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
Saturday, July 15, 2006
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.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Best Time to Buy a New Car
If you're in the market to buy a new car now is the best time. The dealers want to clear out their lots for the new models. A lot of manufacturers are also offering rebates or special finance deals, too. You can get a quote right now online. check it out.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
How to Find Cheap Auto Insurance
Factoring in the cost of auto insurance is one thing most people overlook
when shopping for a new car. Check out this article for some good pointers.
By: Terry Bolton
Auto insurance is one of those items where the price can vary a
lot based on which insurer you go through. Sometimes your rates
can vary as much as 20-30% just because of different rating
factors the company may use. By utilizing the power of the
Internet you can be a savvy insurance shopper and find cheap
auto insurance that fits your needs while providing the customer
service and support you need.
When people are shopping for a new or used car they often don't
think about insurance until the last moment. Several consumers
fall into the trap of obtaining an instant car loan through the
dealership and inadvertently signing up for the auto insurance
through the finance company. This can be one of the worst
mistakes you can make. Often finance companies that roll
insurance into the finance agreement will charge premium prices
that have interest charges added in on top of the already high
rates. When obtaining financing make sure you state up front
that you will be getting insurance through a company of your
choosing and not the finance company.
The best bet to finding the best deal on vehicle coverage is to
do your research before you buy the car. By knowing up-front
what type of car you are looking for most insurance companies
can provide you with a basic quote that is in the ballpark of
the rates you can expect to pay. Remember, never drive off the
lot with any car until you have the insurance purchased and
finalized. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. The last
thing you want to happen is to be in an accident without
insurance.
About the author:
Terry Bolton is a writer and internet publisher who
likes to publish Articles with Auto Information. Check out his
comprehensive and informative automotive website cheap-used-cars.w-e
land.com
when shopping for a new car. Check out this article for some good pointers.
By: Terry Bolton
Auto insurance is one of those items where the price can vary a
lot based on which insurer you go through. Sometimes your rates
can vary as much as 20-30% just because of different rating
factors the company may use. By utilizing the power of the
Internet you can be a savvy insurance shopper and find cheap
auto insurance that fits your needs while providing the customer
service and support you need.
When people are shopping for a new or used car they often don't
think about insurance until the last moment. Several consumers
fall into the trap of obtaining an instant car loan through the
dealership and inadvertently signing up for the auto insurance
through the finance company. This can be one of the worst
mistakes you can make. Often finance companies that roll
insurance into the finance agreement will charge premium prices
that have interest charges added in on top of the already high
rates. When obtaining financing make sure you state up front
that you will be getting insurance through a company of your
choosing and not the finance company.
The best bet to finding the best deal on vehicle coverage is to
do your research before you buy the car. By knowing up-front
what type of car you are looking for most insurance companies
can provide you with a basic quote that is in the ballpark of
the rates you can expect to pay. Remember, never drive off the
lot with any car until you have the insurance purchased and
finalized. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. The last
thing you want to happen is to be in an accident without
insurance.
About the author:
Terry Bolton is a writer and internet publisher who
likes to publish Articles with Auto Information. Check out his
comprehensive and informative automotive website cheap-used-cars.w-e
land.com
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Is Acura Missing the Alternate Fuels Boat?
By: Matthew C. Keegan
The Honda division is getting "all the goods" when it comes to
alternate fuel technology, while Acura is missing out. All that
will radically change within the next few years.
While parent company Honda continues to bestow all of its hybrid
technology on its Honda division vehicles, Acura is doing
without any alternate engine sources to power their cars and
SUVs. Instead, the division is relying on newer gasoline engines
to promote fuel efficiency as well as to lower greenhouse gas
emissions. Is Acura doing enough or is Honda's luxury division
missing the boat? Big changes are headed Acura's way, changes
that could enormously overhaul the brand and bring to the market
vehicles powered by a variety of alternate fuel sources. Let's
examine exactly what might be Acura's alternate powerplant
offerings at the beginning of the next decade.
Diesel, Biodiesel - Honda got into the diesel market
late, but the company's first offerings are considered to be
exceptionally good. Four cylinder powered diesel engines are
being developed that will initially appear in select Honda model
cars within the next two years. These new engines meet current
EPA guidelines and raise the typical fuel mileage of each car by
about 30%. Importantly, each engine will be able to run on
biodiesel a renewable resource made of ingredients such as
soybeans. Acura may get its own diesel aspirated engine soon
after the launch of the first diesel powered Honda hits the
market.
Ethanol - Unlike American based automakers, Honda has no
plans to offer vehicles that can run on E85 technology. E85,
consisting of 85% ethanol [usually corn] and 15% straight
gasoline has been getting a lot of press attention lately.
However, the extreme lack of service stations offering the fuel
has kept demand low. Honda has decided to concentrate on next
generation hybrid technology instead of branching out to E85.
Hydrogen - Claiming that the first hydrogen powered car
will be ready for production within the next 3 or 4 years, some
are doubting that Honda will be prepared to make such a move
until well after then. Look for Acura to only get a hydrogen
powered car several years after the first Honda hydrogen vehicle
has been successfully tested in Japan.
Pluggable Hybrid - To extend hybrid fuel economy even
further, pluggable hybrid powered vehicles are currently being
developed. Acura's first hybrid may include this technology once
Honda readies it for the market. Toyota is readying a similar
model and Ford is doing likewise. 100 mpg may be a realistic
figure once these vehicles are rolled out.
Natural Gas - A natural gas powered Acura isn't likely to
be produced, simply because Honda is investing in hybrid,
diesel, and hydrogen technology above all else. Still, natural
gas could be used in future fuel cell vehicles to make hydrogen.
Thus, in an indirect way natural gas could power an Acura
vehicle of the not-too-distant future.
So, although it would appear that Acura isn't getting the same
alternate fuel technology as the Honda division is at the
moment, it would appear that all of that will change in the very
near future. This is good news for people who enjoy the Acura
brand, but want to see it expand to include options that are
environmentally friendly and promote fuel efficiency.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is an article writer
covering a wide variety of automotive topics including all of
the luxury brands. Your Acura
TL is among the very best vehicles produced today; get high
quality Acura
Parts and Acura
Accessory .
The Honda division is getting "all the goods" when it comes to
alternate fuel technology, while Acura is missing out. All that
will radically change within the next few years.
While parent company Honda continues to bestow all of its hybrid
technology on its Honda division vehicles, Acura is doing
without any alternate engine sources to power their cars and
SUVs. Instead, the division is relying on newer gasoline engines
to promote fuel efficiency as well as to lower greenhouse gas
emissions. Is Acura doing enough or is Honda's luxury division
missing the boat? Big changes are headed Acura's way, changes
that could enormously overhaul the brand and bring to the market
vehicles powered by a variety of alternate fuel sources. Let's
examine exactly what might be Acura's alternate powerplant
offerings at the beginning of the next decade.
Diesel, Biodiesel - Honda got into the diesel market
late, but the company's first offerings are considered to be
exceptionally good. Four cylinder powered diesel engines are
being developed that will initially appear in select Honda model
cars within the next two years. These new engines meet current
EPA guidelines and raise the typical fuel mileage of each car by
about 30%. Importantly, each engine will be able to run on
biodiesel a renewable resource made of ingredients such as
soybeans. Acura may get its own diesel aspirated engine soon
after the launch of the first diesel powered Honda hits the
market.
Ethanol - Unlike American based automakers, Honda has no
plans to offer vehicles that can run on E85 technology. E85,
consisting of 85% ethanol [usually corn] and 15% straight
gasoline has been getting a lot of press attention lately.
However, the extreme lack of service stations offering the fuel
has kept demand low. Honda has decided to concentrate on next
generation hybrid technology instead of branching out to E85.
Hydrogen - Claiming that the first hydrogen powered car
will be ready for production within the next 3 or 4 years, some
are doubting that Honda will be prepared to make such a move
until well after then. Look for Acura to only get a hydrogen
powered car several years after the first Honda hydrogen vehicle
has been successfully tested in Japan.
Pluggable Hybrid - To extend hybrid fuel economy even
further, pluggable hybrid powered vehicles are currently being
developed. Acura's first hybrid may include this technology once
Honda readies it for the market. Toyota is readying a similar
model and Ford is doing likewise. 100 mpg may be a realistic
figure once these vehicles are rolled out.
Natural Gas - A natural gas powered Acura isn't likely to
be produced, simply because Honda is investing in hybrid,
diesel, and hydrogen technology above all else. Still, natural
gas could be used in future fuel cell vehicles to make hydrogen.
Thus, in an indirect way natural gas could power an Acura
vehicle of the not-too-distant future.
So, although it would appear that Acura isn't getting the same
alternate fuel technology as the Honda division is at the
moment, it would appear that all of that will change in the very
near future. This is good news for people who enjoy the Acura
brand, but want to see it expand to include options that are
environmentally friendly and promote fuel efficiency.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is an article writer
covering a wide variety of automotive topics including all of
the luxury brands. Your Acura
TL is among the very best vehicles produced today; get high
quality Acura
Parts and Acura
Accessory .
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