Fuel Economy The Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicles And Why This Is So Important

Published on July 4, 2008

With the high gas prices which are readily seen on the market today, individuals who are looking to purchase a new car are perusing the options with fuel efficiency in mind. Prospective car buyers want to purchase a vehicle which really peaks their interest and is one which they truly desire; however, these prospective automobile purchasers may in fact be swayed should the vehicle which they are considering purchasing have inefficient fuel economy. There are a few different reasons why fuel economy is so important to car owners these days.

High Price of Gas

Recently, an alarming phenomenon has been taking place. In the last few months, gas prices have been increasing at staggering rates which has led to individuals rethinking their automobile purchase choices. For those people who are currently in the market for a new vehicle, the high price of gas that has recently been seen has pushed them to consider other, more fuel-efficient automobiles. As one never knows when gas prices will decrease, thinking in terms of purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle may be on the forefront of a number of individual’s minds. The high price of gasoline is an important factor which individuals consider when purchasing a new vehicle or even trading in their old car for a more recent model.

Environmental Factors

Another reason why prospective car buyers may be looking into the purchase of a more fuel-efficient vehicle is due to the environmental ramifications that go along with certain gas guzzling automobiles. The less gas a car uses, the more environmentally friendly that vehicle is. There are a number of different types of pollution which are directly related to automobile use. Therefore, more and more individuals are looking into hybrid vehicles which utilize both electric and gas fuel components to make the car run and are more environmentally sound overall.

Having to Fill Up With Gas Less Often
How many times has one tried to take their vehicle as far as it could go on a single tank of gas so as to avoid having to stop at a gas station to fill up? Most likely the answer is quite frequently. Although filling the car up with a tank of gas does not take a long time to do, it is still an inconvenience to some individuals, especially those who are often running late for one appointment or another. Therefore, by purchasing a vehicle with good fuel economy, the driver will have to stop less often to fill up their gas tank and this in and of itself is something which pleases many individuals immensely.

Most Fuel-Efficient Cars in 2005
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) often compiles lists showing the vehicles with the best fuel economy based on a fuel efficiency gauge for both city and highway travel and are shown in a city/highway ratio. The EPA files these types of lists as fuel economy is quite relevant to pollution and other environmental factors. The following paragraphs will summarize the top 10 list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles which was compiled by the EPA for 2005.

The vehicles ranking in the number 10 spot of the EPA list are the Dodge Neon and Toyota Celica GT which both get 29/36 mpg. Those vehicles ranked in the number 9 slot are the Scion xB (31/35), Toyota Matrix (30/36), Pontiac Vibe (30/36) and Honda Accord Hybrid (30/37). Rounding up the number 8, 7, and 6 slots, respectively, are the Scion xA (32/37), Toyota Corolla (32/41), and Toyota Echo (35/42).

The top 5 most fuel-efficient automobiles contain quite a few from the same car manufacturer with the Honda Civic HX (36/44) coming in at 5 th place and three various types of Volkswagens, Volkswagen New Beetle TDI, Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Volkswagen Golf TDI, all coming in at 4 th place with a 38/46 ratio. As for the top 3 spots, these belong to the Honda Civic Hybrid (45/51), the Toyota Prius (60/51) and the Honda Insight (61/66).

One will notice by reading the list above that hybrid vehicles are often cited in the top 10 of all fuel-efficient vehicles. There are a few different reasons why choosing a hybrid vehicle may be the best choice for those individuals looking to purchase a new car.

Reasons to Choose a Hybrid Vehicle for Your Automobile
There are two main reasons why purchasing a hybrid vehicle may be in the best interest of the driver of the automobile and the people around that individual as well. The first reason for choosing a hybrid vehicle is due to its fabulous fuel efficiency. There are a number of different car manufacturers who have either come out with hybrid vehicles or are in the process of making vehicles of this type. Car manufacturers realize that fuel efficiency has a vital place on an individual’s car buying list of must haves.

Another reason for choosing a hybrid vehicle which is not only beneficial for the owner but for the general public as well is the environmental factors surrounding hybrid automobile use. The more gaseous fumes and toxins which are released into the air, the worse it is for the environment as a whole. Those who truly appreciate the fact that hybrid vehicles are more environmentally sound than other vehicles which strictly use gasoline as their main mode of power are ones who are more likely to purchase a hybrid vehicle. It is important to note that most hybrid automobile drivers purchase their hybrid vehicles due to fuel economy reasons as well. Car manufacturers have also responded to environmental concerns by producing vehicles which are of a hybrid nature and therefore much more gentle to the environment.

Choosing a vehicle which is fuel-efficient is an extremely wise decision. Not only will the driver of a fuel-efficient vehicle save a lot of money on gasoline purchases but will be doing their part to preserve the environment as well. These are two very valid reasons for choosing a vehicle which boasts good fuel economy.

Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian Discount Car Rentals, specialists in Maui, Hawaii car rentals. He has personally driven to the top of Mauna Kea and rates it as one of the most panoramic views in his travels to Hawaii.

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Rental Car Smarts — When Size Matters Get the Most for Your Money

Published on July 3, 2008

When you’re heading across country with a few more than a crowd, it helps to have an auto you don’t have to shoehorn your friends into. Or maybe you need to haul more than a toothbrush and a change of underwear. That’s when you want a van, SUV or pickup truck instead of a Geo Metro.

Rental cars come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, class and quality. You can get car rentals as sub-compacts, compacts, standard sizes, luxury, trucks and SUV. The variety available makes renting an option for individuals and families of any size.

Minivans, a favorite rental of families with children, generally have enough legroom to seat seven adults and assorted luggage. SUVs generally accommodate five adults and their assorted belongings.

When it comes to car rentals, more and more people are looking for a truck or SUV. Most companies offer their consumers a wide range of vehicles to choose from, but there is often a dramatic difference in the quality of the car rental size classes. And often there are significant differences in cost from one company to the next.

An analysis of rental car prices in the Denver area indicated that from company to company in alike locations prices on a SUV could vary up to 30% a day. These prices were from similar name-branded car rental locations.

So it will save you money to shop around and compare prices.

But don’t be fooled by looking at pictures of the vehicles online. While some online sites have pictures of their vehicles, that method of determining overall quality may be misleading. While you can determine the make and model of the car rental, there is, after all, no way to verify that the car pictured is the car you will receive.

Most vehicles are available at all times in the larger cities and airports depending on the time of day. Smaller city locations should be called twenty-four hours to forty-eight hours in advance to secure a rental car, SUV or van.

Most car rental companies these days have more than just cars to rent out. But not all will have trucks, SUVs, vans, recreational vehicles and exotic sports cars.

Choosing the car, truck, minivan or SUV perfectly suited to you, your family or group can require some diligence. When searching to find exactly the make, model and condition for your rental car, comparison shopping can save you a bundle. Checking out the car rental company for quality and maintenance can make your trip run smooth.

It’s always best to call the reservation line or the customer service center for information on a specific vehicle.

Karen Kirby has 25 years of experience in the computer industry, an MS in Computer Science, and a BA in Honors English. She has been helping people with Internet marketing since 1995. For more information on SUV and van rental see http://auto-rental.autopilotplus.com/ Be sure to get a free copy of the “Internet Marketer’s Guide to Free Traffic” at http://www.aimbright.com/ebook

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Lease Car Hire Cape Town

Published on July 2, 2008

Car hire in Cape Town, South Africa is a matter of selecting the right rental agency. There are several car rental agencies in Cape Town that provide competitive services for customers. They rent out all kinds of cars ranging from family cars, luxury sports cars, and SUVs to beach buggies and limousines. Cars can be hired on a daily or weekly or even monthly basis. The minimum rental period is 24 hrs and maximum is 30 days, though it can be extended. The minimum permissible age of the driver is 21 years.

You can hire Audis, Fiats, Mercedes, Peugeots, Seats, Volkswagens and many other models of cars. Some of the common categories are: mini, luxury, premium, standard, intermediate, minivans/MPVs, SUVs, and compacts. The prices, policies and conditions vary greatly according to the kind of car. Professional chauffeurs are also available with some cars. Prices range from R 195.00 per day (between 3-6 days), R 170.00 per day (7-13 days) and R 145.00 per day (more than 14 days) for a Toyota Tazz 1300 (non-A/C) to R 220.00 per day (between 3-6 days), R 200.00 per day (7-13 days) and R 190.00 per day (more than 14 days) for a Toyota Corolla 1600 with A/C and R 380.00 per day (between 3-6 days), R 350.00 per day (7-13 days) and R 290.00 per day (more than 14 days) for a Audi A4 2.0 with A/C. They may be as high as R 720.00 per day (between 3-6 days), R 620.00 per day (7-13 days) and R 590.00 per day (more than 14 days) for a Toyota Condor with A/C. These prices may include unlimited mileage, and third party liability insurance.

There are several terms and conditions to be considered while hiring cars. These include: terms of payment, terms of hire, driver’s license, personal services, gas prices, over the border rentals, additional drivers, one-way rentals, personal accident insurance and other coverage, emergency medical assistance, damage and theft waivers, and so on. Several kinds of fees may also be charged for car hiring apart from the basic rental, such as: delivery and collection charges, value added tax, rental contract fee, accident administration fee, traffic fine administration fee, congestion charge, late charges/overtime, premium location fee, service fee, and others.

There are also international car hire agencies in Cape Town that enable online reservations. They have websites that make booking easier by just filling in an online form that contains basic information like: the kind of car preferred, date of rental, the collection and delivery locations, and credit card information.

There are many car rental agencies in Cape Town. Information can be obtained from yellow pages, classifieds or from advertisements. The internet is also a very good source for locating a good car hire agency and even applying for the hire online.

Car Hire provides detailed information on Car Hire, Car Hire UK, Lease Car Hire Cape Town, Budget Car Hire and more. Car Hire is affiliated with Cheap Car Rental Companies.

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