General Chat

5 Ways to Save Money and Commute in Style

Last updated: Nov 11, 2019 at 3:21PM
Published on: Sep 23, 2011 by tgriffith

Once upon time, buying a commuter car meant sacrificing any hope of an enjoyable driving experience. If you wanted something fun and good looking, you’d have to buy a secondary sports car for the weekends. Weekday commuter cars, at least in the U.S., were inexpensive, fuel efficient and reliable, but about as plain and boring as ordering vanilla ice cream in a parlor of 46 million flavors.

Our economy might be in a sinkhole, but that doesn’t mean people have forgotten about a fun driving experience. We just want it to come in under 20 grand or so while getting good miles per gallon and looking at least somewhat exciting. Like paying the price for vanilla but getting a nice cup of Ben & Jerry’s Schweddy Balls instead.

Keep reading for some of the most fun and good looking commuters available today!

Buick Verano Meets Its Competition

Last updated: Sep 27, 2019 at 4:14PM
Published on: Sep 12, 2011 by jgoods

Buick’s new Verano is a stylish compact sedan striving for a niche in what some call the “lower-end luxury brand” segment. Buick hasn’t made a small car like this in 20 years, and from what we read, it should pull in its share of American buyers who want something smaller than but just as nice as the Regal.

Last year, Buick grew 52 percent, the most of any volume brand in the U.S. The company has gotten good at finding and exploiting niche markets for its products, as it did with the beast-like Enclave.

MSRPs of cars like the Lexus IS 250, the Audi A3 and the Acura TSX start a good deal higher than the Verano’s $23,470. The top trim is $29,490—$1,000 less than the Acura TSX and nearly $5,000 less than the IS 250.

Price is only one factor, of course. Built on the Chevrolet Cruze platform, the car is supposed to be super-quiet, as the engineers paid attention to everything from tires to the acoustic-laminated windshield.

NFL Coach “Gives Away” Car, Restores Faith in Humanity

Aug 8, 2011 by tgriffith

When looking for stories to warm the cockles of the heart, pro sports typically aren’t the best place to begin.

Usually, stories involving people and cars in professional sports include young athletes using overpriced wheels to flaunt their multimillion-dollar contracts.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just what we’ve come to expect.

This story, though, turns what we expect upside down.

Finally, a Jeep Wrangler Pickup—in Kit Form

Last updated: Nov 11, 2019 at 3:07PM
Published on: Jul 22, 2011 by jgoods

The Mopar Division of Chrysler has come up with a kit called the JK-8 that converts the four-door Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup. Jeep owners have been seeking a pickup model for a long time.

After all, who uses the back seat of a Jeep for anything but hauling dogs, jerry cans and trash?

Jeep finally got the message that such a kit could help fill the small-pickup hole in the market, with off-road capability to boot. Mopar’s kit ($5,499) transforms your Wrangler Unlimited (base price, $25,545) into a very cool machine for transporting Honda generators, La-Z-Boy recliners, beer kegs and other necessaries.

The problem is you’re looking at $32,000 big bucks, plus installation, which can be done by a “motivated do-it-yourselfer” or, better, by a Jeep dealer. “The kit consists of new body panels that make up the pickup bed, a new bulkhead behind the front seats, new B-pillars, roll bar extensions, and a removable fiberglass roof.” Welding and painting are required.

Why a Ford Focus Shouldn’t Have a Tow Hitch

Last updated: Sep 19, 2019 at 3:31PM
Published on: Jul 22, 2011 by tgriffith

There’s a Ford Focus in my neighborhood.

I realize that’s not particularly interesting, especially considering there are roughly 383,895 other neighborhoods, in my city alone, that can say the same thing.

The Focus in my area, though, doesn’t run. I’m guessing it’s a 2000 model. The car is perpetually sitting in its owner’s garage on jack stands with the hood open.

All I’ve ever done is drive by this car, but I’ve seen some clues as to what the problem might be.

First clue: There is a trailer hitch on the car.

Second clue: There is a cargo trailer in the driveway.

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