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Nick believes that every person should be able to share what he/she knows to help out others.
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Jul 17, 2007
Scion releases pricing for new xD
Scion's newest model, the xD, will be priced at $14,550 when it hits showrooms later this year in August. That's $1150 more than the xA, the model the new xD replaces, but for the upgrades it receives Scion fans probably won’t mind. "The xD is a clever new take on the five-door urban subcompact, with style and flair to match its efficiency and utility," said Mark Templin, Scion vice president. "The xD's aggressive styling is wrapped in a small, agile package, while its interior offers impressive details and a spacious cabin." The '07 xA started at $13,400 and, like the xD, it offered an automatic transmission for $800. The xD is more or less the same size as the outgoing model, however its styling is closer to its other brother, the boxy xB. Scion is hoping that the new xD will follow the sales success of its boxier brother. The all-new xD is powered by a 1.8 L four-cylinder engine with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) – which, according to the company press release, is a first to the Toyota family. The xD engine produces 128 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 125 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm and comes with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. The efficient 2008 xD is EPA-certified as a Low Emission Vehicle. It has EPA fuel economy ratings of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway for the manual transmission model and 26/32 for the automatic. Starting with the 2008 model year, all estimated fuel economy ratings will be calculated using the new EPA methodology.
Posted at 01:46 am by NickZane
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Jul 11, 2007
Vehicle preparation for summer road trips
Summer is the time for outdoor activities such as trips to the neighborhood pool, picnics and amusement park visits. Another favorite summer activity is packing up the car and hitting the open road. Kit Johnson, NAPA’s 2007 Technician of the Year from East Helena, Montana, offers necessary maintenance tips to help prepare your vehicle for the destinations ahead. Johnson says that hitting the pavement and seeing the country from one’s car is one of America’s most time-honored traditions. However, he said that some people end up on the side of the road because they forget to do simple preparations before heading out the road to keep their vehicle up and running. Thus, Johnson recommends the following: 1. Before a long trip, have your cooling system inspected, flushed and filled. 2. Checking of the belts and hoses for deterioration. 3. Topping off all your car fluids including antifreeze, engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids and windshield washer solvent. 4. Checking of the air conditioning to make sure it is sufficiently working. 5. Checking if the car battery is operating properly to ensure a running car. 6. Checking if the brakes are not producing grinding noises or vibrations. 7. Reading of the owner’s manual and keeping up with regular service checks. Johnson also provides some helpful tips to get the best gas efficiency, with the highly soaring gas prices, out of your vehicle while driving long distances. He suggests: 1. being observant of any suspicious leaks that may be coming from the car, especially gas or oil leaks. According to him, even the smallest leak can mean a large hole in the wallet if not caught and fixed immediately. 2. Maintaining a light load as possible when traveling. It is tempting to pack up every item, but if you do not need it, then leave it. Johnson says that an extra 100 pounds in the trunk can minimize fuel economy by one to two percent in most cars. He deduced that a pre-trip, front-to-back inspection by a trusted technician to offer that peace of mind while driving are necessary. He also emphasized that preparing your car for a summer road trip starts long before any vacation plans are made. To learn more about an appropriate preventive maintenance program for all their vehicles, consumers may contact their local NAPA AutoCare Center or calling 800-LET-NAPA.
Posted at 11:07 pm by NickZane
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Jul 4, 2007
Never let car trouble spoil a fantastic day
Almost half of the calls received by the Allstate Motor Club early last summer came from motorists in need of a tow (47 percent). Jump starts and tire replacements ranked as the most common fixes, among the callers who did not need a tow but still required roadside assistance, to get drivers on the road again. Several roadside hassles are preventable with some active maintenance. In lieu of this, Allstate Motor Club offers the following tips to help you and your family avoid unnecessary delays when road tripping this summer season. Before going to a trip: -- Check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Also make sure that they have sufficient tread remaining. -- Check your car's fluids: oil, washer fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, and brake and transmission fluid. -- Along with your trip, secure a current map of the route you will be taking. If you are using an online service, still bring detailed maps because online services do not always have the most recent road construction information. -- For emergency purposes, bring a cell phone and car charger if you have one. -- And of course, do not forget emergency phone numbers, including those that provide emergency road side assistance. While traveling… -- Make sure to turn off your vehicle's interior and exterior lights if you take a pit stop. Motorists accidentally leave their lights on in all types of weather. But keep in mind that heat can be additionally damaging to the battery of your car. -- It is wise to store in your trunk a car emergency kit that includes reflectors, jumper cables, a flashlight and a tire gauge. -- Also keep a stocked first aid kit in the car's glove box for easy access. -- To maintain taintlessness while traveling, carry a roll of paper towels, a jug of water and some hand wipes. They come in handy and may prevent unplanned pit stops due to unexpected necessity. If you are still deciding upon your summer vacation destination, check out www.amcpassport.com, where Allstate Motor Club members can plan fun, worry-free, cost-effective trips that range from quick weekend getaways to an island resort. From June 15, 2006 through July 15, 2006, the Allstate Motor Club customer call findings analyzed 2,918 requests for assistance.
Posted at 01:55 am by NickZane
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Jun 20, 2007
Porsche Boxster Most Satisfying Sports Car in America
AutoPacific, a California-based automotive marketing and product-consulting firm has conducted a survey asking thousands of new car owners on what they think is the most satisfying sports car in United States. The 2007 Porsche Boxster has been able to obtain the No. 1 position.
Porsche Boxster and Boxster S were given the Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA), which is considered the industry’s yardstick in measuring the satisfaction that new car owners get from their vehicles. According to the survey, Boxster owners have rated their cars highly within the Power/Acceleration and Braking categories same with the Cargo/Space/Capacity, Cupholders and Interior Storage areas of the survey.
The Auto Pacific releases VSA outcome annually as a consumer and industry service measuring owner satisfaction across 46 specific areas associated to a vehicle’s operation, comfort, security and overall buying experience. And fortunately Porsche got all what it takes to win such distinguished recognition.
George Peterson, President of Auto Pacific said that, “Sports cars are supposed to be exhilarating to drive, but sometimes difficult to live with. Owners of the Porsche Boxster indicate it delivers on exhilarating, but it is not difficult to live with.”
Starting from the day that the Boxster was released until now it still win praises from consumers as it provides the ultimate open-air driving experience. It has a one of a kind mid-engine configuration, with numerous handling developments and better dynamic and passive safety that makes it the leading vehicle in its segment.
Auto Pacific as a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm promise to give every year the same kind of award to deserving vehicles, they aim to recognize vehicles and manufacturers that prove to them that they deserve respect and acknowledgement from consumers.
Posted at 09:30 pm by NickZane
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Jun 1, 2007
2007 Road Rage Survey from AutoVantage
 If you encountered rude motorists when you are driving around Miami, don’t be surprised okay? Want to know why? Then read this out
For the second consecutive time, the city of Miami earned the number 1 spot at The Driver’s Seat Road Rage Survey conducted by AutoVantage, one of the leading automotive club in the US. The survey aims to determine the driving habits and attitudes of commuters across the US. Miami was awarded as the least courteous city for driving.
Liz Allison, TV personality, radio host, and spokesperson of AutoVantage said:
"Road rage has unfortunately too often become a way of life, both on and off the track. More and more, in cities across America, people are acting out their frustrations with dangerous results. It’s bad for professional and everyday drivers alike. Our Road Rage survey shines the light on emerging driving trends, and there are some very interesting results."
Meanwhile, the survey shows that the city of Portland is the most courteous city for motorists.
Check out the complete list of the top 25 most and least courteous cities in the US according to the 2007 AutoVantage survey.
Least Courteous Cities
1. Miami
2. New York
3. Boston
4. Los Angeles
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Phoenix
7. Chicago
8. Sacramento
9. Philadelphia
10. San Francisco
11. Houston
12. Atlanta
13. Detroit
14. Minneapolis/St. Paul
15. Baltimore
16. Tampa
17. San Diego
18. Cincinnati
19. Cleveland
20. Denver
21. Dallas/Ft. Worth
22. St. Louis
23. Seattle/Tacoma
24. Pittsburgh
25. Portland
Most Courteous Cities
1. Portland
2. Pittsburgh
3. Seattle/Tacoma
4. St. Louis
5. Dallas/Ft. Worth
6. Denver
7. Cleveland
8. Cincinnati
9. San Diego
10. Tampa
11. Baltimore
12. Minneapolis/St. Paul
13. Detroit
14. Atlanta
15. Houston
16. San Francisco
17. Philadelphia
18. Sacramento
19. Chicago
20. Phoenix
21. Washington, D.C.
22. Los Angeles
23. Boston
24. New York
25. Miami
Posted at 08:29 pm by NickZane
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May 31, 2007
Facelifted 2007 Kia Picanto Headed for Spain
After giving the vehicle numerous face lifts, the South Korea-based
automaker Kia will make the 34th Salon Internacional del Automovil
Barcelona (2007 Barcelona Motor Show) as the stage for the world
premiere of the updated 2007 Picanto. Kia design team and engineers in
Korea and Europe worked together to give this small car several
upgrades inside and out. According to Kia, the 2007 Picanto was
"attractively refreshed and restyled to be 'more rounded and intimate".
The 2007 Barcelona Motor Show will start in June 7th. Yong-Hwan
Kim, Senior Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors
Corporation said: "With nearly 400,000 exports since its introduction
in 2004, the Picanto has not only opened the door to a segment where we
previously had no presence but it has become one of the Kia line-up's
global best sellers." Yong-Hwan Kim added: "We are confident
that with its fresh new looks and upgraded equipment the Picanto will
continue to appeal to the world's A-segment customers and reach annual
overseas sales in excess of 130,000 units over the next several years."
So what are these upgrades for the 2007 Kia Picanto that Korean automaker is talking about? Well, here are some of them. - 40 mm longer, with an overall length of 3535 mm - Extended and rounded nose - Deeper, larger rear bumper - All-new panels used for the bonnet, front wings, front bumper and rear bumper - New front and rear light clusters - New wider radiator grille, with black mesh background and twin horizontal chromed bars - Standard roof spoiler now extends across the full width of the car - Nine all-new exterior colors for the customers to choose from
Posted at 02:32 am by NickZane
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