Recent Comments:
Consumer Reports investigating motorcycle testing procedures {Autoblog Green}
Jun 25th 2008 1:48PM My next vehicle purchase will likely be a maxi-scooter, as I need something capable of highway-speed travel. I appreciate the comments and suggestions so far, and I too always wonder in amazement when I see no helmets and exposed tats on a motorcycle. At the very least you'd think they'd want to protect the tats.
Volkswagen prices 2009 Jetta TDI, sedan starts at $21,990 {Autoblog Green}
Jun 19th 2008 2:55PM Comparing the Prius and the Jetta sedan is fine and well, but the Sportwagon will have more room/cargo flexibility than the Prius and better numbers than any SUV I'm aware of. I'm still waiting for a diesel Outback, but that will likely cost several thousands more than the Sportwagon (though will have AWD). Either way, I say hooray. For me, it's not about how much money I spend on gas (yet, anyway) and more about how much oil I use to get down the road. Diesel beats conventional petrol every time in that respect, whether it costs more or not.
U.S. will probably only get auto-trans Nissan Maxima diesel {Autoblog Green}
Jun 18th 2008 4:43PM UGH! I hate living in a country with so very many people too lazy and ignorant to shift for themselves. I will accept a CVT, because it is reputed to be much more efficient than a slushbox, so if Nissan offers the diesel with a CVT, fine.
But I had an automatic transmission overheat and blow oil all over the road once; I didn't love them before that time, but that sealed the deal. Anything that requires so much extra oil to move is nothing I want anything to do with.
Plus I currently EOC with my manual, something I think would be a bit dodgy to do with an automatic (and maybe with a newer manual, even). Thanks to judicious EOCing, I now get 3 to 4 more MPG than I did before.
Can-Am hosts Inaugural Spyder Homecoming Owner Event in Canada {Autoblog Green}
Jun 11th 2008 3:54PM I recently saw one of these in my neighborhood and was able to follow it long enough to get a good look at it. I don't think i was the only one whose head was turning. It's quite a machine, and it was being ridden by a woman following a man on a two-wheeler. It's probably more stable than a Piaggio MP3 but I'd be more interested in the Piaggio because of the ability to lean into corners.
VW to equip Golfs with smaller engines next year {Autoblog}
Jun 3rd 2008 4:51PM Actually, I think the issue with the smart's 0-60 times has more to do with its automated manual tranny than complete lack of power. Either way, even if it could only do 0-60 in 11 seconds, that's no different from my current vehicle and I have no problem with its speed or power, nor do I ever wind up "left behind" at stoplights, because most people barely gas off the line in regular driving.
Officially Official: EPA rates 2009 Jetta TDI at 30/41mpg {Autoblog Green}
May 21st 2008 10:49AM @ BrianM
I believe you. Given what I've seen about the performance of diesels in Europe, that engine should do at least 2 to 3 mpg better than the EPA rating for the average driver. Maybe it the A/C assumption they are making or maybe they just don't know what they are doing. Maybe both.
Trifun three-wheelers set to enter U.S. market {Autoblog Green}
Mar 24th 2008 5:45PM I get a little queasy looking at these kinds of 3-wheelers, remembering from my childhood when three-wheeled ATVs were banned because of their tendency to flip over in hard cornering. I doubt anyone will corner hard in these on a regular basis, but I do worry about avoidance maneuvers. I think the Myers NMG vehicle and others like it have the right idea with putting the single wheel in the BACK, which has to make it more stable. Now if I only had $36,000 to buy an NMG.
New York 2008: '09 Honda Fit blushes in bright red {Autoblog Green}
Mar 20th 2008 12:55PM I'm sure I'll see more pics soon, but it would have been nice to see a profile view not obscured by open doors.
Seems like the mileage would be close to the current Fit, which is about the same mileage as Civics once had. Though I like the new Civics, I'm pleased to see that Honda continues to look toward that market segment that really cares about mileage and convenience rather than performance and flashiness.
Geneva 2008: Miserly VW Golf TDI Hybrid concept uses 1.2L 3-cylinder {Autoblog Green}
Mar 5th 2008 4:51PM Does anyone know how much more efficient a manual/DSG setup is over a CVT? I had thought that CVT was actually pretty efficient and wonder if a fixed-ratio would bring enough efficiency to make it worth it.
Video: Ron Paul on ethanol subsidies "I don't think we should do that" {Autoblog Green}
Feb 5th 2008 12:06PM Ethanol from hemp? Why not? Hemp is good for many things. And fortunately, the type of hemp used for things like rope, oil, and etc need not be psychoactive, but policymakers in their infinite ignorance don't seem to understand this.
