TV Show Rides: That 70’s Show: The Vista Cruiser

We all know the popular sitcom, “That 70’s Show”, which aired from 1998 to 2005, and honed in on a group of 70’s era working class suburban kids as they make their way through the trials of high school and teenage life. Several journeys took place in Eric Foreman’s (Topher Grace)’s 1969 Oldsmobile Vista cruiser. The car was the place where Eric and Donna (Laura Prepon) began, and ended, and began their relationship again. It was where many important talks took place as well. Not to mention, it was the set for many of Eric and Donna’s dates. A hand-me-down station wagon from father Red Foreman (Kurtwood Smith), this old roadie machine got the gang to the water tower, to the dances, to the radio station, bowling alleys, Price-Mart, and Fatso Burger. Now that the show is over, what has become of the green Cheese-stained pantie-bearing wagon? Well, not to worry, the car is in good hands.

An update for my viewers

I’ve been blogging for a little bit now, and as you may have seen, I haven’t posted any new topics onto my blog recently. The explanation for that is short and sweet: me and a few friends have started a new blog (Still on wordpress, so don’t worry). As a result, I have been writing all of my major posts on that website (followingourownadvice.com) in an effort to populate the new blog with content and media for everyone to enjoy. What I am doing now, is re-structuring my writing process, so that I may provide variety for my readers on both sites, rather than simply cutting and pasting from one to the other. I want my readers to see my posts on following: our own advice and click over to Everything Cars and be able to see even more, unique media to take a look at. This will happen, it just means i’ll be spending more time at the computer and getting more information so that I may publish more posts for you to read. It’s a process, but it’s a simple fix, and it won’t be long before Everything Cars is blooming with new info every week. Thanks for your patience.

Happy motoring!

-Mike

Campus Cruiser Spotlight: Jake “Grizzly” Hodgeman

When you think big city automotive, you normally think of either big luxurious sedans and SUV’s, or those new ridiculous, but improving green city compacts that are filling up the roads. However, when we take a closer look, there are remnants of a still avid American Dream. For a while, many of us believed that the current economic situation was well on its way to killing this dream, but there are still believers out there who beleive that the dream is still alive and roaring down the highways.  I think it was pretty interesting that I happened to find such an example on a college campus.

Driver and Muscle Car fan Jake Hodgeman is doing just that with his Firebird. The UW-Milwaukee sophomore got his first car, complete with a gta appearance kit, with his father when he was just 17 for a bargain deal at $2600. I asked him what made him want to take this one off of  the lot. He stated that “I’m into american muscle. It was new enough for me to modify it and do what I wanted to it so that people wouldn’t ask why I didn’t [fully] restore it. I’m a fan of hatchbacks, and I like to stand out, and the back seats were somewhat useful, more-so than a corvette.”

But don’t think Jake simply signed the dotted line and drove off; he wanted to make the car his own, so I asked him about the modifications he had made to the Firebird since he bought it. He gave me a list of mechanical updates; a new fan, a new fan motor, water pump, Bosch titatium racing spark plugs, new wires, suspension, exhaust, a new racing steering package, and interior cosmetic fixes are among the list of things he has done to the car; and this according to his ambitious plans for the car, is just the beginning.

In addition to mechanical fixes and upgrades, he also beefed up the audio performance as well. He took out the stock stereo in favor of a much stronger Sony XPLOD system, complete with a 500 watt amp, and the ability to defen ears courtesy of a  1000 watt Kennwood sub. The entire set only cost Jake $200; which is a great deal for a great sound. This car screams good times, and I asked him just what the best memory he’s ever had with the car was. I kind of anticipated an interesting story.

He actually gave me a few good stories: his best memory, he stated, was “The first time I got it to top out before I replaced everything. I had just gotten the car, and wanted to see how fast It would go. It was limited to 115, while I was topping out, I went over the crest of a hill, and as I went over and started coming back down, the wind lifted the front end of my car off of the ground.” Needless to say, this would get anyone’s heart racing, and keep it that way for the duration of the mini-shock that anyone would have in this situation. Another fond memory he has with the Firebird comes the day after receiving a citation for going 30 mph over the speed limit. “It was the day after I got the ticket for going 30 over, and me and my buddy actually pulled off a race that spanned a 7 mile stretch of road. The road forks at the end, with my lane going right and the oncoming lane going left. A cop happened to see me and flipped on his lights. After he realized that he wouldn’t be able to catch me, he simply turned off his lights.”

Of course, everyone loves their first cars, but there are always the lingering set of questions that hovers throughout everyone’s head: his favorite and least favorite thing about his Firebird. His answers were pretty simple and straight forward. “[my favorite thing about the car] is the V8’s rumble from the straight-piped catback exhaust. [my least favorite thing] is that it’s not fast enough from 0-60 in under 6 seconds. Jake knows that he’s got a while before he can make the Firebird his very own unique Pontiac, but that hasn’t stopped him from dreaming.

I asked him what his plans were for the muscle car, and he responded with a list that came from what seemed like hours of avid dreams and ambitions. eventually, he hopes to put a twin-turbo-charged 427 motorblock in her, which will produce over 900bhp. He plans to couple that motor to a Trimac t60 6-speed manual transmission, and plans to mount the motor and tranny on a Corvette under-body. Just like the Vette, he plans to put a torque tube underneath the car, along with magentic ride suspension. In the back, Jake plans to put a corvette differential in as well. to complete his custom performance package, a hidden roll cage will stiffen the chassis and improve handling.  Cosmetically, he wants the car to be a real head-turner. A 3-inch fender flare wide body kit will give the car a lower and more aggressive appearance, and LED lights will keep up this aggressive image when the sun goes down. He plans to surround himself with a custom interior, including custom gauges and 3-tone upholstery. He plans to finish the car with a carbon grey paint job, along with orange accents throughout.

Jake is a mechanical engineering student, who is going to Arizona in the fall to finish school. He’ll be staying with relatives, which means he’ll be spared the expense (and drama) of living in the dorms. He believes that these benefits, along with consistently nice weather will accommodate him better, and that he will be able to focus more on getting his degree figures he will be much more accommodated with his new home,  and with all of that saved money, he’ll be able to focus on making turning his dream car, into a reality.

Gallery: Grizzly’s Firebird

Are you a college student? Think your ride has what it takes to be a featured campus cruiser? Send us a picture of your ride, along with why you think you have what it takes for your chance to be the next featured campus cruiser.

The Options List: What To Look For

Buying a car can be either a fun, exciting, and possibly memorable experience. It can also be an experience that can cost you thousands extra if you aren’t careful with how you choose. Choosing the car is a dilemma within itself, because there is so much to consider, based on what your needs are. What makes the biggest difference in how much you will be writing a check for in the end before you sign your name is the options list. This is where the game of buying a car gets serious. The Salesman pitches every reason why you should have this option, or that option, and corners you until you are coerced into complying with his suggestions. The only thing the buyer has on their side when buying a car is knowledge, and experience. Here is a list of 5 Do’s and Dont’s that will help you win the battle against the salesman when it comes to running through the options list.

DO: Factory Rims:

              Okay, so you may think that this is a bit of an oversight. But let’s be honest. Appearance is a huge part of anyone’s agenda, whether you want to believe it or not. So, Though it may be the cheaper route to for-go those alloy rims in favor of the cheaper hub-cap imitation, don’t do it. It may not be noticeable at first, but the rims of a car can be a real head-turner, and if you’re willing to spend the little extra for the authentic forged alloys, you can make your ride look that much better, and in most cases, you won’t have to spend much anywhere else. Plus, they usually last longer. Along with durability, factory alloys will generally add to the overall resale value of the car, making them a good investment.

DO: Navigation

              We live in a hustle and bustle kind of world, and today, it isn’t considered very safe, or legal for that matter, to flip open a paper map. Yes most phones today have GPS capability, and you can pick up third-party systems from your local Best Buy or Wal-mart, but today’s in-car navigation systems have been re-worked and re-fined into simple, hands-free, easy to use interfaces, that have come to meet the credibility of what most brands charge for on-board navigation. In nearly all cases, today’s systems integrate all the functions of the vehicle into one screen, and make driving as easy as speaking a command, without having to dial in any addresses, phone numbers, or even radio stations. This means that driving is much safer, and much easier to handle. Along with the added safety that today’s on-board systems offer, technology is only getting better, and today you are getting more for your money.

DO: LED lights

                   

More expensive than traditional bulb-lights? Yes. Worth the minimal expense? Definitely. Let’s be honest, who wants to spend time and money repeatedly changing out light bulbs every time they burn out. LED lights tend to last nearly 30 years, which translates to plenty of money and time saved from having to take chunks of time out of your day to change a burned out bulb. Not only is it easier to maintain, LED bulbs light up the appearance of the car, and are much safer than traditional bulb lights. Do yourself and your wallet a favor; go for this option. It’s worth it.

DO: Power Seats

               

When you buy a car, the onlything that occurs after you drive it off of the lot is depreciation. In order to benefit you as the driver both now and in the long run, when it comes time to sell it or trade it in, you want to maintain residual value of the car as much as you can. This option in general makes driving the vehicle convenient for you, and comfortable for both you and your passenger. And when it’s time to get rid of the car, this option can add a nice sum of money to the overall value of it.

DO: Power Locks

Convenience for the buyer is a big deal these days, so it’s important to know what options can fulfill the convenience factor when you’re in the market for a new vehicle. Power locks are a convenience feature that is essentially an industry standard for new cars coming off of the line today. The only place you might still find manual locks is on the cheapest trim levels of the lowest priced cars. Power locks enable the convenience of giving both the driver and their passengers instant access to the vehicle. It’s not only easy and convenient, it is also a  good option that will help the car hold a little better value when it comes time to trade it in or sell it.

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Now that you have a pretty good understanding of the options you’ll want to go for when looking at the options list, it’s time to flip the script and take a look at what not to go for. Much of the time, you’ll see some of these options, and while in some cases they add aesthetic value to the overall appearance of the car, they definitely don’t help in terms of practicality, or overall necessity for that matter. Here’s a list of options DON’Ts to look for.

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DON’T: Running Boards:

                  Got your eyes on that SUV? If you do, you may think that it’s a bit high off of the ground. That means you’ll want to throw running boards on the sides so it’s easier to climb in to. Here’s a great idea that will save you money, and unnecessary accessories: don’t do it. If the factory believed that the SUV was too tall, they would have thrown in running boards as a standard option. However, many drivers neglect that door sills can come in great use when it comes to climbing into their truck or SUV. unlike cars, the doorsills of Trucks are much beefier, and a bit wider, which gives them greater functionality. And, if you plan on doing some off-roading, then running boards are definitely not an option. Hit a rock or side swipe a tree and these ridiculous pieces of tubing will get mangled and possibly interfere with your ability to drive after your mishap.

DON’T: Heated Seats

Heated seats can be nice to have, but they really are not needed. They make no real difference on a cold day, and they cost extra to put in as an option. Unless they come standard on your vehicle, don’t spend the extra money on them. If they come in a bundle, that is more of a reason to avoid them; most of those options might just add up to an even bigger waste of money. Stick with the traditional heating system that comes with the car. It’s practical, and it’ll keep you warm.

DON’T: Special, or Limited Edition models

Does anyone really notice the difference? Special Edition models are nothing more than the same car, just with several options that you don’t need in the first place. The only reason it’s considered “Special” is because it has a badge that convinces you that for some reason, that particular model is much better than the same, much cheaper priced model next to it. In other words, don’t believe everything you see when you look at a car. Special editions are usually filled to the brim with unnecessary options and are usually over-priced. The bottom line? There’s nothing special about a special edition.

DON’T: Undercoating/Rust-proofing

It may sound like a sensible, and viable option, but don’t let the title fool you. Rust-proofing and undercoating generally cost thousands extra, and are completely unnecessary for your car. It sounds silly that this is an option don’t, but you can prevent rust and corrosion from overtaking your vehicle by simply paying attention to it. If you wash it when it’s dirty, and touch it up with a nice waxing every so often, you can deliver the same protective measures to your car’s finish for thousands less than you think. Rust-proofing generally does not live up to its name, and can mislead you into thinking that as long as you have your car, you should be scot-free from the worries of corrosion and rust. Today’s cars are finished with solid paints and durable, dependable clear coats that usually don’t require more than occasional TLC. Don’t waste your money.

Hybrids: A basic Guide

The word “Hybrid” is a more and more common word among car divers worldwide. From the Family-Friendly Prius, to the sport-tuned Tesla, they are becoming more and more prevalent on the roads today. I’m not much for green-peace, although I do believe in their philosophy for the most part when it comes to environmental issues regarding air quality. So, here are my ratings on what you should look for when you’re considering either a hybrid or an electric car.

The Toyota Prius:

Cick the pic to learn more about the Toyota Prius

It’s the hybrid that started it all. Toyota kicked off the mass-production hybrid car line with the Prius in 2000, aiming to get more green-friendly drivers on the road. The 4-door sedan offers a comfortable ride with great fuel efficiency and quality engineering that is second-to-none. Along with that, I think that for being a “green-car”, it’s practical, durable, and carries Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability; and you won’t have burned holes in your pocket when it comes to filling up, as this will be a rare occasion for Prius owners. All of this sounds great, and I’m sure you’re just about ready to pull your checkbook out and ask where to sign. But let’s be honest for a minute. Sure, it’s a clean economical vehicle, and yes Toyota have refined the feminine looks of the Prius since its release in 2000 with more cut lines and masculine curves to better appeal to both sexes, and have accompanied the lone hybrid with a line of Prius’, including the more appealing Prius “C”, but there are better looking hybrids on the road that many of us would rather be seen in, that don’t pass as a symbol for green-peace, and possibly label you as a tree-hugger. Not to mention that a relatively unknown fact about the Prius is that the overall process that goes behind the production of the Prius causes more pollution in the long run than the Car will cause in its lifetime.

click here to see the Prius get put through its trials (Fifth Gear)

Overall rating: 8.5

My rating: 7.0

The Honda Civic Hybrid:

Click the pic to learn more about the Honda Civic Hybrid

If you’re in the market for a hybrid that accompanies almost 40years of legendary reliability, then it’s logical to go for the Honda Civic Hybrid. Since Honda decided to pair hybrid technology with the Civic back in 2001, they knew that they’d be stepping foot into a new generation of hybrid to appeal to the masses. This is something that I believe any kind of car enthusiast would have seen coming. Who wouldn’t have after Toyota launched the Prius? But I digress. The Civic has become a car for the older couple on a budget, as well as the midnight racing teen looking for a kick in the streets. For 2012, Honda have given the Civic hybrid a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, producing around 110 horsepower. That sounds a bit more appealing to the driver who doesn’t want to sacrifice performance for eco-friendliness. I think it’s a good deal for any driver who likes a balance between comfort, efficiency, and low maintenance; and does a majority of their driving in the city. However, I do see a few issues with the Civic Hybrid. Unlike the Prius, the Civic was eventually paired up with a hybrid, which means that like most pairings, there will always be a few bugs to work out. So that leaves the buyer wondering if this year will be the year that Honda work out all the little kinks, or if it will have to wait till next year. Another pretty obvious fact about the Civic hybrid: it’s boring. Okay, this year the hybrid was upgraded to a 1.5-liter engine compares to the 2011’s 1.3-liter package, which means it has a little more horsepower and is a bit more peppy. But in all honesty that’s not that big of a change. Along with that, the interior is just bland. It’s grey and there isn’t much to it; although I do give credit to the designers of the Civic for making it roomy. The Civic hybrid is a great all-rounder in terms of functionality that fits most peoples’ needs. But if you’re going to buy the Civic hybrid, and not go for the Si model, I’d question your excitement factor.

Click here to see a review of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (AutoGuide) 

Overall Rating: 7.9

My Rating: 6.5

The Chevrolet Volt:

Click on the pic to learn more about the Chevy Volt

Okay, this one has been GM’s big talk since the concept was revealed in 2007. The concept introduced what GM called  a “Voltec” drive system, which consists of new and improved components that enhance the quality of electric propulsion. This may be by far the most techy of the hybrids on this list. the Volt is America’s most efficient plug in hybrid, it is dripping with technology, it’s won numerous green-car awards, and to top it all off, the Voltec system is accompanied by a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine. Along with the technological specs, there are new materials that lighten the vehicle, giving it even further range on a single charge. Don’t think that Chevrolet have skimped on comfort. The Volt manages to provide top safety, the latest technology, and ease-of-use, while still offering comfortable seating for 4!. And the production model doesn’t look half bad. Kudos to Chevrolet for taking away the femininity of driving a plug-in hybrid. You get plenty of range, but it does come at a cost. $39,000, to be more specific. This is however a cheaper price tag for this year. However, the formerly standard navigation system and the Bose Sound system are now a part of the options list. Along with that, the Gas engine can be noisy, and the EV range is greatly reduced in winter. I think, however, that it may be worth the check you’ll have to write, because it is American, and it comes from a dependable name, as well.

Click here to see a review of the Chevy Volt (Everyday Driver)

Overall Rating: 7.4

My Rating: 7.5

The Kia Optima Hybrid

Click the pic to learn more about the Kia Optima Hybrid

Let me start off by saying that I personally like this one more than any of the others for a few good reasons: One, it’s from a company that has made a comeback in terms of quality. Two, It’s a name that has been refined significantly, and at the same time has gained reputation points from consumers world-wide, especially here in the states. And three, my good friend has one, and although it’s not the hybrid, I’ve ridden in three generations of the Kia Optima, and I can certainly say that the latest generation is definitely a huge step-no, leap forward from the previous generations. But I’ll just give you the most honest review I can, not using any of that mentioned information as a bias. Looks-wise, I’m sure I’m speaking for more than just myself when I say that this is definitely getting the gold for looks, especially when it’s put side-by-side with a Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion. Performance wise, drivers will be pleased to know that unlike most other hybrids, which tend to make the mistake of putting a slow, unresponsive engine next to a hyped up electric engine, the Kia Optima hybrid features a 2.XL four cylinder engine married to an electric motor, allowing for up to 40mpg, and pumps out a surprisingly fun 206 horsepower, which means you’ll be able to have plenty of fun in the corners between trips to the pump, which I think is a great combination. For this year, Kia have decided to make former options like the fog lights standard on all new models. Another great part about this car is the price-tag. For 25-grand you can take all that the Kia Optima Hybrid has to offer home with you. As far as I’m concerned, that in combination with one of the longest warranties ever offered, and reliability and top-notch safety,  that’s the best deal I can think of. However, there are a few draw-backs that I unfortunately must highlight. None of the trims that Kia offer for the Optima come with the availability of 4-wheel drive; so even though you have front-wheel drive, which is much better than rear-wheel for the winter months, you’ll definitely have to handle those 206 horses carefully unless you plan on doing a bit of snow-drifting. Also, Kia have refined the interior and have definitely put their best foot forward in terms of quality, but they haven’t quite nailed it yet. And lastly…it’s a Kia. Though the company have been gaining huge reputation in the areas of reliability, the Optima still carries the burden of the Kia name’s past, which means that it won’t be much of a head turner for at least another couple generations.  However, these issues are mostly minor, and in time, Kia will have their place in the ranks of the most dependable cars in the world if they keep up their efforts and continue to refine the quality that Kia offers. I’d recommend it.

click here to see the review of the Kia Optima Hybrid

Overall Rating: 8.4

My Rating: 9.0

The Tesla Roadster:

Click the pic to see more on the Tesla Roadster

This is probably the most out-there in terms of up-and-coming hybrids. The Tesla Roadster features chassis developed by Lotus, which means that in the corners, this is no sports-car to underestimate. The best, and worst part about this hybrid is that it is 100% electric-powered. Since 2009, Tesla have sold no more than 2500 units, which makes seeing one of these on the road a rarity, but in it of itself, a special occurrence when you see one humming down your street. The electric motor offers a fierce 288 horsepower, which will definitely make the driver one happy tree-hugger. Looks-wise, from a distance one would be almost certain that it was a lotus coming your way. But once they realize that there is no sound to accompany the cars sporty appearance, you’ll know the difference. At the stoplights, the Tesla Roadster does not skimp out on launch performance. It’s quick acceleration will get the driver from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, which is pretty impressive considering that it’s a fully electric motor that is doing the work. So, It’s fast, stylish, good in the corners, and is the ideal sports-car for a green-peace politician looking for a sports car that won’t ruin his image. Now, there are a few problems with this All-electric sports car. For one, the motor can over-heat under hard driving, which means that track-days with the Roadster will not be an every-weekend thing. Along with that, Tesla’s projected 200-mile range falls greatly under harder driving, which means that the time spent at the track will be limited to a mere few hours before either the Tesla overheats, or loses juice all-together. The Tesla roadster follows one key rule of all sports-cars: lack of practicality. for $128,000, you get a big electric motor, some gauges, 4 wheels, and not much more. Trunk space is essentially non-existent, so that money you saved at the pump won’t be put back into groceries at the supermarket, since you’ll have no room to store them once you’ve done your shopping. To re-charge your car, you’ll have to pay extra for the re-charging cord, which in it of itself is just shameful. I like the Tesla Roadster, If someone handed me the keys to one I would drive off in a second. But it’s not exactly worth the price-tag, and for that reason, I see more potential than results from Tesla Motors; and in my opinion, they have a bit more work to do in the way of development of the Roadster.

Click here to see a review of the Tesla Roadster

Overall Rating: 7.4

My Rating: 5.0

There’s plenty of options when considering a hybrid vehicle. Let’s not rule out other contenders like the Chevy Cruze-eco, or the Mercedes S-class Hybrid, or others on the market. Hybrids are becoming more and more common on roads today, and in my eyes, we’re only witnessing the beginning.