EARTHY CARS SPOTLIGHT: 05.29.2013

Summer is almost here. It’s nice to drive a vehicle that has a sunroof or convertible top during the summer months. And we have several of those:

CONVERTIBLES
One of the best things is driving a convertible on a beautiful summer day.

2004 Honda S2000, Red, Convertible, 38624 mi, $19,995 http://bit.ly/18PvRVC 6-spd manual, MPG = 17/23

2004 Saab 9-3 Aero, Green, Convertible, 108483 mi, $8,995 http://bit.ly/15bSu9l Compact, 5-spd automatic, MPG = 17/26

1998 Volkswagen Cabrio GL, Convertible, White, 126865 mi, $4,995 http://bit.ly/15bVdQ4 5-spd manual, MPG = 21/28

SUNROOFS
Not as good as a convertible, but having a way to bring in sunshine and fresh air on a beautiful summer day is cool.

2010 Acura MDX 3.7L Technology Pkg Super Handling, Black, SUV, 58181 mi, $29,995 http://bit.ly/116z9Af AWD, 6-spd automatic, MPG = 16/21

2010 Honda Accord 2.4 EX-L, Grey, Sedan, 36236 mi, $17,995 http://bit.ly/116zaUT Full-size, 5-spd automatic, MPG = 21/31

2010 Honda Civic EX, White, Sedan, 24974 mi, $15,995 http://bit.ly/15bUoqF Compact, 5-spd automatic, MPG = 25/36

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L, Black, SUV, 112950 mi, $15,995 http://bit.ly/10Z5Znp 4WD, Mid-size, 5-spd manual, MPG = 15/20

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, Red, Sedan, 74004 mi, $16,995 http://bit.ly/YT2oWq Compact, 6-spd auto-shift, MPG = 23/30

EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: 2006 Honda Ridgeline Pick-Up Truck

2006 Honda Ridgeline RTS, Black, Truck, 135935 mi, $11,995 http://bit.ly/10Z6jm3 4WD, Mid-size, 5-spd automatic, MPG = 15/20

SPECS / FEATURES
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USER REVIEWS
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EXPERT REVIEWS
NewCarTestDrive:

INTRODUCTION: “With this new Ridgeline pickup truck, Honda has taken everything that's good about the Odyssey minivan, the Element SUV and Pilot SUV, and made the newest, most innovative pickup truck on the American market.

The all-new 2006 Honda Ridgeline doesn't look or act like any other pickup truck we've ever driven. It has a family storage solution in its bed that no other pickup truck can match. And it won't cost an arm and a leg to buy or to operate.

Pickup trucks have traditionally been built with a separate nose section, cab section, and cargo bed, bolted to a separate ladder frame, but this first Honda pickup uses both a welded unibody construction and a steel ladder frame, welded together, with the cab and cargo bed made as one piece, with separate subframes for the engine, front suspension and rear suspension. Honda says it is 20 times more resistant to twisting than any other pickup truck, and 3.5 times more resistant to bending. Honda says the Ridgeline can carry 1550 pounds of cargo or tow up to 5000 pounds.

The Ridgeline is one of the nicest midsize trucks we've driven in terms of comfort and ease of use, though some of the others in this class have a bit more dash and flash inside.”

FEATURES: “All models are powered by the excellent Honda 3.5-liter engine, all models will have a five-speed automatic transmission, and all models will have Honda's automatic VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system that normally proportions drive 60 percent to the front wheels, 40 percent to the rear, and can go to 30/70 when necessary. It incorporates a limited-slip differential and a Lock feature.”

WALKAROUND: “We said that the Ridgeline doesn't look or act like any other pickup, whether it's from America or Japan, and it doesn't. The grille, the front end, the cab shape, the buttresses coming down off the rear of the roof to join the integrated pickup bed, all seem to have been deliberately designed to be shockingly different.”

INTERIOR: “Inside, the Ridgeline is all about comfort, convenience and space, which Honda says it has more of than any other truck in the class.”

“We found the driver and front passenger seats to be roomy, comfortable and supportive, with plenty of adjustment range for rake and travel.”

SUMMARY: “The new Honda Ridgeline borders on the revolutionary, from its dramatic new look to its tailgate and storage innovations to its combination of body-on-frame isolation and unibody stiffness, all at very reasonable prices…For those contemplating a family recreation or commuting pickup truck for the first time, this one goes to the top of the shopping list.”

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EARTHY CARS SPOTLIGHT: 05.05.2013

A significant portion of the vehicles on our lot are on sale. They include a wide range of prices, body styles, and brands.

COMPACTS
2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i, Red, Sedan, 30911 mi, $14,495 $12,995 http://bit.ly/S9UTYR AWD, Compact, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 20/26

2005 Saab 9-2X Linear, Silver, Hatchback, 117237 mi, $7,995 $6,995 http://bit.ly/YqHmzS Compact, 5-spd manual, MPG = 20/27

2005 Scion tC, Blue, Coupe, 67366 mi, $8,995 $7,995 http://bit.ly/Y8Oiz3 Compact, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 20/27

2005 Scion xB, Maroon, Sedan, 117750 mi, $7,995 $6,995 http://bit.ly/12znMWy Compact, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 27/32

2010 Toyota Corolla LE, Silver, Sedan, 59914 mi, $12,995 $11,995 http://bit.ly/12zo1kf Compact, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 26/34

TRUCKS / MINIVANS
2009 Toyota Sienna XLE, Red, Minivan, 90360 mi, $18,995 $16,995 http://bit.ly/YqGJXc 5-spd automatic, MPG = 17/23

2000 Dodge Dakota SLT, Red, Pick-up Truck, 119801 mi, $5,995 $4,995 http://bit.ly/YqI681 5-spd Manual, MPG = 13/17

SUBCOMPACTS
2008 Honda Fit Sport, Blue, Hatchback, 55153 mi, $12,995 $11,995 http://bit.ly/Wr6HJv Subcompact, 5-spd manual, MPG = 28/34

2008 Honda Fit Sport, Blue, Hatchback, 65823 mi, $11,995 $10,995 http://bit.ly/YqHGi5 Subcompact, 5-spd automatic, MPG = 27/34

2008 Scion xD, Black, Hatchback, 48184 mi, $11,995 $10,995 http://bit.ly/Y8Orm9 Subcompact, 5-spd manual, MPG = 27/33

MID-SIZE
2007 Honda Accord 3.0 EX-L w/Nav, Grey, Sedan, 78996 mi, $13,995 $12,995 http://bit.ly/YqI2Fk Midsize, 6-spd manual, MPG = 18/27

2004 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SL, Black, Sedan, 104221 mi, $9,995 $8,995 http://bit.ly/10Z70vC Mid-size, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 18/25

2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X, Blue, Crossover SUV, 92810 mi, $12,995 $11,995 http://bit.ly/TOUgST AWD, Mid-size, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 20/26