It’s been a few years since various electric saloons started receiving rave reviews, notably, of course, the Tesla range.

Not only were they generating good performance figures, but aspects such as their autonomy and recharge times seemed to indicate that they were practical. Therefore, no one had to think about making a trip of 500 kilometers in several stages and over several days, to allow recharges or battery changes.

Go back say 5 years and everyone was predicting that by now, we would all be deafened by the silence of our roads as everything changed to a quiet hum. The strange combustion engine car would be viewed with disgust or sympathy and we would all have clean air around us as a benefit as well.

However, it has not happened. Why is that?

Price rears his ugly head

Some of the most admired electric cars, and those that are often the most attractive in terms of range and performance, are still very expensive.

Some retail models cost around $ 100k. Even for large corporations and prestigious limo rental companies, these are prices that will make anyone blink when reading those ads.

True, there are also more modest cars. It’s great news, but then things start to get tricky in terms of battery “ issues ” (rented, owned, life expectancy, exchange periods), etc. Some commentators have observed that it takes a doctorate in math to try and figure out how much the ‘bottom line’ is and when you get there it’s suddenly smaller because it doesn’t look that ‘small’ in terms of price.

Performance

For much of the mass market, performance is a secondary issue. Yes, you can drool over the Tesla-S and other brands so prestigious that they can hit 60 mph even before getting in the car, but in reality, that performance is completely irrelevant in most driving environments that are urban or suburban.

Joe’s public may be excited about the performance figures of a Ferrari, but that doesn’t mean they will (or can) buy one.

What the typical buyer wants to know in terms of an electric car’s performance is:

• Will this vehicle tackle steep hills?

• How will you handle stuck traffic jams in terms of power consumption?

• What is your range before needing a recharge?

• How long will it take to recharge?

Now surprisingly, while these questions aren’t exactly rocket science, firm numbers aren’t easy to come by from looking at many electric car ads. When you see them, things start to sound a lot like the ‘old days’ of electric vehicles.

Entire tables of data begin to appear. For example, the figures that say a car’s range before recharging is 400 km / 250 miles may not seem too impressive. They certainly sound like a less impressive loss again (almost terrifying) when little warnings are added saying things like “it may be less in winter“Many ordinary shoppers will want to leave the house in bad weather knowing they will get there, not starting on a”.let’s wait and see what happens“base.

Too many figures for electric vehicles are fluid on the edge of the ethereal and there are too many qualifiers. Another example is recharge times, which often cite a multiplicity of options depending on what your power source is. Some seem reasonable in, say, 3 hours, but then you realize that you don’t know what the special charger is being referenced. Others sound comically unrealistic like “21 hours with a normal plug“.

Try to explain to your boss that you will be late tomorrow because your car will be charged.

Complications

A final observation related to inhibitors in the mass adoption of electric cars is that some of the advertising websites are almost incomprehensible.

The typical mass market buyer of new cars wants to see clear options that state “Model X = $”. Sure, we all understand that some things are configurable, like motor size, color scheme, etc., plus, they will all have price implications.

However, what people probably don’t want to think about is that when they go to their showroom they will need to bring a QA, engineer, statistician and accountant to interpret all the various options related to batteries, performance variables , recharge fees and so on.

Until electric vehicles become cheaper, advertising and pricing are easier to understand and, above all, their recharge rates improve, their use is likely to be limited to niche market segments.

During the 1990s, Ford Motor Company made a wave of international purchases to acquire small automakers from around the world. Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin joined the Ford group, and Mazda, by default, has become part of the Ford line even though the Japanese automaker is “only” partially owned by Ford. Ford and Mazda parts are sometimes interchangeable, as are some of their vehicles. Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between the two automakers and how their synergies benefit both companies.

The relationship between Ford and Mazda has grown over the years, but automobile historians are well aware that it began in the early 1970s when Ford imported the Mazda pickup into the North American market and named it the Courier. From 1972 to 1983, the Courier was part of the Ford line, but it was actually a Mazda.

Starting in 1984, Ford decided to build its own small pickup truck and the Ranger was born. Meanwhile, Mazda redesigned its truck and sold it separately until 2002. When it came time for a new Mazda truck, Mazda chose Ford and the current Ranger was renamed the Mazda “B” series.

From 1991 to 2001, the Ford Explorer was rebranded and sold as the Mazda Navajo. Only a two-door version was available and the line was eventually dropped when Mazda concentrated on its own SUV, namely the Tribute.

Are you still confused? Don’t be, as the two automakers have traded parts and vehicles for decades.

Earlier this decade, Ford, which has a very strong trucking division, needed a vehicle that was smaller and less expensive than the expensive midsize Explorer to complement the fleet. Enter Mazda. Mazda designed and launched the car-like Tribute for its own division, and Ford built a Ford version of the SUV, the Escape, in the US Together, the vehicles have competed successfully against Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda CR -V.

For 2006, the Ford / Mazda relationship really heats up with the launch of three cars based on the highly touted Mazda 6 platform: the Ford Fusion, the Mercury Milan and the “almost luxurious” Lincoln Zephyr. All three sedans share similar components and draw heavily on Ford’s relationship with Mazda.

If you buy a Ford or Mazda product that has in fact been rebranded, will Ford and Mazda parts be the same? Good question! The major sections, such as the frame, are likely to be the same, but many key components, including suspension parts, brakes, and electrical parts, may be different. The best thing to do when purchasing replacement Ford or Mazda parts is to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or visit a reputable online store, such as Car parts stuff, to get the right parts for your make and model. You may think that you are getting the same parts, but you can only be sure if you verify that information.

Ford and Mazda have a relationship that appears to be mutually beneficial for the two automakers. Judging by the new products on offer, the relationship is sure to get stronger in the years to come.

With Christmas fast approaching, many of you will be thinking of buying gifts for friends and family. Well, if any of them love speed, noise, and adrenaline-pumping fun, the ShengQi Hummer Radio Controlled Monster Truck may be their perfect gift!

For starters, what are the specs of this awesome radio controlled truck? For starters, it’s huge! It is 1/5 scale and is approximately 2 feet long with impressive hummer bodywork that is camouflaged in the design.

It is powered by a powerful 23cc 2-stroke gasoline engine that runs on standard unleaded gasoline that requires 2-stroke engine oil to be mixed with the fuel so that the engine remains lubricated and cool when in use.

This monster truck looks really impressive with its huge off-road tires and camouflaged hummer body. But this monster truck isn’t just a mean-looking machine, it also has the performance to match its looks!

This monster truck comes with a huge and impressive specification. The foundation is its super strong aluminum chassis and tough aluminum shock absorbers. It also comes with a disc brake system, high-torque servos, heavy-duty metal gears and parts, and of course the heart of the beast; a powerful 2.15 hp 2-stroke engine with pull start.

The ShengQi hummer comes fully assembled with everything you need to use right out of the box. The hummer comes with a high specification radio headset with crystals and receiver. The only other things you need to buy are 8AA batteries and unleaded fuel and 2-stroke motor oil.

But the most important part of this review is finding out how this amazing monster truck works! Since this monster truck is very large, it has incredible acceleration and performance thanks to its powerful 2-stroke engine. This beast can reach speeds of up to 50 mph, which is very fast.

Its handling is also excellent. It can tackle off-road terrain with ease and has excellent balance when performing high-speed jumps. But this amazing truck is comfortable on or off the road and with a run time of about 40 minutes per tank, you’ll have hours of fun with this model!

I have to admit that this is one of the most impressive radio controlled cars I have ever seen. It looks amazing and performs amazing no matter the terrain and it sounds great too. And the best part is that it is affordable. Depending on the retailer, this hummer costs around £ 400, which is a monster truck for its money.

So if you are looking for an amazing Christmas present for a friend or family member or just want a cool present for yourself, the shengQi hummer monster truck will provide you with hours and hours of adrenaline-pumping fun!

With the world getting faster and faster in terms of social, business and technological developments, it is becoming equally more expensive to own a luxury car especially. for those businessmen looking to own one but shrinking due to budgetary considerations. Buying a super premium car puts holes in your pocket full of hard-earned savings. However, if situations like meeting a valued customer for the first time, fancy corporate events force you to own that car, turn to the hiring option. Yes. That’s how it is. Now you can rent these cars that you once dreamed of all the time. It is natural that ambitious executives wish to travel comfortably in luxurious cars that would elevate their status in society.

Now you can have the car of your dreams. Hiring is the best option against buying a new car that consumes your profits. This is the cheapest way to have the car of your dreams. You don’t need to spend a considerable amount on the new car. And why do it when the best option is available? You can have all the factors to feel good while driving the car on the roads.

Several agencies rent cars of recognized brands that adapt to their styles. They have a variety of cars to suit your budgets and styles. As buying a new car is expensive than renting a car. From reputable agencies, you get the latest models. A new car needs a large amount of capital that comes down to its one-time profits. Therefore, the ideal option is to opt for a rental car. With the hiring option, you actually save a considerable amount of money as it is inexpensive, especially when your association with the business world calls for the use of a luxury car.

You may be curious how renting a car is cheaper than owning it. You should be in fact. The reason is quite simple. Monthly car rental expense is based on the number of miles you drive annually. Once you have an estimate of your annual mileage, it will help ensure that your monthly payments are in line with the use of your car. This is better than buying a new vehicle where you have to pay the same huge price regardless of how many distances the car travels.

The best part about renting a car is that even if one fails or cannot afford the monthly rental payments, the payments can be transferred to someone else, who is willing to buy the car, who will then pay the remaining payments. The new party gets a new car, the monthly payments continue, and the first party would no longer be required to bear the cost of the lease and get rid of the rental obligations.

Before renting a car, be sure to approach the right agent or dealer to have a variety of cars that meet your preferences, requirements, and budgets. You can search online for the best service provider that fits your budget, and you will drive the car of your dreams!

A recent Wall Street Journal article denounced the loss of style in products by American auto companies, primarily General Motors. The author commented on the trend to outsource the design and manufacture of its small cars, stating: “Detroit’s eagerness to associate its famous brands with cars that were designed elsewhere may have something to do with their downfall: cars we they carry around, of course, but also, in their appearance, they capture a cultural perspective, a spirit, even a national identity. ” The style corresponds to “cool” and cool cars are sold. But GM and Ford, and certainly Chrysler, are a bit short of cold these days and have been for several decades.

But it was not always like this …

When I was in high school, somewhere in the Pleistocene era, American cars were all there was. Oh, a street Volkswagen, Vauxhall, or Fiat found its way onto American streets, but they were rare and largely ignored as oddities. Foreign-made cars just weren’t relevant. American cars that followed WWII were revamped versions of pre-war designs and they weren’t very exciting. Leftover designs from the 1930s and early 1940s just didn’t look good in the fashion department. (I had a ’46 Ford truck once, which was just a ’40 Ford truck with a new grill.) It took the American auto industry a few years to recondition tanks and half-tracks to design and build new passenger cars. again.

But sometime in the mid-fifties the American car style took off and we got some great cars. The Corvette 53, an American sports car made from the new material, fiberglass, the two-seat Ford Thunderbird 55, and the Chevy 55 hardtop, each with V-8 engines, were the first truly exciting cars of our youth. And after them came a succession of mind-blowing designs, a seemingly endless buffet of chrome, horsepower, and tail fins. We discovered cars and girls around the same time, and it was hard to tell who our first true love was! For a teenager, this was Nirvana. Of course, we couldn’t afford to buy any of them, nor were most of us old enough to drive them, but we camped out every September when new models hit showrooms at dealerships. The walls of our rooms were covered in automobile brochures. And later, a friend’s older brother might take us cruising in a ’63 GTO, ’62 Chevy SS 409, or ’64 Plymouth Hemi.

The mid-sixties was already a car lover’s paradise and then we got the pony cars, the Mustang, the Camaro, and the Barracuda. Heavy on horsepower with short, light bodies made to run rubber up and down East Oakland’s 14th Street between Pring’s two drive-ins, one at each end of Northern California’s best cruise street!

By the way, gasoline, even superpremium, was about 36 cents a gallon and, being the United States and not postwar Europe, we had everything we could burn. Gas wars between rival stations would lower the price even further (I remember 19.9 cents / gallon!) And we filled and held the pedal to the ground, as was the language of the day. Some foreign cars began to appear in the 1950s and 1960s: the Toyopet from Japan, the MGs from England, and the VW Bug became a bit more noticeable. The bug eventually became a cult car and hippie symbol, so that was fine, but other than that, American cars were the Kings of cool. The Nash Ramblers were preferable to the Japanese, but maybe that was because the seats folded all the way back into a double bed. My friend Kenny had one and we paid him two six-packs and a full tank of gas to let us take it on dates.

But we came of age with a jolt. First it was the Vietnam War, and then, in 1973, the Arab Oil Embargo. These events were like the lights being turned on in a movie theater at the end of a fabulous movie and all that could be seen were empty popcorn boxes, candy wrappers, and a blank screen. The oil boycott was underway and the car party was over, in a big way. Gasoline prices soared more than 50% in just a few months between mid-1973 and early 1974. But shortages dominated the day, and at one point there was very little gasoline to buy. The crisis ended a year after it started, but the effects of shortages, artificial or otherwise, and the resulting high prices are still being felt today and it was the beginning of the end of American car culture. Suddenly Toyotas, Datsuns, and Volkswagens were flooding the country and people were buying them as fast as dealers could get in. We were very scared that we couldn’t get enough gas for our cars. These foreign cars were gas-guzzling compared to the average American V-8, and we couldn’t buy them fast enough.

American auto companies had been trying to compete on some level with this foreign import threat for a decade – the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Corvair were examples, but American auto companies didn’t have the same experience with small car designs as our companies. Japanese and American. German competitors who had survived the post-war period of fuel shortages and high prices by learning how to build good, fuel-efficient small cars. American companies “discovered” the 4-cylinder and V-6 engine and front-wheel drive sometime in the 1970s, but cars like the Chevy Nova and Ford Maverick were a disaster, and it just got worse. The American love for big, fast cars just couldn’t translate into the small, fuel-efficient car designs from the very companies they had revered for years. Ford and GM did not have the talent to compete with Asia and Europe in the small car department.

But it was worse than that. By turning their attention to small cars and eventually trucks, American auto companies lost their way. They forgot how to style full-size coupes and sedans. Cars became an afterthought, especially when the SUV craze allowed manufacturers to make huge profits from trucks. But Europe and Japan were not limited to small cars. They also improved their larger and more expensive versions. Mercedes, Lexus, Jaguar and BMW, not to mention Porsche and Ferrari, became the greedy objects of a new generation. These cars were stylish. They were great. American auto companies were reeling from small cars, and now their regular deals, for years the mainstay of generations of car lovers, were ignored and faded into oblivion in favor of trucks.

Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar do not make trucks, at least not for sale in this country. Oh yes, some commercial vehicles, but the car, the four-door sedan, the big and small coupe, are its mainstay and have been the leaders of luxury for two decades. Its SUVs, with a few exceptions, are truly crossovers based on the chassis of a car with the ride and handling to match. While American car companies were obsessed with big, high-profit trucks, the Germans and Japanese sneaked in and stole their bacon. Having ignored cars for so long, it’s not surprising that American auto companies haven’t been able to catch up. Cadillac has the closest thing to a foreign sports sedan, but it may be too late. It’s not too late for engineers to catch up. Too late to regain the freshness, desire, and public taste for American iron. GM and Ford lost their sense of style. The American public has changed and American auto companies have lagged behind. Ford owned Jaguar. It should have absorbed the Jaguar flair into its main line of cars. But when trucks stopped selling, they sold Jaguars instead of using their unique combination of style and performance to recreate the American passion for their cars.

GM is a mere shadow of what it once was. It has two cars with some degree of freshness: the Chevrolet Corvette and the Cadillac CTS. Everything else is a wasteland from the perspective of the American car-buying public. I look at our parking lot and can count the American-built cars there with one hand. The shame is that domestic cars aren’t bad, but they’re definitely not great. They had it once and lost their way. There are glimmers of hope, but this economy has wreaked havoc on GM’s remaining fortunes, with very little left to use for redesign and recreation. And its competitors in Europe keep coming back with better designs, remakes of the fresh, fired desire that was once fueled by the likes of the 55 Chevy and Mustang.

As the song said: “Little GTO, you really look good. Three deuces and a four-speed, and a three-eighty-nine …”

They really looked good, once.

1. Felton, Eric: “Smart Design: To Save Itself, GM Needs Style” Wall Street Journal, July 17, 2009, page W11.

Going to the movies has always been an escapist’s refuge from the mundane everyday activities that we go through all the time. The hours we spend in the cinema watching fast-paced, intense, extreme and powerful movies provide entertainment that simply cannot be experienced anywhere else. We love martial arts displays. The kicks and punches of the protagonist portrayed against evil personified by foreign agents and countries. It always seems that the good guy wins the moment everything seems lost. Another adrenaline rush comes from the car chase scenes. The history of cinema has some such movies that make us grab onto the armrests for relief. OnBullittstarring the late Steve McQueen, he takes his Mustang for a ride through San Francisco that would seriously make us dizzy and scare us that we might experience outbursts of clamor. Gene Hackman in The French connection Go through the streets of New York, dodging and avoiding all kinds of obstacles to continue your pursuit of the antagonist. The wonderful editing of both films shows the dangers of what one person could do in times of great stress. If necessary, could we do that?

In the last twenty-five years, the biggest and most intricate of the car chase scenes was in the movie, Italian work. This movie employs the use of the Mini Cooper S in jaw-dropping chase scenes. Driving down brick stairs, exiting buildings, and avoiding head-on collisions, there is never a dull moment. The whole scene lasts barely fifteen minutes. You walk out of that theater hoping to find a Mini Cooper S in your parking space. Wouldn’t that be fun?

These Mini Cooper steal the show. According to MotoringFile.com, the Mini Cooper S has been named the best movie car of all time. These little but mighty roadsters are everywhere Italian work. Flying through tunnels, dueling helicopters, racing trains, and maneuvering through cobblestone stairs are just a few of the adventures they take on. The only thing that’s different from the original movie, which came out in 1969, is that the actors themselves do a lot of the driving stunts, thrills, and spills.

The Mini Cooper S is the silent star of the picture and does not receive any star billing. But when you think about it, the story revolves around him and keeps the frantic pace of the plot. Though it doesn’t have a frown in the script, the Mini Cooper S is the unrecognized star of an otherwise mediocre movie.

Car chase scenes have been popular since Keystone Cops to Fast and Furious. There’s something exciting about a car chase scene that gets adrenaline pumping through your body and indirectly puts you on the movie screen as well.

Sport utility vehicles

It’s no wonder that SUVs are among the most popular cars in America. SUVs provide room to walk and can handle adverse driving conditions and surfaces. They are the perfect vehicle for the busy family on the go. However, there are a number of SUV issues that need to be considered when purchasing any new vehicle to ensure that you can purchase the best SUV for you and your family.

Possible problems with SUVs

Fuel economy is always a concern when buying a new SUV. The average SUV is 33 percent less fuel efficient than the average passenger car; With rising fuel prices, that can translate into an expensive trip. For example, if you drive 15,000 miles a year with gas prices at $ 1.15 a gallon, you will end up spending an additional $ 420 a year on gas.

SUVs also have an unfortunate tendency to roll over during accidents. SUVs are more likely to roll over because they are much heavier than normal care and ride higher, on average, 8 inches taller than passenger cars. This has likely led to higher levels of fatal crashes in SUV crashes than in passenger car crashes. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that rollovers accounted for 37 percent of all fatal SUV crashes, compared to just 15 percent for passenger cars.

SUVs also tend to generate higher insurance bills, thanks to higher safety risk, higher maintenance costs, and the general popularity of SUVs. A survey showed that SUV owners would pay 5 to 19 percent more for their car insurance because they own an SUV.

Which SUV is best for you and your family?

How do you choose the best SUV from the more than 80 different SUV models available for sale in the United States? The first step is to identify whether you want a small or full-size SUV, and whether you will be content with a basic model or if you want to go all out for a luxury model. Finding the perfect SUV is as much about finding a vehicle that your pocketbook is comfortable with as it is about finding a vehicle that you are comfortable driving with.

As with buying any type of car, the most important step in buying an SUV is research. You must arrive at the parking lot prepared, or the vendors will be able to sell you something you don’t really need or want. When you finish your research before you start looking for cars, you can find out what extras and options you really need. So, read consumer magazines, search current drivers’ message boards, ask your friends and family. It’s only once you’ve done your research and have a general idea of ​​what you’re looking for that you can start looking at cars.

You need to make sure you are absolutely comfortable with the SUV – there are many models available to you as a consumer, so you don’t have to be content because you are not really excited about owning. Take your time and ask lots of questions about its fuel economy and safety features. If the seller doesn’t have the answers you like or need, go elsewhere.

Of course, before signing any agreement to pay for the SUV, be sure to give it a try. If you plan to take the SUV off-road, ask the salesperson to take you somewhere where you can test this functionality. If you’re buying the SUV to take the bumpy ride down your cabin road, you’re not going to fully experience what that ride will be like by taking a smooth, straight ride down the highway.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has received some additional renovations from STARTECH, a German-based company that exclusively tunes Chrysler and Jeep vehicle models. STARTECH specifically conducted its tuning program for the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD model equipped with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel engine.

According to the German tuning company, “The Jeep Grand Cherokee has arrived and STARTECH presents an exclusive refinement program for the SUV. The extensive product line is characterized not only by professional engineering and innovative design: all components also offer a exceptional quality. Common-rail turbodiesel model STARTECH offers the SD6 performance kit and a particulate filter. “

The bold and aggressive body style of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD was enhanced by STARTECH exterior design cues, including STARTECH front apron with integrated design elements, STARTECH rear apron with cutouts for the two oval chrome tailpipes in The STARTECH sport exhaust system, STARTECH side skirts with integrated entrance lights and STARTECH chrome mirror covers. The sports exhaust system is made of pure stainless steel and is available for all types of Jeep Grand Cherokee engines.

Additionally, all five doors on the Jeep Grand Cherokee come with STARTECH door sills with integrated LED lights that can be activated using the standard keyless entry remote control or with the door handles. The Jeep wheels have been replaced by high-quality STARTECH Monostar IV 9Jx20 light alloy wheels. It features a five-spoke wheel design wrapped with Yokohama tires measuring 265/45 ZR 20 on both the front and rear. This completes the exclusive exterior package of the STARTECH tuning program for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with an exclusive STARTECH interior design.

The popular Chrysler Group SUV features dark slate gray STARTECH leather interior trim, highlighted by plenty of STARTECH interior accessories, including the ergonomically shaped sports steering wheel with a leather cover. Other custom interior features include STARTECH passenger compartment floor mats, STARTECH trunk floor mats and polished stainless steel sill plates with illuminated STARTECH logo.

With the new STARTECH SD6 tuning kit, the 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel found in the Jeep Grand Cherokee now generates 262 hp (193 kW), 44 hp more compared to the base model Grand Cherokee with 218 hp ( 160 kW). Torque output is also increased from 510 Nm to 580 Nm by rotating between engine speeds at 1,600 and 2,800 rpm. The STARTECH SD6 tuning kit allows the Jeep Grand Cherokee to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, reaching an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. STARTECH also installed quality sport springs, reducing by about 40 millimeters.

If there’s one thing International Sport Motors of San Francisco has found over the years, it’s problems with Volkswagen’s automatic transmissions. The reason Volkswagen’s ‘for life’ automatic transmission fluid system seems too good to be true is because it is. Although modern synthetic fluid protects better and lasts longer than competitive oils, it won’t last forever. In fact, legally, the term “fluid for life” refers only to the duration of the VW powertrain warranty. So when the warranty expires, you will be out of luck.

Volkswagen, along with many other automakers, knows that most owners do not maintain their vehicles beyond 100,000 miles. The so-called “fluid for life” is simply a marketing twist used to help sell cars that require “minimal maintenance.” But after the 100,000-mile mark (when vehicles need real attention), most Volkswagen repair warranties are null and void. That’s why VW schedules a 105,000-mile timing belt change on 1.8T engines, and why most “life” warranties are bogus.

If you intend to keep your car for a while, the cost of the never-replaced ATF will terrify you. If left untouched for its entire “pot life,” this fluid can cause serious damage to your filter and oil pan. Metal chip deposits will build up on your filter and oil pan and ultimately damage the transmission. The resulting repairs will be expensive. So do yourself a favor. If you plan to keep your car around to see 150,000 or 200,000 miles, change your ATF yourself regularly.

Although this task can be difficult, it is worth the effort. Visit your local VW-Audi auto parts dealer (GermanAutoParts and ECStuning, among others) and purchase a VW-specific oil and filter kit. For both 01M and MK4 automatic transmission, get the Pentosin G-052-162-A2 ATF and Filter Kit. Do the same for manual transmission oil and your car will keep running into old age.

By the way, don’t bother asking the editors at Volkswagen Service about these “life” gaps. They will insist that products like ATF are “sealed for life”, but that is only by corporate mandate. If you really want your Volkswagen to run smoothly, follow the tips above. Or, if you want the longest life and best performance from your Volkswagen, do it yourself or contact a Volkswagen repair shop that is willing to perform these types of preventive maintenance services for you. It is much more cost effective than replacing the entire transmission.

One of the most important, if not the most important, criteria of car quality is reliability, that is, the infrequency of serious problems, as few people want the hassle, discomfort, and cost of dealing with such problems. . This article provides lists using this criteria to help guide consumers to the best small cars on the US new and used car market.

The lists in this article include car models that are 180 inches (457.2 centimeters) or smaller. They include sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks, and wagons, but they don’t include sports cars. They also exclude those models with a data history of only one year, as a data history of one year can provide a poor guide to what a consumer can anticipate for more than a year.

The first list gives the small car models with a 2010 average car reliability ratings between 3.25 and a perfect 4.00 for the age range. 0 to 4 years. These small cars are:

Tea Toyota prius, a 4-door hybrid hatchback with a 2010 0-4 Year Auto Reliability GPA of a perfect 4.00,
Tea Toyota yaris hatchback, with a GPA of 4.00,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xA, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xD, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Honda fit, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Honda insight, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem tC, a cut with a GPA of 3.75,
Tea Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit, a 2 and 4 door hatchback with a GPA of 3.67,
Tea Toyota Corolla, a sedan with a GPA of 3.50,
Tea Toyota Matrix, a wagon with a GPA of 3.50,
Tea Honda Civic Sedan, with a GPA of 3.50,
Tea Honda Civic Hybrid, a sedan with a GPA of 3.50,
The no turbo Subaru Impreza Wagon, with a GPA of 3.50,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xB, a wagon with a 3.33 GPA,
Tea Ford Focus sedan, with a GPA of 3.25,
Tea Hyundai elantra, a sedan or a pickup truck with a GPA of 3.25.

Of these 16, Toyota Motor Corporation represents 8 (50%), Honda Motor Company represents 4 (25%) and Volkswagen AG, the Subaru division of Fuji Heavy Industries, Ford Motor Company and Hyundai Motor Company each have 1.

The second list gives those small car models with a 2010 average car reliability ratings between 3.25 and a perfect 4.00 for the age range. 2 to 6 years. These small cars are:

Tea Toyota Corolla, a sedan with a 2010 2-6 Year Auto Reliability GPA of a perfect 4.00,
Tea Toyota Echo, a 2-door hatchback and sedan with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Toyota prius, a 4-door hybrid hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Toyota yaris hatchback, with a GPA of 4.00,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xB, a wagon with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Honda fit, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit, a 2- and 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Toyota Matrix, a wagon with a GPA of 3.75,
Tea Honda Civic Hybrid, a sedan with a GPA of 3.75,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xA, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 3.67,
Toyota Motor Corporation Lexus IS300, IS350, a 4-door hatchback and sedan with a 3.50 GPA,
Tea Honda Civic Sedan, with a GPA of 3.50,
From General Motors Corporation Pontiac vibe (a Toyota-designed product marketed by GM), a pickup truck with a 3.50 GPA,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem tC, a cut with a 3.33 GPA,
The no turbo Subaru Impreza Wagon, with a GPA of 3.25.

Of these 15, Toyota Motor Corporation represents 10 (67%) (including the Toyota-designed product marketed by GM), Honda Motor Company represents 3 (20%), and Volkswagen AG and the Subaru division of Fuji Heavy Industries each represent 1 .

The third list gives those small car models with a 2010 average car reliability ratings between 3.25 and a perfect 4.00 for the age range. 4 to 8 years. These small cars are:

Tea Toyota Corolla, a sedan with a 2010 4-8 Year Auto Reliability GPA of a perfect 4.00,
Tea Toyota Echo, a 2-door hatchback and sedan with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Toyota prius, a 4-door hybrid hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xB, a wagon with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Honda Civic Sedan, with a GPA of 4.00,
From General Motors Corporation Pontiac vibe (a Toyota-designed product marketed by GM), a pickup truck with a GPA of 4.00,
Toyota Motor Corporation Lexus IS300, a 4-door hatchback and sedan with a 3.75 GPA,
Tea Honda Civic Hybrid, a sedan with a GPA of 3.67,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xA, a 4-door hatchback with a GPA of 3.50,
Tea Honda civic si, a sedan with a GPA of 3.50,
Tea Toyota Matrix, a wagon with a 3.33 GPA,
Tea Mitsubishi lancer, a 4-door hatchback and sedan with a 3.33 GPA.

Of these 12, Toyota Motor Corporation represents 8 (50%) (including the Toyota-designed product marketed by GM), Honda Motor Company represents 3 (25%) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation represents 1.

The fourth list gives those small car models with a 2010 average car reliability ratings between 3.25 and a perfect 4.00 for the age range. 6 to 10 years. These venerable and durable little cars are:

Tea Toyota Echo, a 2-door hatchback and sedan with a 2010 6-10 Year Auto Reliability GPA of a perfect 4.00,
Tea Toyota prius, a 4-door hybrid hatchback with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Honda Civic Sedan, with a GPA of 4.00,
Tea Toyota Corolla, a sedan with a GPA of 3.75,
Toyota Motor Corporation Lexus IS300, a 4-door hatchback and sedan with a 3.67 GPA,
Tea Honda civic si, a coupe and a sedan with a GPA of 3.67,
Tea Honda insight, a 2-door hybrid hatchback with a 3.50 GPA.

Of these 7, Toyota Motor Corporation represents 4 (57%) and Honda Motor Company represents 3 (43%).

The final list gives those small cars with at least a 5-year data history that have achieved an average 2010 automotive reliability ratings of between 3.25 and a perfect 4.00 for all of their data-providing age ranges. These worthy and venerable little cars, along with their 2010 overall GPA, are:

Tea Toyota Echo, a 2-door hatchback and sedan with a 2010 Auto Reliability Overall GPA of a perfect 4.00,
Tea Toyota prius, a 4-door hybrid hatchback with an overall GPA of 4.00,
Tea Toyota Corolla, a sedan with an overall GPA of 3.81,
Toyota Motor Corporation Stem xB, a wagon with an overall average of 3.78,
Tea Honda Civic Sedan, with an overall GPA of 3.75.

Of these 5, Toyota Motor Corporation represents 4 (80%) and Honda Motor Company represents 1 (20%).