My dream car (which doesn't exisist....yet)

Here is what it might look like....

This is Toyota's Concept Car the Venza, due out next year.

Double sunroof for people/pups in the back.

Check out the space in the back!

Now if they would make it with a really efficient Hybrid, Electric or Hydrogen engine, and let me power it from the sun, wind or clean water sources, it would be perfect. Sadly Toyota is making it with the basic plain old gasoline engine. (MPG better be in the high 30's)



Check out Toyota's photos.
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/venza/index.html#/gallery/exterior/1/


PS. I'm not getting a new car for quite some time, I want gas free for my next one.

The Final Answer Is....

So far for those who voted Car B is the clear winner. Why did every one, on gut reaction, pick B?……Because it looks better, and it also runs better.

Ok here’s the deal:

BOTH of these vehicles are the:

2008 Ford Focus

Car A is available in the USA,



Car B is available in Europe.



Now why I ask does Ford insist on giving us the uglier car? Why haven’t they bothered to update the US version to increase sales? (They are currently moving 6 European models to the US, this Focus is one of them.) Apparently they enjoy losing money, and having us spend more money, to drive an inferior car.

Car A is available with a :
Duratec 20 16V I4
Engine electronics EEC-V
Displacement 2.0L (121 cu. in.)
Horsepower (SAE net@rpm) 140 @ 6000
Torque (lb. ft. @ rpm) 136 @ 4250
Recommended fuel Unleaded Regular Unleaded Regular
Fuel economy EPA est. mpg: 24 City/35 Highway
Transmission type 5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transaxle;

Car B is available with a number of different engines (most of which run better and have better fuel economy than what is available here) :

Gasoline versions run from 1.4-litre to 2.0-litre.
The 1.4 goes from 0-60 mph in 13.6 seconds
Fuel consumption: 42 miles per gallon
CO2 emissions: 157 g/km

There are three diesel units - a 1.6-litre, 1.8-litre and a 2.0 litre.
“The 1.6-litre TDCi with 110 bhp is the most popular - it pulls sweetly and has plenty of punch for effortless overtaking. All models come with a five-speed gearbox except the 2.0 TDCi, which is a six-speeder” (Wikipedia)

The stats on the 1.6 TDCI - Hatchback (this is a diesel)
0-60 mph: 12.2 seconds
Fuel consumption: 60 miles per gallon
CO2 emissions: 124 g/km


A green ECOnetic model joined the range in early 2008. This has a 1.6-litre TDCi engine, making it the cleanest Focus ever.
Stats
0-60 mph: 12.2 seconds
Fuel consumption: 65 miles per gallon
CO2 emissions: 114 g/km

Now I realize diesel engines have lost some appeal in the US, but why weren’t we even offered the option? I am hurt that the Ford Motor Company would leave us out of the loop. Ford is a US company. We should be the cutting edge. We should have the best and newest technology, not Europe or anywhere else. I feel abandoned by a company that was built and helped build the United States.
(Diesel engines are being fazed out in California, Vermont, New York and many other places because the CO2 emissions are generally higher than that of a gasoline engine, but look at the grams per kilometer of the three European engines, the diesel engines are letting out less CO2 than the gasoline engine.)

A little off subject

Not that I have a subject usually, but this caught my attention.

I am running a poll. Which car would you rather drive? Which looks more appealing to you? I've done my best to hide their manufacturing, but if you know which is which that's OK. I'll post later with what I think and why I have a problem with both of these cars. Because there is a problem, a big one. (besides the fact that one is a hatch back and one is a sedan)

Which do you choose?

Car A

Car B

PS. Just for every one's info, I'm not looking to buy one of these. (My little Honda still gets 40mpg. Only 5 miles per gallon less than the Prius.)

Staler than five day old bread

I wish I had some type of encouraging news, some interesting story to tell anyone that wanders by. Even some interesting pictures like those of a forever family turning two, a naked gardener or a little guy who could give Kobayashi* a run for his money. I don't. I have trouble with asbestos and companies who don't do their job.

Here is a quick definition of what Asbestos is (thanks to Wikipedia) (this sounds awfully familiar)

Asbestos is a group of minerals with long, thin fibrous crystals. The word "asbestos" is derived from a Greek adjective meaning inextinguishable. The Greeks termed asbestos the "miracle mineral" because of its soft and pliant properties, as well as its ability to withstand heat.
Asbestos became increasingly popular among manufacturers and builders in the late 19th century due to its resistance to heat, electricity and chemical damage, its sound absorption and tensile strength. When asbestos is used for its resistance to fire or heat, the fibers are often mixed with cement or woven into fabric or mats. Asbestos is used in brake shoes and gaskets for its heat resistance, and in the past was used on electric oven and hotplate wiring for its electrical insulation at elevated temperature, and in buildings for its flame-retardant and insulating properties, tensile strength, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals.

This "miracle material" is now known to be highly toxic. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Since the mid 1980s, many uses of asbestos have been banned in many countries.

Ok now that we have covered the basics here is the problem.

The lady who we are trying desperately to buy a house from, hired a company way back when to remove the asbestos from the pipes in her basement. She tried very hard to make it safe for who ever was going to buy the house. The company did not do their job and actually made the situation worse. Asbestos is fine* if it is not in a "friable" state. (Friable is a term used by the asbestos people to say falling apart) Once it becomes friable it gets into the air and then into your lungs. I don't think I have to say that, that's not good.

The company that was hired actually left friable material sitting on the sill of the basement, left large amounts of asbestos dust, and forgot to remove whole sections of the stuff from the pipes. She called the company back three times. This wasn't once or even twice but three times and they still managed to F#!K up.

SO......
Now the basement not only needs to have the rest of the asbestos removed, but it also needs to be thoroughly washed and cleaned to remove all the asbestos dust, which thanks to some incompetent boob, is everywhere!

At least I know which company to go back to should I develop Mesothelioma. Cha Ching$$

* Kobayashi is a famous Japanese fellow who can eat enormous amounts of food.

* By fine, I mean it will have a very hard time getting into your lungs unless you bump it and make it friable.