Archive for August, 2009

The 2008 Chevy Malibu is proving itself to be one of the best vehicles that you will ever drive. It’s great on fuel economy and handsome on style. Lately the discussion that has been on everyone’s minds is the overall fuel economy of a vehicle; well this vehicle definitely puts the icing on the cake in that category.

With the 2008 Chevy Malibu you will be able to get an estimated 20-25 miles per gallon. This vehicle offers great style along with astounding refinements and of course performs better above all the rest.

You can choose 4 different trim levels for your Chevy Malibu. Trim levels are the same basis as different styles for the initial car. There is the Ls, 1Lt, 2Lt, as well as the LTZ styles that you will be able to choose from. Every style has its own perks that would sway someone towards choosing one style over the other.

The LS style is a standard Malibu baring 16 inch wheels along with key less entry options. All of your accessories both inside as well as outside the vehicle are all power accessories. It is equipped with an OnStar navigation system as well. The 1LT version has audio controls mounted in your steering column and comes equipped with 17 inch alloy wheels. The 2LT has a remote start engine, adjustable pedals for drivers of all heights and seats that warm up on command.

The last style that is made for this particular year of Malibu is the LTZ also known as the luxury version of the vehicle. You will get 18 inch wheels with this vehicle, along with letter seating and a few additional things that the other styles may lack. Climate controls as well as a navigational system allow this particular style to stand out above all the rest.

The Malibu comes with a V6 engine for added power for your vehicle. However, you do have the option to go with a 4 cylinder version of the vehicle instead for added fuel economy overall.

In safety ratings the Malibu scored a good rating. The anti-lock brakes are definitely up to par. The inside cab of the vehicle comes equipped with front side as well as passenger side airbags in case there is a collision, you will be plummeted on soft pillows per say. Both the LT as well as the LTZ versions of the Malibu come equipped with stability control.

The 2008 Chevy Malibu provides drivers with an overall smooth ride, and is definitely a vehicle that you can depend on to get you where you need to go without any ailments.

The Chevy Astro is a rear wheel drive minivan which was introduced back in 1985 by Chevrolet. It was originally designed to be a direct competitor to the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Production continued until 2005, but these cars still remain popular for a number of reasons.

During the lifespan of this particular range of vehicles, things were somewhat different in many respects to how they are today. Firstly, minivans were considered to be crude utility vehicles with little emphasis on comfort and extra features that you would normally expect in a family vehicle.

Driving and handling the Chevy Astro was a surprisingly pleasant experience however, and in some respects, this particular model did start to mark the beginning of a new era of more comfortable minivans with more features than people would normally expect of the time.

During its lifespan, it easily fulfilled all the basic requirements that one would expect of a minivan. However, certain models also accommodated up to eight passengers, making it extremely useful for a number of reasons.

This line of vehicles underwent a major redesign back in 2005, the final model in a particular range. It’s also boasted a 4. 3 l V6 engine, which became completely standard on all Chevrolet Astro passenger minivans.

Today, you can pick up the earliest Chevrolet Astro for around $1000 second-hand, but the latest models cost roughly 10 times that although they are vastly improved for a number of reasons.

Other than a few minor aspects, the Chevrolet Astro changed very little over most of its lifespan. Nonetheless, there were various noteworthy developments such as improved breaks which came in 1990. These four wheel antilock brakes were welcome change, dramatically enhancing the safety of the vehicle. Especially from then on, this particular range of products had an exceptionally good safety record. Airbags were added to both of the front seats back in 1996, improving its safety record even more.

The safety record started to improve especially in 1996 when airbags were added to all the front seats. In 1995, the exterior of the van was rather largely redesigned and in the following year, this redesign extended to the interior as well, with a complete redesign of the dashboard adding new controls and ease of use. To this day, the Chevy Astro remains quite popular.

The longest lasting, dependable, most versatile trucks on the road, have for quite a few years, been credited to Chevrolet. Their full size pick ups have set the standard for the industry. The 2009 Chevy Silverado sets the standard even higher.

Chevrolet’s never ending desire is to build the most advanced, capable pick up you’ve ever driven. For 2009 they’ve achieved the most powerful engines in heavy and light duty applications. With technology that leaps ahead of the competition reliability and performance finally go hand in hand with fuel economy.

With the 6. 2 L vortec and its impressive 403 hp, and the 6. 6L turbo diesel with its awesome 660 ft lbs of torque, and the all impressive 6. 0L Hybrid. As if that weren’t enough, they are also claiming to have the best fuel efficiency of any full size eight cylinder pick up.

The Silverado 1500 has recently been awarded the Consumers Digest Best Buy Award. Top that off with its two traditional character traits of quality and dependability, and you have a truck that really raises the bar. Whether at work or at play, Chevy Silverado delivers dependability and style that you can depend on.

Chevrolet has stated that every v8 equipped model in 2009 will receive their coveted electronic stability control including proactive roll avoidance. The attention to safety that results in the highest ratings in front and side crash tests combined with being awarded highest in initial quality and dependability awards, testify to the ongoing search for excellence that is today’s Chevy trucks.

With outstanding payload capabilities and mountain moving tow capabilities, the addition of the Max tow package puts the 2009 Chevy Silverado in a class all its own. For the ultimate in towing capability check out the 6. 6L turbo Diesel hitched to the Allison 1000 series automatic six speed transmission.

For options you can choose engines ranging from the 4. 3L v6 to the 6. 0L LIVC V8 with hybrid propulsion system on the 2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid. Transmissions come in a variety of styles from the four speed automatic to the six speed automatic with two overdrives. The 6. 6L Turbo Diesel with the Allison 1000 series six speed automatic transmission will deliver amazing torque and exceptional towability.

Choose from seventeen, eighteen or even twenty inch wheels, blue tooth connectivity, or the snow plow prep package. The close-coupled catalytic converter, returnless fuel rail, and quick sync 58X ignition, just begin to show the benefits of advanced technology.

When a person is trying to find a really great car, many of them choose the Cadillac – almost any model of that car is popular – the Corvette, or the Mustang because they see them as great options for cars today. They’ve been popular for years and years, even as they’ve gone through changes, and no matter what kind of car a person likes these three models will generally have something to offer. Through the years these particular cars have remained at the forefront of automotive engineering and enjoyment and it doesn’t look like that will change any time soon, although not everyone sees how important these specific cars are.

For business owners and others, the Cadillac brings the largest amount of prestige to the equation. Sleek, black Cadillacs are often stretched and made into limousines, and even those that are standard cars are popular and beautiful. Cadillac is a brand that has a reputation not only for quality but for luxury as well, and that drives many people to want to own one so that they can show their success to the world.

Cadillac doesn’t only make big, luxury cars, though, because they have some smaller, sportier choices – and they even made a standard four-door car with a manual transmission called the ‘Cimarron’ many years ago. Now the Cadillac brand has come very far, and the company is making SUVs and sportier models as well as what most people think of as the ’standard’ Cadillac, and even the company’s bigger, four-door luxury models have been redesigned. This has prompted some people who remember the Cadillacs of old to be upset by the way that they look now, because ‘they don’t look like Cadillacs anymore,’ but most people love the redesigned and sleeker, more modern look.

Not everyone wants a Cadillac, though, and if it’s not the car for you, it might be better to look for something sportier such as a Corvette or a Mustang if you’re looking for an unforgettable car. For years, the Ford lineup has included the Mustang, and over the years the company has clearly been interested in improving that car to give its customers everything that they want and need in the cars that they purchase. Once Chevy discontinued its Camaro the Mustang became basically the only affordable sports car out there, because all of the other options available to the public cost quite a bit more, so Ford had the chance to completely entrench the Mustang into driving society even more than had already been done – and the company took advantage of that.

For those who weren’t interested in a Mustang, had a little bit more money that they were willing and able to spend on a car, and wanted or didn’t mind getting a two-seater, the Chevy Corvette was a very viable option. Like the Mustang and a few other iconic cars, the Corvette has changed throughout the years but has also stayed the same in ways that matter, like giving the customer what he or she wants in terms of style and performance. The Corvette has also gotten more powerful and has added a lot of benefits and features that the car didn’t have in the past so that it’s more powerful, safer, and more enjoyable to drive.

No matter whether someone chooses a particular model of Cadillac or whether he or she decides to go sportier and choose a Mustang or a Corvette, all of the cars have great things going for them. Not everyone likes the same kind of car, which is why car models (and car makers) come and go, but it’s pretty clear that Corvettes, Mustangs, and Cadillacs are not the kinds of cars that will fade away because people aren’t interested in them anymore. These cars have real staying power, which is something that can’t always be said for other brands of cars, many of which most people would probably not remember, or at least not remember fondly, anymore because they had too many problems in the past.

Part of the reason that the Mustang, the Corvette, and the various models of Cadillac have remained so popular is because the companies that make them have been aware of the need to make them conform to what people want while still staying different enough to hold attention. It’s the mark of any good car maker to keep people interested while also ensuring that basic needs and wants are met, like comfort, safety, and ease of driving. Cars that can offer all of that and that appeal to the public will last for a very long time and remain popular, just as these three have done for the many years that they’ve been around and the many years that they’ll likely be here in the future.

The versatile and ubiquitous Chevy S 10 pickup and other variants of that worthy vehicle has been around since 1982. It managed a 22 year run as Chevrolet’s top small pickup, being replaced in 2005 by the Chevy Colorado and hundreds of thousands of them are still plying the nation’s roads, trails and other thoroughfares.

Officially classed as a compact pickup, the Chevy S 10 ran side-by-side with the GMC version known as the S 15 (and later, as the Syclone) for a time. The S 10 itself took over the small truck duties from the Chevy Luv, which was just an Isuzu KB with the Chevy bowtie emblem on the grill and a few minor cosmetic changes. Born as a result of the oil shocks of the 1970s, the S 10 was an effort by Chevy to improve fuel economy in its trucks.

Because of that effort, Chevy trotted out the truck in 1981 for the 1982 model year, introducing a 2-door SUV shortly thereafter in 1983. Chevy beat Ford to that segment of the market, though both finished behind Jeep, which had put a 2-door SUV up just before Chevy. No 4-door SUV version of the S 10 (the Chevy S 10 Blazer) was offered until 1990.

General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet, has featured a number of compact pickups since 1982, with the SUV versions being around in 2 or 4-door skin for over 25 years. The S 10 itself is a favorite of do-it-yourself mechanics, particularly its early model years, which were relatively easy to work on.

Given the initial desire by Chevy to feature what passed for good fuel economy in those days, the debut S 10 featured a standard 4 cylinder powerplant, which was an Isuzu carryover engine from the old Chevy Luv. It kicked out 84 ponies which, by today’s standards of power and economy, would be considered anemic but which was actually fairly good in 1982. It also offered 101 pounds-feet of torque.

Optional mills in the little Chevy truck were mainly of the V6 type. From ‘82 to ‘85, it was a 2. 4 liter with a 2-barrel carb from Rochester. This combo put out 115 horses and 148 pounds-feet of torque that gave the truck so get-up-and-go from standing start. There was a diesel i the line from ‘83 to ‘85, but it died a well-deserved death.

Over the life of the S 10, Chevy continued to offer both 4 and 6 cylinder plants and also worked to add more horses and more torque as the truck matured. Originally offered with a normally-aspirated fuel-feeder setup, Chevy eventually tossed the carburetor for variants of a fuel injection system, including sequential port, multi-port and throttle body set-ups. The Chevy S 10 also featured 3 and 4-speed trannies in the first generation (up through ‘93) and even a Borg Warner manual in 5-speed dress.

Second generation S 10s (’94 to 2004) continued to improve, adding to the fun factor with even more 2 or 4-wheel drive versions. Larger, more powerful and more fuel-efficient engines also were offered, even including a hot SS type that came with a 4. 3 liter engine that kicked out from 180 to 195 horsepower. Improved graphics packages and a lowered profile on 16-inch rims complete the set-up. It was discontinued, however, in 1998.

The Chevy S 10 was an almost iconic small pickup in the General Motors lineup for a very long time. It’s still out there in many driveways, streets and roads. Known widely throughout North America, it filled a needed role back at a time when American automakers desperately needed a small truck that could get decent gas mileage and deliver steady sales to the maker.

In 1964, at the World’s Fair in New York, Walt Disney introduced “It’s a Small World.” At the end of the Fair, the attraction was moved to Disneyland where it has operated for over forty-five years other than some downtime for maintenance and refurbishment. Meanwhile, across the pavilion, on April 17, 1964, Ford Motor Company introduced the Ford Mustang, another American tradition that has continued for over forty-five years.

Ford did not expect the Mustang to be so popular. Overnight, over 2500 newspapers presented positive reviews of the vehicle. Sales took off like a rocket. Only Ford’s first Model “A” has ever exceeded initial sales. At Ford dealers across the nation people lined up to pay out $2368 in order to own a ford Mustang. In order to keep prices low, Ford had borrowed parts from other cars already in production, notably the Falcon and Fairlane. The Falcon parts were used the most. The framework as well as the 100 horsepower motor came from this car. Even the first Mustang horn ring had the Falcon symbol molded into its lower edge. Ford set VIN numbers to 1965, although collectors now refer to these first Mustangs as 1964 1/2. A 1964 1/2 Mustang currently has an appraised value of over thirty thousand dollars.

The body of the Mustang has changed throughout the years, yet it is still easy to spot a Mustang. The characteristic grill and side swoop make the vehicle easily recognizable.

The introduction of the Mustang lead to the introduction of “pony” cars by the other manufacturers. Chevrolet introduced the Camaro, Dodge re-introduced the Plymouth Barracuda, and even AMC got into the action with the Javelin. These vehicles all had a very long hood and a short trunk.

Research had shown Ford that cars had become too large for many women drivers by 1960. Remember that this was before power steering was common. Ford’s first answer was the Falcon, the first American compact car. Designers of the Mustang wanted to build a car that had appeal for both men and women. The design did so well that the Falcon production ended in 1970.

In the years after the first introduction of the Mustang, the models became progressively larger. In response to the fans of the original Mustang, Ford introduced the Mustang II in 1984. This Mustang was smaller but heavier than the original Mustang. The additional weight was due to the newly required anti-pollution devices required on vehicles. Due to this weight, the Mustang II was severely underpowered.

Overall, the Mustang is now in its fifth generation. The 2010 Mustang offers plenty of power with a 4. 6 L, 316 horsepower engine. The suspension is now beefier than ever. The new Mustang is offers greater stability than ever before. The new Mustang is designed to burn regular unleaded for economy in operation or premium fuel for greater torque.

The 2010 Mustang is one of the fifth generation of Mustangs. Power is no problems since it is equipped with a 316 horsepower, 4. 6 liter engine. The new Mustang is more stable than before and has a better suspension. The engine is designed to use either regular or premium unladed gasoline. While regular gasoline will be great for most driving, in situations where more torque is needed, premium will provide it.

In the forty-five year history of the Mustang, there have been many changes. Even so, the Ford Mustang remains one of the best sellers for Ford.

Hybrid car engines are the magic behind these fuel saving, eco-friendly vehicles. They are a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor that assists a car as it accelerates, slows down and even when it stops. Throughout all these basic actions, the hybrid car engine plays a major role so that the least amount of gas is used and cleaner emissions achieved.

Breaking It Down

The hybrid car’s gas-electric feature allow the vehicle to run both on gas and electricity. A gas-powered car has a fuel tank and it is this tank that supplies the engine with the gasoline it needs to run. The engine then turns a transmission which is what it essentially behind the turning of wheels.

An electric car has a set of batteries that provides power to an electric motor. In this case, it is the electric motor that turns the transmission that turns the wheels. Although mileage is something that gas-powered cars have been covering with great efficiency in later years, there is still the issue of air pollution, which is something a hybrid car is a solution to.

The electric motor in the hybrid produces almost no pollution at all. But an electric car can only go so far before having to be charged again. Now, by combining these two functions into one, a hybrid car engine attempts to increase mileage while reducing emissions of a gas-powered car and also reducing the use of large amounts of fuel. And to make up for the electric motor having to be charged, it is now left to the gas-powered engine and transmission to charge the cells in the batteries found in a hybrid electric vehicle. It’s a simple solution that has had great and positive effects with respect to fuel economy and eco-friendliness.

Cutting Costs

The hybrid car engine is known to help keep carbon dioxide emissions down, and thus, keep pollution at minimum level as well. But most importantly (to average consumers), hybrid cars can save you money gas and maintenance costs. The engines of these cars are quite small and easy to manage so they last for a very long time and are quite durable.

In selecting your hybrid car, it’s always best to consider those manufacturers that offer free part replacements for the model you have in mind. There is also the added tax break that the US government has promised to all owners of new hybrid vehicles purchased after January 1 2006.

Both manufacturers and consumers have finally found a way to save the environment as well as the economy. It is perhaps one of the most overlooked technologies in the world but a growing awareness of these vehicles will eventually lead to a future of more hybrid electric vehicles on city streets and highways.

The year was 1964. The place was the World’s fair in New York City. Across the way, people were loading into small boats and floating through an attraction in the Pepsi Pavilion which was designed by Walt Disney. However our attention on this April day was on a new car being introduced by Ford Motor Company. Its name was the Ford Mustang. Now forty-five years latter, both attractions are alive and doing well. After the fair, Disney moved his attraction to his ten year old Disneyland. Ford got busy producing more Mustangs.

Ford did not expect the Mustang to be so popular. Overnight, over 2500 newspapers presented positive reviews of the vehicle. Sales took off like a rocket. Only Ford’s first Model “A” has ever exceeded initial sales. At Ford dealers across the nation people lined up to pay out $2368 in order to own a ford Mustang. In order to keep prices low, Ford had borrowed parts from other cars already in production, notably the Falcon and Fairlane. The Falcon parts were used the most. The framework as well as the 100 horsepower motor came from this car. Even the first Mustang horn ring had the Falcon symbol molded into its lower edge. Ford set VIN numbers to 1965, although collectors now refer to these first Mustangs as 1964 1/2. A 1964 1/2 Mustang currently has an appraised value of over thirty thousand dollars.

The body of the Stang has changed over the years but even a 2010 Mustang has features that tie it to that first Mustang. The grill and side door swoop make the car unmistakable as a Mustang.

The success of the Mustang lead other manufacturers to quickly introduce their own “pony cars.” These vehicles had large hoods and small trunk decks.

In 1960, Ford had introduced the Falcon as a compact car. Market research had shown that women of the day found many of the full size cars to have become too large. The Mustang was introduced to appeal to both men and women. The introduction of the Mustang in 1964 and its popularity is ultimately credited with the discontinuing of the Falcon in 1970.

In the years after the first introduction of the Mustang, the models became progressively larger. In response to the fans of the original Mustang, Ford introduced the Mustang II in 1984. This Mustang was smaller but heavier than the original Mustang. The additional weight was due to the newly required anti-pollution devices required on vehicles. Due to this weight, the Mustang II was severely underpowered.

Fans of the original Mustang complained and in 1984, Ford listened and produced the Mustang II. The Mustang II was smaller than the Mustang introduced at the World’s Fair, but due to new federal regulations on air pollution actually weighed more than the original. Ford had included a smaller engine resulting in an underpowered car.

The 2010 Mustang is one of the fifth generation of Mustangs. Power is no problems since it is equipped with a 316 horsepower, 4. 6 liter engine. The new Mustang is more stable than before and has a better suspension. The engine is designed to use either regular or premium unladed gasoline. While regular gasoline will be great for most driving, in situations where more torque is needed, premium will provide it.

The new Mustang, like it predecessors, is expected to be a great seller for Ford.

Although Asian companies such as Toyota and Honda seem to be on the forefront when it comes to releasing new hybrid electric vehicles, it is car companies like Ford that bring the technology closer to home. More known for manufacturing some of the best and most trusted cars and SUVs in the United States, it was only a matter of time that the company also began the production of the Ford hybrid car.

Ford Escape

If there is one bestselling product that Ford is known for, it’s the Ford Escape. Ford made the transformation to hybrid by introducing the Ford Escape Hybrid in 2004, a gas-electric version of the SUV from Ford Motor Company.

Ford takes pride in being the first car manufacturer to introduce a hybrid SUV to the market. What makes the Ford Escape Hybrid special is that it sports a full hybrid system. This basically means that it can rely on three systems. It can run on a purely electric system, run purely on gas, or combine both the electric motor and gasoline engine for maximum performance and optimized mileage, regardless of speed or load.

Ford hybrid uses the technology widely used in hybrid cars today which is the regenerative braking. This utilizes the electric drive motor as a generator and basically converts the vehicles momentum into electricity for storage in onboard batteries. That is one of the most efficient technologies any hybrid vehicle can have. The vehicle is known to achieve 36 miles to the gallon on city streets and 31 miles to the gallon on highways; for an SUV, this is fantastic!

Innards

Ford is not just all about what’s under the hood, too. This is particularly true with the interiors that they build into every one of their cars. The Ford hybrid car gets no less of a treatment and actually comes packed with more than one can bargain for. Since it runs on an entirely different system (or three), the Ford Escape comes packed with a navigation system that also comes with a power-flow display that allows the driver to check on the status of the batteries being charged or used in the car.

Displays also show details on how the energy is distributed within the hybrid vehicle itself; this is especially important for those who are conscious about energy consumption. Since the CD area has been taken over by the GPS used for the navigation system, a separate 7 speaker stereo system and 6 CD-changer is also offered for the Ford hybrid car.

The Ford hybrid car is available to the market at a hefty price of about $30,000. This may be a high price tag but for an SUV that can save you gas that includes all the features that you can only dream about (such as the navigation system), it is more than just a good bargain.

The hybrid SUV will save you a lot through tax breaks supported by the US government and in gas. Furthermore, with its environmental benefits, it will also earn you the respect from a world community that believes something needs to be done to save the condition of the Earth’s environment.

The hybrid car engine holds the key to its being an environment-friendly vehicle. They are a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor that assists a car as it accelerates, slows down and even when it stops. Throughout all these basic actions, the hybrid car engine plays a major role so that the least amount of gas is used and cleaner emissions achieved.

Breaking It Down

A gas-electric hybrid vehicle is exactly that; a car that runs on both gas and electricity. A gas-powered car has a fuel tank and it is this tank that supplies the engine with the gasoline it needs to run. The engine then turns a transmission which is what it essentially behind the turning of wheels.

A set of batteries provide the power to the motor in an electric car. In this case, it is the electric motor that turns the transmission that turns the wheels. Although mileage is something that gas-powered cars have been covering with great efficiency in later years, there is still the issue of air pollution, which is something a hybrid car is a solution to.

Since it doesn’t run on gas alone, hybrid motor almost doesn’t produce any pollution at all. But an electric car can only go so far before having to be charged again. Now, by combining these two functions into one, a hybrid car engine attempts to increase mileage while reducing emissions of a gas-powered car and also reducing the use of large amounts of fuel. And to make up for the electric motor having to be charged, it is now left to the gas-powered engine and transmission to charge the cells in the batteries found in a hybrid electric vehicle. It’s a simple solution that has had great and positive effects with respect to fuel economy and eco-friendliness.

Cutting Costs

Since hybrid car engine keeps carbon dioxide emissions at minimum level, it also prevents too much pollution. But most importantly (to average consumers), hybrid cars can save you money gas and maintenance costs. The engines of these cars are quite small and easy to manage so they last for a very long time and are quite durable.

Considering that many car manufacturers offer free parts replacements on hybrid models, this is probably the best purchase that you can make when considering what car to buy. There is also the added tax break that the US government has promised to all owners of new hybrid vehicles purchased after January 1 2006.

Its environment-friendly as well as its being economical make the hybrid technology popular among both manufacturers and consumers. It is perhaps one of the most overlooked technologies in the world but a growing awareness of these vehicles will eventually lead to a future of more hybrid electric vehicles on city streets and highways.