Gas Cards - Great Way To Stick It To The Oil Companies - And Get
Cash Back Too!
By: Frederick Musser
If you're like most people you have a credit card or two and you
probably use it on a regular basis. Paying it off every month to
avoid the interest charges, right? ;-)
Do you purchase gas with a credit card? Most gas stations now
have the pay at the pump option making it quick and easy to
stop, pump and pay.
The Key To Gas Card Savings At The Pump . . . . .
Use a gas rewards card.
Use it on a gas saving days - Many gas stations offer a discount
on certain days with a fill up, this adds to even more savings
for you. One gas station where I live offers $.06 off per gallon
on tuesday's. Combine that with a 5% - 10% gas card savings -
Nice savings!
Find other items on sale at the gas station - Many gas stations
run good sales on various grocery type items, why not pick them
up while your there to save even more (if you use the item
anyway).
After you fill up, shut the pump down, pull the trigger and tip
the hose up -There is gas left in the hose. You are paying for
it -get it all.
Fill-up the gas tank in the morning. Some experts say a driver
will get a little more gasoline per gallon if the gas tank is
filled when temperatures are cooler. Over time, the extra fuel
adds up.
Choosing The Gas Card That Is Right For You . . . . .
There are many types of cards to choose from. A type of card
issued by Visa or Mastercard through major banks offers gas
rebates at any gas station along with other benefits. For
example, not only do they offer 5% cash back on purchase at gas
stations, supermarkets, and drug stores, but they also gives you
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Another type of gas reward card is specific to a particular
chain of gas stations. For example, some gas chain specific
cards let you earn a discount of 5% on all of their
participating location purchases and also can be used anywhere
Visa cards are accepted. Cards like this from the SpeedWay and
Marathon gas station chains are great ways for saving on your
gas purchases.
Closing Notes . . . . .
Many of you have read my other articles and are probably
wandering just why I am writing about gas savings when I am a
heavy supporter of e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles.
I understand that not everyone has access to e85 or can go out
and get a new Flex Fuel Vehicle, so the next best thing is to
inform people as to how to save gas and "Stick It To The Oil
Companies - While Getting Cash Back Too!"
For more information on gas cards and their benefits please
visit e85Tips.com/gas_cards.html
About the author:
Frederick Musser is the owner of e85 Tips. A site dedicated to
informing the world about e85 and it's benefits.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Ford On The Move Towards Bringing Up Pickup Truck Sales
By: Jason Moore
Going back to the Ford Motor Company history, the line up of
pickup trucks from this company actually has been the flagship
among all vehicle line ups. And for Ford, losing a great deal in
sales for this line also means a huge amount of loss for their
entire sales. Due to the recent and continuous increase of gas
and fuel prices, auto consumers have been leaning towards more
fuel efficient cars and vehicles and heading away from pick up
trucks which have been known to be efficient transporters of
people and cargo but low on miles per gallon of gas.
And now, the company is out to make sure that the automotive
world does not forget about the Ford pickup trucks. As part of
this move, they have made sure that auto consumers would be
getting more perks if they do opt to buy a pickup truck. This
tactic has been used by many dealers who also offer used Ford F350 parts - more incentives to equate
to more sales. And the Ford F-Series pickup trucks can now be
purchased with more incentives.
According to Lydia Cisaruk, the spokesperson for the company,
this kind of incentive for the Ford F-series pickup trucks has
been selected to run as part of the company's 'Drive On Us'
campaign on boosting up sales. Since last Friday, anyone
interested in purchasing a new Ford F-series pickup truck could
avail of discounts which could range from $500 up to a $1000
which is, of course, a huge savings for anyone. However, the
whole promo would only be available up until the last day of
this month.
The Ford F-series pickup trucks have been in production since
1948. It has been built as a full size pickup truck. The
Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram, and Toyota Tundra
have been those vehicles which the Ford F-series have considered
as competition in the market.
About the author:
Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas.
He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto
parts store in the country.
Going back to the Ford Motor Company history, the line up of
pickup trucks from this company actually has been the flagship
among all vehicle line ups. And for Ford, losing a great deal in
sales for this line also means a huge amount of loss for their
entire sales. Due to the recent and continuous increase of gas
and fuel prices, auto consumers have been leaning towards more
fuel efficient cars and vehicles and heading away from pick up
trucks which have been known to be efficient transporters of
people and cargo but low on miles per gallon of gas.
And now, the company is out to make sure that the automotive
world does not forget about the Ford pickup trucks. As part of
this move, they have made sure that auto consumers would be
getting more perks if they do opt to buy a pickup truck. This
tactic has been used by many dealers who also offer used Ford F350 parts - more incentives to equate
to more sales. And the Ford F-Series pickup trucks can now be
purchased with more incentives.
According to Lydia Cisaruk, the spokesperson for the company,
this kind of incentive for the Ford F-series pickup trucks has
been selected to run as part of the company's 'Drive On Us'
campaign on boosting up sales. Since last Friday, anyone
interested in purchasing a new Ford F-series pickup truck could
avail of discounts which could range from $500 up to a $1000
which is, of course, a huge savings for anyone. However, the
whole promo would only be available up until the last day of
this month.
The Ford F-series pickup trucks have been in production since
1948. It has been built as a full size pickup truck. The
Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram, and Toyota Tundra
have been those vehicles which the Ford F-series have considered
as competition in the market.
About the author:
Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas.
He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto
parts store in the country.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
How to Spot a Good Car Lease
Leasing has been lauded as your cheapest ticket to keep up with the
industry’s hottest vehicles and trends. The jury, however, is still out
on leasing: with the industry long on hype and short on detail, it is
difficult to distinguish between a genuinely good deal and a downright
up-selling exercise.
So how do you spot a good deal?
First, you need to find out if there are any down payments on the lease. A
down payment refers to the lump sum amount that you pay upfront, either in
cash, non-cash credit or trading allowance, to reduce your monthly payment.
You should think twice before putting money down on a lease: not only are
you getting a rough deal, as you’re essentially forfeiting the general rule
of leasing: not putting any cash upfront, but the money is not recoupable
at the end of your lease. There is another big disadvantage: in the event
of your car getting damaged or stolen, you insurance and the gap cost will
not cover the loss.
Mileage Limit
Most leasing companies allow you a limit of 45,000 free miles over the
length of a 3-year lease. This may seem like a good deal at first sight,
but when you consider it only comes to 15,000 miles over a 12 month period
it’s not difficult to foresee why it might be difficult to stay within this
limit. Even people working from home have little trouble putting 15,000
miles on their cars.
If you exceed the mileage limit, the penalty for each excess mile can be as
high as 20 cents. This can add up quickly over the length of your lease: an
additional 4,000 miles a year over the length of a 3-years lease contract,
will end up costing you an extra $2,400 in excess mileage charges!
Be realistic about your mileage needs, especially if you have to regularly
commute over long-distances, before you sign the contract. Consider padding
the miles that you expect to use since it is less expensive to contract for
the extra before you sign than it is to pay the extra charges at end of
your lease.
Sales Tax
Sales tax is usually capitalized and added to the monthly payments.
However, some dealers choose not to include it in their calculations to
drive the advertised lease payments even lower. What they do instead is
state in the small print that the monthly payment excludes “sales tax”.
Make sure you carefully read the fine print for any extra, hidden costs not
included in the advertised monthly payment. Unscrupulous fees that
typically slip through the cracks include sales tax, registration and title
fees.
industry’s hottest vehicles and trends. The jury, however, is still out
on leasing: with the industry long on hype and short on detail, it is
difficult to distinguish between a genuinely good deal and a downright
up-selling exercise.
So how do you spot a good deal?
First, you need to find out if there are any down payments on the lease. A
down payment refers to the lump sum amount that you pay upfront, either in
cash, non-cash credit or trading allowance, to reduce your monthly payment.
You should think twice before putting money down on a lease: not only are
you getting a rough deal, as you’re essentially forfeiting the general rule
of leasing: not putting any cash upfront, but the money is not recoupable
at the end of your lease. There is another big disadvantage: in the event
of your car getting damaged or stolen, you insurance and the gap cost will
not cover the loss.
Mileage Limit
Most leasing companies allow you a limit of 45,000 free miles over the
length of a 3-year lease. This may seem like a good deal at first sight,
but when you consider it only comes to 15,000 miles over a 12 month period
it’s not difficult to foresee why it might be difficult to stay within this
limit. Even people working from home have little trouble putting 15,000
miles on their cars.
If you exceed the mileage limit, the penalty for each excess mile can be as
high as 20 cents. This can add up quickly over the length of your lease: an
additional 4,000 miles a year over the length of a 3-years lease contract,
will end up costing you an extra $2,400 in excess mileage charges!
Be realistic about your mileage needs, especially if you have to regularly
commute over long-distances, before you sign the contract. Consider padding
the miles that you expect to use since it is less expensive to contract for
the extra before you sign than it is to pay the extra charges at end of
your lease.
Sales Tax
Sales tax is usually capitalized and added to the monthly payments.
However, some dealers choose not to include it in their calculations to
drive the advertised lease payments even lower. What they do instead is
state in the small print that the monthly payment excludes “sales tax”.
Make sure you carefully read the fine print for any extra, hidden costs not
included in the advertised monthly payment. Unscrupulous fees that
typically slip through the cracks include sales tax, registration and title
fees.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Purchasing a Used Vehicle
By: Ian Koch
If you are in the market for a new car or truck you may find
that the best financial move you can make is buying a used
vehicle. Not only do previously owned vehicles offer
significantly lower prices than new ones but with the advent of
certified pre-owned programs by auto manufacturers and services
like CARFAX the concerns many people have with buying a
previously owned vehicle have been alleviated. In short, you can
get a much better car at a greatly reduced price versus buying
new. There are several different sources of second hand
vehicles.
The classified section in most local newspapers is a good place
to start. So is the word of mouth. Then we have the used car
dealers not to mention all the vehicle auctions around where you
can do a real bargain. Last but not lease I must mention the
internet; this is probably the largest source of used vehicles.
From one window you have a view to every part of the nation:
Here you can search for any make and model, in any price class,
in any location all over the country.
While auto financing rates for used vehicles tend to be slightly
higher as compared to new vehicles when you look at overall
costs over the term of the loan you will quickly find that you
will still end up saving a significant amount. In addition, many
people find that by buying a used car or truck they can lower
the term of the loan which means less interest paid and more
money that can stay in your pocket.
When deciding to buy a previously owned vehicle there is a few
things that you can do to protect you from buying a problem car.
First, you should always obtain a vehicle history report for the
car through services like CARFAX. These reports will list all
the owners of the vehicle, major accidents, service records and
the title history. Once you have verified the car is clean you
should have it checked out by a mechanic. Most automotive repair
shops offer pre-purchase inspections that cost around $75 and
will include a comprehensive report of the areas checked and any
problems that have been found.
After you have performed the above you are ready to get down to
business. Use resources like Kelley Blue Book and NADA to find
out the average price of the vehicle in your area. With
previously owned vehicles there is a lot more wiggle room in
terms of price than with a new vehicle. Don't be afraid to
lowball on the price - you may be pleasantly surprised!
About the author:
Ian Koch likes to publish Auto Info and Articles. Check out his
comprehensive and informative automotive website cheap-used-cars.w-ela
nd.com
If you are in the market for a new car or truck you may find
that the best financial move you can make is buying a used
vehicle. Not only do previously owned vehicles offer
significantly lower prices than new ones but with the advent of
certified pre-owned programs by auto manufacturers and services
like CARFAX the concerns many people have with buying a
previously owned vehicle have been alleviated. In short, you can
get a much better car at a greatly reduced price versus buying
new. There are several different sources of second hand
vehicles.
The classified section in most local newspapers is a good place
to start. So is the word of mouth. Then we have the used car
dealers not to mention all the vehicle auctions around where you
can do a real bargain. Last but not lease I must mention the
internet; this is probably the largest source of used vehicles.
From one window you have a view to every part of the nation:
Here you can search for any make and model, in any price class,
in any location all over the country.
While auto financing rates for used vehicles tend to be slightly
higher as compared to new vehicles when you look at overall
costs over the term of the loan you will quickly find that you
will still end up saving a significant amount. In addition, many
people find that by buying a used car or truck they can lower
the term of the loan which means less interest paid and more
money that can stay in your pocket.
When deciding to buy a previously owned vehicle there is a few
things that you can do to protect you from buying a problem car.
First, you should always obtain a vehicle history report for the
car through services like CARFAX. These reports will list all
the owners of the vehicle, major accidents, service records and
the title history. Once you have verified the car is clean you
should have it checked out by a mechanic. Most automotive repair
shops offer pre-purchase inspections that cost around $75 and
will include a comprehensive report of the areas checked and any
problems that have been found.
After you have performed the above you are ready to get down to
business. Use resources like Kelley Blue Book and NADA to find
out the average price of the vehicle in your area. With
previously owned vehicles there is a lot more wiggle room in
terms of price than with a new vehicle. Don't be afraid to
lowball on the price - you may be pleasantly surprised!
About the author:
Ian Koch likes to publish Auto Info and Articles. Check out his
comprehensive and informative automotive website cheap-used-cars.w-ela
nd.com
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Save Gas With A Hybrid: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
By: Lyn Davis
Starting at $22,150, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a great
choice for any car buyer who seeks a safe, attractive,
environmentally-friendly vehicle at an affordable price. Honda
retooled the Civic hybrid to make it even better than before.
Standard features include an 8-valve 4-cylinder gasoline engine,
anti-lock brakes, front and side cushion airbags, a sleek,
multi-tier panel and a top-notch audio system.
Like all hybrids, the 2006 Civic combines a gas engine, powerful
battery and electric motor to achieve maximum mileage and
reduced emissions. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid can cruise using
only its electric motor in particular driving conditions. This
makes it a "full hybrid" vehicle. As far as gas mileage goes,
the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the
highway. This is a slight improvement from the gas mileage of
the 2005 model.
The 2006 Civic hybrid's electric motor produces 20 horsepower.
The battery pack used for storing energy is 158 volts, increased
from the previous year.
The 2006 Civic hybrid offers seating for five and is considered
a compact sedan. Sleeker and more attractive than the 2005 Civic
hybrid, the 2006 model is great for anyone seeking a sportier
hybrid car.
As far as power goes, the combined gas engine and electric motor
of the 2006 Civic hybrid produce 115 horsepower, an increase of
23 percent from the 2005 model.
If you think the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid might be the right car
for you, the next step is finding a reputable dealership. You
can search for dealerships in your area using the Yellow Pages
or the Internet. It's a good idea to visit more than one
dealership before deciding which one should have your business.
Make sure your salesperson is knowledgeable and friendly without
being overly aggressive. And always take a test drive to make
sure the vehicle you think you want to purchase feels right to
you.
About the author:
Lyn Davis is a freelance writer who specializes in consumer
information. For more information visit Hybrid Cars
Starting at $22,150, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a great
choice for any car buyer who seeks a safe, attractive,
environmentally-friendly vehicle at an affordable price. Honda
retooled the Civic hybrid to make it even better than before.
Standard features include an 8-valve 4-cylinder gasoline engine,
anti-lock brakes, front and side cushion airbags, a sleek,
multi-tier panel and a top-notch audio system.
Like all hybrids, the 2006 Civic combines a gas engine, powerful
battery and electric motor to achieve maximum mileage and
reduced emissions. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid can cruise using
only its electric motor in particular driving conditions. This
makes it a "full hybrid" vehicle. As far as gas mileage goes,
the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the
highway. This is a slight improvement from the gas mileage of
the 2005 model.
The 2006 Civic hybrid's electric motor produces 20 horsepower.
The battery pack used for storing energy is 158 volts, increased
from the previous year.
The 2006 Civic hybrid offers seating for five and is considered
a compact sedan. Sleeker and more attractive than the 2005 Civic
hybrid, the 2006 model is great for anyone seeking a sportier
hybrid car.
As far as power goes, the combined gas engine and electric motor
of the 2006 Civic hybrid produce 115 horsepower, an increase of
23 percent from the 2005 model.
If you think the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid might be the right car
for you, the next step is finding a reputable dealership. You
can search for dealerships in your area using the Yellow Pages
or the Internet. It's a good idea to visit more than one
dealership before deciding which one should have your business.
Make sure your salesperson is knowledgeable and friendly without
being overly aggressive. And always take a test drive to make
sure the vehicle you think you want to purchase feels right to
you.
About the author:
Lyn Davis is a freelance writer who specializes in consumer
information. For more information visit Hybrid Cars
Leasing a Car the Smart Way
By: Charles Essmeier
Buying a car can be rather complicated, as the whole process
tends to be somewhat mysterious. It's often hard to know if
you're getting a good deal or not, even as the salesman claims
that he's selling you the car "at invoice." Leasing a car is
much the same way, except that the terminology is different and
you don't get to keep the car. You're still going to spend a lot
of money, though, so it makes sense to be as well informed about
leasing as possible.
For most consumers, leasing makes less sense than buying. When
you buy, you have a tangible product that you can resell later
or trade in for a new one. With a lease, the only thing you are
buying is the right to use the vehicle for a while. If you don't
drive a lot or if you just like having a new vehicle every
couple of years, leasing may be a good choice for you. Before
you get involved, here are some things you may wish to consider:
The money factor - This is the equivalent of an interest rate on
a car sale. The money factor, in order to remain mysterious,
will be presented as an odd number with a lot of decimal places.
To convert it to an approximate interest rate, multiply it by
24. The money factor, like just about everything else in a
lease, should be negotiable.
The amount due at signing - The size of the check that you have
to submit when you sign the lease can be sizable. You'll hear a
lot about low payments in the commercials, but little (except in
the fine print) about the amount you have to pay upfront. That
will include title fees, license fees, deposits and a reduction
in the capital cost that will reduce the size of your monthly
payments. Ask about this ahead of time; you don't want "sticker
shock" when you see the total.
Duration of the lease - Make sure you understand how long the
lease will last. If you want a car for three years, make sure
the lease isn't for 24 months.
What happens at lease end? You may have to pay, or you may get
to walk away, or you may have the opportunity to buy the
vehicle. The end of lease situation is spelled out in the
document; make sure you understand it before you sign.
Total mileage allowance - The lease will stipulate how many
miles you may drive over the course of the lease; you will have
to pay a per mile charge if you exceed that. The per mile fee
can be excessive, so make sure that the number of miles that you
are given matches your driving expectations. Keep in mind that
the mileage amount and the per mile fee is negotiable.
Each of these things can be an expensive nightmare if you
aren't prepared for them. Leasing a car is different from buying
one and you need to understand that long before you sign your
name on the contract. Otherwise, you could be in for an
expensive ride.
About the author:
©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the
owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational
Websites, including LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to
information regarding lemon laws for
automobiles and Car-Insurance-Help.net, a site about car insurance.
Buying a car can be rather complicated, as the whole process
tends to be somewhat mysterious. It's often hard to know if
you're getting a good deal or not, even as the salesman claims
that he's selling you the car "at invoice." Leasing a car is
much the same way, except that the terminology is different and
you don't get to keep the car. You're still going to spend a lot
of money, though, so it makes sense to be as well informed about
leasing as possible.
For most consumers, leasing makes less sense than buying. When
you buy, you have a tangible product that you can resell later
or trade in for a new one. With a lease, the only thing you are
buying is the right to use the vehicle for a while. If you don't
drive a lot or if you just like having a new vehicle every
couple of years, leasing may be a good choice for you. Before
you get involved, here are some things you may wish to consider:
The money factor - This is the equivalent of an interest rate on
a car sale. The money factor, in order to remain mysterious,
will be presented as an odd number with a lot of decimal places.
To convert it to an approximate interest rate, multiply it by
24. The money factor, like just about everything else in a
lease, should be negotiable.
The amount due at signing - The size of the check that you have
to submit when you sign the lease can be sizable. You'll hear a
lot about low payments in the commercials, but little (except in
the fine print) about the amount you have to pay upfront. That
will include title fees, license fees, deposits and a reduction
in the capital cost that will reduce the size of your monthly
payments. Ask about this ahead of time; you don't want "sticker
shock" when you see the total.
Duration of the lease - Make sure you understand how long the
lease will last. If you want a car for three years, make sure
the lease isn't for 24 months.
What happens at lease end? You may have to pay, or you may get
to walk away, or you may have the opportunity to buy the
vehicle. The end of lease situation is spelled out in the
document; make sure you understand it before you sign.
Total mileage allowance - The lease will stipulate how many
miles you may drive over the course of the lease; you will have
to pay a per mile charge if you exceed that. The per mile fee
can be excessive, so make sure that the number of miles that you
are given matches your driving expectations. Keep in mind that
the mileage amount and the per mile fee is negotiable.
Each of these things can be an expensive nightmare if you
aren't prepared for them. Leasing a car is different from buying
one and you need to understand that long before you sign your
name on the contract. Otherwise, you could be in for an
expensive ride.
About the author:
©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the
owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational
Websites, including LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to
information regarding lemon laws for
automobiles and Car-Insurance-Help.net, a site about car insurance.
Monday, July 17, 2006
3 Advantages Of Hybrid Cars Over Conventional Cars
By: KB Lim
Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it
causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for
an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is
finite and the price of gas is only going to rise higher and
higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages
Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years.
With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology
being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to
everyone.
Hybrid Cars Saves Gas
The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas.
Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long
range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save
as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that
the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car
stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason
why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline
engine is automatically turned on when you step on the
accelerator pedal.
Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly
Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional
gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is
environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases
less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know,
carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global
warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe
emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas
emissions by as much as fifty percent.
Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars
Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce
greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005
to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax
incentive varies by model and are based on two factors
1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a
conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class.
2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime
compared with an equivalent conventional car
For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits
of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note
that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.
Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more
ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also
as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars
will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.
About the author:
Dan Lim is a hybrid
car owner who contributes hybrid car technology articles regularly to http://all-hybrid-cars.info.
Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it
causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for
an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is
finite and the price of gas is only going to rise higher and
higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages
Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years.
With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology
being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to
everyone.
Hybrid Cars Saves Gas
The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas.
Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long
range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save
as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that
the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car
stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason
why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline
engine is automatically turned on when you step on the
accelerator pedal.
Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly
Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional
gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is
environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases
less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know,
carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global
warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe
emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas
emissions by as much as fifty percent.
Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars
Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce
greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005
to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax
incentive varies by model and are based on two factors
1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a
conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class.
2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime
compared with an equivalent conventional car
For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits
of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note
that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.
Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more
ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also
as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars
will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.
About the author:
Dan Lim is a hybrid
car owner who contributes hybrid car technology articles regularly to http://all-hybrid-cars.info.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
The Honda Civic Hybrid - A New Breed Of Car
By: Joe Bella
The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of those marvels of automotive
technology that combines the new world of electrical power with
the old world of fossil fuels. It may be a marvel of automotive
technology, but is it worth the higher price tag? After all, the
regular 2006 Honda Civic sedan has a pretty incredible MPG
rating, is the hybrid version that much better?
Well, the answer to that really depends. I'd say yes, no, and
maybe all at once. The Honda Civic Hybrid gets an amazing
50-MPG, which is about the same on both cities and highways.
This isn't the highest MPG rating out there amongst hybrid
vehicles, but it is very good and quite consistent. Owning one
will certainly save you money on gas right away. Also, as a
certified partial-zero emissions vehicle (AT-PZEV), you really
aren't hurting the environment at all by driving one of these
things.
If everyone in the United States had this type of vehicle, the
US would not only be completely self-sufficient with its own oil
reserves, but would be able to export large amounts of oil to
other countries.
So, if those are issues that are important to you, the new
models may be worth looking into just for their environmentally
friendly attitude. All hybrid vehicles are still in a somewhat
early stage of the technology, however, so they are slightly
more prone to technical difficulties. Maintenance costs on your
Honda Civic Hybrid may out weigh any money you save in gas. Yet
the reduced impact on the environment is of course the same
nevertheless.
The new 2006 model has also undergone some upgrades, making it
even more attractive. Like the other Honda Civics, it has gotten
of makeover, and looks a whole lot sharper than before. One of
the biggest draw backs on the first version for me was its odd
appearance. The new ones actually look like regular new cars,
and are much better looking than the competing cars of this
nature.
Personally, I'm opting to wait before diving into the hybrid
market. Since the sedan gets between 30 and 40 MPG, which in
itself is extremely good, I feel safer using the older yet more
proven and more reliable gas technology. However, the Honda
Civic Hybrid is certainly getting better each year, and I'm sure
I'll be reevaluating my thoughts on the idea of getting one
soon.
About the author:
Joe has enjoyed unique and muscle cars for over 2 decades and
knows which ones bring the best trade-in values as well as
horsepower. For his latest car articles, see: Car and Auto Articles
The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of those marvels of automotive
technology that combines the new world of electrical power with
the old world of fossil fuels. It may be a marvel of automotive
technology, but is it worth the higher price tag? After all, the
regular 2006 Honda Civic sedan has a pretty incredible MPG
rating, is the hybrid version that much better?
Well, the answer to that really depends. I'd say yes, no, and
maybe all at once. The Honda Civic Hybrid gets an amazing
50-MPG, which is about the same on both cities and highways.
This isn't the highest MPG rating out there amongst hybrid
vehicles, but it is very good and quite consistent. Owning one
will certainly save you money on gas right away. Also, as a
certified partial-zero emissions vehicle (AT-PZEV), you really
aren't hurting the environment at all by driving one of these
things.
If everyone in the United States had this type of vehicle, the
US would not only be completely self-sufficient with its own oil
reserves, but would be able to export large amounts of oil to
other countries.
So, if those are issues that are important to you, the new
models may be worth looking into just for their environmentally
friendly attitude. All hybrid vehicles are still in a somewhat
early stage of the technology, however, so they are slightly
more prone to technical difficulties. Maintenance costs on your
Honda Civic Hybrid may out weigh any money you save in gas. Yet
the reduced impact on the environment is of course the same
nevertheless.
The new 2006 model has also undergone some upgrades, making it
even more attractive. Like the other Honda Civics, it has gotten
of makeover, and looks a whole lot sharper than before. One of
the biggest draw backs on the first version for me was its odd
appearance. The new ones actually look like regular new cars,
and are much better looking than the competing cars of this
nature.
Personally, I'm opting to wait before diving into the hybrid
market. Since the sedan gets between 30 and 40 MPG, which in
itself is extremely good, I feel safer using the older yet more
proven and more reliable gas technology. However, the Honda
Civic Hybrid is certainly getting better each year, and I'm sure
I'll be reevaluating my thoughts on the idea of getting one
soon.
About the author:
Joe has enjoyed unique and muscle cars for over 2 decades and
knows which ones bring the best trade-in values as well as
horsepower. For his latest car articles, see: Car and Auto Articles
Monday, July 03, 2006
Auto Quote
Right now the auto makers are offering tons of year end specials. Get your auto quote right now. It's easy and it's free with no obligation. Autos.com lets you search dealers inventories and find whatever you're looking for. You can even get auto loans online through them.
GM is offering 0% financing on most vehicles for a full 72 months. Chrysler's incentives are low percentage financing based on models and cash rebates of up to $3,500 on some truck models. Ford has 5-year 0% deals on just about every vehicle they make, including hybrids. If you're in the market for a new car now's the time.
GM is offering 0% financing on most vehicles for a full 72 months. Chrysler's incentives are low percentage financing based on models and cash rebates of up to $3,500 on some truck models. Ford has 5-year 0% deals on just about every vehicle they make, including hybrids. If you're in the market for a new car now's the time.
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