of Janet Kavinoky, Executive Director, Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition published in The Auto Channel:

"Travel experts predict economic uncertainties and higher gasoline prices will translate into fewer motorists hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, a small reduction in holiday travelers won't translate into a significant drop in congestion. The 2008 forecast echoes those of previous years: Expect gridlock.

"A temporary dip in holiday drivers matters little when our transportation system is overworked and under-funded. One-third of our major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, 27 percent of the nation's bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, and use of public transportation is up, but investment is down. A report by the Transportation Research Board found a $50 billion annual gap in the funding needed to maintain the nation's highway and transit systems and a $100 billion funding shortfall to improve these systems. Combine a jump in traffic of 40 percent between 1990 and 2005 with a capacity increase of just two percent and the results are predictable. Nobody is going anywhere fast.

"Congestion, unfortunately, is not just a problem over holiday weekends. Congestion has become the monster that threatens our quality of life, our safety, the economy and the environment. Thirty-six percent of America's urban highways are congested. Congestion costs drivers $78 billion a year in wasted time and fuel costs. Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic, away from friends, family and community. While car engines are idling, they are polluting, spewing thousands of tons of carbon dioxide into the air every day.

The small cars are common in Europe for the reason that you can park them almost everywhere and this is somewhat that I would glad to see further of in the United States.

According to a crash examination, when you drive a small car, you are not well protected compare to large vehicles. It true, that looks fairly clear and shouldn’t be a big conversation not including that a different study by the Energy Security Leadership Council insists Congress to raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) permissions, in short, means adding up small cars, and asserts that this would have no safety and protection impact.

Americans are purchasing more small cars to prevent the fuels high cost, and that might bring them to accident or even result of life death. As a group, holders of small cars are more likely to die in car accident than compare to the big one, heavier cars are better, according to government’s data, the insurance company and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

Most of the people are finding for ways to cut fuel costs, and they need to be familiar that if they make a decision to acquire a much smaller car, they are placing themselves with their family’s risk, says Adrian Lund, head of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. IIHS, shore up by auto Insurance Corporation, tracks traffic deaths intimately.

So, what the best way? Buckle up.

Here are top ten list of small car that you can live with. (Source: car.about.com)

Audi A3
Chevrolet Cobalt
Dodge Caliber
Honda Civic Si
Honda Fit
Mazda 5
Nissan Versa
Pontiac G5
Suzuki SX4
Toyota Yaris

Do you want to join some of the most pleasurable and enjoyable outdoor activities and off-road driving in America or any place in the globe? For a time has to travel into inaccessible places using weakly maintained streets or rock-strewn road. In situations similar to this, it's better to get a four-wheel-drive truck that's rugged and proficient for off-trail use. Last two years, Edmunds.com elected an assorted group for the most common and one-of-the-best 2006 production model pickup trucks and SUV's that they possibly felt that their list contains the most capable over rough terrain and made suggestions as to how to equip decals and modify them for most advantageous performance. For this year, they release the new updated listing for the Top-ten off-road vehicle. You can see a lot of common models, but there are a few fresh faces to consider too. On this list is an alphabetical and does not correspond to an editorial favorite of whichever one automobile over the other brands:

(Source of the list if from Edmunds.com)

Dodge Ram 2500

On its own, the Dodge Ram doesn't possess many inherent qualities that make it more capable than other full-size trucks.

Hummer H2

Ever since the discontinuation of the H1, Hummer's H2 has had to stand in as the brand's flagship vehicle.

Hummer H3

When it comes to Hummer, even the runt of the litter, the H3, is still pretty tough. Off-road, the vehicle's big approach and departure angles, tidy dimensions and standard four-wheel drive are all beneficial

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a perennial favorite of ours in the midsize SUV segment thanks to its well-rounded nature.

Jeep Wrangler

When it comes to off-road performance, the Wrangler is simply the best choice available.

Land Rover Range Rover

Today's model is somewhat removed from that heritage in regards to mission and price.

Nissan Xterra

Since its introduction, the Nissan Xterra SUV has lived up to its marketing tagline of "Everything you need, nothing you don't." Rugged construction, a powerful V6 and plenty of versatility are in the Xterra's repertoire.

Toyota FJ Cruiser

All 4WD FJ Cruisers are very capable off-road, though models equipped with the All-Terrain Package.

Toyota Land Cruiser

It may be bigger, more luxurious and more expensive than any classic Land Cruiser, but the latest model still offers excellent off-road ability and a reputation.

Toyota Tacoma

Though old, beat-up American full-size pickups are still the weapon of choice for most hard-core off-roading enthusiasts.

Are you ready to experience the Chrysler craze in Europe? Well, better prepare yourself because just recently, the famous American automaker, with subsidiaries in Canada and Australia, has announced the launching of its 300 SRT’s diesel version.

Chrysler 300 SRT, a four-door station wagon with a four-speed automatic transmission, was designed by Ralph Gilles. It is powered by a three-liter V6 engine capable of 218 bhp and 376 lbs-ft. It comes with all-new features including an innovative rear end lighting scheme along with a trunk lid spoiler. Its premium cloth low-back bucket seats complement its new-fangled instrument panel as well as light-emitting diodes (LED) lights that create a cool and fresh ambience inside.

Motorauthority remarked the 300 SRT’s entertainment system, common to all Chrysler vehicles, with AM and FM radio with CD and MP3 players, four speakers, a detachable short mast antenna, a 20GB hard drive and a touch screen satellite navigation hardware.

If you worry about convenience and security, Chrysler.com guarantees excellent safety with Chrysler 300 SRT’s advanced multistage front airbags, power trunklid release, and power windows with driver’s one-touch-down feature, speed-sensitive power locks and 8-way power driver’s seat.

Chrysler 300 SRT is also equipped with additional features such as child seat upper tether anchorages, rear 60/40 folding seat, floor carpet, passenger side sun visor with mirror, rear door child-protection locks, an analog clock, rear shock absorbers and many other advancements that will surely be a big hit to the Europeans’ crave for classy and trendy vehicles.

• Family Car of the Year – 2008 Mazda CX-9
• Work Car of the Year – 2008 Honda Accord
• Play Car of the Year – 2008 BMW 335i Convertible
• Eco-Friendly Car of the Year – 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Family Cars:

• Best New Car for Small Families - 2008 Saturn Vue
• Best Deal for Small Families - 2008 Ford Fusion
• Best New Car for Large Families - 2008 Mazda CX-9
• Best Deal for Large Families - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
• Best New Car for First-Time Drivers - 2008 Honda Civic
• Best Deal for First-Time Drivers - 2008 Honda Fit

Work Cars:

• Best New Car for Commuters - 2008 Honda Accord
• Best Deal for Commuters - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
• Best New Car for Hard Workers - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado
• Best Deal for Hard Workers - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
• Best New Car for The Boss - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Best Deal for The Boss - 2008 Volvo S80

Play Cars:

• Best New Car for Sun Lovers - 2008 BMW 335i
• Best Deal for Sun Lovers - 2008 Mazda Miata MX-5
• Best New Car for Off Roaders - 2008 Hummer H2
• Best Deal for Off Roaders - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
• Best New Car for The Towing Crowd - 2007 Toyota Tundra
• Best Deal for The Towing Crowd - 2008 Nissan Frontier
• Best New Car for Weekend Athletes - 2008 Subaru Outback
• Best Deal for Weekend Athletes - 2008 Honda Fit

Green Cars:

• Best Deal for Green Drivers: 2008 Honda Fit

The threat of global warming is very serious and it is a good thing that industries are taking the right attitude towards protecting the environment. Automakers have started producing fuel efficient vehicles which will reduce the consumption of non-renewable petroleum fuel and production of greenhouse gas which contributes heavily to global warming.

The American Wind Energy Association is one industry that is helping to promote the use of eco-friendly energy sources. Recently, the association thanked the Senate for extending the expiring tax credits for companies which are developing eco-friendly technologies.

According to The Auto Channel, the group issued a statement through AWAE Executive Director Randall Swisher. "The American Wind Energy Association, on behalf of our more than 1200 member companies, commends the Senate Finance Committee for including an extension of the expiring tax credits for wind, solar, and other renewable energy technologies as part of its economic stimulus package," reads the statement.

"The extension of the production tax credit (PTC) is urgently needed to protect tens of thousands of U.S. manufacturing and construction jobs and create tens of thousands more, and to keep investment flowing into one of the fastest-growing and brightest sectors of our economy: renewable electricity. Failure to extend the expiring renewable electricity credits would put 75,000 U.S. jobs at risk solely as a result of the decline in wind energy investment. Tens of thousands of additional jobs will be threatened because of similar slowdowns in the solar, geothermal and other renewable electricity industries," Swisher added further.

"We urge the full U.S. Senate to move quickly to adopt the Finance Committee stimulus package that includes the PTC extension. Rapid action is pivotal if wind, solar and other renewable energy industries are to continue to grow, attract large-scale manufacturing investment and create jobs for Americans across the country."

Hopefully, the AWEA will soon power all homes in the United States with clean energy.