Auto Trends

Continuing from our list of the best used cars from 1998 and up, we come to the letters H through I of the manufacturers alphabet:

Honda Accord-

Honda Civic-

Honda Civic Hybrid-

Honda CR-V-

Honda makes a good vehicle in general, but in the small SUV market we sure like the Honda CR-V for both its performance, convenience, and overall value. With being one of the first car platform SUV’s out in 1996, Honda hasn’t had to perfect to many faults over the years. But one of its so-called worst faults, isn’t actually all that bad.

The CR-V was slightly underpowered over the years, especially in 1998 ($3,700) at 126 horsepower, but in todays gas crunch, that 126 ponies translates into low fuel consumption (22/26 mpg) and high reliability. 1999 saw a boost of 20 ponies with their stout 2.0 liter, which was later boosted to 160 horsepower from 2002 to 2006 ($8,700 - $20,000) with a more potent 2.4 liter 4-cylinder (all engines have around the same mpg).

The Honda CR-V is a lot more rugged than it would appear and is highly capable of tackling snow, rain, and ice with its all-wheel-drive, and then heading out on the dry highway, where it is every bit as agile and light on its wheels as most any similar priced sedan.

While the CR-V may handle like a car, it does not have the same convenience features as one, and we mean this in a good way. The Honda has quite a bit of space on the inside for passengers, a large cargo area, and a nifty picnic table that folds up from the floor.

The price range of the CR-V ranges from $4,000 to $30,000 from 1998 on up to 2007, so there should be something in there for anyone.

Honda Element-

Honda Odyssey-

Honda Pilot-

Honda S2000-

Infiniti FX-

Infiniti G20-

Infiniti G35-

About $15,000 will get you a used 2003 Infinity G35. These were introduced in the spring of 2002 as infiniti’s newest affordable luxury sedan. While luxury was certainly a focus, sport enthusiasm was one of its key selling points.

Its rear wheel configuration combined with a potent 280 horsepower V-6 for the coupe, could be described best as a family persons version of the Nissan 350Z. While longer than the 350Z, its sport capabilities were still quite impressive for its size.

The sedans were scaled down a bit to 260 horsepower, and both body styles featured a 5-speed automatic transmission and 6-speed manual. Such classy options for both include leather, 17 inch alloys, Xenon headlights, wood interior trim, Bose stereo/satellite, DVD navigation, sunroof, and a premium package with sport tuned suspension and performance tires to match.

The sportier coupes had the additional options of 18-inch wheels, limited-slip differential, heated front seats, and performance rated brakes, while the sedan had the exclusive feature of reclining rear seat back. Safety wise, both body styles had anti-lock disc brakes, power brake assist, and side airbags.

The G35 is second to none in its class, which includes the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and the Cadillac CTS.

Infiniti I30, I35-

Infiniti QX4-

(…to be continued)

…Will be the hype of many celebrities, starts at no less than $70 grand a pop, has enough seating for an entire g-money crew, and comes with rims the size of its mpg?

None other than the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid…

Cadillac is no dummy. They don’t want to be left out in the cold this winter as sales for compacts continue to outdo most SUV’s like they were a one legged midget at a butt kicking contest.

Cadillac has set the bar at 20 mpg or so with its new Escalade, which is actually quite similar to several of the other SUV hybrids that are not selling too great. Is all that bling-bling going to be able to get peoples attention from the slew of 30-plus mpg hybrids coming into action?

Well, GM certainly thinks so, and here is what they plan to bring to the table to do it…

The ‘Greening’ of the Beast

First of all unlike the direction of a few luxury SUV’s, such as the Lexus RX 400h, the Escalade Hybrid is going to be close to the same functionality as the original 6.2 liter 400 horsepower Cadillac. This means it will be able to tow, haul, and haul-a__, slaughtering any Toyota Prius off the line using its 332 horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque, 6.0 liter V-8.

But the Prius owner won’t mind, as they know slow and steady always wins the race. 20 mpg maybe good for a large SUV, but it is certainly not going to win you any humanitarian awards, especially if you don’t have any real use for a large luxury SUV. But 20 mpg is a lot more impressive than some environmentalists might give it credit for. In fact, a lot of technology went into the nearly 10 mpg gained from the standard V-8.

Let’s take a look at the Escalade’s recipe for achieving its green status:

30 hp Electric Motor

First and foremost the hybrid Escalade comes with a 30 horsepower 300-volt nickel metal hydride battery, which can regenerate itself much like the Toyota Prius during stopping and coasting. It does this by switching the electric motor over to an electric generator which helps recharge the battery without relying on the gas engine to do so 100 percent of the time.

The electric motor is claimed to actually be the sole mode of power during light take-offs and low speed cruising around town. The hybrid also has adopted smaller car-like tires (Yes, those 22’s are not conducive to good gas mileage) and a more aerodynamic front grill and bumper.

EVT Transmission

It comes with an (EVT) Electronic Variable Transmission, which offers multiple gear ratios for optimum transmission efficiency. The EVT also serves as the control module that decides at what point should the electric power become gas and vice versa (or a combination of the two).

Active Fuel Management System

To top things off, the V-8 Escalade Hybrid makes good use of the popular Active Fuel Management System that allows its V-8 the opportunity to become a 4-cylinder at a stable cruising speeds by shutting off half it’s cylinders. This is the whole reason that the 2010 Camaro is able to achieve 23 mpg with a 422 horsepower 6.0 liter V-8.

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid may indeed prevail this summer where other SUV hybrids have failed… especially if consumers continue to see the lower gas prices we’ve been enjoying!

There are a record number of advice columns on how to save gas, discussing even the most minuet details that might offer one or two extra droplets at best. Some of us have tried every one of these tips, short of hanging outside the drivers side window holding onto a semi truck while in neutral.

But the cold hard facts are coming in and there is really only a few sure fire ways to save any worthwhile gas amounts and we break them down into nice and simple Do and Don’t rules to live by:

Do’s

• Do Drive at a reasonable constant speed. It has been found that driving 55 not only keeps you alive, but saves you as much as 5 to 10 mpg. Cruise control will prove to be a great ally in this effort.
• Do drive with your window down and air conditioner off when you are cruising at low speeds (20-30 mph) around town. This move is usually good for about 1 mpg.
• Do take those sand bags out of the trunk/truck bed in the summertime. Excessive weight decreases fuel economy.
• Do store items in your vehicle or garage rather than on top of your cargo rack whenever possible. The drag coefficient of items on a rack can drag your fuel economy down anywhere from 1 to 4 mpg.
• Do buy a more economical car. There really is no better way to save on gas, than to buy a vehicle that was made to do just that.

Don’ts

• Don’t bother getting gas in the late evening or early morning. The gas is stored in underground tanks, so there is little to no difference in temperature, which means you really are getting about the same amount of gas any time of the day.
• Don’t accelerate and brake heavily in traffic. This wastes energy and inertia and destroys your fuel economy by as much as 40 percent. Remember, the slow and steady turtle always wins the race when it comes to fuel economy… always!
• Don’t overinflate your tires. There is a limit where your safety outdoes any small amount of gas savings you would achieve from overinflated tires.
• Don’t turn off your air conditioner and role down your windows on the highway (40 mph and above) thinking you are saving gas. The negative effect in aerodynamics from the open window outdoes any of the gas saving effects of turning off your air conditioner.
• Don’t bother over zealously changing your air filter. In reality no matter how dirty your filters get, your fuel economy is always the same. Your vehicles computer compensates for the lack of air by reducing the amount of gas going into the engine. Follow the recommended tune-up procedure laid out by your manufacturer. That is all you should need to maintain your vehicles fuel efficiency.