Archive for July, 2008
Henry Ford II had at shot at acquiring VW back in the ’40’s. Once they inspected the old VW factory, they came to the conclusion that it was a terrible risk. Considering the financial woes Ford currently experiences, its probably a good thing for VW they didn’t purchase the factory.
VW has done an incredible job of rebuilding their brand, improving their quality and expanding their product line with more models. And it doesn’t seem to matter that most consumers have a difficult time pronouncing their model names. (Touareg, Phaeton, Touran, Tiguan)
The 2007 VW GTI 2.0T is an incredible used car that is well deserving of being the Kool Whip of the Week.
Why Buy Used Cars wants to hear from you. You’re what’s important, not the drivel I write about. (But I do thank you for reading it week after week!)
Tell us about yourself in just 10 simple questions. Be clever and creative. Tell us a story if you want. Whatever you have to say about you and your car, we want to know about it. Crazy road trip? Race in the Cannonball Run? Win a car in a hole in one contest? Drive the worst used car in the world when you were in high school?
The most entertaining answers will score some cool Auction Direct USA gear. Send your reply to tweetandgreet @ auctiondirectusa . com
- What was your first car?
- Any significant memories w/that car?
- What’s parked in your driveway now?
- Does your car reflect your personality? If so, how?
- Favorite vehicle(s)?
- Favorite vehicle…if money were no object?
- Vanity Plates? If so - what’s on them?
- Must have car gadget?
- Favorite driving tunes?
- Favorite Hollywood movie car?
Well, start writing & send your answers over to us! Look forward to hearing from you…
I can’t stand the “Run Your Car On Water” ads and videos.
I’m sure you’ve seen them as you surf the Internets. Enough already with the pipe dreams of ditching the gas pump and going about your travels on a couple gallons of tap water from your kitchen. I’d prefer to leave the hydrogen technology to the engineers at MIT and BMW; not from Dr. Emmett Brown.
These ads tout the impossible: Easily running your car on water. Of equal importance, the fact that people are ordering a “kit” that will improve their engine’s fuel consumption by AT LEAST 40%. And no, its not just as simple as mixing water and gas and pouring it in your tank.
What you’ll get is a poorly written PDF filled with hyperbole and the rest of the instructions detailing the list of equipment needed to complete your very own ”Back To The Future” vehicle. Oh yea, this can cost you anywhere from 2k to 18k - depending on how big a sucker you are while watching the instructional videos. Of course, you can always get the DIY kit for about $200 dollars. Unless you’re Mr. Goodwrench, this isn’t recommended.
This is one of my favorite lines from one of the Run your car on water websites:
“Some technical knowledge will be required. If you have experience with cars then you’ll be able to do this easily. Otherwise, it will take you longer.”
Here’s all you really need to know: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to approve and/or endorse any product or device as they simply don’t provide any mileage relief. A bunch of new hoses, some fancy gas caps and a new mixture of additives is not going to do the trick. It has been acknowledged you may in fact get a very short term boost of mileage, that is before you burn your motor up. You won’t be too happy as you’re stranded with your converted 1992 Ford Escort stationwagon. (Which happens to be valued about as much as the conversion kit you installed.)
And, if it did truly solve our problems, don’t you think the websites selling these manuals and kits would look like they were made, at least, in this century?
This scam was was also popular in the ’70’s during the gas crisis. The only difference now is the power of the Internet to spread the word faster and play on your fear of $10 gas…don’t fall for it.
For even more energy consumption lingo and engine technology shop talk, check out Mike Stockley’s informative Squidoo Page about the run your car on water scam. [Take it with a grain of salt; probably an affiliate]
Get your research from a credible source such as the EPA, change your driving habits and consider buying a quality used car with better gas mileage. That’s the most reliable and safest solution to try and beat the pump.
Everyone talks about the Prius, everyone wants a Prius and everyone apparently knows someone who owns one.
At least that’s what the media will tell you.
Japan got a nice jump start (big shocker) on us selling the Prius back in 1997 while we were still busy mucking up the environment. The rest of the world jumped on the bandwagon in 2001.
Interesting note, the name Prius supposedly means “To Go Before.” I always thought it meant “Slick Automotive Marketing.”
Here’s all the poop you need on the current Prius models and why its a little difficult to locate these gas sippers.
The first model sold was the 1997-2000 NHW10. You won’t find these in the states as they were only sold in Japan and shipped out to a few other countries. If someone tries to sell you one of these here in the states, its probably a black-market Prius and/or been through hell and back. Move on and keep looking.
The US got the Prius in 2001-2003 - model NHW11. Our version sported the 1.5-liter 4 cylinder gas engine with the electric motors and nickel-metal hydride battery pack. (Probably the batteries left over from the early Motorola brick-cell phones.) The gas engine pumped out a whopping 70hp & 82 ft. lb. of torque. The electric motor kicked out 44hp and 258 ft-lb. of torque.
2004 saw a major face-lift. This created the current look you see everywhere - the NHW20 model…its a half a foot longer and has less drag than previous models. Besides the design, overall efficiencies were greatly improved, such as a smaller battery, more power,(Gas: 76hp/Electric:67hp) independently running A/C and Smart Key Technology. Back-up cameras, better airbag technology and an upgraded stereo/speaker set-up also became available in the Touring Edition starting in ‘06.
Safety ratings got the attention of consumers as well. NHTSA gave it a five star rating for the driver and four stars for passengers. Side crash and rollover tests yielded 4/5 stars for the driver & passenger. The most interesting item I found was the two out of four rating it received for the PEDESTRIAN. Honest. Apparently its not so bad being hit by a Prius as you cross the street.
The real issue seems to be with the batteries. Toyota’s warranty is for 100k miles or 8 years. California’s warranty was bumped to 150k miles or 10 years. The original expectation for the newer models (’04 & beyond) was 15 years.
Expect waiting lists if you’re out shopping for a new Prius. The companies making the batteries are still backlogged. Its been hard for the parts manufacturers to keep up with the increased demand. Be sure to get a CARFAX history report to verify the service history; a one-owner vehicle is preferred. A one owner Toyota Prius is worth an average of $2,241 more to consumers.
Supply is short and consumer demand is raising the price of the used Prius market currently. (In some cases, used Toyota Prius prices may be over those quoted at new dealers because of factory & dealer incentives)
Do your research and consider other alternatives such as the Honda Civic hybrid or the Mini Cooper if your Prius search falls short.
Own a Prius? Tell us about your shopping and driving experiences…