The new VW Golf shows off its lines at the New York Auto show on April 8, 2009. The new looks is a tad bit more chiseled than the previous model, but retains all the functionality and sporty European handling known to Rabbit and Golf owners. All in all, its a good look.
Volkswagen also showed off a TDI-powered Golf that featured a few upgrades not seen on the North American models last year, including a Dynaudio stereo and automatic climate control. A DSG automatic transmission — with six forwards speeds — will be standard on all Golf models, except for the base vehicle.
According to an “Wheels” article today in the New York Times, Stefan Jacoby, president and chief executive of Volkswagen Group of America talked and promoted clean diesel over electric and hybrid vehicles a the New York auto show. He was the keynote speaker at the annual breakfast for the press and took the opportunity to point to Volkswagen’s efforts in improving fuel efficiency and in competing to “find the fuel of the future.”
According to the article, ” Jacoby said that technological improvements in clean diesel “will improve miles per gallon” without incurring big expenses.” He commented that the VW Jetta TDI, which has achieved 58 miles a gallon in testing and believes we can expect to see “50 to 70 miles a gallon would be possible in the next 10 years.” The VW executive also said that “Some of the new technology is 20 years off,” he said, clearly meaning electric-battery power and fuel-cell technology. “And we may find better options.”
His real push is for tax incentives in order to encourage Americans to buy new cars, as well as additional incentives that will target the more fuel efficient clean diesel cars. “A cash for clunkers program, or “fleet modernization,” as Mr. Jacoby called it, similar to what Germany has in place, would go a long way to help consumers, dealers, suppliers and the environment.”
Perhaps I’m offering up some free advertising to Sprint and their soon to be release Palm Pre smartphone, but I am pretty ‘geeky’ excited about getting my hands on this new gadget and don’t mind being used. Some expect it to show up this month (I doubt it), while others believe its release will be targeted just before the first iPhone contracts run out early this summer? It has been a closely held secret … that’s for sure. The new video ads (above) and the mesmerizing Sprint NOW site loaded with web widgets are certainly putting Palm’s live or die smartphone front and center. The way I see it, if this gadget can keep me from looking at expensive diesel cars, then it’s saving me money?
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Nissan announced a couple new 370Z models today in New York including the 2010 370Z Roadster. This impressive and affordable performance car is winning over enthusiasts and will by the end of summer have a top down sibbling. The 2010 Nizzan 370Z Roadster sports a no-touch convertible top will make for a very easy to operate soft top, while still retaining solid performance and outstanding styling. If I were not a diesel oriented sort, this roadster would be a sure fire replacement for our old ragtop MGB. See the video announcment published at 7:30PM Tuesday evening at the Nisson 370 website.
Although my confidence is low that I’ll be able to reduce the number of “junk faxes” being sent to me, I’m going through the procedure put in place by the FCC anyway. The steps are fairly straight forward in entering a complaint online, but I suspect results may not be all that forthcoming?
My suspicion: I believe that fax numbers are sold to different fax marketing firms who cater to the ‘cheap’ travel and boiler room investment types. Some may be pure scams and others may offer a product which I suspect is sub-standard. I’m also suspicious that just like the links on emails asking to be removed from an email list, that entering your fax number may increase the likelihood that you will receive more faxes rather than less (probably disguised as being from a different marketing firm). My advice is not to attempt to be removed from these lists but to ignore the marketing. I’ll update results from my complaint to the FCC here.
4/18/2009 Update: I received a letter from the FCC the past week:
I’ve never been all that attracted to the ‘add-on’ chrome tailpipe trend which has become the norm in recent years, but now that many of these cars have a few years of age they are becoming downright ugly. While spending a few days driving this past week I notice a relatively late model Nissan sporting some rusting chrome tips and remembered why I didn’t like these add-on fashion statements.
Who knows who will begin to bring the conservative movement and the Republican party back to life and attract new American voters? If big government and the spending of the current Democrats joining the honeymooning President Obama isn’t enough to help unite conservatives, then perhaps it is time for some new blood. Take a look at Rep Paul Ryan (R) from Wisconsin as he talks with Fox News correspondent Carl Cameron. Does he have what it takes to carry the torch and convince Americans that conservationism is best for our country?
Even a frugal diesel guy like me can’t resist enjoying watching 705 HP of American steel (and fiberglass) do 185mph in standing mile “warm up run.” That’s flying.
I’ve been satisfied with Netflix since switching from Blockbuster Online for ‘mail delivered’ DVD and BluRay DVD movies. My wife and I generally watch one movie each week and have been comfortable with the service and choices available with the ‘one at a time’ subscription. Since we have a BluRay player, I opted for the $1.00 premium on top of our $8.99/month Netflix subscription ($9.99/month) which saved us $2 each month over their competitor, but noticed that Netflix as of April 27 will double that premium — $2.00/month for the BluRay option ($10.99/month). The amount is now only a dollar less then Blockbuster and doesn’t offer the 2 in-store exchanges which was a nice perk (although we did switch to Netflix for the TivoHD streaming option only currently available at Netflix).
Since we have been generally watching movies in our bedroom, I’m debating whether paying an extra $2 for BluRay is really worthwhile. DVD movies and even the Netflix-to-TivoHD streamed movies all seem to satisfy my aging eyes and questionable ears … what would you do?
If you are in the market for a new car or truck this year, the IRS will assist by at least making the “sales tax” deductible. There are a few caveats, which includes a short window since the car, truck, motorhome or motorcycle needs to be purchase between February 16, 2009 and January 1, 2010 in order to be able to deduct the sales tax on your 2009 taxes. According to Cars.com, “this deduction is available for individuals with an adjusted gross income of less than $125,000, or for joint filers under $250,000. The deduction phases out for taxpayers whose AGIs fall between $125,000 and $135,000 for individuals and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers. The deduction is only good for the taxes paid on a vehicle up to $49,500 of the purchase price. So if you buy a $70,000 car, you won’t be able to deduct the taxes for the additional $20,500.”
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If you are in the market for a new car or truck this year, the IRS will assist by at least making the “sales tax” deductible. There are a few caveats, which includes a short window since the car, truck, motorhome or motorcycle needs to be purchase between February 16, 2009 and January 1, 2010 in order to be able to deduct the sales tax on your 2009 taxes. According to