The Car Monomaniac 

Best and Worst in Fuel Economy

With the price of fuel spiking up every now and then, it would not be surprising to know that people have tried using their vehicles less often or have tried using public transportation to go places. If you are considering of buying a new vehicle, perhaps it would be wise to try considering if it could save you a lot on gas.

A new vehicle has a sticker on it that shows its gas mileage as compared to other vehicles in its class. It would provide you enough knowledge when you make your decision. The type of fuel that is required should also be considered. Also, it would be best if you check on your auto parts for some of these could be causing your vehicle to run a high meter on gas. Auto Parts Fast could assist you with these need for they have replacement for Audi parts, Mitsubishi parts, Lincoln parts, Chevy parts, or whatever parts you need for any vehicle model you are driving.

Consumer Guide has done several comparisons on vehicle types so as to provide ordinary consumers an understanding on fuel economy. It is based on their observed fuel economy. They have listed their best and their worst for each category.

Compact Cars (Average 24.59 mpg)
Best: Scion xA (33.32 mpg)
Worst: Chrysler PT Cruiser (16.14 mpg)

Premium Compact Cars (Average 20.49 mpg)
Best: Volvo V50 (24.79 mpg)
Worst: Jaguar X-Type (14.48 mpg)

Midsize Cars (Average 21.41 mpg)
Best: Hyundai Sonata (25.30 mpg)
Worst: Subaru Outback (15.46 mpg)

Premium Midsize Cars (Average 18.24 mpg)
Best: Mercedes-Benz E-class (27.04 mpg)
Worst: Audi A6 (14.74 mpg)

Large Cars (Average 18.38 mpg)
Best: Toyota Avalon (22.93 mpg)
Worst: Dodge Charger (13.70 mpg)

Premium Large Cars (Average 18.66 mpg)
Best: Jaguar XJ-Sedan (20.57 mpg)
Worst: Audi A8 (18.35 mpg)

Sporty/Performance Cars (Average 19.76 mpg)
Best: Mini Cooper (27.63 mpg)
Worst: Mazda RX-8 (13.52 mpg)

Premium Sporty/Performance Cars (Average 17.60 mpg)
Best: BMW Z4 (21.51 mpg)
Worst: Chevrolet SSR (15.04 mpg)

Compact SUVs (Average 20.48 mpg)
Best: Subaru Forester (24.21 mpg)
Worst: Jeep Wrangler (12.01 mpg)

Midsize SUVs (Average 16.29 mpg)
Best: Subaru B9 Tribeca (18.37 mpg)
Worst: Mitsubishi Endeavor (11.09 mpg)

Premium Midsize SUVs (Average 15.54 mpg)
Best: Infiniti FX (17.59 mpg)
Worst: Land Rover Range Rover Sport (10.72 mpg)

Large SUVs (Average 14.29 mpg)
Best: Toyota Sequoia (15.0 mpg)
Worst: Ford Expedition (13.24 mpg)

Premium Large SUVs (Average 11.89 mpg)
Best: Lincoln Navigator (13.60 mpg)
Worst: Hummer H2 (10.38 mpg)

Minivans (Average 18.08 mpg)
Best: Saturn Relay (21.62 mpg)
Worst: Honda Odyssey (16.35 mpg)

Compact Pickup Trucks (Average 15.05 mpg)
Best: Isuzu i-Series (17.81 mpg)
Worst: Dodge Dakota (11.55 mpg)

Large Pickup Trucks (Average 11.28 mpg)
Best: Lincoln Mark LT (14.14 mpg)
Worst: Dodge Ram 1500 (9.23 mpg)

Cars In Hollywood

Is your partner a die-hard classic car enthusiast while you are a self-professed movie fanatic? You might want to check this out—Top Vintage Car Movies! I bet watching these movies can bring you two closer than ever.

Here are three of the best movies I personally chose:

* A Man and a Woman - this 1966 movie tells about romance between a movie script girl (a widow) and a race car driver (widower) who meet while visiting their children at boarding school. It stars Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant and several cars including Ford Mustangs and the Ford GT-40 race car.

* To Catch a Thief - This 1955 movie based on the 1952 novel of David Dodge stars Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. It was set on the romantic French Riviera. Featured in the film is a luxurious Sunbeam Alpine convertible Kelly drives throughout the film.

* Bullitt – this 1968 movie based on the novel Mute Witness stars Steve McQueen and Jacqueline Bisset, set in San Francisco. It was most remembered for its central car chase through the streets of San Francisco. It featured hottest cars of that time, including a dark highland green 1968 Ford Mustang GT-390 and Dodge Charger.

You can also watch LeMans, an excellent racing movie, Vanishing Point, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ronin, Duel and of course, the ever-popular James Bond film, the Goldfinger that features a 1965 ford Mustang.

And just in case you want to get new parts and some styling accessories for your loved one, you can go to Auto Parts Fast. You can find here excellent quality auto parts for various makes and models, such as Acura parts, Ford parts, Toyota parts, Volkswagen parts, Jeep parts and BMW parts.

The Best Cars in 2005

The year is almost over; before we finally say goodbye to 2005, let’s go back and recall the cars that made it big this year. Here’s a list and a quick review of five of the Car and Driver Magazine’s 10 Best Sports Sedans for 2005:

1. Acura TSX – a Car and Driver review says this sports sedan is a “symphony of painstakingly perfected details that add up to feline agility.” Luxury features abound in this car, the only option is a DVD-based navigation system with voice recognition. Powering this car is a 200 hp DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4 engine.

2. Acura RL – another Acura model that made it to the best list of Car and Driver Magazine. It’s Acura’s flagship sedan. It features a Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system that pushes and provides more power to the rear Acura wheels when cornering. It’s powered by a DOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter V-6 that delivers 300 horsepower at 6200 rpm.

3. BMW 3 Series/ M3 – this “Ultimate Driving Machine” has been in the Car and Driver Magazine’s 10 Best List for 15 consecutive years now, which is testament enough of this model’s exemplary performance, design and luxury features. Engine lineup available for this model includes the DOHC 24-valve 2.5-, 3.0-, or 3.2-liter inline-6, capable of producing 184 to 333 horsepower.

4. Ford Mustang GT – this car is one of the most significant cars in the industry. It was the first pony car, which prompted other car manufacturers to produce their own pony cars. The 2005 Ford Mustang is far better than the original Mustangs, yet Mustang’s spirit of real performance remains intact. Powering the new Mustang is the SOHC 24-valve 4.6-liter V-8 that delivers 300 horsepower.

5. Honda Accord – this car takes pride of its rigid chassis, impressive handling and ride quality. Available engines for this car include the 160 hp DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4 engine, 240 hp SOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6 engine, hybrid drive system of 240 hp SOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6 engine and 16 hp 100 lb-ft AC electric motor.

Other sports sedans that made it to the list are Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300/ 300 C Hemi, Dodge Magnum, Mazda RX-8 and Mercedes-Benz SLK350. In case you need parts for any of these vehicles, you can go to Auto Parts Fast. The store is offering great discounts on great variety of Acura parts, BMW parts, Ford parts, Honda parts and so much more.

What's Your Choice? To Use or Not to Use HID Headlights

Cars and fashion go together nowadays. As auto users need and driving fancies become more complicated, cars become more advanced in terms of performance, safety, comfort features and of course styling. A lot of people are fond of customizing their car by replacing some of its auto parts to make it look different. Among the auto parts often replaced and enhanced are the lights. Automotive lights do not only enhance safety but improves the car s looks as well. They can make a car look a lot sportier, more luxurious or simply more fun to drive.

The trend now is to use High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights instead of the factory headlamps. For someone driving a vehicle with HID lights, having them is favorable because they emit wider and brighter illumination. But drivers who receive the light on the other end of the road would feel otherwise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receives a lot of complaints about temporary blindness caused by the glare from HID headlights.

Not all halogen or HID headlamps, however, produce much glare. Try to look for these lights for your replacement headlamps needs. High beams are also allowed by law but they should be used only to emit adequate amount of light far ahead. Low beams should be used when approaching another vehicle. You can also channel the HID lights toward the sides to reduce glare.

Auto Parts Fast is one of the best sources of high quality headlights. If you are in need of replacement Ford headlights, you do not have to search everywhere the best quality replacements that you need. Auto Parts Fast guarantees fast and safe transactions online and excellent discount prices too.

Soon, driving might just become a divine experience

Seems like we’re moving closer to making driving a divine, spiritual experience.

Autoblog Reports: What would Buddha drive? Rinspeed’s zaZen!

What exactly are we talking about here?

Here’s the Autoblog article:

“Swiss design company Rinspeed’s newest concept car is the zaZen - said to show ‘new ways to automotive enlightenment.’

Developed in partnership with Bayer MaterialScience, the Porsche-based zaZen features a one-piece polycarbonate dome roof with a built-in holographic brake light. The roof can vary from fully transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. The same material allows superfluous controls and displays on the dash to “fade out” so they don’t distract the driver. According to Rinspeed, “The interior is an invitation to meditative unity for man and machine.”

The white body is covered in millions of tiny Swarovski crystals under a self-healing polyurethane clear coat. The zaZen will debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.”



I bet you’re having an out of body experience just thinking about it now.

It used to be that peace of mind meant driving in a car that’s safe (that’s why we click on to our trusted online auto parts store Auto Parts Fast to order new tires to replace the worn ones). Apparently, it’s now on a higher plane of things.

Gas-saving tips

Here are ten tips to keep your gas pump expenses from squeezing out too large a chunk out of your paycheck:

1. Purchase your gasoline when it’s coolest outside, such as during early morning or at night. Why? Because gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. And because gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel, not the destiny, you’ll get yourself better overall gas mileage for your money by purchasing fuel when it’s cool outside rather than in the heat of the day.

2. Make sure to regularly check your car’s tire pressure monthly. It would be wise to nvest on a reliable, good-quality dial-type gauge – as pencil style gauge and the ones mounted on the air hose are unreliable according to federal government surveys). Under inflated tires will reduce fuel efficiency by 2 percent for every pound they are under inflated. Incorrectly inflated tires will also cause your tires to wear prematurely – and, is likely to compromise your vehicle’s safety.

3. Hold that foot – yes, slow down, and obey the speed limit. Gunning that pedal to the metal will cost you about 20% more fuel driving at 70 mph than you will at 55 mph.
4. Avoid using air conditioning as much as possible. Air conditioning lessens fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Use the air ventilation system instead.

5. Close those windows when traveling at high speeds. Open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It's much better to use the ventilation system.

6. Remove car racks and other items which will make your vehicle less aerodynamic when they are not in use. Leaving them on only makes your car less fuel efficient and costs you money.

7. Stop idling, get going. Even on cold mornings, cars don’t need to idle more than 30 seconds. Newer cars are designed to be driven almost as soon as you get behind the wheel, and letting your vehicle idle longer is only a waste of gas.

8. It's more efficient to turn off your car and turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds while waiting.

9. Remove all the excess weight from your car. Many people use their car trunk as a storage space adding unneeded pounds to the car's weight. This unnecessary weight reduces the car's fuel efficiency by about 1% for every 100 lbs.

10. For most cars, higher octane gas is simply a waste of money. Regular unleaded (approx. 87 octane or so) is the least expensive and what you should purchase. It's important to remember that octane is a measurement of how hard it is to ignite the gas, not the quality of the gas. Purchase mid or high octane gas only if your engine pings, knocks or rattles when using regular unleaded fuel.


Also, don’t forget to make sure that your vehicle is well-maintained and that its auto parts are in good shape. To ensure optimum performance from your vehicle, replace worn tires, broken mirrors, or burned out headlights with quality auto parts from Auto Parts Fast.

Consumer Reports recommends

Looking to buy a new fuel efficient vehicle but don’t want to give up the cargo capacity that you really love with your old SUV?

Take a look at these Consumer Reports recommended vehicles that have both cargo capacity and fuel economy:

Among the category of minivans (Overall mpg = 18 or higher, cargo = 55 cu. Ft. or more), Toyota's Sienna XLE and Honda’s Odyssey EX were first and second on the list respectively. Both had an overall mpg of 19, while cargo volume were just a few points apart – 70.5 for the Toyota Sienna and 66.5 for the Honda Odyssey. Also on the list were the Mazda MPV ES and the Nissan Quest 3.5 SL.

For the midsized SUVs (Overall mpg = 18 or higher, cargo = 32 cu. Ft. or more), the Toyota Highlander Limited (V6) was tops with 19 mpg and 38 cargo volume. The Nissan Murano SL, Volvo XC70, and the Lexus RX330 followed behind.

The Ford Escape Hybrid topped the test for small SUVs (Overall mpg = 20 or higher, cargo = 30 cu. Ft. or more) with a mpg rating of 26 and cargo volume of 38. However, it was the Honda Element EX, with 20 mpg and 47 cargo volume that the CR recommended. Close behind were the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester 2.5X, and the Honda CR-V EX.

The hip Scion xB lead the CR list for best in cargo and fuel economy in the small wagons (Overall mpg = 20 or higher, cargo = 25 cu. Ft. or more) category with 30 mpg and 33.5 cargo volume. Trailing behind were the Pontiac Vibe (FWD), Toyota Matrix XR (AWD), Ford Focus Wagon SE, Volkswagen Passat GLS (4-cyl.), Subaru Outback 2.5i, and the Volvo V50 T5 (AWD).

For owners who prefer hassle-free, time-saving online shopping, auto parts like BMW mirrors, Acura carpet, Toyota lights, engine parts, Jeep cataltyic converters and spoilers for these excellent vehicles are available at trusted online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Fast.

2006 SUV of the Year Goes to…

Who would have though that in the Ford-dominated Sport Utility Vehicle category, another Japanese carmaker would shine. Honda bags the 2006 Car of the year award and this time for the 2006 SUV of the Year, the Nissan Xterra receives a standing ovation.



Motor Trend, the industry’s widely recognized authority in the automotive industry, awarded the most prestigious award of the year for SUVs to Nissan Xterra for its impressive engineering, design, performance and safety. Its winning qualities inside and out are sure to give its users the best return for their investment.

Says Mr. Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend magazine, "Our audience depends on us to honor the new model that best demonstrates overall superiority, significance and value, and the Xterra stood out in each of those categories for its outstanding engineering, impressive on and off-road ability and clear focus on its target customers."

A total of twelve contenders underwent comprehensive tests, including off-road, street and track testing. All vehicles are either new or redesigned 2006 models to be sold starting January 1, 2006, according to Motor Trend. Among those that vied for the title are Ford Explorer, Hummer H3, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Commander, Kia Sportage, Mercedes-Benz ML, Mercury Mountaineer, Pontiac Torrent, Range Rover Sport, Subaru Tribeca, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

If you have older model of any of the aforementioned vehicles, you can upgrade it and make it more efficient and safer with Auto Parts Fast’s top quality performance auto parts. Available are superior quality Nissan parts, Ford parts, Jeep parts, Mercedes Benz parts and a whole lot more. Go check their site to know more of their deals and quality parts.

Safe Winter Driving

For motorists, Christmastime can be a dangerous time on the road. With snow and ice on the road, motorists have to take extra caution when driving. The first fall of snow, for one, can be very dangerous if the roads have not been gritted. Ungritted roads will become impassable by most vehicles and even gritted surfaces can remain extremely slippery. Even more dangerous is ice. The thicker it is, the harder it is to see. When running or standing water freezes on the road, it forms black ice. This can linger in the shadows cast by trees and buildings throughout an otherwise sunny day. So if there has been a sharp frost overnight, a driver has to be extra cautious, especially when he is driving through shadows that keep the sun off corners and roundabouts.


Here are a few useful tips from bbc.co.uk to help you be accident-free on the road this Christmas season:

•Clear snow from all your windows and windscreen just before driving off. Also check that your lights, mirrors, and number plates are clear.

•At the earliest opportunity, check your grip on the road surface by choosing a safe place to brake gently.

•Drive slowly, allowing much more room to slow down and stop.

•Take particular care in bends where skids are more likely. Brake progressively on the straight before you reach a bend.

•Use the highest possible gear. Avoid sudden acceleration and braking.

•If you have difficulty getting traction in a front-drive car, gently rock the steering wheel from side to side, keeping the accelerator steady. This should help your tires to grip.

•If you become stranded in snow, stay in your car unless shelter is within easy reach. Your car is easier to find than you are. Use the engine to keep the heater working but make sure your exhaust is clear, otherwise you risk suffocation from a build-up of carbon monoxide. In deep drifts, open the window slightly and keep the roof clear of snow.


Prepare your car for winter by repairing and replacing worn and damaged auto parts beforehand. Should you need to replace your Ford Freestyle’s mirrors, your Nissan Sentra’s head and tail lights, or your Toyota Tundra’s wheels, click on to Auto Parts Fast for the best auto parts. Auto Parts Fast is also a trusted source of premium quality Honda parts, Volvo parts, Jeep parts, Chevrolet parts, and GM parts.

And More Strange Things Happen

Autopia reports: It’s Hummer Time.

Apparently, the Red Cross and GM’s Hummer have recently formed an unlikely liaison. According to Autopia, Hummer is giving the agency 72 of the monster vehicles to use in relief efforts during times of fire, flood, or famine. Curious, I click on to a link and voila, it’s Red Cross, the GM Foundation and HUMMER Partner for Disaster Preparedness. The world’s largest automaker will also be giving an annual financial gift of $100,000 over the next six years for a total contribution equal to $4 million.



I’m just wondering why of all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small – it has to be the Hummer? Sure a Hummer is practically a tank – sturdy enough and capable of carrying people, supplies, victims, pets, furniture etc. etc. But isn’t it also the same thing that’s more or less helping pollution increase – which in turn, contributes to global warming and the less than healthy lives of people on earth? Not to cast doubt on GM’s charitable intentions, but Hummers to help Red Cross? Aren’t there other ugh, kinder vehicles?

Or are we just blinded by appearances here?

I’ve also learned that this isn’t the first time that the Hummer was involved in odd activities. In September, GM announced its “Hummer Helps” program. According to the very unimpressed Eric Amster, the program has donated $100,000 (the cost of an H1) to Tread Lightly, an organization whose credo is to “respect the environment and rights of others” while promoting off-road travel “with minimal impact.” He cites further in his not so very fond of Hummers column entitled A Hummer doesn’t help* that Hummers are three times heavier than most cars and use more than 200 percent more gas per mile. He’s quite upset that our air is growing ever worse because some people want to drive ever bigger cars.

Frankly don’t get it why somebody like a housewife would want to lumber a monster of a vehicle around. I was parking my Mitsubishi Lancer near a convenience store when this woman arrived with her Hummer. I watched her park with some degree of difficulty; holding my breath for the Civic Honda and the Toyota Sienna family van parked on both her sides. Sure a huge vehicle can do a lot for your ego – but do you really need all that bulk for you and your 7-month old baby?

Me, I’m pretty happy having a small car, even if I already have two precocious kids – the Mitsubishi Lancer is just fine with us. As long as it gets us safely from point A to point B, can be kept fuel efficient with proper care and maintenance, then it’s good. Finding auto parts is also a breeze with reliable online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Fast providing premium quality Mitsubishi auto parts like hubcaps, lights and A/C condensers at very affordable prices. I’m not sure if you can get [link=Hummer auto parts that quickly, but I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t want to know any time soon.