Monday, April 23, 2007

Famous women drivers and mathematicans

Famous women in math and drivers

By Alan Haskvitz, nationally recognized educational consultant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

for more resources go to
http://www.reacheverychild.com/math/index.html
and
http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/womens_history.html

Ada Lovelace was responsible for helping to translating documents and adding details to the Babbage’s Analytical Engine. Her work specified a method of calculating numbers with the Engine that is recognized by historians as the world’s first computer program.

Kay McNulty, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Ruth Lichterman, Betty Jennings, and Fran Bilas, were the original programmers of the ENIAC, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, that was the first large-scale, electronic, digital computer capable of being reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems.

Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper was an American computer scientist and naval officer. She was the first programmer of the Mark I Calculator and developed the first compiler for a computer programming language. She was ultimately made a Commander the Navy.

Jean E. Sammet developed the FORMAC programming language as a computer scientist.

Sally Floyd helped with Transmission Control Protocol that enables the Internet to operate.
African American Evelyn Boyd Granville worked on a trajectory analysis for the Mercury and Apollo space projects.

Born a slave in Tennessee in 1832, Mary Fields delivered the mail by stagecoach In Monday everyday until she was nearly 80 years old.

Latino racer Milka Duno was born in Venezulea and learned to drive by watching her parents. She has competed in many levels of racing including Formula One, IndyCar and sports car racing.

Kitty O’Neil, despite being deaf since she was four-years-old, set the women’s land speed record of 612 miles per hour. She also drove a rocket dragster to the quickest quarter mile elapsed time in history, 3.22 seconds.

Lyn St. James was an Indy Car driver. She is just one of a handful of women who have qualified for the Indianapolis 500. St. James was the first woman to win the Indy 500 Rookie of The Year award. She set 31 national and international speed records over her 15 year career in auto racing.

Janet Guthrie is the first woman to earn a starting spot in the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500, where she was also named the Top Rookie after setting a lap-speed record. Her helmet and race suit are in the Smithsonian Institution.

Danica Patrick was fourth in the 2005 Indianapolis 500, making her the top-finishing woman ever at this famous race and she was named rookie of the year. She was the first woman ever to lead a lap at the Indy 500.

Eileen CollinsU.S.A.F. Lt. Col. Eileen Marie Collins is the first woman ever selected to be a space shuttle pilot and the first woman to command a space shuttle.

Denise McCluggage earned honors in a variety of races and vehicles. McCluggage was able to master and win in everything from a Ferrari to a rally outfitted Ford Falcon.

Shirley Muldowney was the first driver to repeat as National Hot Rod Association Champion and the first driver to win the Championship three times with her ability to win in her dragster.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Dodge Nitro review: Looks are Everything

Dodge Nitro: Looks are Everything

By The Car Family

For more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

And http://thecarfamily.blogspot.com/

In your face styling, an attractive price, and a lengthy list of options make this SUV with attitude an interesting ride. First of all if you don’t like that snow plow grill and upright styling you aren’t going to be reading this review anyway so let’s leave opinions on looks out of this review and stick to the facts.

Number one this vehicle gets a lot of attention and is very versatile while still returning good gas mileage. You have a high seating position giving you good visibility to the front and sides, but the high back window reduces rear visibility.

Dodge has made the suspension fairly firm, but not jolty, and the brakes are adequate, but not exceptional. It feels like Dodge spent more on the styling than the handling and so you have a good vehicle for the base $20,000 (US) price, but not one as smooth as some of the competition. Of course, they don’t get the looks the Nitro does either. Indeed, this Dodge has DUB written all over it. Just add large rims and blacked out windows.

Dodge has placed the Nitro at the lower end of its Durango and Liberty lineup in terms of size, cost, and fuel mileage. You have your choice of the standard 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 or the optional 255-hp 4.0-liter V6. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the base models with the upscale R/T version getting a five speed automatic. You can order all wheel or four wheel drive, but there isn’t a low speed transfer case available. Look for gas mileage around 20 mpg with little difference in town or on the highway due to the exterior shape.

Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, an antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. The more expensive models get a Load ‘n Go cargo floor that slides rearward 18 inches to form a table surface that holds up to 400 lb. It makes loading heavy objects easier and we have only seen it on the much more expensive BMW wagons before. Other major options are a navigation system, DVD entertainment, and a wireless cell phone link.

Mom’s view: Only a mother could love this face. And, to be frank, it is the face that is going to sell the Nitro. The suspension that includes an independent front set-up and a solid rear axle with stabilizers and coil springs is basic. You can get larger rims, but we have learned from past experiences that these are frequent targets of thieves and do little to improve handling on stock vehicles and add braking distances while reducing fuel mileage in around town driving and commuting.

The ride is such that you aren’t going to be alarmed going over most road surfaces, but it isn’t going to put you to sleep either. I didn’t mind it until the road became heavily pock marked when it reminded me of how important seat belts are. I recommend the two-wheel d rive model for a better ride.

The main gauges are large, easy to read and the controls uncomplicated to master, but not really ergonomically satisfying. The cabin plastic and trim are off-road in nature meaning they aren’t at all luxurious. It has an open feel, especially with the high roofline, but the cabin storage is very limited with only a small glove box and center console being significant.

Taking corners at a modest speed isn’t recommended since the rack and pinion steering is off-road vague and the body does lean a fair amount. If you just drive as a mature adult the Nitro is a good friend. If you insist on pushing it you might have to remind yourself why it is called a Nitro.

Overall, this really isn’t a bad vehicle once you learn to duck your head while entering, can live with some ergonomic irregularities, and don’t mind being stared at by men who worship at the overpriced alter of Hummer ownership. It is easy to park, has good visibility in all directions but to the rear, and was frugal for what it is.

Dad’s view: This is a 4000 pound SUV and so accelerating with base engine takes some patience, especially considering the fact that the 210 horsepower does not come on until 5200 rpm. We got about 20 mpg, which is darn good considering the block shaped front that is being forced into the wind. You can expect four to five miles per gallon less with all wheel drive and the optional 235 horsepower engine. I found the base engine adequate except going uphill with the family onboard. Look for 0 to 80 times in the mid 7 to 8 second range. The transmission is not always willing to kick down without coaxing, but when it does the response is good. Be warned that any frivolity is going to take that 20-mpg average down into the mid-teen area in a hurry.

On the road you quickly get a grip on why the Nitro is probably going to be a good seller and that is the fact that is doesn’t offer any surprises. It has good interior space, acts politely in daily use, and outside of a soft feel to the brake pedal, is a nice place to be. The three-pod gauge cluster gets your attention and is easy to read and the controls are simple to master. The interior isn’t offensive, but it isn’t a show place either. There is a
115V power outlet and useable cupholders.

You can get five adults into the Nitro and the rear seats can be folded with a 60/40-split. The back seats can also recline. I found the front bucket seats comfortable, but they could use a bit more firmness for long hauls. On the other hand for some reason the front wheel wheels are very slender making those with large shoes a bit uncomfortable, as they have to put their feet nearly under the brake pedal. There is an abundance of headroom for all, but more storage areas would have been a nice touch.

Our base model tester had 16-inch tires, but the SLT has 17-inch tires and the more expensive R/T rides on 20s. I had no problem with the smaller ties and thought they did a better job over badly pitted roads. Larger rims and tires seldom provide better ride quality and usually result in longer stopping distances and less fuel economy in mixed driving. They are better for cornering, but if the road is wet are more prone to hydroplaning. We have found ordering tires and rims that are one size larger than stock is a great way to improve vehicle behavior. Anything more is subject to vehicle dynamic reactions to a larger degress. We know people with large 20-22 inch rims that have had these stolen on several occasions as well. You must tell your insurance carrier when ever you modify your vehicle with more expensive add on from stereos to rims.

The Nitro is not a heavy-duty vehicle and if you need to tow order the optional Trailer Tow Group with better cooling and a full sized spare. You can tow 5000 pounds with a special hitch and this package. Be aware that the soft brake pedal feel may be exasperated while towing. I found the Nitro quite a good value. However, I like the Liberty better.

Working woman’s view: Safety wise the Nitro appears to do well, but make sure you always order all the safety options. The long stopping distances of large SUVS with their high front bumpers and poor handling always make this a good idea for more environmentally aware drivers. Remember that the Nitro is not light on its feet so avoidance and anticipating other driver’s actions is essential to a safe drive.

There is 32 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats and 65 with the rear seats folded flat. This places the Nitro in the same ballpark as the RAV4, but I doubt people will cross shop these two vehicles or any other crossover SUV. They are going to want the Nitro because of the way it looks. Case closed.

The SXT models have a reversible cargo floor with a molded-in tray to help provide order for smaller objects, but it does not appear to be well-made or very useful for large packages or grocery bags. The upscale SLT and R/T trim lines have the Load ‘N Go cargo floor that pulls out 18 inches to make loading heavy objects much easier. I really didn’t like the look or feel of the small plastic clamps that held these panels in place.

For some reason the high roofed Nitro has low door openings. So be prepared when entering and wearing a head covering. As well, I did not find the seat adjustments adequate, as the pedal positioning appeared to be too far away unless I moved the seat close to the steering wheel making it uncomfortable to place my arms out in the recommended 10 and 2 o’clock positions. If I had longer legs this wouldn’t have been a problem, but that is why I never played basketball in school either. While wearing even modest heels finding a comfortable position for your left leg is difficult.

As for my business sense, I cannot ignore the Nitro. It is less expensive than the Liberty and even the competition in the form of the Nissan Xterra. The RAV, and CR-X are thousands more for just a touch more performance, styling, and room. I would say that the Nissan is probably going to lose sales to the Nitro, but the others are just more roadable and the extra money they demand is made up in higher resale.

College going male’s view: You can get the Nitro with the MyGIG navigation system that integrates Satellite Radio and a Bluetooth-based UConnect cell phone system while offering a 20GB hard drive to hold music and images. The 6.5-inch screen is a good size and you can use a USB flash drive. Real time traffic reports can reroute you using the GPS. Also available is a 7-inch overhead screen for those in the backseat with remote headsets. Dodge is really doing its best to get into the technology and entertainment market and it shows. The sound system in stock form is not adequate and I highly recommend upgrading to take advantage of the potential the cave shaped interior represents.

There is plenty of rear legroom and passengers have excellent visibility as well. If you fold the split seats you get more cargo room, but it is not generous compared to others in this class. There is a small storage area under the rear floor as the spare tire is mounted under the Nitro.

My take on the Nitro is that it is a good value, but isn’t going to attract attention from the more meek. Certainly worth a test drive, but perhaps too many people aren’t even going to do this due to its snow plow looks. There loss.

Family conference: The Nitro is neither fish nor fowl. It is adequate in fuel mileage, acceleration, and braking, but offers little outside of its distinct shape to make it worthy of purchase over the much more off roadable Liberty. It is not equipped to be a true offroader and not as polished onroad as some of the competition. Its forte is cargo space, versatility, looks, and pricing. It is easy to live with and, if you like its looks, fun to own. We think it is a winner and long overdue from Dodge. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Helping children deal with school violence

How to talk to students about the war and school violence

By Alan Haskvitz, national inservice presenter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

I have placed resources that deal with the following issues here.

http://www.reacheverychild.com

• Overviews

• Helping Young Children

• Resources for Caregivers, Teachers, Health Professionals and Communities

• Help for Older Children and Teenagers

• Coping with Loss

• Helping Adults and Helping Others

· Addressing Hatred

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

May Day Lesson Plans and Labor Links

May Day Lesson Plans

By Alan Haskvitz, national motivational speaker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

A small link site with history of May Day
http://holidays.mrdonn.org/mayday.html

For primary level with craft ideas
http://www.first-school.ws/features/holiday/maydaystorypage.htm

More advanced May Day ideas
http://www.salmonriver.com/words/nancy/maia.html

Labor related lessons and links
Superior link site
http://www.42explore2.com/labor.htm

Terrific Site with all types of material
Child labor, women, songs, and more
http://www.labor-studies.org/lessons.htm

For middle and high school
A very complete and highly usable site with the history of labor clearly listed with excellent material by year.
http://www.kentlaw.edu/ilhs/curricul.htm

History of labor site
http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/Eco_Unionization.htm

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
An extremely important event in labor history.
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/lessons/fireinthesky/index.html

AFL/CIO site
http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/history/history/links.cfm

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Mother's Day lesson plan, crafts, poems

Mothers Day lessons
By Alan Haskvitz, national motivational speaker
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

For more resources go to
http://www.reacheverychild.com

Integrated Mother’s Day lesson plan
Great plan for getting students to related past to present.
http://www.reacheverychild.com/lessonplans/plan_mother.html

Mother’s Day Craft Ideas
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson263.shtml
http://atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Mother_s_Day/
http://www.teachingheart.net/mompage.htm

Basic site with brief history, ideas
http://holidays.mrdonn.org/USHolidays.html#Mom

Games for Mother’s Day
For younger students
http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/mday/mdgms.htm

Women’s Rights lessons
For older students
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=435

Monday, April 16, 2007

Jackie Robinson lessons

Jackie Robinson
By Alan Haskvitz
National Teachers Hall of Fame
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

For more resources go to http://www.reacheverychild.com

Jackie Robinson main page
http://www.jackierobinson.com/about/viewheadline.php?id=2242

National Archives
Lessons and documents about Robinson
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/jackie-robinson/

Really good lesson linking past to present
http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/hs_lp_jackie_robinson.htm
Read, write, think lesson
http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=409
Simple lesson plans
Need to have book for best use.
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit37/lesson1.html
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/TLresources/units/Byrnes-famous/Robinson.html

Anaylze primary source materials about Robinsons
http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/98/robinson/intro.html
Baseball lessons
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson107.shtml
Major lesson plan
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=262
Interview (audio) with lessons and rubric
http://www.learnercentereded.org/Robinson/lessons.html

List of all major league sports teams
http://www.reacheverychild.com/sports/index.html

Audi A4: 38 mpg

Audi A4: 38 mpg

Posted by carfamily under consumer , Car Reviews , car buying , fuel mileage , automobile , audi

Audi A4 with CVT: 38 mpg
By The Car Family

For more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

For a list of all vehicle manufacturers go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Okay, we didn’t average 38 miles per gallon, but we did average nearly 35 mpg in mixed driving with the air conditioning on full and a family onboard for a 180-mile trek. What can we say but amassing. And, we might add, this is all due to the continuously variable transmission (CVT). Don’t order an Audi without trying this option. It takes the perky, turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder engine and calms it down, especially in traffic. Of course, it has its quirks as it does not really like to leave a stop under light acceleration, but that just might have been the test car. On the road acceleration is linear being that the transmission does not shift like a convention automatic. Add to that the optional paddle shifts that allow you to control the transmission when the need arises and you have a car for all seasons, albeit without all wheel drive. You can also order the six cylinder 3.2 engine with the CVT, too, but there was more than enough poke from the smaller motor for us with 200 horsepower continually on tap.
Mom’s view: We had the S handling package and it was okay for smooth highways, but too stiff for roughened roads. If you want to go around corners fast it might be fine, but you are going to pay the price in daily driving. The seats were above average in comfort and the interior was quite nice and the night lighting exceptional inside and out.
In the past I have been critical of Audis with the turbocharged four cylinder and automatic transmission as they were jerky in bumper to bumper traffic as the boost would come on suddenly and at the same time the car would downshift resulting in way too much go for moving slowly. The CVT makes this a mute case. Indeed, I wouldn’t buy an Audi without this transmission unless I wanted all wheel drive. As for the 3.2 liter V6 optional engine with its 255 horsepower, it simply provides more torque with little extra acceleration in real time driving situations.
Cargo wise the Audi is a bit on the thin side, but provides useful room for four and adequate luggage room. There are ample storage areas, but the cupholders need to be deeper for a car so dedicated to sporty driving. Standard equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control, power driver seat, and a six-CD changer.
Safety wise this Audi has Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, BrakeAssist and stability control, front airbags and side curtain airbags. Crash scores are above average.
Dad’s view: Priced right, this sedan offers you a little frolic as well as a heavy dose of frugality as it combines sporty aspects and common sense amenities as well as some controversial items such as a dent me front grill. Options extend from the S-line sport suspension to satellite radio to a cold weather package, HID headlights, auto-dimming mirrors and a navigation system.
Driving the Audi requires a little practice as the brakes have a soft feel until you get serious and after that it is all business from the ABS four-wheel discs. The turbo does have a bit of lag, but it really doesn’t make much difference as the CVT transmission smoothes it all over. It feels for all the world like a jet plane taking off, as the acceleration is linear and consistent for such a long period of time. A good vehicle for family travel and commuting. Easily better than any BMW for mileage and ride quality.
College going male’s view: There are lots of little things to like about the Audi, which I seriously believe is going to replace the BMW as the car of choice for drivers. Although the Audi needed premium fuel the gas mileage was superior. The dash gauges were very easy to read and stylish. I didn’t like the position of the handbrake near the center armrest. It makes getting to it difficult with gloves on and if you are wearing a large ring. The climate control is overly complex and there isn’t a turbo boost gauge, which is strange. The cup holder placement needs a rethink, too. This Audi is the best Audi. It isn’t too small or too large, is easy to park, gets positive attention, and is less demanding than the competition. The price may be a little too dear for some and resale is not in the same category as BMW, but I expect that to change.
Family conference: The A4 comes as a sedan, convertible, and wagon and can even be ordered with hotted-up options. It is not the handler of the BMW, but it is more comfortable and except for the stereo it has a first rate interior. Easy to live with and the best Audi 4 ever once the manufacture figures out why it stumbles at time when starting out. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com and click on business.

Dealing with the war and hatred

Dealing with the war and hatred

Posted by carfamily under character , death , social studies , patriotism , Lesson plan , home schooling , hatred , civics , war , government , Iraq , history , news , education , children , teachers , teaching

How to talk to students about the war and hatred
By Alan Haskvitz, national inservice presenter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

I have placed resources that deal with the following issues here.
http://www.reacheverychild.com

• Overviews
• Helping Young Children
• Resources for Caregivers, Teachers, Health Professionals and Communities
• Help for Older Children and Teenagers
• Coping with Loss
• Helping Adults and Helping Others
· Addressing Hatred

Resources for new teachers, lesson plans, discipline help

GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook Buick Enclave: GMs best SUVs

GMC Acadia/ Saturn Outlook/ Buick
Enclave: Best GM SUV
By The Car Family

For more vehicle reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

For a list of all vehicle websites go to
http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

This is the best General Motors SUV. It does everything better except perhaps tow, and is fairly economical for such a long, heavy, and wide vehicle. Although we don’t recommend SUVs of this size due to the potential problems they have with poor fuel mileage, rollovers, and higher insurance and maintenance, and maneuverability. That being said, the Acadia and its sisters in the form of the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook are the new breed of more Earth friendly SUVs. Prices start above $30,000 so make sure that the equally competent Chevrolet Equinox, which is smaller, but more nimble, won’t fill the bill just as well and for a lot less money.
The only negative we found was the tendency for the rear to hop a bit over bumps. This was a very new version and we believe that the final suspension will be adjusted for these sideways slips. Other than that this was a good ride and a good-looking one as well. Many people stopped and asked us about this model. Something no other SUV has ever generated in terms of interest.
Mom’s view: General Motors is bringing out a new line of large crossover SUVs to instill some spirit in sagging sales. After a week with the GMC Acadia we came away impressed. Unfortunately, we also had some concerns. Regardless, this is a much better vehicle for most everything and the best GM has brought to the table in years. It has more interior room, a better ride, and is more flexible. Only the lack of a more powerful V8 makes it a jack of all trades for this fast disappearing category of vehicles as sales continue to be static or decline due to the relentless rise in fuel costs attributed to everything from a fire in a distant refinery to the winter/summer change over. Regardless, petroleum company profits are at record levels thanks to those who don’t care how much gas their vehicle is using. Owners of the Acadia and its GM sisters needn’t be too concerned with 18 to 24 mpg predicted by the EPA. We got 18 mpg and it seats eight.
The Acadia was difficult to park and so I would go with the parking assist for sure. The Acadia is high, wide, and low with a snow plowish front air dam that is sure to be damaged should anyone truly go off road with this GMC. Visibility to the rear is poor, but okay to the sides and front. Added to that is the fact that the optional DVD screen for the second row blocks what little view to the rear that you have. The wide A pillars do hide pedestrians so beware when making right hand turns at intersections. You can order a two wheel or all wheel drive model and get 18 or 19-inch rims. Be warned that it is a fairly big step up and with the wide opening door getting in and out while wearing a dress requires some planning.
Highway and smooth surface streets are the Acadia favorite, but the SUV is said to be capable of going off road to some extent. With a vehicle this large and with a price tag over $40,000 we were reluctant to try the rough stuff. Suffice to say that the wide body and low clearance would make it a handful in tight terrain. The size of the Acadia made parking at malls a little worrisome. The turning radius is fairly large at 40 plus feet and the length of the GMC, over a foot longer than a Honda Pilot, had me making three point maneuvers to tuck its fanny into a place.
The gauges are easy to discern and the optional head-up display that projects your speed, radio station, and other functions on the bottom of the windshield are a good idea as the Acadia easily goes well over the speed limit with little warning. It is a quiet vehicle. The stereo controls are all push buttons that means that those with long fingernails need to practice, but at least the controls are easy to reach. Actually, there are too many small buttons. Bring back rotary dials. The plastic trim is nice and you don’t feel like you are in a cheap vehicle, which you are definitely not. I had little problem lowering the back seats and the interior storage was excellent. As for the interior door handles, they just aren’t right. I have no idea how they are going to used when wearing gloves or for those with large hands.
A nice job all the way around, the Acadia’s is a nice compromise and certainly family friendly. Hopefully, this is a turnaround vehicle for General Motors. Now lose that big GMC emblem in the front grill and give me adjustable pedals. And, thanks for that 22-gallon fuel tank with nearly 400 miles possible.
Dad’s view: Based on the new Lambda crossover platform, the Acadia is in essence of high minivan for those that don’t like to be seen driving these family oriented vehicles. It is a good move by General Motors because Asian based manufactures and the smooth handling Dodge-Chrysler vans dominated the minivan market. I believe they are going to sell many more Acadias than they have minivans.
The Acadia comes in either SLE-1, SLT-1 and SLT-2 powered by a smooth 3.6-liter V6 engine that sends 275 horsepower and 251 pound-feet of torque to a very busy six-speed automatic transmission. Available in either front or wheel drive, the Acadia is capable of getting to 60 mph in about 10 seconds. It really could benefit form another twenty pounds of torque, but that would cut into the fairly good gas mileage. Initial acceleration is better than the passing speed performance due to the gearing and the hesitant transmission that prefers to say in a higher gear. You need to press firmly on the petrol pedal to get a reaction at times.
Braking is adequate, but you still feel that forward lean when you hit the brakes hard due to its softly sprung suspension that is a compromise between off road and highway. I would really like a firmer suspension and more feel from the brake pedal, but most SUV fans will most likely find the Acadia’s ride familiar.
There is clearly not much competition in this category. Our favorite, the Honda Pilot just hasn’t the room of the Acadia and the others offer little new outside of the Suzuki XL-7. The towing capacity of 4500 is good enough for most needs, but you must go to a body on frame pick-up of gas hoggish SUV to get into the 10,000 pound range. I think the Acadia is a nice compromise, if a bit relaxed in its performance.
Working woman’s view: Too big for me, but might appeal to those who need the room of a minivan and like the higher seating position. There is plenty of safety equipment including ABS and an antiskid system, rollover sensors, traction control for front wheel drive models, front side airbags and curtain side airbags that cover all seating rows and deploy in rollovers. Options are the must have rear obstacle detection and such other not so necessary items as a remote engine start, DVD entertainment center, leather, heated front seats, and a sunroof on some models. Really, the Acadia comes standard with just about everything you need including cruise control, power door locks and mirrors, front and rear air-conditioning, disc brakes, a six-speaker system with an in-dash CD player with MP3 playback and a Bose unit on the upscale SLT-1 and SLT-2 models. I found even with the dual zone air-conditioning it was slow to cool down the large interior, but the optional heated seats made up for this.
College going male’s view: This is a big vehicle. It looks, feels, and drives big. The interior is spacious as well and fairly quiet for a SUV. Bumps and road irregularities make the rear suspension wavier, but overall a nice ride. I question the need for all wheel drive in a vehicle of this weight, but some people like to have the extra burden, I mean benefit, of all wheel drive. The six-cylinder engine has its hands full with the Acadia and it lets you know with a low growl. The transmission can be felt working overtime when the Acadia is loaded and you are going uphill. Nevertheless, in daily driving it was worthy.
I especially liked the head and legroom. It is abundant, especially with the second row captains’ chairs. The doors open wide and the second row seats not only tilt, but also slide forward making getting into the third seat fairly easy for a SUV. Don’t expect adults to like to sit in the rear seats and you are going to find toe room at a premium. The cargo room is excellent. And, there is a under floor bin as well and many other small places to store items. The entertainment center with the wireless headphones work well, but there really needs to be a place to put the headphones when not in use. Handing them from the seat pockets isn’t a good idea. It is fairly easy to run the system, but the third row passengers aren’t going to be able to see the screen very well. The optional power tailgate is necessary if you are short because it is a climb to reach the rear hatch if you are short.
Visibility to the rear is just a squint, so order the rear obstacle detection system. Actually, all large SUVs should have this. The seats and steering wheel have good adjustments, but the bottom cushions seem to long. Heating and cooling are average and it takes a while before you get the large interior to a temperate climate on extreme days. Other than that this is a good vehicle, but the as tested price of $46,000 plus was a bit intimidating. Of course our test Acadia was well loaded.
Family conference: This is a step in the right direction for General Motors. Although we personally don’t like SUVs this is probably the best you are going to find that has the gas mileage, cargo capacity, and people carrying ability. It is clearly better than the Toyota Sequoia, Honda Pilot, and Ford Explorer in that regard.

For a complete list of vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com and click on business.

Teacher salaries by state; state taxes, retirement data

Teacher Salaries: By State. Includes taxes, cost of living data

Posted by carfamily under consumer , salary , cost of living , new teacher , taxes , teachers , education , money , teaching

Teacher Salaries
By Alan Haskvitz, national motivational speaker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Haskvitz

After five or more years of university, a well-paid position as a teacher is deserved. With this in mind, Reach Every Child has assembled the most current information concerning salaries, cost of living, and jobs available. However, due to the time it takes to collect and publish such data, most of these figures are at least three years old. Thus it is best to use this information as a starting point.
You should note the states with the highest teacher pay also have the highest cost of living. Regardless of where you work, with rising living costs, it is also a good idea to begin retirement planning. And this might be a good place to start: Horace Mann. The following sites deal with the latest teacher salary information, where to find jobs, scholarships, grants and a cost-of-living comparison by state. I have placed the rest of the information on this site:
http://www.reacheverychild.com/feature/salaries.html
It contains the following topics: Cost of living by state, education job scales, teachers pay in other countries, elementary teacher job pay, pay by state, taxes by state, salary trends and more. All free. Help for Your Educational Job Search Locate Grants, Scholarships and Awards Grant sites and teacher scholarship opportunities Send in the ClownsJust in case you need some relief, here a site with education humor.Share Your Profession Teacher appreciation, news and grant sitesActual Average Beginning Teacher Salaries (2003)

Are you an average teacher?

Best cars under $15,000

Best Cars under $15,000: Mileage and Room

Posted by carfamily under Chevrolet , parent , Car Reviews , car buying , Yaris , Kia, Hyundai, consumer , automobile , driving , family , dodge , Suzuki

The Best Cars under $15,000: Mileage and Room
By The Car Family

For more reviews go to
http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

For a list of all vehicle websites go to
http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Okay, we let a few cars in that were a tad more than $15,000 but the reality is that with some good bargaining you can get all of these cars under MSRP. On the other hand the new Toyota Corolla is due out next year and is the 800-pound gorilla in the room and cannot be ignored. Indeed, even the existing version would have done very well in our battle at the bottom of the suggest retail price ladder.
We tried to make this a test of the newer vehicles and so the Ford Focus, PT Cruiser, Chevrolet Cobalt, the Scions, and others of that ilk were left out. All of these are good vehicles, well priced, and offering a great many family amenities, but we wanted to limit ourselves to the newest kinders on the block.
Thus we tested both the Nissan Versa hatchback and sedan with manual transmission and automatic respectively. Add to that the Dodge Caliber, the Suzuki SX4, Chevrolet Aveo, the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Kia Spectra, and the Hyundai Elantra. The Pontiac G5 was not available for the testing. The Jeep Compass would have made our test, but the only vehicle available was priced at $21,000 even though they list just under $15,000. The Mitsubishi Lancer was also unavailable.
Where to start? Well, the Nissan Sentra was sensational with the CVT, but the price as tested pushed it close to $19,000. Is it a great car with excellent brakes, above average handling, superior gas mileage, and plenty of storage room? But you just can’t compare it to the huddled hatchbacks that make up the bulk of the under $15,000 crowd. So out it went.
Next up was the controversial Suzuki SX4 starting at $15,000 with all wheel drive. It was a great ride, but the all wheel drive unit sapped its power and fuel mileage. However, we decided to leave it in anyway because it shows how much technology you can get for the price of four-year-old Toyota Camry XLE. Besides, that Suzuki warranty is very family friendly extending to 100,000 miles.
We liked the handling of the Volkswagen Rabbit, but if you option it with anything it is over the price range. Besides, the fuel mileage and performance just weren’t up to the others even though the quality and handling were excellent. We think that Rabbit is a good car, but the pricing of our test model put it at $19,000 well loaded. As such we dropped it from the test where it would have finished mid-pack based on our emphasis on operating economy, cargo space, and value. If we wanted to run a road race we would take the Rabbit. As for fit and finish, the Rabbit would place well there, too.
To save you time here is a list of our favorites and why:
Exceptional
For versatility and price the Nissan Versa is an easy winner. It gets well over 30 mpg, costs under $13,000 and never feels small. On the down side it does not handle well and the seats catch every bit of hair and hold on to it tenaciously. The seat covers look like velour and grabs like a drunken sailor. By the way, the seats are very comfortable and the car never feels small. We must warn you not to judge this car by its looks. This is easily the car of the year for the frugal.
Second place goes to the Honda Civic. It is fun to drive, has a fold down rear seat and gives excellent fuel mileage. It ranks up there with the Mazda 3 for handling, but its manual transmission isn’t as good as the Mazda’s. It is more expensive than the Versa and you never forget you are in a small car while driving one with its low seating position and reduced side visibility.
Next was the Dodge Caliber which had a vast and trendy interior, but the large blind spots and the in your face interior were a bit much. Fun is fun, but bright red and white upholstering and painted metal interior require a more youthful slant. That being said, you aren’t going to get more car for less money. It is the best Dodge product at this time outside of their minivans/
Fourth place was the Honda Fit. The reason is simple it is just plain fun with a fine combination of handling, economy, room, and spirit. It does feel small and rough roads aren’t’ its forte. It cost considerable less than the Civic, but it less of a car. If Honda would just put their hybrid unit in the Fit it would be the best such vehicle made. As it is this is a terrific vehicle, but too closely priced to the base Civic.
The Hyundai Elantra was next based on its exceptional gas mileage and interior room. We got over 33 mpg in mixed driving. The trunk is very small and you have to be aware of the low deck lid when reaching into it. However, when you add the warranty to this vehicle it is a world class bargain if you can get it for under $15,000. We found most of them were going for more. Otherwise, this would have been rated even higher.
The Mazda 3 is next in line for appreciation. Along with the Volkswagen Rabbit it is the best handler of the group and quite enjoyable to romp with. However, its fuel mileage isn’t up to snuff and you don’t get as much with the base model as others moves it to the fifth spot. It isn’t as much a family friendly car as a family fun car. It loves to romp, but the torque steer can get your attention in a hurry. Easily a better vehicle than the much pricier Audi 3. The best choice is you really like to drive.
Good
A nasty spat occurred with the Suzuki SX4 based around the unfairness of comparing an all wheel drive vehicle with front wheel drive economy cars. Anyway, the result was a fifth place finish for the nicely prepared and versatile SX4. Its busy engine and aforementioned fuel mileage relegated it to this placement. If Suzuki would make this an all wheel drive model and cut the cost it would be a much stouter competitor. As it stands, it is the low cost all wheel drive champion.
Needs improvement
The Kia Spectra and Chevrolet Aveo just aren’t as much car as the others. We also believe that the resale will not be as strong. They are price cars that deliver, but they never make you feel special or offer anything other than a compact ride and feel. If you are a good shopped get the vastly better Chevrolet Cobalt that is eager to please, gives nearly as good fuel mileage and with some good bargaining can be only slightly more expensive than the small Aveo. As for the Spectra, the same could be said, as the Kia Optima is a great car with some exceptional lease deals being offered. Like the Cobalt it offers the same excellent fuel economy of the Spectra, but is more spacious and family oriented although it does cost more.
Mom’s view: I like a small car that doesn’t feel like a small car. So, it’s the Versa all the way. It just does what you ask holds plenty of everything, and if you opt for the CVT you get exceptional drivability and easily surpass 32 mpg without having to shift. I wouldn’t get the manual transmission simply because it was so difficult to shift in a hurry and the high clutch take up made it difficult to modulate wearing shoes with just one inch heels. The interior fabric is a bit grabby and difficult to clean and the stereo volume control is a bear to operate with fingernails that haven’t been bitten down. Overall a great bargain of the car. Forget the sedan and get the hatchback even with its gawky looks. The head and legroom is remarkable and the 122 horsepower 1.8 liter engine is much more potent than one would think. Get the optional CVT and relax with the welcoming seats, good visibility and plenty of standard features. Unfortunately, the low price tag means common sense items such as anti lock brakes are options.
I liked the Suzuki, too. It was cute and comfortable. But, its 2.0 liter four cylinder engine provides just 143 horsepower to move the 2800 pounder around. Although it is eager to please and can be frisky with the five speed manual you have to work that transmission hard to get to 60 miles an hour in under ten seconds. The interior isn’t badly done and there were a number of useful storage areas, but I found it rather bland. Mind you this is a very nice car and one that would have been my first choice if it was a tad less costly and didn’t have the all wheel drive unit to hamper performance. As it now stands this is an underrated vehicle that has plenty of visual appeal and a lot of useable storage area. Quite good and certainly a strong consideration if you drive where inclement weather is a concern, the SX4 carries a warranty that is as good as it gets.
Of the others, the Honda Fit didn’t fit me, the Mazda was just too boy racer, the Dodge was too stiff legged, and the Aveo didn’t have enough perkiness. The Yaris was a disappointment from every aspect except visual appeal. Too low and too slow. Give me that Corolla.
Dad’s view: I liked the Civic, but the Honda Fit grabbed my attention. It was so easy to maneuver and the fold flat rear hatch area was simple and honest in its operation. Both vehicles offer the best fuel mileage with an easy 32-mpg with a manual transmission, but the Fit just was more to my frugal tastes. However, if I had long distances to commute the short wheelbase of the Fit would give way to the more relaxed fit of the Civic. Either way these are good value. As for the Elantra, it was the all around winner if you take into consideration its fuel mileage and size and warranty. However, we had a problem finding one under the $15,000 limit.
Call it a manly compact, but the Caliber is a whole lot of vehicle for the money. Keep to the standard 148 horsepower 1.8 liter four cylinder engine and the CVT and you are going to get 25 mpg. If you want to throw out the $15,000 or so mandate, order more powerful engines and get yourself a wicked wagon. The versatility of the Caliber is everything as the handling isn’t really up to its husky stance. If you like the look of the interior with its body colored plastic and loud color pallet, this is a very worthy buy. However, the Fit and the Versa felt more connected to the road. A good family car with a high seating position and lots of funky features such as fold down rear speakers. Fun, but not frisky.
I don’t like to kick a company when its down, but the Chevrolet Aveo isn’t the best General Motors can do. The Cobalt is much better and not that much more money. The Aveo gets good fuel mileage with about 28 mpg with the automatic, but it always feels underpowered. The 1.6 liter four cylinder has but 107 horsepower and getting to 60 miles per hour is going to take you about 11 seconds. If you have a family onboard it takes much longer. Obviously, this is a commuter car and does that job well. It looks nice, has plenty of storage spaces, and getting in and out is easy. The brakes are not up to the competition and the car is a bit noisy on the road. If you just need basic transportation consider the Aveo, if you want a car that handles and is better pay a bit more and get the very good Chevrolet Cobalt and pay the extra few dollars a month.
Let me make this as simple to understand as possible. The Yaris isn’t what Toyota is about. We were unimpressed in every way. It was small inside, the 1.5-liter engine and its 106 horsepower weren’t enough, and the whole car felt cheap. The only plus was the exceptional fuel mileage of 35 mpg in mixed driving. Buy the Scion or wait for the all-new Corolla pricing before getting involved with this Camryish looking sedan.
Working woman’s view: The Mazda has snap even though it costs you at the fuel pump. Indeed the all wheel drive Suzuki nearly returned the same fuel mileage as the Mazda with 24 for the SX4 and the Mazda giving us 25 mpg. It was the handling, looks, and personality of the Mazda that won me over. Although a bit boy racer for my tastes, the interior was well done and the engine always on call. The Mazda 3 is a lot of car for under $15,000 and the equal to the much more expensive Audi 3.
College going male’s view: The brakes on the Chevrolet Aveo were weak and the pedal feedback was soft and not reassuring. Perhaps that was because this was a very new model, but I just couldn’t help but feeling that it could have been improved. The feel of the interior controls and the way the seat backs fold down also weren’t as good as I wanted. There is no question that the Aveo is a price leader and there is also no question you get what you pay for. If you want an economical car that returns over 30 miles per gallon with the manual transmission and costs about $13,000 the Aveo is your best answer. But for me the Chevrolet Cobalt is much better. I think it is one of Chevrolet’s best vehicles. As for the Honda Fit, it just was too small for me. The Civic was terrific, but it is priced well above even the price of a base Honda Accord. My favorite was the Dodge Caliber. It had everything and was a huge bargain. There was plenty of room, great interior design, and enough engine to provide good fuel efficiency and not intrude on acceleration and performance. However, you need to get the standard transmission with the base engine. If you want an automatic get the six-cylinder engine. You’ll need it as the Caliber’s energy is drained dramatically with a full family onboard.
Second would be the Mazda 3, but only because I felt the ride was too sporty for those who use their vehicles mainly for commuting on crowded roads. It was edgy and fun in the open spaces, but in town it was tiring to drive.
Family conference: This is easily the second best category of family friendly vehicles that is expanding. The first is the cross over SUV where the Toyota RAV 4 rules. As such every car is worth considering and it is a good idea to seriously shop only you have driven each one on a rough road, in heavy traffic where visibility can be a problem, and at night. Sadly, some of these vehicles have less than terrific night lighting with low cost headlights and only a small dome light for the interior. None of these models even came close to our lighting standards set by the big Cadillac. Don’t just take these for a zip around the block. At highway speeds the engine noise can be a distraction and you need to do at least one fast lane change and fast braking test where it is safe. Since these vehicles are new they have not gone through the government safety-testing program. Thus it is best to order as many safety features as you can afford on these vehicles. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Safest Family Cars: They're not Large SUVs

Safest Family Cars: They’re not Large SUVs

Posted by carfamily under automobile , safety , money , shop , consumer , senior citizen , Car Reviews , children , education , environment , news , travel , reviews

Safest Family Cars:

They’re not Large SUVs

By The Car Family

for more reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index

For more free education links to to

http://www.reacheverychild.com

Let’s start by debunking the great myth that large SUVs are safer than smaller vehicles. They are not. What is worse is that people sometimes confuse them with the very safe mini-van because they can hold seven passengers. They are not. Some people feel that the high seating position makes them safer to drive. They are not. In fact that trait makes it easier for them to tip over. If you are looking to buy a large SUV you need to be prepared to pay more for insurance because of claim losses for these vehicles as well as the damage they do when involved in an accident. In essence, you are more likely to die in a compact pick-up, small sedan, or large SUV than any other type of vehicle. In addition, about one child every week is backed over and killed by the drivers of SUVs. So large SUVs are among the most dangerous family vehicles not the safest. What is worthwhile knowing is that Ford and Chevrolet have developed minivans with SUV looks that provide a nice alternative to large SUVs in the form of the FreeStar and Saturn Relay. Both are easy to drive, have good visibility, are not expensive, and get good gas mileage while offering abundant interior room. Now, we are talking about the large, truck based SUVs here, not the lighter and more nimble crossover style ones. For some eye opening facts about SUVs go to

http://www.dontbefueled.org/mothers/ten_facts.shtml

Each year, about 40,000 Americans lose their lives in motor vehicle collisions. Statistics report that one in 8.5 drivers is involved in an automobile collision and one out of nine hospital beds is occupied by an individual who was injured by a vehicle. So the selection of what to transport your family in goes far beyond fuel mileage, options, deals, or looks. It is literally a matter of life and death to many.

Before we get started on which vehicles are the safest you need to know that every model year brings out new crash testing figures. Since this article is based on an accumulation of research it is not current for this year’s models. Thus you should do your own checking using the insurance industry and government websites listed below.

There is no safest car. There is a safer driver. The more classes you take in how to drive the better you are going to be. For example, many people at an intersection when waiting to make a turn have their wheels turned in the direction they want to go. This is suicide. If another driver just taps them from behind their car will be shoved into oncoming traffic. Such accidents are extremely dangerous with high death rates. Another item you pick up from attending classes regardless of your age is following distance. You need to leave at least one car length for every ten miles an hour you are traveling. Although in today’s world that means people are going to be cutting in on you it does provide you with a guideline. Riding someone’s rear bumper is dangerous, especially in large SUVs and pick up trucks that require 30 to 50 or more feet to stop than sedans because of their greater weight.

Here is what to look for when buying a safe family vehicle. First, when you take a test drive don’t be sidetracked by gimmicks. Check emergency braking, handling, side and rear visibility, driving position, and night lighting. We highly recommend that you test-drive the car both in the day and at night. It may be time consuming, but it could save your family. Keep the radio off and don’t just stay on smooth roads. Making a short stop on a rough road could open your eyes to shortcomings with the vehicles suspension and brakes.

Safest car ratings

In the field of large sedans the Lexus ES300, Audi A4, BMW 330i, Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry XLE, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy did quite well. Small cars that did well on crash tests were the little Volkswagen, the Honda Civic EX and the Volkswagen Jetta. Pick-up trucks, as large SUVs do not do well in crash tests. They are not subject to the same safety standards to begin with, and they are by their nature, difficult to control because of the lightweight of the bed and their great girth. Other recommendations are to always buy a pick-up with ASB and, if available, traction control. The best performers were the Toyota Tundra, the Dodge Ram, and the Ford F.150. Crew cab rating had both the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier doing well.

For 2005, the safest cars were the Mercedes E Class, Volvo S 80, Honda Accord, Mitsubishi Galant, Chevrolet Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Acura MDX, Lexus GX 470, Volvo XC 90, and Honda Odyssey, according to the Department of National Highway Transportation and Safety and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Interestingly, one of our favorite medium sized SUVs, the Chevrolet Equinox, did outstanding in the crash tests. In past years SUVs from Saturn, Honda, and Hyundai were joined by the Lexus RX 300, Acura MDX and the Toyota Highlander as the safest in this category. We also highly recommend the Subaru Forester. However, remember that not every vehicle is tested every year.

Minivans should always to safe and all of them performed at the top or next to the top in all categories. http://fsnews.findlaw.com/cpsc/recall/xmldata/nhtsa/2005/03/pr06-05.html On the other hand, the greatest risk of death came from driving small sedans, SUVs and compact pick-ups.

Safety Related Features

Children and airbags. These are some rules to follow when driving with children in vehicles that are equipped with air bags. First, never put a rear-facing restraint in the front seat because this puts the child’s head too close to the passenger airbag. Children should always ride in the backseats. If this is impossible, the seat should be placed as far back as possible. Some vehicles, such as the very handy Chrysler/Dodge minivans, have built in child seats and restraints that are the easiest to use. Because of the danger of side impacts, especially from SUVs that have bumpers that override the safety beams required in family cars, it is best to place children in the middle back seat.

The proper use of head restraints. The purpose of a headrest in a car is to prevent the head from being snapped back in a collision and injuring the neck, especially in rear-end collisions. Head restraints should be adjusted, if possible, so that it is directly behind and close to the back of your head. If you are buying a vehicle, make sure they are adjustable.

All or four wheel drive does not improve stopping and, in reality, the extra weight, may cause longer stopping distances. On the other hand, they may provide more stability while driving on slippery ideas. Overall, unless you live where there is significant rain or snowfall the advantages of four-wheel drive are minimal for family travel.

There also have been some question as to the value of antilock brakes that make it possible to steer while applying full pressure on the brakes. We feel that this is because most drivers have never been educated as to how to stop and maneuver their vehicles when they are equipped with ABS. We feel it is necessary to practice with this option and to make sure every driver in the family knows what it feels like when the system starts to pulsate, and how it enables you to steer away from danger. It is absolutely necessary to have this option on slippery roads.

Daylight running lights have detractors, but they make it much easier to see oncoming vehicles regardless of the lighting conditions. Dark cars driving on black paved roads coming out of tree shaded lanes are almost impossible for someone to see when wearing sun glasses. Running lights prevents this. While we are on this subject, please note that in most states it is illegal to use your fog or driving lights unless visibility is limited. These high-powered units create a great deal of glare. Driving with them on just because it is night is a violation in most areas. If you find it necessary to use these lights for night driving we highly recommend you have your eyes tested and that isn’t a joke.

Teenage drivers

Teenage drivers are always a problem because they do not have the experience to drive well. They have quicker reactions, which is sometimes a problem, especially when driving a top heavy SUV. It is very dangerous to have a young driver in one of these because of their poor handling characteristics in reactive situations. This warning also applied to small Jeeps, too. Teenagers are prone to one-car accidents and rollovers because of their inexperience and reactions. Teenagers are more than twice as likely to be involved in a rollover in SUVs than an older driver. Coupled with this instability is the fact that teens tend to use the power of these vehicles and speed. Adding a distraction such as a cell phone is asking for trouble. If you have to have a SUV the Lexus RX, and Toyota Highlander and 4Runner were involved in less fatal accidents than the others. The brochure is available from http://www.iihs.org/safety_facts/teens/beginning_drivers.htm

Family conference: We think that large SUVs are very dangerous and not at all environmentally friendly as a whole. Unless you own a farm or ranch where their attributes can be put to good use other vehicles can do a safer job and reduce your maintenance costs and treat the environment a lot better. The worst offender we have found it the Hummer H2 with its 6500 pounds, poor fuel mileage, poor rear visibility, and lack of interior room they are out of their element in town. You might also want to check the Hummer’s low customer satisfaction ratings, too. General Motors, which makes the H2, has a great SUV in the Chevrolet Equinox that we highly recommend. In addition, the Saturn Relay deserves a test. Other than that the Subaru Forest, Lexus RX, Toyota Highlander, and Acura MDX are worth testing and the Lexus and Highlander are available as hybrids to save fuel costs. Big sedans such as the Toyota Avalon, Ford Five Hundred, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, and others are also well worth a long look. Take your time; your family’s lives may depend on it. We think that your best bet is always going to be a minivan from any of the major manufactures.

Helpful safety links

Top Vehicle Safety Ratings Page

http://www.preownedcars.com/VEHICLE-SAFETY-RATINGS.htm

Highway Crash Data

www.hwysafety.org

National Highway Safety Safe Car Information

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

http://www.hwysafety.org/default.htm

Public Broadcasting Story on SUV Rollovers

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/rollover/

SUV rollovers

http://www.suvrollovernews.com/

Car Safety Seats

http://www.car-safety.org/links2.html

Minivan Safety Data

http://www.suvsafety.info/minivan.html

Large link site to safety related data

http://www.saferchild.org/translinks.htm

Links to all manufacture sites

http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/auto/index.html

Best cars under $15,000: Mileage and Room

The Best Cars Under $15,000: Mileage and Room
By The Car Family
For more reviews go to
http://www.motorists.org/new/carreviews/index.html

for a list of all vehicle websites go to
http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Okay, we let a few cars in that were a tad more than $15,000 but the reality is that with some good bargaining you can get all of these cars under MSRP. On the other hand the new Toyota Corolla is due out next year and is the 800-pound gorilla in the room and cannot be ignored. Indeed, even the existing version would have done very well in our battle at the bottom of the suggest retail price ladder.

We tried to make this a test of the newer vehicles and so the Ford Focus, PT Cruiser, Chevrolet Cobalt, the Scions, and others of that ilk were left out. All of these are good vehicles, well priced, and offering a great many family amenities, but we wanted to limit ourselves to the newest kinders on the block.

Thus we tested both the Nissan Versa hatchback and sedan with manual transmission and automatic respectively. Add to that the Dodge Caliber, the Suzuki SX4, Chevrolet Aveo, the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Kia Spectra, and the Hyundai Accent. Neither the Hyundai Elantra nor was the Pontiac G5 was available for the testing. The Jeep Compass would have made our test, but the only vehicle available was priced at $21,000 even though they list just under $15,000. The Mitsubishi Lancer was also unavailable.
Where to start? Well, the Nissan Sentra was sensational with the CVT, but the price as tested pushed it close to $19,000. Is it a great car with excellent brakes, above average handling, superior gas mileage, and plenty of storage room? But you just can’t compare it to the huddled hatchbacks that make up the bulk of the under $15,000 crowd. So out it went.

Next up was the controversial Suzuki SX4 starting at $15,000 with all wheel drive. It was a great ride, but the all wheel drive unit sapped its power and fuel mileage. However, we decided to leave it in anyway because it shows how much technology you can get for the price of four-year-old Toyota Camry XLE. Besides, that Suzuki warranty is very family friendly extending to 100,000 miles.
We liked the handling of the Volkswagen Rabbit, but if you option it with anything it is over the price range. Besides, the fuel mileage and performance just weren’t up to the others even though the quality and handling were excellent. We think that Rabbit is a good car, but the pricing of our test model put it at $19,000 well loaded. As such we dropped it from the test where it would have finished mid-pack based on our emphasis on operating economy, cargo space, and value. If we wanted to run a road race we would take the Rabbit. As for fit and finish, the Rabbit would place well there, too.
To save you time here is a list of our favorites and why:
Exceptional
For versatility and price the Nissan Versa is an easy winner. It gets well over 30 mpg, costs under $13,000 and never feels small. On the down side it does not handle well and the seats catch every bit of hair and hold on to it tenaciously. The seat covers look like velour and grabs like a drunken sailor. By the way, the seats are very comfortable and the car never feels small. We must warn you not to judge this car by its looks. This is easily the car of the year for the frugal.
Second place goes to the Honda Civic. It is fun to drive, has a fold down rear seat and gives excellent fuel mileage. It ranks up there with the Mazda 3 for handling, but its manual transmission isn’t as good as the Mazda’s. It is more expensive than the Versa and you never forget you are in a small car while driving one with its low seating position and reduced side visibility.
Next was the Dodge Caliber which had a vast and trendy interior, but the large blind spots and the in your face interior were a bit much. Fun is fun, but bright red and white upholstering and painted metal interior require a more youthful slant. That being said, you aren’t going to get more car for less money. It is the best Dodge product at this time outside of their minivans/
Fourth place was the Honda Fit. The reason is simple it is just plain fun with a fine combination of handling, economy, room, and spirit. It does feel small and rough roads aren’t’ its forte. It cost considerable less than the Civic, but it less of a car. If Honda would just put their hybrid unit in the Fit it would be the best such vehicle made. As it is this is a terrific vehicle, but too closely priced to the base Civic.
The Mazda 3 is next in line for appreciation. Along with the Volkswagen Rabbit it is the best handler of the group and quite enjoyable to romp with. However, its fuel mileage isn’t up to snuff and you don’t get as much with the base model as others moves it to the fifth spot. It isn’t as much a family friendly car as a family fun car. It loves to romp, but the torque steer can get your attention in a hurry. Easily a better vehicle than the much more pricey Audi 3. The best choice is you really like to drive.
Good
A nasty spat occurred with the Suzuki SX4 based around the unfairness of comparing an all wheel drive vehicle with front wheel drive economy cars. Anyway, the result was a fifth place finish for the nicely prepared and versatile SX4. Its busy engine and aforementioned fuel mileage relegated it to this placement. If Suzuki would make this an all wheel drive model and cut the cost it would be a much stouter competitor. As it stands, it is the low cost all wheel drive champion.
Needs improvement
The Kia Spectra and Chevrolet Aveo just aren’t as much car as the others. We also believe that the resale will not be as strong. They are price cars that deliver, but they never make you feel special or offer anything other than a compact ride and feel. If you are a good shopped get the vastly better Chevrolet Cobalt that is eager to please, gives nearly as good fuel mileage and with some good bargaining can be only slightly more expensive than the small Aveo. As for the Spectra, the same could be said, as the Kia Optima is a great car with some exceptional lease deals being offered. Like the Cobalt it offers the same excellent fuel economy of the Spectra, but is more spacious and family oriented although it does cost more.
Mom’s view: I like a small car that doesn’t feel like a small car. So, it’s the Versa all the way. It just does what you ask, holds plenty of everything, and if you opt for the CVT you get exceptional drivability and easily surpass 32 mpg without having to shift. I wouldn’t get the manual transmission simply because it was so difficult to shift in a hurry and the high clutch take up made it difficult to modulate wearing shoes with just one inch heels. The interior fabric is a bit grabby and difficult to clean and the stereo volume control is a bear to operate with fingernails that haven’t been bitten down. Overall a great bargain of the car. Forget the sedan and get the hatchback even with its gawky looks. The head and legroom is remarkable and the 122 horsepower 1.8 liter engine is much more potent than one would think. Get the optional CVT and relax with the welcoming seats, good visibility and plenty of standard features. Unfortunately, the low price tag means common sense items such as anti lock brakes are options.
I liked the Suzuki, too. It was cute and comfortable. But, its 2.0 liter four cylinder engine provides just 143 horsepower to move the 2800 pounder around. Although it is eager to please and can be frisky with the five speed manual you have to work that transmission hard to get to 60 miles an hour in under ten seconds. The interior isn’t badly done and there were a number of useful storage areas, but I found it rather bland. Mind you this is a very nice car and one that would have been my first choice if it was a tad less costly and didn’t have the all wheel drive unit to hamper performance. As it now stands this is an underrated vehicle that has plenty of visual appeal and a lot of useable storage area. Quite good and certainly a strong consideration if you drive where inclement weather is a concern, the SX4 carries a warranty that is as good as it gets.
Of the others, the Honda Fit didn’t fit me, the Mazda was just too boy racer, the Dodge was too stiff legged, and the Aveo didn’t have enough perkiness. The Yaris was a disappointment from every aspect except visual appeal. Too low and too slow. Give me that Corolla.
Dad’s view: I liked the Civic, but the Honda Fit grabbed my attention. It was so easy to maneuver and the fold flat rear hatch area was simple and honest in its operation. Both vehicles offer the best fuel mileage with an easy 32-mpg with a manual transmission, but the Fit just was more to my frugal tastes. However, if I had long distances to commute the short wheelbase of the Fit would give way to the more relaxed fit of the Civic. Either way these are good value.
Call it a manly compact, but the Caliber is a whole lot of vehicle for the money. Keep to the standard 148 horsepower 1.8 liter four cylinder engine and the CVT and you are going to get 25 mpg. If you want to throw out the $15,000 or so mandate, order more powerful engines and get yourself a wicked wagon. The versatility of the Caliber is everything as the handling isn’t really up to its husky stance. If you like the look of the interior with its body colored plastic and loud color pallet, this is a very worthy buy. However, the Fit and the Versa felt more connected to the road. A good family car with a high seating position and lots of funky features such as fold down rear speakers. Fun, but not frisky.
I don’t like to kick a company when its down, but the Chevrolet Aveo isn’t the best General Motors can do. The Cobalt is much better and not that much more money. The Aveo gets good fuel mileage with about 28 mpg with the automatic, but it always feels underpowered. The 1.6 liter four cylinder has but 107 horsepower and getting to 60 miles per hour is going to take you about 11 seconds. If you have a family onboard it takes much longer. Obviously, this is a commuter car and does that job well. It looks nice, has plenty of storage spaces, and getting in and out is easy. The brakes are not up to the competition and the car is a bit noisy on the road. If you just need basic transportation consider the Aveo, if you want a car that handles and is better pay a bit more and get the very good Chevrolet Cobalt and pay the extra few dollars a month.
Let me make this as simple to understand as possible. The Yaris isn’t what Toyota is about. We were unimpressed in every way. It was small inside, the 1.5-liter engine and its 106 horsepower weren’t enough, and the whole car felt cheap. The only plus was the exceptional fuel mileage of 35 mpg in mixed driving. Buy the Scion or wait for the all-new Corolla pricing before getting involved with this Camryish looking sedan.
Working woman’s view: The Mazda has snap even though it costs you at the fuel pump. Indeed the all wheel drive Suzuki nearly returned the same fuel mileage as the Mazda with 24 for the SX4 and the Mazda giving us 25 mpg. It was the handling, looks, and personality of the Mazda that won me over. Although a bit boy racer for my tastes, the interior was well done and the engine always on call. The Mazda 3 is a lot of car for under $15,000 and the equal to the much more expensive Audi 3.
College going male’s view: The brakes on the Chevrolet Aveo were weak and the pedal feedback was soft and not reassuring. Perhaps that was because this was a very new model, but I just couldn’t help but feeling that it could have been improved. The feel of the interior controls and the way the seat backs fold down also weren’t as good as I wanted. There is no question that the Aveo is a price leader and there is also no question you get what you pay for. If you want an economical car that returns over 30 miles per gallon with the manual transmission and costs about $13,000 the Aveo is your best answer. But for me the Chevrolet Cobalt is much better. I think it is one of Chevrolet’s best vehicles. As for the Honda Fit, it just was too small for me. The Civic was terrific, but it is priced well above even the price of a base Honda Accord. My favorite was the Dodge Caliber. It had everything and was a huge bargain. There was plenty of room, great interior design, and enough engine to provide good fuel efficiency and not intrude on acceleration and performance. However, you need to get the standard transmission with the base engine. If you want an automatic get the six-cylinder engine. You’ll need it as the Caliber’s energy is drained dramatically with a full family onboard.
Second would be the Mazda 3, but only because I felt the ride was too sporty for those who use their vehicles mainly for commuting on crowded roads. It was edgy and fun in the open spaces, but in town it was tiring to drive.
Family conference: This is easily the second best category of family friendly vehicles that is expanding. The first is the cross over SUV where the Toyota RAV 4 rules. As such every car is worth considering and it is a good idea to seriously shop only you have driven each one on a rough road, in heavy traffic where visibility can be a problem, and at night. Sadly, some of these vehicles have less than terrific night lighting with low cost headlights and only a small dome light for the interior. None of these models even came close to our lighting standards set by the big Cadillac. Don’t just take these for a zip around the block. At highway speeds the engine noise can be a distraction and you need to do at least one fast lane change and fast braking test where it is safe. Since these vehicles are new they have not gone through the government safety-testing program. Thus it is best to order as many safety features as you can afford on these vehicles. For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

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