EARTHY CARS SPOTLIGHT: 10.05.2010

This week we look at the vehicles on our lot based on different car classifications:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification

Microcar (a.k.a. City car or Kei car)
There aren’t very much microcars in the United States, and there are in Europe or Japan. We currently don’t have any micro or city cars.
The Smart ForTwo is the most notable microcar. The Scion/Toyota iQ and Tata Nano are examples of microcars that will be coming to the United States in the future.

We have sold several Smart ForTwo's in the past. We can specially order one for you if you are interested.

Subcompact cars
2009 Toyota Yaris Black, Hatchback, 28227 mi, $12,500 http://ow.ly/2G13J

2009 Toyota Yaris Red, Hatchback, 29027 mi, $12,500 http://ow.ly/2G0ZL

2008 Honda Fit Red, Hatchback, 63131 mi, $12,900 http://ow.ly/2FZFH

-Subcompact wagon
2008 Scion xD Red, 52365 mi, $11,900 http://ow.ly/2G1y8

Compact cars
2007 Honda Civic Hybrid Silver, Sedan, 38779 mi, $12,900 http://ow.ly/2FZwM

2007 Honda Civic Hybrid Blue, Sedan, 77270 mi, $10,900 http://ow.ly/2BPX8

2005 Honda Civic LX Special Edition Blue, Sedan, 115,619 mi, $8,900 http://ow.ly/2LPDp

2005 Ford Focus Silver, Sedan, 90598 mi, $6,900 http://ow.ly/2FYCO

2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Red, Sedan, 63247 mi, $11,500 http://ow.ly/2LPHG

2008 Toyota Corolla Blue, Sedan, 64875 mi, $10,500 http://ow.ly/2G03i

2001 Volkswagen New Beetle Silver, Hatchback, 82260 mi, $6,900 http://ow.ly/2IPJd

-Compact luxury cars
1994 BMW 318 Red, Sedan, 129154 mi, $4,900 http://ping.fm/UIf05

2005 BMW 325 Grey, Sedan, 102635 mi, $13,900 http://ow.ly/2FYvm

-Compact wagons
2006 Chrysler P.T. Cruiser Red, 63148 mi, $7,900 http://ow.ly/2FYz4 sold

2008 Scion xB Dark Blue, 61900 mi, $10,900 http://ow.ly/2FZVm

2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Gray, 74621 mi, $10,900 http://ow.ly/2LPKR

2008 Toyota Matrix Silver, 55974 mi, $12,900 http://ow.ly/2G08X

Mid-size sedans/hatchbacks
2008 Honda Accord Grey, Sedan, 39243 mi, $17,900 http://ow.ly/2FZ5U

2007 Honda Accord Grey, Sedan, 17510 mi, $13,900 http://ow.ly/2FZhN

2004 Honda Accord Silver, Sedan, 108914 mi, $8,900 http://ow.ly/2FYNK

2004 Nissan Altima Pearl White, Sedan, 125085 mi, $6,900 http://ow.ly/2J1j8

2008 Toyota Prius Grey, Hatchback, 98500 mi, $11,900 http://ow.ly/2G0JJ

2008 Toyota Prius Tan, Hatchback, 35290 mi, $15,900 http://ow.ly/2G0MT

2007 Toyota Prius Beige, Hatchback, 73980 mi, $12,900 http://ow.ly/2G0PI

2006 Volkswagen Passat Black, Sedan, 48614 mi, $12,900 http://ow.ly/2G1ne

SUVs
2008 BMW X3 Black, SUV, 75595 mi, $21,900 http://ping.fm/FIMux

-SUV / Station Wagon Crossover
2002 Honda CR-V Blue, SUV, 141574 mi, $6,900 http://ow.ly/2BPX8

2005 Subaru Forester 2.5x Green, SUV/Station Wagon, 83306 mi, $11,500 http://ow.ly/2LPPD

Minivan
2006 Kia Sedona White, 74555 mi, $9,900 http://ow.ly/2BnYq sold

2007 Toyota Sienna Blue, 50155 mi, $16,900 http://ow.ly/2MwlL

Pick-up truck
2005 Toyota Tacoma White Truck, 104886 mi, $8,900 http://ow.ly/2G0UW

No, we don’t have any convertibles or sports vehicles right now ;) Nor do we have any big vans

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.

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:

Top 2010 Cars under $15,000

MSN recently listed 12 new cars that are under $15,000 and of good quality.

Top 2010 Cars Under $15,000 - MSN Autos

Several of the car models listed by MSN are commonly found at Earthy Cars. We currently have some for sale on the lot (in slightly older models, of course)

#9 = Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris - MSN Autos

We have three Toyota Yaris's on our lot:
2009_Green Sedan_$12,900_17,951 mi
2008_Red Hatchback_$10,900_24,318 mi
2007_Blue Hatchback_$9,900_46,870 mi

#8 = Smart ForTwo Passion
Smart ForTwo - MSN Autos

We currently don't have any Smart cars on the lot, but we've had several in the past. This blog editor here bought one :)

#2 = Honda Fit
Top 2010 Cars Under $15,000: 2009 Honda Fit Sport - MSN Autos

We currently have one Honda Fit on our lot:
2007 Black Hatchback_$10,900_79,390 mi

If you are interested in cars below $15,000 - most of the cars on the Earthy Cars lot are priced below $15,000. Most of our cars are not over 4 years old - which are sold after all identifiable problems have been serviced.

Feature about Earthy Cars

This is a feature story about Earthy Cars put together by Isa Bufano, advertising & social media intern @ Earthy Cars (& editor of this blog)