Buick News - United States - News

Buick News - United States - News

Buick introduces the new compact Verano based on the Chevrolet Cruze platform. I must be crazy but with the 2.0L Turbo a possibility and maybe they will throw the 6speed manual on it I honestly could see myself driving this Buick.

Jump the link and take a look at the official specs from GM.

Hypermiler Wayne Gerdes: Sonata across the US— Autoblog

Hypermiler Wayne Gerdes: After 2,269 miles and 59 mpg, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid "kicks ass" — Autoblog

Wayne Gerdes in an attempt to get the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid from a launch event in California all the way to Ann Arbor Michigan in an astounding... two tanks of fuel. This was proposed in October when the temp was a bit warmer and more fuel economy friendly. This trip was taken during the winter across the mountains and to quote Gerdes it was a "Crapshoot" for how many MPGs he could scrape out of the Sonata.

After an impressive 2,269 miles and an average of around 59 mpg Wayne ran out of fuel. This shows using intelligent driving techniques it is possible to easily eclipse EPA estimates.

To find out more about the Journey go to cleanmpg.com where you can also find tips on how to get the most fuel economy out of your vehicle no matter what make and model it is.

Mazda's new Diesel Particulate Filter

Paris Preview: Mazda to introduce new 2.2L diesel engine Description of the new Diesel Particulate filter that will be used in the new 2.2L diesel engine making its way to the US. Follow the jump to read more.

The first official photos of the next generation Picanto!

The first official photos of the next generation Picanto! Thought this was pretty cool especially for a subcompact would love to see this in the US.

Jetta Adventures: Cliffty Falls

Katelyn and I decided to hop in the Jetta and drive about an hour and a half from her house in Georgetown Indiana to the small town of Madison Indiana and the Cliffty Falls State Park. First and Foremost this is one of the most amazing looking parks I have ever been to. It had commanding views of waterfalls and limestone cliffs mixed with awesome woodlands.

The park was an amazing place to hike especially in the winter because it was blissfully quiet and serene with only the sound of flowing water and swishing branches to break up Katelyn and my thoughts.

The hike was a good 2 hours long encompassing two trails. Trail 1 and Trail 7 are the best trails to take. 7 is very rugged and is a large loop through the huge river basin. Trail 1 is VERY hilly and has a large observation point that looks out across the Ohio River and a huge power plant.

Caution the next image is quite gruesome you may not wish to scroll down!

One of the most exciting moments came when I was looking across the river and Katelyn screamed, "LOOK!!" in front of us was the remnants of a freshly eaten deer either by a somewhat large cat or a pack of wolves. It reminded us that even though we were in a "park" this is still an area where wild animals do exist and still hunt where we want them there or not.

This week was an awesome wilderness experience and I have driven about 700 miles this week all worth it! The Jetta is currently at 162777 miles sitting in the parking lot of a Starbucks tomorrow I make the 293 mile trip back to Elkhart Indiana. I am looking forward to future adventures for the Jetta and me.

New Optima turbo press introduction

New Optima turbo press introduction

Jetta Adventures: Charlestown State Park

This week has been a busy week because one I am visiting my girlfriend in Southern Indiana and two we have begun a quest to go on all the great hikes in our home state of Indiana. Our first stop was Charlestown State park in Charlestown Indiana. The park is on protected land off of Highway 62 near an old Munitions Plant.

The south end of the park is filled with remnants of the munition plant along the Ohio River as well as gigantic maple leaves. Huge limestone cliffs as well as small rivers dominate the landscape. It was an amazing place with a great feeling of being near civilization at the same time being alone and immersed in wilderness.

The hike started low at the bottom of a cliff and slowly worked its way up to open fields overlooking a wonderful vista of the Ohio River that went on for miles. The hike down was quite treacherous because there had been a melt and it was a slippery slope to the bottom!

The park is a huge expanse of wilderness and I love the feeling of privacy that hiking in the winter brings. Being willing to take a little cold is highly rewarding in terms of being able to enjoy these hikes without the interruptions and disturbances that come during the summer months. Trips like these are the reason I love my car because I may not have the prettiest car or the mostly stylish but it takes me to these wonderful places that otherwise I would have never seen. I am happy to have a reliable and functional car and thankful I have a wonderful girlfriend to share these awesome hikes with!