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Comfortable Economy by Walt E. Ingalls
(April 23rd, 2015)
If you’re looking to buy an economy car this year, you certainly don’t have to settle for one that isn’t comfortable. Used to be, economy meant low cost and nothing spectacular. They’d often not even have a radio included, forget cassette or CD. Now, economy cars have been offering more luxurious trims and comfort that have brought their prices up towards the larger automobile range, with one difference, the economic mileage well below that of large cars.
Let’s begin with Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, 2015 Volkswagen Golf. Available in both 2 and 4 door, the Golf SEL is the top of the line Golf trim package, sporting the same 170 hp, 1.8 L 4-cyl engine as every other Golf, the SEL offers automatic 6-speed transmission, dual-zone climate, 18” wheels, keyless entry and start, heated and power adjustable front seats, navigation system, and upgraded audio system. The Golf has an mpg of 26 city/37 highway.
The Kia Forte EX is the next on my list, which is produced in hatchback, coupe and sedan. The EX comes with leather-wrapped steering, power windows, locks and AC, as well as 16” wheels. The Premium package gets keyless entry and ignition, heated front and read leather seats, seat position memory, and a sunroof. The Technology package further grants it’s drivers dual automatic climate, navigation, and Uvo interface. The Forte is driven by a 6 speed automatic, 2.0 L that provides 173 hp accomplishing 25 city/ 36 highway mpg.
With a dual automatic climate control, infotainment with voice control, heated leather seats and steering wheel, Bose audio and keyless entry and ignition, the 2.4L, 180 hp, 6 speed automatic Verano Leather Group by Buick set out from the start to be a balance between economy and entry-level. The Verano’s fuel economy lists at 21 city/30 highway.
Next, I’m listing the Hyundia Elantra Limited, which adds heated seats in both the front and the rear. The Limited has 17” wheels, a more enjoyable and less stiff suspension than the Sport model, leather throughout, and power adjustable seats. Also available, navigation center, 7” touchscreen interface and dual-zone climate control. The Limited is powered by a 145 hp, 1.8 L 4-cyl shifted with an automatic 6 speed offering 28 city/38 highway.
The Honda surely will remain fit with the Honda Fit EX-L, this year Magic Seat cargo management system makes the hatchback beyond practical, but considered subcompact. While I’m focusing on the 32 city/38 highway, you could be wanting to know the EX-L package comes packing a navigation system, sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, 16” wheels, blind spot management system, heated leather, HondaLink mobile device integration system, Bluetooth, and as part of the navigation system, satellite and HD radio. The Fit EX-L carries a 130 hp, 1.5L 4 cyl that uses the continually-variable transmission.
Take a time-out and prepare yourself for the least enjoyable part for most, the financial side.
Use this calculator to see what your monthly payments will be for the price of your car.
Calculator:
http://www.bankrate.com/calculators/auto/negative-equity-auto-loan-calculator.aspx
Midsized Sedans by Walt E. Ingalls
(April 29th, 2015)
There are so many midsized sedans available today. Quite frankly, they are listed in the top five as far as number of automobiles sold. With so many to choose from, it often leads to choosing one over the others based on creative campaigning or media.
Ranking very high this year is the Honda Accord Hybrid. Reviewers call it a “roomy, first-rate interior” and critics think, for a hybrid, it has quick acceleration and good power off the line. Most find the roomy back seat and the outward visibility note worthy, yet cargo space could be improved by having a rear-folding seat, though trunk space is comparable with it’s competitors.
Also ranking very high is the Hyundia Sonata due to reliability and safety, as well as a quiet, comfortable ride including quality cabin space. The low long-term ownership costs have also made the Sonata a top choice. Though the Sonata has good off-the-line power, it is lacking in passing power. Test drivers report that they like that the audio, climate and navigation controls are easy to use and kept separate from the touchscreen.
For the money, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is ranking very high, as the long-term owner costs are the lowest in its class. Reviewers say both, that the acceleration from start is ample, as well as the transition from gas to electric power when up to speed is very smooth. Though critics are saying the updated suspension offers an improved ride, some still say the breaks are too grabby and the steering isn’t responsive enough. For the class, the Camry’s interior is rather plush and critics are mentioning the quiet cabin space and comfortable seating, front and back. The driver’s seat also is reported as having good outward visibility. In addition to the big list of standard features, the Camry has one of the easiest to use infotainment system.
The Subaru Legacy has test drivers mentioning the nimbleness in handling, and high-end cabin materials places it among the leaders in the class. Critics state that though it has adequate power in the city, the 4 cylinder is lazy on the highway. Reviewers mention the front seats are comfortable and the rear roomy. The storage space in the trunk is less than competitors.
The Volkswagen Passat has several commending it on its economical diesel engine and back seat, while some have negative remarks on the navigation system. Test drivers say that Passat has great handling and strong breaks. It's a top choice so far as ride quality even on rough surfaces. Reviewers remark on the high-end design of the cabin composed of premium materials. They also state clear appreciation for the roominess of the trunk, as well as generous rear seat space.
Safety in Sedans by Walt E. Ingalls
(June 12th, 2015)
Was a time, every parent would tell us to sit in the back because it was safer. As if, because you’re further from where you’re going, it would have less force over you if you were to collide with it. Or maybe ‘twas the softness of the back of the front seats that would soften our impact and dissipate the forces of the collision.
Truth in Science is, at least for our current automotive engineering advancements, the back seat, according to moderately rigorous and extensive empirical studies, is not as safe as the front.
As I peer into the peep-hole of ideals, I see the election of improving the back seat with the intention to cause an affect AND an effect. The affect could certainly clearly be a parent putting their child first. The effect could clearly certainly be the coordination of your personal omni-present, which is more cause for getting your kids from A to B safely.
Now, for children, it is safer to sit in the back than it is to sit in the front, and I believe this is due to the height (altitude) of the seat’s surface with respect to the center of gravity.
Now, I also belief that the reason the back is currently not as safe as the front is, it is a lesser in number collection of safety features and thus their dynamics implemented.
Here, below is an excerpt from an article presented by CBS:
Yet the study released by IIHS and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found rear-seat occupants could benefit from some of the same technologies used to protect drivers and front passengers.
"Front air bags, side air bags and knee air bags, plus features that ready safety belts when a crash is imminent and limit the amount of energy that is transferred to an occupant, are among those innovations," said a statement accompanying the Insurance Institute study, which analyzed real-world data on crashes.
(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sitting-in-the-back-no-longer-the-safest-bet-for-all/)
One element of health and the potential of an injury’s out-come on a human is the awareness and preparation of, and regarding, an on-coming personal damage. Simply put, if you are stimulated to expect an impact, your body will prepare itself and thereby adjust its system to best respond. I call it the dynamics of human awareness with respects to physical preservation. This is why sensors trigger subtle alarms like “Adaptive cruise control/collision mitigation”, “Lane-departure warning/wake-you-up safety” and “Blind-spot detection/side assist/collision warning” the passengers including the driver may utilize and respond to.
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