Fuel Efficient SUV Alternative

So my lease is up and I'm looking for a new ride. Since the Aston Martin doesn't come in a fuel efficient model, I guess I need to keep searching. (As if.)

The real story is that I have been on the waiting list for the Toyota Prius for about 3 months now, and I don't get the impression that they will be calling me back any time soon. My battered ego is sad to report that low cut blouses, shameless flirtation and heavy batting of the eyelashes did absolutely nothing to speed up this lengthy process. But the good news is that I think I found the answer for all those moms out there that are not looking forward to parting with their beloved SUV but need a nicely equipped, spacious car.

The Volkwagen TDI Clean Diesel Jetta Sportwagen. The photo above is just the regular Jetta, but I am referring to the Sportwagen, shown at Volkwagon's site. I know, its a VW, which is not what you were expecting but hang on there, princess. First of all, the gas mileage gets about 29 city and 40 highway, and some say that these EPA estimates are on the low side. The emissions are very low and are expected to be lower than a normal car. Plus, the car has got plenty of pep (like Usain Bolt), sporty styling (like May-Traynor and Walsh) and plenty of room in the trunk (like Lo Lo Jones). Just kidding Lo Lo, you are lovely! And the car comes with some super cool add ons: an all glass panaromaric roof, navigation, satellite radio, Ipod docking station, as well as cutting edge safety features. Best of all, the TDI Sportwagen is available soon at a dealer near you!

Check out all the specs of this vehicle and more at TopGreenCars or VW of America.

Photo courtesy of VW of America, Inc. Read more!

Mercedes Halts Production of Petro-powered Cars by 2015

I found an article on EcoGeek.org that talks about how Mercedes Benz plans to remove petro-powered cars from their line up by 2015. According to the source, they plan to focus their research on electric, fuel cells and biofuels. About $4 million dollars have been spent on the project to date, with a plan to spend an additional $1.4 billion by 2014. I don't know about the rest of you but this sounds like a crock to me!

Trust me, I am completely for the reduction in the use of fossil fuels, but how could this be? The year 2015 is only 6 1/2 years away - that would be a monumental achievement. Is there a plan to modify gas stations to biofuel hubs within this time frame that I haven't heard of? Why hasn't this announcement been on the front cover of every major newspaper and newscast in the country? A brief visit to the MB website indicates nothing about any of this or their "sustainable mobility" plan as quoted in EcoGeek. I am highly skeptical.

Some truths are mentioned however. Many automakers are looking to unveil their environmentally friendly vehicles in the year 2010, leaving us with little to choose from today. Just attempt to locate a new hybrid vehicle to purchase. Its akin to discovering the lost city of Atlantis. There are a few "clean diesels" hitting the market, i.e. the VWs and Mercedes Bluetec Vehicles. However, I am leery about purchasing the first model in a new series because it usually takes automakers a year or two to work out "the bugs", based on personal experience.

The bottom line: Don't believe everything in print. And hang onto your old car until 2010 if you can. Read more!

A Simple Way to Stretch your Gas Dollar

I have mentioned this tip before, but in light of today's outrageous gas prices, I wanted to share it with you again. Plus I just did it today with incredible results. Like I said, having the appropriate amount of air in your tires can help increase your MPG. Here's how you do it: Buy a tire pressure gauge or just go to the gas station. Your tires say the amount of max psi or pressure they will take, so fill all 4 slighly lower than that level. That's it. My car (that is up next month, hooray!) gets an abysmal 15mpg in town but cranked it out to 18.8mpg! Ok, it's only 3 miles extra, but for my 25 gallon tank, that's an extra 75 miles per fill up. Cha- ching! Read more!

Highest MPGs on the Market

With summer fast approaching, you can bet your booty that gas prices could reach $4 a gallon, or thereabouts. In some parts of the country, they are already there. If you are in the market for a new car, I highly recommend getting yourself an education in high fuel efficiency autos.

Rather than searching each auto maker's site individually, I did my research at GreenCars.com. They offer an excellent summary of fuel efficient vehicles, listed by price. Some models weren't included, such as Audi, Lexus and the new Saturn's but the site was chock full of info for cars priced from $15,000 to $30,000.

One standout was, of course, the Toyota Prius with efficiency around 50-60 mpg. In that department, the car is freaking awesome and untouchable. After personally test driving it, I was pleasantly surprised by the available extras such as Navigation, Bluetooth and leather, even if it wasn't a particularly powerful performance. Hey you can't have it all, not for $20 grand, anyway. Also notable was the Toyota Matrix which is a nice looking sporty wagon, and the intriguing Pontiac Vibe.

Volkswagen is now offering an impressive collection of diesel powered cars, such as the Golf, Passat and Jetta. Unfortunately due to the emissions regulations in a handful of states like New York and California, they are not offered, but they are working on it and hopefully they will offer those great fuel numbers in all 50 states.

If size doesn't matter (yeah right!), the Mini Cooper is just cool and the convertible model is pretty hot for summer.

Find the gas mileage of your dreams at http://www.greencar.com/features/features36/! Read more!

GM's Exec Announces "Global Warming is a Crock of S*&%"

Last month, General Motors announced their worst quarter in the companies entire history. By a thread, they cling to the #1 spot as top automaker. Am I smoking crack, or why haven't they produced a fleet of hybrids or some smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles so they can turn a profit? Is it because the Vice Chairman Bob Lutz was heard saying that global warming is "a total crock of s---?" Now there's an intelligent leader! This type of stupidity is reminiscent of the leaders of the sub prime mortgage industry, who continuously insisted on making unsound, ridiculous loans even when there was clear and present danger in the marketplace. Clearly, manufacturing more efficient vehicles has been working fantastically for Toyota, the#2 automaker, in terms of increased sales revenues AND benefits for the environment as well as consumers. Why is GM so reluctant to do the obvious? And why does their website proclaim that " they are leading the way to innovative energy solutions"? Not! A follower at best, and a very sluggish one at that.

Only 11 years after Toyota introduced the Prius, GM's Saturn division came out with a small hybrid line of vehicles this year, which is better than nothing. They get something like 22 city/25 highway which is not particularly good. Another item to ponder is quality and the safety. Historically, it hasn't been great for either.

And what's with the 6,000 lb 2008 Chevy Tahoe hybrid? GM's website says this vehicle gets "up to 20 MPG." Why "up to?" When you order it without 4 wheel drive, which no one does? Making a car that size as a hybrid is incredibly foolish. Wake up Detroit! One of the 3 R's is reduce, which means smaller.

Read more!

Hot Hybrids for Today and Beyond

If you have filled up at the gas pumps lately, you have noticed that we are again over the $3.00 per gallon mark, at least in my neck of the woods. According to news reports, and my wallet, this is unseasonably high. Typically gas prices jump before the summer months, so OPEC and the oil companies can rip us off right before that long family road trip or trek to summer camps. Another big thank you to George W!

I have been looking into getting a new car once my lease is up, and I seriously need to consider vehicles with higher fuel efficiencies. My current vehicle gets 15city/20 highway which sucks and it costs $75 a week to fuel. That is absurd, and the carbon emissions are horrible too. So what are the choices? I am leaning clearly towards a hybrid or electric car, but there are not that many to choose from, yet. And wait a minute here, what about the luxurious appointments, the satellite radio and the Corinthian leather? Do I have to give up all the goodies to be green?

Well, if money is no object, and you are childless or drive solo, then the answer is no, you don't have to give up the goodies. Enter the Tesla Roadster. This is a smokin' hot car; George Clooney is on the waiting list, naturally. The lines on this car are simply beautiful (even as a chick I have to admire it), and allegedly, this car is about performance, not just looks. This baby goes 0 to 60 in 4 seconds, rivaling even the highest performing sports cars on the market. And the beauty of it is this: zero emissions! It's 100% electric...hopefully the batteries work right? Actually, production is delayed partly due to this very reason. Tesla does plan to come out with 2 lower priced models, one in the $50,000 range and one below that somewhere. Check out the specs at the above link.

Given my familial status, that one doesn't work, plus its too expensive anyway. Other options? The Chevrolet Volt. Its a concept car at this point, and is a combo hybrid and electric, and its a really nice looking too. Unlike every other car Chevy makes, they finally figured out that we consumers want something that doesn't look like a tin can on wheels. This vehicle is due out in 2010, if it ever makes it to production. I like it, and you can find it at http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/.

As far as vehicles you could buy today, there is a "decent" selection. Honda offers the Accord and Civic hybrids, Saturn's Aura is on the market, Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUV's are available (Bill Clinton opts for the Mercury), and Toyota seems like the most comprehensive dealer with the Camry, the Highlander and the good 'ole Prius. I have heard that the tax credits have expired on the Toyota models, but check this out before buying. And also, Lexus offers an SUV and the luxury LS600 hL too. In my opinion, they offer the goodies but the fuel efficiency is subpar and the emissions are too high. So what's the point?

Another one I don't get is the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Hybrid. Those monsters get only about the 15/20 mpg that I get already with a regular car, and the emissions are just a bad! What is the point, Chevrolet?

Enough whining and complaining-I feel much better now. It seems to me that you might be giving up some goodies if you buy an alternative fuel vehicle in 2007 although the Prius does offer leather, satellite radio, GPS and a few other bells and whistles, so it's not impossible. Do you homework, and don't forget the tax credit piece of it which is important. Lease a car for 36 months and by the end of the term, you will have serious options. A JD Power and Associates report claims that US hybrid-electric car demand will see a 247% rise from 2007-2011, so if US auto markers want to start making money, they will have to show us the goods. Can't wait. Read more!