Features We’d Really Like To See in Cars

Features We'd Really Like to See in Cars (via Yahoo! Auto)

By Tom and Ray Magliozzi (of Cars.com)

The technological innovations just keep on coming: Electronic stability control, a life-saving innovation, is now making its way into cheaper and cheaper cars. You can now save your relationship thanks to dual climate controls. Of course, not every innovation is a winner. Anybody for a fake convertible top?

What would we like to see in every car, if we could have our way? Here's our list!

1. Stability Control

Studies show that vehicle stability control (often referred to by myriad confusing acronyms such as VDC, DSC, ESP, MSPCA, etc.) clearly helps people avoid accidents. Stability control uses sensors to detect early signs of a skid, then limits acceleration and applies the brakes as needed to regain control of the car. Stability control can even help keep you (to a point) from losing control of your car when you take a corner too fast or swerve to avoid, say, that rare Ming vase you spotted on the roadway.

Thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, our dream of seeing this standard on all cars will be realized. Stability control will be mandatory on all cars for the 2012 model year. It can't come soon enough for us.

2. Safe-Distance Technologies

A number of different manufacturers offer some sort of "safe-distance technology." The systems are different, but the fundamental goal is the same: to keep you from crashing into something in front of you, even if you're checking on your dry cleaning when someone in front of you slams on the brakes.

Some manufacturers use this technology as part of what is called adaptive cruise control. Others alert you with an audible warning that you're about to kiss the trunk in front of you. Finally, some late-model vehicles will even take over the braking. They all use sonar to measure the distance between your car and the objects in front of it.

3. Blind Spot Monitoring

This is a truly great feature. We love it. Simply put, it tells you when an object, such as a car, motorcycle or moose, is coming up beside you and might not be visible. Note: It also works if the object is visible to you, and you're just being a dope and not paying attention. Blind spot monitoring uses sonar to keep tabs on the blind spots on both sides of the car. It detects motion, not stationary objects, so false alarms are avoided. Versions of this technology are available on Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Volvo and some Ford models.

A related safety feature, called lane departure warning, alerts a driver when he's drifting out of his lane, as can sometimes happen when the driver is drowsy or distracted. These systems use cameras to look for the lane markers and check whether the turn signal has been activated. If the vehicle is moving into another lane and the turn signal is not on, the system will sound an alert. Versions of this lane departure warning system are available on GM, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Kia vehicles, among others.

4. Audible Oil Pressure and Engine Temperature Alert

Here's the problem: If you wait until the oil light comes on, it's almost too late for your engine. At that point, you need to pull over immediately if you're going to have something more than a hunk of melted metal under your hood.

We'd like to have an audible alarm that comes through your car's radio — whether it's on or not — much like the Emergency Alert System. If your car could reach out from the dashboard and slap you a few times, we'd be in favor of that, too. An early audible alert would be the next best thing. It's also much better than current warnings, such as a flashing light or scrolling message, which are easily ignored — much to the detriment of your bank account.

5. Adjustable Pedals

How many of us are exactly 5-foot-9? Adjustable pedals allow you to fit the car's pedals to your body while maintaining a minimum distance of 12 inches between you and the airbag in your steering wheel. In addition, it can help those of us who come in "non-standard" sizes avoid leg and back fatigue. For the real vertically challenged among us, there would no longer be any need to retrofit your car with expensive pedal extenders.

6. Bird's-Eye-View Camera

Of the many backup and parking assist cameras that are available now, the bird's-eye camera system, called the Around View Monitor, from Infiniti is our favorite.

It's great for parking. How's it work? The dashboard screen turns on when you shift into Reverse and stays on in 1st gear until about 5 mph, so it stays on while you're going back and forth, working your way into a parking space. Four little cameras are built into the front, back and both sides of the vehicle, and a computer stitches the views together. What you see on your monitor is a bird's-eye view — a view that looks like you're looking down on the car from above the roof. You see everything around the car at once. It's magnificent.

7. Sleepy and Distracted Driver Alerts

Fighter planes have technology that monitors eye movement. Why can't cars? We'd love to see a system that monitors our eye movements and sound an alarm when the driver appears to be sleepy or distracted. Drowsy and distracted drivers are huge killers on the roads. We're sure a system like this would save a lot of lives.

8. Easy-to-Replace Headlight Lens

Almost all current vehicle headlights have plastic lenses. That's great if your goal is to save weight. But after a few years of use, we've noticed the lenses invariably turn yellow and become pitted, dramatically reducing the headlights' effectiveness. Once worn, the lenses can be buffed, but the results are often only a marginal improvement. We'd like to see an easy-to-replace lens or a peel-off cover that would allow you to rejuvenate the lens without replacing the entire headlight unit, which can often cost hundreds of dollars.

9. Auto-Shutoff Headlights

Believe it or not, some manufacturers, such as VW, still have not designed an automatic shut-off feature for their headlights. We think that's unconscionable. Why not have the headlights go off when you turn off the ignition? Or when you open the driver's door? If you can make a chime ding incessantly, you can use the same technology to just shut off the damn headlights and guarantee that morons like us won't leave the lights on and run down the battery. Although we don't have any hard evidence, we wouldn't be surprised if AAA were behind this conspiracy because it is a boon to tow truck drivers everywhere.

10. 'Sorry!' Button

Is there anything that we need more on the roads today than a "Sorry!" button? We often do bad or dumb things when we drive, and we have no way to communicate remorse. It might just lead to a little more civility.

As it stands now, when you tick off another driver, he or she has little choice but to remind you that you're a moron. Then you have to retaliate with a clever retort like, "Oh, yeah? Well, you're a moron, too!" Say you're sorry, though, and you break the cycle. A "Sorry!" button could defuse a lot of otherwise explosive situations — not to mention, it would generate a good deal of karma.

While we're at it, we'd like to have two buttons, "Sorry!" and "You jerk!" Except when you press the "Jerk" button ... your car still says, "I'm sorry!" Nice, huh? We thought so.

11. Smart Key

Ford recently introduced a "smart" ignition key that allows a parent to program the key for a child. Mom or Dad can set the maximum vehicle speed, activate a persistent seat belt reminder, set the volume level for the radio and manage other features.

We think smart keys are a great idea, but we'd like to take it one step further. We'd like to see a smart key with an optional Breathalyzer, so the car wouldn't start if the child had been drinking. While we're adding features, our smart key would disable the child's cell phone when he was driving — and drive him straight to the library if his grades drop below a B-minus.

This article was taken from Yahoo! Autos and was originally posted at Cars.com. Earthy Cars did not compile it.

EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: Silver 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid

2007_Honda Civic Hybrid w/ Navigation

This 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid on our lot sells for $14,900.  It has had only one owner, with 38,779 mileage.  It is not only the perfect vehicle for those who are environmentally concerned, but for those who get around a lot (whether you are one that frequently travels for business, or takes road trips). This car has a built in navigation system! You will never get lost in with this car. And low gas mileage doesn't only mean you are saving the planet, it also means you are saving money! Music lovers will like this car too - it has an CD player with MP3 capacity!

Its safety features include ABS brakes, security system, dual front impact airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints, and panic alarm. Its other features include power steering, power windows, four wheel independent suspension, speed control, 1-touch up, speed sensing steering, alloy wheels, and more. Its MPG (miles per gallon) rating is 49 City, 51 Highway.  

From MSN Autos:

"The Civic was first introduced as a small, inexpensive hatchback in 1972 and has increased in size while continuing to offer excellent fuel economy. The Civic Hybrid sedan was added to the lineup for 2003, featuring a fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrid powertrain. Honda introduced an all-new second-generation Civic Hybrid for the 2006 model year."

Video feature:

Most Reliable Vehicles

Most of the vehicles found at Earthy Cars are small and good for families . And we have several hybrids.   Earthy Cars generally finds the most reliable car models. - Earthy Cars

Most Reliable Cars
Small, family, and hybrid cars lead the way, and Ford continues its strong showing.

By Consumer Reports

Article via MSN Autos 

Paying more for a new car doesn't guarantee better reliability. As a group, inexpensive small cars and midsized family sedans are the most reliable. That's one of the findings of our 2009 Annual Auto Survey, based on our subscribers' experiences with 1.4 million vehicles.

Small cars stand out. Twenty of 37 small cars have above-average predicted-reliability scores. Family cars fare nearly as well, with 21 out of 41 scoring above average. Other interesting findings include the following:

-A wide gulf separates the best from the worst. The least reliable vehicle, the Volkswagen Touareg, is 27 times more likely to have a problem than the most reliable car, the Honda Insight.

-Ford is tops among the domestic automakers. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan once again beat the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The upscale Lincoln MKZ beat its rivals, the Acura TL and Lexus ES.

-Even good brands falter. Among the least reliable in their respective classes are the all-wheel-drive Lexus GS, the Nissan Versa sedan and the Subaru Impreza WRX.

-Five of the eight most reliable family cars are hybrids.

But reliability isn't everything. Some very reliable models do not perform well enough in our road tests for us to recommend them. One example is the Toyota Yaris: Its ironclad reliability doesn't make up for its below-average performance. The same applies to the Honda Insight and the Volvo S40, one of the most reliable nonhybrid family cars.

For full reliability charts and predicted reliability on hundreds of 2010 models, plus a list of what's up and what's down, visit ConsumerReports.org.

Ford Dominates the Domestics

Ford has consolidated its position as the only Detroit automaker with world-class reliability. Of the 51 Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln products that we surveyed, 46 — or about 90 percent — are average or better, including the new Ford Flex SUV. But the Lincoln division has mixed results; some models score below their Ford equivalents. All-wheel-drive versions of the Lincoln MKS, MKX and MKZ, essentially high-end versions of the Ford Taurus, Edge and Fusion, respectively, are all below average.

GM shed the Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn brands after emerging from bankruptcy. It now consists of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. Of the 48 models we surveyed from those brands, 20 have average scores, and only the Malibu v6 sedan is better than average.
Some newer GM products are bright spots. In addition to the Malibu, the Buick Lucerne did well in our road tests, and it scores average in reliability. The Chevrolet Traverse SUV also makes the cut, as does its cousin, the Buick Enclave, but only in the all-wheel-drive version. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, two good performers, earn our recommendation as well. GM has a number of strong contenders either just released or in the pipeline, but they are too new for us to have reliability data on them.

We recommend the Pontiac Vibe, the V8 version of the Pontiac G8, and the Saturn Aura, which have average or better reliability. Some of those cars can still be found on dealer lots.

As for Chrysler, we couldn't recommend any of its products in last year's survey because of mediocre performance, poor reliability, or both. Now we can recommend one: the four-wheel-drive version of the redesigned Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. It did well in our road tests and rates average in reliability. Still, more than one-third of Chrysler products are much worse than average, including its new car-based SUV, the Dodge Journey.

Asian Brands Still Command

The major Japanese brands and South Korea's Hyundai and Kia make plenty of reliable vehicles. Of the 48 models with top reliability scores, 36 are Asian. Toyota accounts for 18; Honda, eight; Nissan, four; and Hyundai/Kia and Subaru, three each.

Japanese vehicles are consistently good. All Hondas and Acuras are average or above. Toyota, with its Lexus and Scion brands, provides a broader product range. The Lexus GS AWD is the only Toyota model below average in reliability.

Nissan and its Infiniti luxury division have mostly been very reliable. The once-troublesome Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Armada are now average, as is the four-wheel-drive Nissan Titan, although its rear-wheel-drive version is still troublesome. The Nissan Versa has produced uneven results. Over the last two surveys, the hatchback has been average while the sedan has been far below average. The Nissan Quest minivan also remains troublesome.

Subaru has been a very reliable brand. But this year the turbocharged Impreza WRX turned up with a worse-than-average reliability score, even though other Imprezas have been average or better, as are all other Subarus.

Hyundai and Kia continue to make reliable cars. The Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Tucson, and the Kia Sportage get top marks. The new Hyundai Genesis V6 is better than average; the V8 version is average. Only Kia's Sedona minivan and Sorento SUV score below average.

Good News From Europe

European brands continue to improve. Mercedes-Benz has significantly rebounded, with most models average or better, and the GLK does exceptionally well in its first year in our survey. Scores from rival BMW are more mixed. The 535i sedan and X3 SUV declined in reliability, and the 135i, debuting in this survey, scores below average. Some BMW models have average or better reliability, but the 328i versions are the only ones that we have tested and can recommend.

Volkswagen and Audi are also staging a nice recovery. The Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf) and the new CC get top scores. The VW Jetta's recommendation now extends to the diesel version, making it the only diesel we currently recommend. Both the Passat and Audi A3 have improved so that they now have average reliability scores. The new VW Tiguan SUV is average. The Audi Q7 SUV continues to be much worse than average, but not as bad as its platform mate, the VW Touareg, which not only scores poorly but has the worst new-car prediction score in the survey.

All of Volvo's sedans are average or better, but Volvo's XC90 SUV is below average. Porsche, which has been doing quite well in our survey of late, has one serious hiccup this year: The Boxster drops to below average, which strikes it from our recommended list. But the Cayenne SUV improved to average.

How We Assess Reliability

Our data are based on an annual survey of subscribers to Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org and are not derived from our vehicle testing. A model needs at least 100 responses for us to score it.

From the survey, we create a reliability history for each model over the course of 10 years, 2000 to 2009. We use the data, in part, to help readers determine which used cars to choose. We also use it to forecast how 2010 models will hold up. That predicted-reliability score is based on a model's overall reliability for the latest three model years, provided that the 2010 version hasn't changed significantly. If a model was new or redesigned in that period, we might use one or two years of data. We will make a prediction for a newly redesigned model only if previous versions had outstanding reliability.

Article was produced by Consumer Reports and MSN, not Earthy Cars.

EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: 2008 Red Toyota Yaris Hatchback

This car has been on our lot for almost half a year now, and we think it's time it find an owner.

The Yaris is ideal for someone concerned with fuel economy, music lovers, and need a decent amount of passenger width. Even though the Yaris is a sub-compact car, it actually has a lot of exterior room for passengers. It is one of the most fuel efficient car models currently on the road, with a 33 average MPG (29 city / 35 highway). It features a stereo that can play MP3's/WMA's and comes with an auxiliary jack. In addition, its design is funkier than most sub-compact cars.

This makes the Yaris perfect for a small family (couple with a few small kids), or a single young city dweller. Our 2008 Yaris has low mileage on it - 24,318.

This car is currently sitting in the very front of our lot, so check it out if you're driving by, or even stop in.

From MSN Autos:

"The Yaris is Toyota’s subcompact passenger car that replaced the ECHO for the U.S. market as a 2007 model in the spring of 2006. First launched in Europe in 1999, the Yaris was named the 2000 European "Car of the Year" and has become Toyota's best-selling model in the European market. The second-generation Yaris was styled at Toyota's European design studio, ED² and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Design Division. The Yaris is offered as both a liftback and a sedan for the U.S. and is designed to offer a level of style and fun-to-drive performance that is often not found in the subcompact class while the interior provides a surprising level of roominess and comfort."

"After making its debut for 2007, the 2008 Toyota Yaris receives a direct type tire-pressure-monitoring system and a parking brake unlock reminder system. A Sport Grade package features front and rear spoilers, amber optitron meter, tachometer, sport seat fabric, leather steering wheel and shift knob and S badging."

For more information about the car, check out our inventory at our website.

For more information about the Toyota Yaris, check out MSN Autos.

We also have a blue 2007 Yaris Hatchback and a green 2008 Yaris Sedan, if you're interested in Yaris's.

EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: Volkswagen New Beetle

If you are a fan of Volkswagen’s or German vehicles in general, and you are looking for something stylish, powerful, and/or cheap, then you should come to Earthy Cars and take a look at the 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle GL on our lot.

The New Beetle is similar to the VW Jetta or VW Golf/Rabbit, but it has an eccentric design that the Jetta and Gold doesn’t. With 1.8 turbopower, it has more power than a regular Jetta or Golf/Rabbit would.

Our New Beetle is priced very cheap at $6,900. It has 76,171 miles on it, below average for a 2003 car. It has a silver exterior and a black interior. It has a 5-speed manual transmission.

For more information, see our website.

From MSN Autos:

“The New Beetle is Volkswagen’s modern interpretation of the original Beetle and is offered as both a coupe and a convertible. Built on a front-engine front-wheel-drive platform, the New Beetle first launched in 1998 and offers all of the modern amenities that the original Beetle lacked. The convertible was added for the 2003 model year and the 2006 New Beetle received some updates and a new 5-cyinder engine.”

“Seven years ago Volkswagen showed a design study called the Concept 1 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and the response was overwhelming. The final rendition of that design study was introduced at the 1998 Detroit show as the New Beetle. While reminiscent of the original Beetle, of which more than 20 million have been sold, there are no shared parts between the original and the new model. Featuring a front-engine, front-wheel-drive design, the New Beetle has all the modern amenities that its predecessor lacked.”

New for 2003 Volkswagen New Beetle: “A convertible is added to the New Beetle lineup for 2003. In addition, 1.8T engine is available on the GL trim level of the Volkswagen New Beetle, and the 1.9L TDI engine is optional. Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) is standard on the Turbo S, optional on GL, GLS, and GLX. New 16-inch alloy wheels and a power sunroof are standard on the GLS.”

From Edmunds.com:

“Technically, the Volkswagen New Beetle is still in its first generation, having debuted way back in 1998. Models up to 2005 used the GL, GLS and GLX designations to reflect the various trim levels; since then there have been one or two other trim levels by various designations. From 1998-2005, the base engine was a 115-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A 100-hp 1.9-liter Turbo Direct Injection turbodiesel was also offered (the TDI trim) until the end of 2006, when it failed to meet new emissions regulations.”

“Until recently, turbocharged gasoline engines have been a big part of the New Beetle's trim lineup. Sold from 1999-2006, the New Beetle 1.8T was powered by a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder, which put out 150 hp. For 2002, VW added the Turbo S trim to the coupe lineup. It was equipped with a retuned 180-hp version of the 1.8T turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The Turbo S was discontinued after 2004, while the current 2.5-liter engine showed up for 2006.”

“Throughout the years, Volkswagen has released several special-edition models, including limited-edition colors and trim packages. For 2002, VW added a Sport edition, which essentially was a 1.8T with a five-speed manual, 17-inch wheels and a leather interior. The convertible was launched for the 2003 model year.”

Newbeetle.org: http://newbeetle.org/

Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VW_New_Beetle

12 Greenest Vehicles in the U.S.

In 2008, the green advocacy organization American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy listed what they conclude are the 12 most fuel efficient cars sold in the United States: Honda Civic, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Civic GX, Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Focus, Toyota Prius, Toyota Yaris, smart fortwo, Mini Cooper, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid.

10 out of 12 of the vehicles are currently or commonly found on the Earthy Cars lot. Over half of vehicles on our lot currently are models that are included on the list, or models that are the same fuel efficiency. Most of the cars on our lot that are included on the list are the 2008 models.

'Earthy' Cars lives up to its name. Check out our inventory at www.earthycars.com. There is quite a selection of Prius's, Yaris's, Civic's, a Focus, as well as Scion's (not on the list, but just as good as the cars listed).

MSN Autos published an article about the report:

If you want to drive the most environmentally friendly or "greenest" vehicle, you need to think small or think hybrid. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), one third of the top 12 vehicles that rank as the greenest of 2008 feature hybrid powertrains. These vehicles combine an internal-combustion engine with an electric motor for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

A nonprofit organization, the ACEEE is dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. Each year the ACEEE publishes the Green Book, listing the Green Scores and environmental information about vehicles available in the new model year, as well as a list of the 12 "greenest" vehicles available that year.

"Hybrids stand out, even after being taken down a notch by the new fuel economy calculations," said ACEEE vehicle analyst Shruti Vaidyanathan. "And sales rose by a whopping 40 percent last year. This interest in hybrid vehicles should shine the spotlight on other green vehicle technologies that can significantly improve fuel efficiency."

One of the mainstays of the ACEEE "Greenest Vehicles" list for the last several years — and repeating at the top of the list for the second consecutive year — is the natural-gas-powered Honda Civic GX. Scoring 57 points for 2008, the Civic GX operates on compressed natural gas (CNG). While it may not go as far on each gallon of fuel as some other entries, its combination of high efficiency and near-zero emissions makes it the highest-ranking vehicle for the environment. Note that the Civic GX is for sale to retail customers only in California and New York.

The Green Score is a numeric value of a vehicle's environmental friendliness, as assigned by the ACEEE. Determined by more factors than just fuel economy, the score also incorporates tailpipe and other emissions that can cause global warming. The higher the Green Score the more environmentally friendly the vehicle, based on the ACEEE evaluation.

There are a couple of newcomers to the Greenest list for 2008. Most notable is the smart fortwo, which was ranked fourth on the list. At just under nine feet long, the two-seat coupe or convertible is the smallest new car currently sold in America. Its 1.0-liter engine is also the smallest available, and while it lacks power, it does deliver 41 mpg on the highway.

Another European model added to the list for 2008 is the MINI Cooper / MINI Clubman. The fun-to-drive MINI lands in the eighth position with a Green Score of 44. And unlike last year when there were no domestic cars on the list, Ford has the sole domestic offering to make the cut. The Ford Focus takes the ninth position with its 2.0-liter PZEV 4-cylinder engine.

The second, third and sixth eco-friendliest vehicles in the U.S. are all hybrids — the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid, respectively. The only other hybrid to make it into the ACEEE's top 12 happens to be the largest car on the list — the Camry Hybrid. Coming in tenth, this midsize hybrid earns a Green Score of 44, matching the MINI Cooper, Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Honda Fit.

EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: 2006 Scion xA

At Earthy Cars, we are selling a gray 2006 Scion xA.  It sells for $9,900 and has 71,122 miles on it. 

The Scion xA is a stylish, 4-door hatchback. It is a sub-compact car, so it is very easy to move around and park. It is one of the more fuel-efficient vehicles on the road - it gets 31-32 MPG in the city and 37-38 MPG on the highway.  It is the perfect car for a 20- or 30- something year old who's main use of their vehicle is getting to and from work and driving around the city, anybody who desires a car with a high MPG rating, a single city person of any age, or a couple with no or one child.

As a bonus, our model includes a Pioneer stereo system that can play MP3's, is XM Radio ready, and includes an auxilary jack. Music lovers need not upgrade the stereo system on this car.

Here's MSN Auto's description of the 2006 Scion xA:

"The xA is Scion’s compact hatchback and was one of the two models that launched Scion as an all-new brand for Toyota. Scion is geared toward the youth market, offering highly customizable vehicles with generous standard equipment for a value-oriented price. Sold as the ist in Japan, the xA was introduced for sale in California early in 2003 and extended to the rest of America throughout 2004."

"The 2006 Scion xA gets a slight makeover with a new grille, redesigned front bumper, color-keyed rocker panels and rear bumper, headlights, tail lights and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Interior upgrades include new seat fabric, speedometer with a new silver background and a new steering wheel with integrated audio controls."

MSN Auto: 2006 Scion xA Overview

Small Passenger Cars

The following article from MSN Autos highlighted what they term "Small Passenger Cars":
Small Passenger Cars - MSN Autos

Small passenger cars are sub-compact or compact cars. Most of the cars at Earthy Cars fall into this category. We specialize in fuel-thrifty vehicles and affordable yet quality vehicles. As MSN says, most of these type of vehicles are found among small passenger cars.

Our current lot includes small passenger cars that are sedans/coupes (4 Toyota Corolla's, 2 Toyota Yaris's, 6 Honda Civic's, 2 Scion xB's, VW Jetta, Ford Focus), hatchbacks (2 Toyota Yaris's, Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit, Scion xA, VW Beetle), SUV (Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda CRV), and luxury (BMW 3 Series).

Check out our inventory here: Earthy Cars - Pre-owned inventory

Excepts from the article (credits to MSN Auto):

"Listen up, car shoppers. The easiest place to find fuel-thrifty autos is in the small car segment.

The small car class also is where you can find the lowest-priced new cars. And the segment has new entries, including the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and Chevrolet HHR, that are getting a lot of attention.

But expect to spend some time shopping around. There are nearly four dozen small-car nameplates sold in the U.S., and manufacturer's suggested retail prices start around $10,000.

Among the small cars with the lowest starting prices are the Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris."

Photo Gallery: Small Passenger Cars

Body Styles and Fuel Economy
"Small cars come in several body types—sedans, 3- and 5-door hatchbacks, wagons and even a compact, 6-passenger van of sorts.

Yes, "small car" refers to all sorts of vehicles, including sedans such as the long-running Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra as well as coupes such as the Chevrolet Cobalt, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Chrysler Crossfire. Other types of small cars are hatchbacks such as the Chrysler PT Cruiser and wagons such as the Subaru Impreza Wagon and Ford Focus Wagon.

But don't let the word "small" fool you. Today's new small vehicles can be big on value, flexibility and safety features, not to mention fuel savings.

Indeed, the 2007 Toyota Yaris ranks as the best fuel-sipping, gasoline-only-powered small car in the country with a federal government mileage rating of 34 miles per gallon in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. This is for a 106-horsepower Yaris with 5-speed manual transmission. Note that the Yaris is available both as a sedan and a 3-door hatchback.

The overall highest mileage small car, though, is the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. An electrical motor supplements this hybrid's 110-horsepower 1.3-liter 4-cylinder gas engine. The result is a government fuel economy rating of 49/51 mpg for this sedan. (Honda's previous best-mileage hybrid, the Insight hatchback, was dropped as of the 2007 model year.)

Small Car Characteristics

"Most small cars are available only with naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engines, and why not? With their small size, vehicles in this class typically don't need a lot of power to get them from place to place.

But shoppers can find small vehicles with larger engines, too. For example, all versions of Volvo's smallest car, the S40 sedan, are powered by 5-cylinder engines, while Infiniti's G35 has a 280-horsepower V6 and Ford's Mustang is available with V8s. Indeed, the top Mustang, a limited edition Ford Shelby GT500, has a 500-horsepower 5.4-liter V8.

Most small cars are front-wheel-drive vehicles, which means engine power goes to the front wheels which then pull the rear wheels along. Front-wheel-drive cars tend to weigh less than rear- or all-wheel-drive vehicles and they include the Hyundai Accent and Elantra, Ford Focus, Saturn Ion, MINI Cooper, Kia Spectra and Scion xA, xB and tC.

In recent years, more small cars have come to market offering all-wheel drive. Examples include the Audi A3, which uses Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system that's controlled electronically and doesn't require any input from the driver, and the new-for-2007 Dodge Caliber hatchback. The Suzuki Aerio, with a starting price of just over $16,000, is the least-expensive all-wheel-drive vehicle on the market.

But don't forget Subaru, which makes all-wheel drive standard on all its cars, including its lowest-priced model—the Impreza small car. It starts at more than $18,000. Jaguar's smallest car, the X-TYPE, also comes only with all-wheel drive. There is no front- or rear-wheel model.

Shoppers can find only a few smaller cars that are rear-wheel drive. These tend to be sporty models such as the Ford Mustang and the BMW 3-Series."

Honda Small Car News
New for 2007, the Honda Fit is a 5-passenger, small hatchback designed to slot below the Honda Civic in showrooms. Sold in Asia and Europe for years, the Fit comes to the States with a 109-horsepower 1.5-liter VTEC 4-cylinder engine. An intriguing engine partner is a 5-speed automatic transmission. No other small car in America has this many gears in its automatic transmission. Honda officials note that more gears provide for better fuel economy and performance. A 5-speed manual transmission also is available.

Be sure to check out the Fit's rear seats. Yes, they split 60/40 and have seatbacks that fold down like those in other cars. But there's an additional feature if someone needs to haul tall cargo in this car. The Fit's rear seat cushions can be raised off the floor and folded against the seatbacks, providing what Honda calls the "tall object mode."

Other small-car news at Honda is the first-ever Civic Si. New for 2007, this sedan basically has the same, 197-horsepower 2.0-liter 4 cylinder with i-VTEC that's in the Civic Si coupe and deeply bolstered front seats, like those in the coupe. Civic Si coupes have been around in the States since 1986.

Toyota's New Small Car

"Toyota dropped its ECHO small car and replaced it in calendar 2006 with the 2007 Yaris. Also sold in Europe and Japan, the Yaris slots below the Toyota Corolla and is offered in two body styles: sedan and 3-door hatchback. But in the States, the Yaris rides on a longer and wider platform than it does in overseas models.

The Yaris' claim to fame is its long wheelbase—which, incidentally, is the distance from the center of one wheel on one side of the vehicle to the center of the other wheel on that same side. The Yaris wheelbase is longer than many competitors', which helps provide generous interior space. The engine is a 106-horsepower version of the 1.5-liter four cylinder, with VVT-i, that's in the Scion xA and xB cars. A 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual are offered."

Luxury in Smaller Packages

"Small cars aren't just mainstream models. Some luxury makes also include small cars in their showrooms.

For example, Audi added the A3 to its lineup recently. With a starting price tag of less than $25,000 and a 5-door hatchback design, it is a decidedly "premium" small car powered by a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4 cylinder or a 250-horsepower 3.2-liter V6. The A3's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmission is one of the hottest new automotive technologies in Europe, since it allows very quick gear shifts without loss of traction because of its use of an electro-hydraulically controlled twin clutch. Basically, it's designed to be an automatic transmission that provides the driving pleasure of a manual."

Versatility Available

"Cars in this segment may be small, but they can include versatile storage space and decent passenger room.

For example, the retro-styled Chrysler PT Cruiser includes a surprising 40.9 inches of rear-seat legroom, which is more than in some midsize sedans. The rear seats also are removable, which leaves an SUV-like 64.2 cubic feet of cargo space."

"And the Toyota Matrix, as well as its sibling, the Pontiac Vibe, features a high sitting position, which improves passengers' views out of the vehicles as well as passenger seat comfort. Total cargo space is 53.2 cubic feet. Note the front passenger seatback can fold down to accommodate long items to extend from the back all the way through the interior."

Old Faithfuls

"Many small cars have been on the market for some time and continue to receive upgrades and win buyers.

The Ford Mustang, for example, has been a strong seller among young and old alike ever since it was redesigned with strong heritage looks for the 2005 model year. The Mustang dates back to 1964 as the original "pony car." For 2007, Ford is selling new performance versions of the Mustang, including the Shelby GT and limited edition Shelby GT500.

Another long-lived nameplate is the VW New Beetle. VW's original Beetle dates to the 1940s in Europe and was a popular car for young Baby Boomers in the 1960s and '70s."

We also have a few mid-size cars if that's what you're looking for (Honda Accord, 2 Toyota Camry's, 2 Toyota Prius's, Volvo V70)

What Earthy Cars is doing for a clean energy future

On Tuesday (06.15.10), President Obama address to the nation regarding the BP oil spill spoke of the need for America to move towards clean energy.
Hopefully, this country will move in a direction where off-shore drilling is not necessary (therefore, no more oil spills) and there a lot of clean energy-related jobs (in America).

But, we will not move in this direction if we (America’s citizens and companies) do nothing. Earthy Cars does its part by mainly purchasing fuel efficient vehicles for our lot. Over three-fourth of the vehicles on the lot at Earthy Cars have a combined MPG (miles per gallon) rating that is 30 or above. Using less fuel is the first step in moving towards a clean energy future.

MPG rating= average miles driven per gallon of gas (city driving)/average miles driven per gallon per gas (highway driving)

* = this car is a part of Earthy Cars big sale!

Honda Accord:
MPG rating = 24/34
*2007 Honda Accord 2.4 VP_Blue Sedan_37,085 mi_$13,500

Honda Civic:
MPG rating = 25/36
2008 Honda Civic LX_Sedan Brown_30,893 mi_$13,900

Scion xB:
MPG rating = 31/34
2005 Scion xB_Sedan White_54,875 mi_$10,900
2005 Scion xB_Sedan Blue_102,108 mi_$7,900

Toyota Corolla:
MPG rating = 27/35
*2009 Toyota Corolla LE_White Sedan_18,385 mi_$12,900
MPG rating =27/35
*2009 Toyota Corolla_Beige Sedan_27,724 mi_$11,900
MPG rating = 28/37
*2008 Toyota Corolla CE_Sedan Blue_23,049 mi_$10,900
MPG rating = 28/33
*1998 Toyota Corolla VE_Tan Sedan_99,093 mi_$4,500

Toyota Yaris: MPG rating = 34/40
*2009 Toyota Yaris_Sedan Green_17,951 mi_$11,900
*2008 Toyota Yaris_Hatchback Red_24,318 mi_$9,900
*2008 Toyota Yaris_Silver Sedan_66,071 mi_$8,900
2007 Toyota Yaris_ Hatchback Blue_46,870 mi_$9,900

Toyota Prius: MPG rating = 48/45
*2008 Toyota Prius_Grey_98,500 mi_$11,900
2008 Toyota Prius_Dark Grey_40,242 mi_$15,900
2008 Toyota Prius_Dark Blue_52,008 mi_$14,900
*2005 Toyota Prius_Black_59,446 mi_$11,900
*2003 Toyota Prius_Silver_79,099_$7,900

Check out www.fueleconomy.gov for more information about the fuel efficiency of vehicles.

Best Summer Road Trip Cars

Both Kelley Blue Book and about.com have compiled a list of the top 10 cars in 2010 for summer road trips:

Top 10 Road Trip Vehicles
Summer Road Trip 2010: 10 Places to Go, 10 Cars to Take - Kelley Blue Book

About.com’s list emphasizes space and comfort, while KBB’s list seems to emphasize ‘going out in style’. KKB took it a step further and suggested a summer event (festival, etc.) to go to with each car.

Most of the cars found on these lists are not currently found on the lot at Earthy Cars. But, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have cars that are not ideal for road trips. We have cars that have plenty of room for a pack of friends or family with a loaded itinerary while driving from one part of North America to another. We also have cars that make you ‘look good’ while going out on the road all day.

Even if your ideal road trip car isn’t currently on the lot, Earthy Cars may be able to get it for you personally. Mind you, we take requests - we can purchase a specific car model just for you if we can find it at auction! Take a look through Kelley Blue Book and about.com’s lists, or do your own research.

Meanwhile, here’s a list of 6 vehicles currently found at Earthy Cars (as of 06/03/2010) that are g8r for road trips:

Lots of Room, but Great Fuel Economy
Scion xB: Scion xB’s boxed-shaped design maximizes comfort and space. There is plenty of leg room, and it has a huge compartment in the back need you bring a lot of stuff with you. Even with its size, the Scion xB gets an over 30 MPG rating – 35 MPG on the highway, and 31 MPG in the city. Not bad. There are currently two 2005 Scion xB’s on our lot:
2005 Scion xB Sedan White $10,900
2005 Scion xB Sedan Blue $7,900

2007-2008 Toyota Prius (2nd generation): We currently have three second generation Prius’s on the lot. The Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle on the road (51 MPG city rating), yet it is also a very spacious car, with 36 in. legroom for those sitting in the rear, 53-55 in. shoulder room for each passenger and 51-52 in. of hip room for each passenger (whether they are sitting in the front or rear.
2008 Dark Grey $15,900_40,242 mi
2008 Dark Blue $14,900_52,008 mi
2007 Light Blue $14,900_46,472 mi

Ridin' With the Top Down
2003 Saab 9-3: This is currently the only convertible that is on our lot. This car is a *pleasure* to drive during a late summer evening with the top down, whether on the back roads or city. It is ideal for a couple of friends looking to hit the city for some fun!

Lots of Extra Room
2007 VW Jetta 2.5 (5th generation): The Jetta is the biggest sedan that VW currently produces. Its interior space in similar to that of the Prius, yet it has a cooler leather interior. Its reliability rating on autos.msn.com is perfect: 2007 Volkswagen Jetta Reliability - MSN Autos. As an added bonus, the stereo system has MP3 capacity, so you won’t be bored during a road trip!

Subaru Tribeca: If you need lots of room (for humans), because you’re a mom and dad carrying 3 kids, plus their grandfather, then look no further than the Subaru Tribeca.

See my previous blog post about the Tribeca: Subaru Tribeca Hearts Soccer Moms

For the Rugged
2000 Jeep Wrangler: Okay, perhaps this vehicle is more perfect for an OFF-road trip. This vehicle is suitable if you are planning to take a trip among more rural settings, rather than from city to city. With a 4.0 liter in-line 6-cylinder engine, the Wrangler can withstand steep terrain and rocky roadways. It is ideal for those going on a weekend camping trip away from home.

Hope that all of you have a nice summer :) I will be making more summer road trip car recommendations during the summer. Chao.

For those who think the smart car is too small and/or unsafe...

Check out this article:
Little smart car bigger than meets the eye • Top Stories (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

The car's safety ratings also defy initial impressions.

Government crash tests result in a front crash rating of four out of five and a side collision rating of five.

That is accomplished through a triple-layered steel frame that forms the capsule for the passenger compartment.

"And people forget the car is designed by Mercedes-Benz," said smart USA spokesman Kai Goddard. The car is manufactured in France.

But it's so little, how can anyone but a diminutive specimen of the species find it comfortable to operate?

Therein lies one of the first surprises. This reporter, sporting more than his share of middle-aged paunch, took a test drive recently and found it roomy enough, even with a smart car rep occupying the seat next to him.

"The guy who designed the car is 6-foot-7," said co-pilot Goddard.

It helps that under the middle of the dashboard the space is open, not crammed with amenities. And the seat is positioned high, which improves visibility and aids vehicle entry and exit.

And check out this video: