While some folks may feel that the 2009 Dodge Challenger’s interior is too bland and too much like its Dodge stablemates, we beg to differ. The roomy and comfortable interior is spot on, and provides the perfect canvas for the aftermarket to embellish upon.
Entries from April 2009 ↓
Dodge Challenger SE Interior Review
April 30th, 2009 — dodge, review
Ford Fusion Hybrid: 1,445.7 Miles, One Tank of Gas.
April 28th, 2009 — ford, hybrid
How far can you go on one tank of gas? A team of drivers has driven 1445.7 miles on one tank of gas in a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, averaging a remarkable 81.5 miles per gallon on roads in the Washington DC area. Team members included CleanMPG.com’s Wayne Gerdes, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards (shown below), and four Ford engineers, Sherif Marakby, Gil Portalatin, Tom Rolewicz, and Steve Burke.
The team set out on Sunday morning with a goal of breaking the 1000 mile mark, in an effort to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Fusion Hybrid was a standard production model, running on 87 octane gas. It was not modified for the event. After driving for 69 hours continuously, the tank finally ran dry early this morning.
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2009 Dodge Challenger SE Review
April 27th, 2009 — dodge, review
MPG-o-Matic Dodge Challenger SE Review Summary: The 2009 Dodge Challenger SE is a remarkable remake of a classic American pony car that holds a secret beneath its stunning retro body … a modern V6 engine that delivers respectable gas mileage. The Challenger SE is a hot ticket for full-size fuel-efficient cruising.
2009 Pontiac Reviews – It’s History
April 27th, 2009 — pontiac, review
With today’s announcement from General Motors that Pontiac will cease to exist by the end of 2010, it dawned on me that I’ve had the opportunity to document history. Over the last year, I test drove and reviewed four different 2009 Pontiac vehicles, driving each for a week’s time.
Looking back on the reviews, Pontiac’s demise wasn’t difficult to predict, given the evaporation of Oldsmobile earlier this decade. The majority of Pontiac’s offerings were too much the same, offering nearly identical products to other brands. The Pontiac G6 is based on the Chevy Malibu, the G5 is based on the Chevy Cobalt, the Solstice is a twin of the Saturn Sky, and the Vibe is based on the Toyota Matrix.
Drive each of these cars against their cousins, and you’d be hard pressed to see much difference.
The Pontiac G8 is the one shining exception. Built and sold in Australia as the Holden Commodore, the G8 is a thoroughly modern sports sedan. While the G8 is light on technology, it offers exceptional performance. Given the attention, the Commodore/G8 could compete with the best in its class, on a worldwide basis.
It is increasingly clear that General Motors international assets are core to the company’s future. In today’s Q&A session, GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson, stressed that “the nature of those global relationships will change” within their new four core brand strategy (Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC).
Before today’s press conference, it was my hope that the G8/Commodore would live on here in the States, either as a Chevy or more preferably as a Cadillac (but not both). Unfortunately, Fritz Henderson made the comment that the G8 would be phased out by the end of this year.
Regardless of that, I don’t believe we’ve seen the last of the car. With tweaks to the nose, tail, and interior, GM could have a brilliant new Cadillac in record time that would slot in just under the CTS and help bring more youthful drivers to the showroom. Given Henderson’s comments that Cadillac must “win in the United States,” there could be no clearer nor more rapid path to success.
The trump card?
Stuff a twin-turbo clean diesel under the Commodore’s hood to deliver performance and fuel economy to rival the BMW 335d.
2009 Pontiac G6 Review
Good Gas Mileage
April 22nd, 2009 — gas mileage
When you set out to drive your car with good gas mileage as a primary goal, you learn to make changes to both your daily routine and your driving habits. While swapping out for a more efficient vehicle often isn’t an option, you can take control over the amount of fuel you use each week. In order to get good gas mileage, you have to be willing to alter your technique.
How heavy- footed are you?
While the current official fuel economy estimates are a reasonable starting point, a conscientious driver can beat the numbers. Although earlier estimates may have overstated mileage, the current figures can dramatically understate certain vehicles capabilities.
Depending on the car, good gas mileage is relative. If you have six people to move about, a four-seat vehicle won’t do. It’s important to compare apples to apples. Some small car zealots forget about the transportation requirements of extended families as well as the need to transport friends, along with family.
Ready to Replace Your Ride?
While the Toyota Prius (shown at left) and Honda Civic Hybrid are two long-running darlings, there’s an expanded range of new vehicles with good gas mileage on the market these days.
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (shown at right) marked the return of high-MPG diesel cars to the United States, while the 2010 Honda Insight carves out a new niche as the most affordable hybrid. With gas prices at less than half their peak, there are some great bargains out there.
Can’t afford (or don’t want) to buy a brand new car? The previously-owned market offers plenty of choices. The Honda Civic is one of the most popular conventional used cars with good gas mileage. Other popular choices include the Ford Focus (shown at left), Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla. All four of these vehicles have been on the market for years and the supply of these vehicles is plentiful.
Other popular used cars with good gas mileage include the Mini Cooper (shown at right), Toyota Yaris, and Honda Fit. The cumulative sales numbers are lower on these vehicles however, and they may be harder to find in the used car market.
As always, the laws of supply and demand apply.
We’ve seen the cycle repeat itself; when the price of fuel goes up, good gas mileage cars are in high demand and prices go up. When the price of fuel drops, so does the demand for, and the price of, fuel-efficient vehicles.
As a country, we need to realize that the current lull in gas prices cannot last. As individuals, we must take note of the sales price reductions in these vehicles and take advantage of the situation, when and if possible.
Carpe diem.
