Long-term Honda Insight: January update

The Gold family is now a third of a way through our twelve-month test of the 2010 Honda Insight. If you've been following the saga, you know that our gas mileage has been creeping downwards -- exactly the opposite of what apparently happens with most hybrid cars during the first few thousand miles. This past month, I stumbled upon the problem. Actually, the car sort of pointed it out to me on its own. I'm not sure if there's an automotive term for it, but in the computer world we call it "user error". Find out what happened in my long-term Honda Insight January update. -- Aaron Gold

More from our twelve-month Honda Insight test:

• Introduction: Why an Insight?
• October 2009: The Insight goes to work
• November 2009: Our first family road trip
• December 2009: Our resident biker takes the helm
• January 2009: Savings and stupidity

Photo © Basem Wasef

Long-term Honda Insight: January update originally appeared on About.com Cars on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 00:01:09.

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Updated: My ten favorite fuel-efficient cars

The favorite fuel-efficient cars list got its start a few years back when I found there were plenty of by-the-numbers lists of the most fuel-efficient cars -- in fact, I've got my own here -- but no sites were talking about the gas saving cars they really liked. So, I made one -- a list of my favorite cars that got decent fuel economy. Now, I realize that "decent fuel economy" is a pretty ambiguous term; to me, it means significantly better than its similarly sized and priced rivals. In some cases, the cars I've listed don't get significantly better fuel economy, but they have other things going for them -- great power, great room, or a great fun-to-drive factor -- with no significant MPG penalty. I've just updated the list for 2010; check it out here.

Now, I'm sure that many of you will have your own opinions as to what makes a great fuel-efficient car, so I've given you the opportunity to have your say. At the bottom of the article, you'll find a section that says "Readers Respond" -- click the link and tell us about your favorite fuel-efficient car. -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• Ten ways to save fuel
• Ten most fuel-efficient cars of 2010
• Your picks: Favorite fuel-efficient cars

Photo © Aaron Gold

Updated: My ten favorite fuel-efficient cars originally appeared on About.com Cars on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 03:55:47.

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Toyota suspends sales of recalled vehicles - what should you buy instead?

Last week, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles because their accelerator pedals could stick. The problem is, they haven't figured out a solution -- so they have effectively taken the affected cars off the shelf by putting an immediate halt to sales and production of the Corolla, Camry, Matrix, Avalon, RAV4, Tundra, Highlander and Sequoia. The Pontiac Vibe, which is mechanically identical to the Toyota Matrix, is also affected. A drastic move, to be sure, but one that demonstrates -- to my way of thinking, at least -- an admirable willingness to do the right thing.

(UPDATE: Toyota says that their supplier is now building a revised pedal assembly for new cars, which means production could re-start soon. A fix for existing cars is still in the works.)

(UPDATE 2: Toyota now indicates that some Corollas, Camrys, RAV4s and Highlanders do not have the potentially defective pedal assembly, and those cars will be returned to sale.)

This isn't a huge problem for most of us, but what if you've been planning to purchase a Toyota? What if your lease is up at the end of the week and you have to buy a car now? Here are some recommendations for alternatives to Toyota's suspended models. Read more...

Toyota suspends sales of recalled vehicles - what should you buy instead? originally appeared on About.com Cars on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 00:01:40.

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Chrysler offers TV on the go

To me, the idea of watching a DVD in a moving car is still a novelty -- but it's old hat to the folks at Chrysler, who are introducing live television as an option in several of their vehicles. I got a chance to sample Chrysler's FLO TV service, and it works pretty well. Read more...

Chrysler offers TV on the go originally appeared on About.com Cars on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 03:15:31.

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Your turn: Least-expensive cars and best $20,000 family cars

Last week, I posted my list of the Cheapest Cars of 2010 and the Best Family Cars Under $20,000. I've given my opinions -- now it's your turn!

My least-expensive cars list gives my take on the twenty cheapest cars of 2010. Have you driven any of these cars? Do you own one? If so, I want to hear from you -- follow this link and tell us which ones you've driven and what you think.

My best $20k family cars list is a bit more subjective; there are plenty of cars under $20,000, and these are the ones I think are the best. Do you have an opinion about a car on the list, or do you have an idea for a better family car bargain? Follow this link and share your opinion. (Please stick to new cars, not used, with either a list price or a transaction price -- i.e. the price you paid -- of under $20,000.)

It may take a little while for your submission to appear, so please be patient. Thanks for participating -- I'm looking forward to seeing your opinions, and I'm sure your fellow readers are, too. -- Aaron Gold

Your turn: Least-expensive cars and best $20,000 family cars originally appeared on About.com Cars on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 12:20:59.

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"American Chopper" is No More: Final Episode to Air February 11th
It seems all those arguments and legal back and forths have finally come to a head: American Chopper has been canceled, and the final episode will air on TLC this Thursday, February 11th at 9:00 pm (8:00 pm, central.) The show originally debuted on Discovery Channel in 2003.

A voiceover on a TLC promo mentions "...a year of change and challenge," suggesting the Teutul family just don't have it in 'em any more to take part in a reality television show. The cancellation could also signal-- at least in the eyes of mainstream America-- the final death throws of the custom chopper. What do you think?

Source: TLC

Related:

Photo © TLC

"American Chopper" is No More: Final Episode to Air February 11th originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 15:32:20.

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Harley Goes Hollywood... at Least Through Oscar Season

Harley-Davidson loves to play up their Hollywood history, and an upcoming exhibit at their Milwaukee museum is timed to coincide with the 2010 Academy Awards. From February 12 - March 14, a variety of bikes will be on display at their "Harleys & Hollywood" show.

The exhibit will include bikes from Star Trek, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Wild Hogs, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Visitors will be able to pose for pictures in the saddle of the Softail ridden by Shia LaBeouf in Indiana Jones (pictured above; click to enlarge.)

In addition to the bikes on display, a gallery talk will be held by an Archives and Curatorial staff member every Thursday at 2:00 pm, from February 18 to March 11. Tim Woods and Justin Kell, who worked together on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Star Trek, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, will also host a special discussion about their behind-the-scenes experiences on February 26th at 7:00 pm.

For more info, go to Harley's official museum website.

Related:

Photos © Harley-Davidson, Touchstone Pictures;
Click to enlarge

Harley Goes Hollywood... at Least Through Oscar Season originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 04:39:39.

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Motorcycle Mutt: What Happens When You Cross an Alfa Romeo With a Bobber

Here's a two-wheeled curiosity from the mechanical island of Dr. Moreau: Crossbreed Cycles took the heart of a 1970s era Alfa Romeo-- in this case, an all-aluminum 2.5 liter V6 that churns out a reported 156 horsepower-- and shoehorned it into a hardtail Kraftec frame, hooking it up to a four-speed Harley gearbox and Kawasaki ZXR 750-sourced forks and brakes. Its name? Why, Alfabeast, of course.

But what's especially trick about this high-powered one-off is the way everything comes together, from the four downdraft Weber carbs protruding upward through the tank to the six counterintuitively small diameter, four foot-long exhaust pipes.

Wouldn't this baby make a sweet alternative to the plus-sized, super-powered Boss Hoss V8?

Sources:Crossbreed Cycles, Bike EXIF

Related:

Photos © Crossbreed Cycles;
Click to enlarge

Motorcycle Mutt: What Happens When You Cross an Alfa Romeo With a Bobber originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 03:51:52.

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One Man's Obsession: A Photo Gallery of Jerry Kieffer's Amazing 1/8th Scale Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Model
After retiring from his job as a field rep for a Wisconsin power company, Jerry Kieffer dove deep into his passion of building perfectly scaled mechanical models. Kieffer says he's a non-professional machinist who learned his craft primarily through trial and error, creating immaculate (and functional) renditions of steam engines, miniature tools, and a John Deere tractor in tiny scale before he ventured into the two-wheeled realm.

Using his restored 1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead as a prototype, Kieffer proceeded to build a 1/6th scale version of the bike's pushrod-actuated v-twin (which actually runs!) before he decided he wanted to go even smaller. So he set out to build a 1/8th scale version of the bike, complete with a working powerplant, gearbox, kick starter, and speedometer.

The model is currently in process, and you can see its engine, gearbox, kick start assembly, and sundry other parts (including an amusing practical joke by his engraver) in this 1/8th Scale Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Photo Gallery.

Sources: Cyril Huze Blog, Internet Craftsmanship Museum

Photo © Jerry Kieffer;
Click for One Eighth Scale Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Photo Gallery

One Man's Obsession: A Photo Gallery of Jerry Kieffer's Amazing 1/8th Scale Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Model originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 01:44:24.

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2010 Kawasaki Buyer's Guide: Key Specs and Pricing for Every Motorcycle Kawasaki Sells
Don't let my recent review of the hooligan-friendly 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 fool ya; hot rods are but a sliver of the Kawasaki motorcycle lineup. There's a broad spread of cruisers, from the Vulcan 900 Classic ($8,149) to the Vulcan 1700 Classic Nomad ($15,199), as well as sportier touring options like the Concours 14 ($14,599).

Wanna hit the dirt? Kawi's offerings range from the humble KLX110 offroader ($2,099) to the aggro KX450F motocrosser ($8,049), and everything in between... not the mention dual purpose standards like the KLR650 ($5,999).

But of course, Kawasaki's also home to the notorious Ninja franchise, which encompasses the beginner-friendly Ninja 250R ($4,299), the rocket-powered ZX-14 ($13,399), milder-mannered family members like the ER-6n ($6,699) and the Versys ($7,599), and a few others.

The whole lineup-- including key specs, pricing, and seat height information-- is encapsulated in this 2010 Kawasaki Buyer's Guide, which includes a few holdover 2009 models which may or may not get refreshed later in the year.

Related:

• New-For-2010 Kawasaki Motorcycles
• 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Review
• 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Review
• 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14 Review
• 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Review

Photos © Kawasaki;
Click for 2010 Kawasaki Buyer's Guide

2010 Kawasaki Buyer's Guide: Key Specs and Pricing for Every Motorcycle Kawasaki Sells originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 04:13:21.

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