In today’s society fuel economy seems more important than ever between the continually rising gas prices and the drastic increase in persons with automobiles. It seems as if every household has one car for each person of driving age living in that household. And then to count up all the mileage that household uses between them? It’s astounding how many miles even one person can rack up in just one week. For these reasons and many more, the Hybrid models have been one of the hottest selling styles in the car industry as of late. Of course when purchasing a Hybrid car one would think that there are extra cost factors.
Most Hybrid cars come with a 3 year or 36,000 mile warranty, or the option of extended warranties of up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, which is true of many regular vehicles. So far these vehicles have had few differences in maintenance problems or expenses from the standard auto. Hybrids are powered primarily with electricity in city environments and at lower accelerations, which means the batteries constantly need to be recharged. You would think that the biggest issue would be battery life. The price to replace a Hybrid’s battery is approximately $2000, versus a standard battery vehicle which usually ranges from $40 – $100. However these cars use NiMH batteries that last something like 150,000 to 200,000 miles, so they rarely need to be replaced. The Toyota Prius for example has yet to replace even one of their NiMH batteries since the models release in Y2K. On top of all the above features, there is another big incentive to buying one of these high fuel economy vehicles. The Government is offering a tax break of up to $3400 for select models of Hybrid purchased after December 31st, 2005.
Now as to which Hybrid to purchase, that is something no one can answer but you. Most of them have similar features and close to the same mileage depending on what price range you are looking at. Also something to consider is how much money you will actually save with the “fuel efficient” hybrid over the “gas guzzler”. For example, the Honda Civic has just over 6 years before you break even from gas savings to make up for the additional money required for the hybrid model’s price tag over their standard version. Whereas the Toyota Camry Hybrid has over 9 years before you would break even versus buying and operating a Camry LE.
(you can find a chart for some of the more popular models at this website. http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/hybrid-vs-gasoline-vehicle-comparison-are-hybrids-worth-it.htm ) Overall personal preference has a huge influence over which Hybrid model you choose to purchase.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
2010 Ford Flex
2010 Ford Flex
The 2010 Ford Flex is Ford’s newest “technology” car and it has several unique items. Some of the feature upgrades include an easy-to-reach refrigerator to store up to seven 12 oz cans, and a feature called “Sirius Travel Link”, which has the capabilities to search best gas prices while still driving on the road. On those long trips you’ll never have to worry about finding the best gas price.
Our favorite new feature in this vehicle would have to be the hands-free communication. This should also be considered a safety feature for those wired drivers who are constantly on their cell phone, texting or changing their tunes. You can make calls from your address book, get directions for a new destination, the system will read you your text messages (we really like this), and it will even let you call out your favorites from your iPod and play them! You simply say the command aloud and it happens.
The Ford Flex also has ultrasonic sensors to help you parallel park your car in a tight spot that is only 1.2 times the length of the vehicle. This is an extremely innovative car for the money from the Ford Motor Company. We hope the other OEMs start matching these great features.
The 2010 Ford Flex is Ford’s newest “technology” car and it has several unique items. Some of the feature upgrades include an easy-to-reach refrigerator to store up to seven 12 oz cans, and a feature called “Sirius Travel Link”, which has the capabilities to search best gas prices while still driving on the road. On those long trips you’ll never have to worry about finding the best gas price.
Our favorite new feature in this vehicle would have to be the hands-free communication. This should also be considered a safety feature for those wired drivers who are constantly on their cell phone, texting or changing their tunes. You can make calls from your address book, get directions for a new destination, the system will read you your text messages (we really like this), and it will even let you call out your favorites from your iPod and play them! You simply say the command aloud and it happens.
The Ford Flex also has ultrasonic sensors to help you parallel park your car in a tight spot that is only 1.2 times the length of the vehicle. This is an extremely innovative car for the money from the Ford Motor Company. We hope the other OEMs start matching these great features.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Phil's Return To Ohio
So, after 57 days on the road, 645 hours on the bike at an average 13 mph and burning through six tires and over 500,000 calories – Phil returned to his home town of Tipp City and to the loving arms of nearly 200 fans, friends, supporters and family.
Phil returned home to a crowd that swelled to nearly two hundred well wishers and visitors, some of whom were just interested in getting their picture taken with their new hometown hero and world record holder.
He was glad to be home, no doubt. After cycling in to all the whistling and cheering, he hopped off his bike and lifted it over his head in triumph.
With tons of adrenaline going through his body as reporters, photographers, and admirers surrounded him, he was feeling great, but admitted that it wouldn’t last long. On the last leg of the trip, Phil only slept about four hours a night. As he inched closer and closer to home, his motivation to push to the finish line, and the memory of his Uncle Alvin whom he dedicated his trip to, kept him going strong.
Phil is confident he gathered all the documentation along the way to put himself in the Guinness Book of World Records for biking through the lower 48 states. He was hoping to do the trip in 48 days, but detours around gravel roads, headwinds coming east and fatigue added nine days of riding. Still, Phil says the Guinness people have assured him no one else has done it, so he’s set a record.
After watching him struggle over mountains, through cold rain and against the wind for so many days, his father Ralph (who was with him in the Team Trailer for most of the trip) said he was bursting with pride for his son. His mother Regina, who held down the fort in Tipp City while Phil was cycling, was THE first one to meet him at the finish line on Monday! ...Mom’s first!
As for Phil, as soon as the Welcome Home Reception was over, he knew exactly what he wanted after 8,200 miles – home, food, and SLEEP.
Another goal of Phil’s on his cross-country trek was to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of his late Uncle Alvin and grandmother. Phil is still shy of his fundraising goal. Visit http://www.go48in48.com to learn more and help him achieve his fundraising goal.
Check out and see pictures from Phil’s amazing journey at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120934&id=89952651259&l=91f755c229. Also, check out Phil’s story at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11SjvA_z_8E.
So…tell us what you think about his endeavor; could you do it!?
Phil returned home to a crowd that swelled to nearly two hundred well wishers and visitors, some of whom were just interested in getting their picture taken with their new hometown hero and world record holder.
He was glad to be home, no doubt. After cycling in to all the whistling and cheering, he hopped off his bike and lifted it over his head in triumph.
With tons of adrenaline going through his body as reporters, photographers, and admirers surrounded him, he was feeling great, but admitted that it wouldn’t last long. On the last leg of the trip, Phil only slept about four hours a night. As he inched closer and closer to home, his motivation to push to the finish line, and the memory of his Uncle Alvin whom he dedicated his trip to, kept him going strong.
Phil is confident he gathered all the documentation along the way to put himself in the Guinness Book of World Records for biking through the lower 48 states. He was hoping to do the trip in 48 days, but detours around gravel roads, headwinds coming east and fatigue added nine days of riding. Still, Phil says the Guinness people have assured him no one else has done it, so he’s set a record.
After watching him struggle over mountains, through cold rain and against the wind for so many days, his father Ralph (who was with him in the Team Trailer for most of the trip) said he was bursting with pride for his son. His mother Regina, who held down the fort in Tipp City while Phil was cycling, was THE first one to meet him at the finish line on Monday! ...Mom’s first!
As for Phil, as soon as the Welcome Home Reception was over, he knew exactly what he wanted after 8,200 miles – home, food, and SLEEP.
Another goal of Phil’s on his cross-country trek was to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of his late Uncle Alvin and grandmother. Phil is still shy of his fundraising goal. Visit http://www.go48in48.com to learn more and help him achieve his fundraising goal.
Check out and see pictures from Phil’s amazing journey at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120934&id=89952651259&l=91f755c229. Also, check out Phil’s story at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11SjvA_z_8E.
So…tell us what you think about his endeavor; could you do it!?
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