Autoblog iPod Nano contest
I recently started reading Autoblog, which has become one of three daily online sources I check for automotive news (along with AutoWeek and Edmunds). They've got a contest on to win an iPod Nano + Car transmitter. So here's my entry:
Top Ten Autoblog entries:
1. Ask Autoblog: How do I decide between a hybrid Accord or a gas-only Accord?
From Ben Huh came the single most important story on hybrids I read all year. Both Edmunds and AutoWeek have been reluctantly cautionary about hybrids in recent reviews, but way back in May of this year Autoblog crunched the numbers and gave us the best understanding of the Accord hybrid: it's a performance for dollars question, not an energy efficiency question.
2. Doug Flint takes on VW “quality”
A great post by Eric Bryant, which introduced me to Doug Flint for the first time. I also enjoyed it because one of my current bosses and one of my former bosses are VW Passat owners; the former boss has had serious problems with the quality of his Passat (in particular interior fit and finish). My current boss has a new Passat TDI wagon, which is still under warranty, and so far, he's had no problems. But I turned him on to the Doug Flint story all the same.
3. Motor Trend has locked the front door
John Neff filed this beauty this morning. At first I thought it was the glorious news that the worthless punks at Motor Trend were out of a job, but alas, that is not the case. Instead, it looks like Motor Trend is following the dubious example of the NY Times and putting so-called premium content behind locked doors. On the plus side, at least Motor Trend's premium content has the advantage of being interesting. On the negative side, their web code is garbage, totally unoptimized for the average user, and now you have to pay to see the only stuff that's worth a damn.
4. Pontiac Solstice looks to be a hit; dealers warned not to mark up prices
Eric Bryant gave us this little bit of interesting news on the Solstice, which I've been awaiting with sweating palms. I dropped ten pounds just so I could fit in the seats. Pontiac corporate is being smart for once (as opposed to the New Goat fiasco) and warning dealers that mark-ups are a no-go. In any case, Pontiac has presold this years entire production run of Solstices.
5. The Michigan Fuzz 500
John Neff reminds us all that the Michigan State Police are still the most comprehensive source for police cruiser testing. The 2005 tests are the first to include the new Dodge Charger and Magnum police packages; these tests pretty much determine what your local po-po are going to be driving if they've requisitioned vehicle cash for next year.
6. Spy Shots: Ford Shelby Cobra GT500
Another gem from John Neff and an alert Autoblog reader, the first spy shots of delivery Shelby Cobra GT500s. The photos demonstrate that the production model is in strict fidelity with the concept.
7. Sugar is the new oil: how glucose fuel cells could change the automobile industry
I found this article on a search about a week or two ago after watching an episode of the History Channel's Modern Marvels on sugar, particularly on Brazil's use of sugar-based ethanol. Christopher Diken reports on the possible glucose fuel cell as an alternative to hydrogen fuel cells, starting on the ground floor, unfortunately.
8. MCI’s SkyTel helps you put a Lojack on your teen
From the Big Brother department, Erin Mays brought MCI's SkyNet (err, SkyTel) service to our attention. Autoblog's Big Brother patrol is perhaps the most interesting service the site provides; if you want to know the latest in electronic car surveillance, there's no better source, and this article with its 25 comments is a great example of the high-value content available.
9. How well do K&N air filters work?
Eric Bryant points us to an actual test of high-flow air filters. Air filtration is a big concern of mine, because I commute round trip 170 miles daily, down twisty two-lanes in the Mississippi Pine Belt, past chicken houses and timber farms. For now, anyway, I'm sticking with my Wix filters.
10. TrueDelta to offer innovative vehicle reliability research
John Neff talks about TrueDelta, which is apparently taking the Edmunds model on car pricing research and applying it to vehicle quality. An interesting idea, and hopefully a marked improvement over the traditional consumer reporting websites.
Well, there's my entry. Thanks, Autoblog, for the opportunity, and the traffic.
I recently started reading Autoblog, which has become one of three daily online sources I check for automotive news (along with AutoWeek and Edmunds). They've got a contest on to win an iPod Nano + Car transmitter. So here's my entry:
Top Ten Autoblog entries:
1. Ask Autoblog: How do I decide between a hybrid Accord or a gas-only Accord?
From Ben Huh came the single most important story on hybrids I read all year. Both Edmunds and AutoWeek have been reluctantly cautionary about hybrids in recent reviews, but way back in May of this year Autoblog crunched the numbers and gave us the best understanding of the Accord hybrid: it's a performance for dollars question, not an energy efficiency question.
2. Doug Flint takes on VW “quality”
A great post by Eric Bryant, which introduced me to Doug Flint for the first time. I also enjoyed it because one of my current bosses and one of my former bosses are VW Passat owners; the former boss has had serious problems with the quality of his Passat (in particular interior fit and finish). My current boss has a new Passat TDI wagon, which is still under warranty, and so far, he's had no problems. But I turned him on to the Doug Flint story all the same.
3. Motor Trend has locked the front door
John Neff filed this beauty this morning. At first I thought it was the glorious news that the worthless punks at Motor Trend were out of a job, but alas, that is not the case. Instead, it looks like Motor Trend is following the dubious example of the NY Times and putting so-called premium content behind locked doors. On the plus side, at least Motor Trend's premium content has the advantage of being interesting. On the negative side, their web code is garbage, totally unoptimized for the average user, and now you have to pay to see the only stuff that's worth a damn.
4. Pontiac Solstice looks to be a hit; dealers warned not to mark up prices
Eric Bryant gave us this little bit of interesting news on the Solstice, which I've been awaiting with sweating palms. I dropped ten pounds just so I could fit in the seats. Pontiac corporate is being smart for once (as opposed to the New Goat fiasco) and warning dealers that mark-ups are a no-go. In any case, Pontiac has presold this years entire production run of Solstices.
5. The Michigan Fuzz 500
John Neff reminds us all that the Michigan State Police are still the most comprehensive source for police cruiser testing. The 2005 tests are the first to include the new Dodge Charger and Magnum police packages; these tests pretty much determine what your local po-po are going to be driving if they've requisitioned vehicle cash for next year.
6. Spy Shots: Ford Shelby Cobra GT500
Another gem from John Neff and an alert Autoblog reader, the first spy shots of delivery Shelby Cobra GT500s. The photos demonstrate that the production model is in strict fidelity with the concept.
7. Sugar is the new oil: how glucose fuel cells could change the automobile industry
I found this article on a search about a week or two ago after watching an episode of the History Channel's Modern Marvels on sugar, particularly on Brazil's use of sugar-based ethanol. Christopher Diken reports on the possible glucose fuel cell as an alternative to hydrogen fuel cells, starting on the ground floor, unfortunately.
8. MCI’s SkyTel helps you put a Lojack on your teen
From the Big Brother department, Erin Mays brought MCI's SkyNet (err, SkyTel) service to our attention. Autoblog's Big Brother patrol is perhaps the most interesting service the site provides; if you want to know the latest in electronic car surveillance, there's no better source, and this article with its 25 comments is a great example of the high-value content available.
9. How well do K&N air filters work?
Eric Bryant points us to an actual test of high-flow air filters. Air filtration is a big concern of mine, because I commute round trip 170 miles daily, down twisty two-lanes in the Mississippi Pine Belt, past chicken houses and timber farms. For now, anyway, I'm sticking with my Wix filters.
10. TrueDelta to offer innovative vehicle reliability research
John Neff talks about TrueDelta, which is apparently taking the Edmunds model on car pricing research and applying it to vehicle quality. An interesting idea, and hopefully a marked improvement over the traditional consumer reporting websites.
Well, there's my entry. Thanks, Autoblog, for the opportunity, and the traffic.
posted by Alexander Ignatiev at 9:52:00 AM
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