The all new Honda CRV EX-L has finally made it onto the market and reviews are starting to come in.  It looks like as a whole Honda is doing something right and most can understand why their sales are still doing good.  For some professional reviewers 'lust' seems to be the only way to descrive the new CRV.

One has to be careful when describing the Honda CR-V. Words like style, good looks, and quality are fine for almost any old car, but with Honda, only such expressions as sculpting, sultry shape, aerodynamics, meticulous attention, and captivating detail can do any kind of job describing an absolutely stunning vehicle.

I've ridden in a few CRV's, granted not a 08 CRV EX-L, but enough to realize the price tag does not match what you get.  Tiny underpowered SUV's make me feel like I have one foot in the grave and if I'm gonna go this small I might as well purchase a nice mid-size car.  But, for what it's worth, it looks like Honda is starting to add a little head room and expanding on the idea that an SUV is meant for hauling, not just to look cute.

How is the Pontiac Fiero still so popular?  I'm still struggling to see how this once throw away car still has a market for parts, accessories, and people looking to buy a used Fiero.  My only guess is because there are an endless amount of modofications you can make the Fiero.  Furthermore you can find a Fiero Car, Fiero GT, and Fiero Kits on eBay all day long and for cheap.

Another potential theory is that it's a great grease monkey starter car.  The Fiero is small, easy to work on, and if you happen to junk your Fiero engine you can always start on another one.  Probably the harder things to find would be a Fiero GT, which with the right Fiero kit can go up for up to $25,000.  Ouch!  So if you have a new son about to turn 16 and looking for a cheap car to customize, no matter what your budget, I'd suggest finding a used Fiero to work on.

Fiero Parts on eBay

Pontiac Fiero trunk release electric Solenoid deck lid    US $10.00

84 88 FIERO GT INDY CENTRE CONSOLE SHIFT PLATE ASHTRAYS    US $.01

Pontiac Fiero Pegasus Emblem Decal Your Color Choice GT    US $.49

Pontiac Fiero Pegasus Emblem Decal Your Color Choice    US $.49

PONTIAC sunfire fiero vibe torrent grand prix trans am    US $.75

I'm really not much of a VW fan and after seeing the new 2009 Volkswagen Passat not much has changed.  I'm not exactly sure what target audience the new Passat is aimed at, but my guess is those people are in their mid 90's and about to go way of the Dodo, so why still build for them?

Perhaps it goes over better in the European market but in the US, for the price I'm sure a better lookign Mercedes or Lexus would be better received.  The Passat's interior could possibly be it's only saving grace and the seat designs are fantastic.  But now, the more I think of it, the 2009 VW Passat kind of reminds me of a casket with wheels, so maybe they are targeting the right audience.

Passat on eBay

Volkswagen Passat 20T 20T Tiptronic by Original Owner Low Reserve    US $13,500.00

Volkswagen Passat 20T 2006 VW Passat Beautiful Fully Loaded and Low Miles    US $15,995.00

Volkswagen Passat Passat 1990 Vollswagon Passat GL    US $200.00

Chevrolet has announced that they will be brining a new itty bitty car to the US, the 2010 Chevy Cruze.  This new ankle biter is expected to produce up to 140 horsepower and do so making 40 miles per gallon.  Personally, I'll believe this when I see it, since emissions equipment will have a huge toll on what that little engine can do.  USNews reports that the Chevrolet Cruze will be equipped with a 1.4 liter turbo charged engine.

There are some preliminary spy pics of the Chevrolet Cruze in European markets, but expect it to change before the 2010 US release date.

If you are like me you are spending every waking moment outside enjoying the sun and great outdoors.  Unfortunately if you are also like me you can't afford a brand new motorcycle to go out cruising on, therefore a used motorcycle is right up my ally.  Lately I've been keeping an eye on the changing prices of motorcycles on eBay and hoping for a good deal.

I'm kind of torn between buying a used crotch rocket or used harley style motorcycle.  It really kind of depends on the location of the used bike and what kind of deal I can get on it, really I could go either way.  But from my research I can tell that finding a used motorcycle on ebay is the best place to buy on the net.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 1986 Kawasaki Ninja ZX 600 Green color Used    US $61.00

Other Makes WE FINANCE 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON V RODUSED HARLEYUSED MOTORCYCLE    US $10,898.00

Other Makes Grizzly Used Malaguti Grizzly 50cc Dirtbike Off Road Automatic    US $100.00

Yamaha WARRIOR 06 XV17 XV1700 XV 1700 1700P USED 2006 YAMAHA WARRIOR XV1700 POWER CRUISER BEAUTIFUL    US $7,595.00

Honda Gold Wing GL1100 USED Honda Gold Wing GL1100 Touring Goldwing motorcycle    US $255.00

I'm not sure they could have found a more fitting name for this Rally looking freak show known as a Toyota Aygo Crazy.  Yes, it's a one-off, but if you are only going to build one might as well make it amazing, which is what it looks like Toyota did.  Plenty of smooth lines, aggressive design, tight, compact, and pretty much built to race, it's not something to go get groceries in.

Even though the Aygo Crazy is only producing 200 horsepower, the hp to weight ratio makes it a worthy opponent of any rally car.  It's curb weight is only 1090 kg, which will allow the little Toyota Crazy to zip from 0-60 in just under 6 seconds.  The estimated top speed of this pocket demon is 125 miles per hour and I'm sure it sounds like a pissed off bumble bee the whole way.

Mercedes has released information on a new concept car they are working on, the Mercedes F700.  The idea is to create a car with limousine power, refinement, and luxury with super low fuel consumption.  Basically it's a new toy to make the rich feel better about using Mexicans to mow their enormous yards.  But hey, that's just me and it does look awfully pretty and futuristic.

The engine is a 1.8-litre four cylinder, with twin overhead camshafts with variable timing and two turbochargers acting independently according to a series of valves in the intake system. The fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and the air enters the combustion chambers via either of the two different-sized turbochargers and an inlet-charge cooler. There is also a swirl plate to induce the fuel to spread evenly throughout the combustion charge.

The design is described by Dr Günter Karl as a different approach to the problem.  Sounds 007ish.

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According to popular news media it looks like Daimler is being sued over a navigation patent in their 07-09 model Mercedes vehicles.  WorldLogic Corp sued Mercedes for an 8.6% royalty per unit and a bonus for 'willful' infrintement.  According to WorldLogic Mercedes has been aware of the infringement since 2005.

MERCEDES 190E GRILLE GRILL CRAP POOP GARBAGE JUNK    US $.01

01 08 MERCEDES C230 C300 C350 XENON HID FOG 6000K 9006    US $2.00

H7 White HID Xenon Bulbs 01 07 MERCEDES C230 C240 C320    US $2.00

Looks like Toyota is taking another green move and will possibly be outfitting the Toyota Prius with a set of solar panels.  These panels would be equipped on a select number of Prius hybrids and would power things like A/C and other electronics on board.

"It's more of a symbolic gesture," said the person, who asked not to be identified because he was not allowed to speak publicly. "It's very difficult to power much more than that with solar energy."

It's a novel move to add the solar panels to the Toyota hybrid, but it really doesn't accomplish a whole lot.  Unfortunately, according to industry experts, technology has not come far enough to do a whole lot with solar energy.  The surface area required to produce significant energy is not condusive to cars and trucks yet, and it's barely suitable for homes.

Of course tomorrow is our Independence Day and in celebration I have crawled the web for the most patriotic cars and trucks around.  Fot his post I give you the 16 most patriotic cars and trucks in the USA.

Happy July 4th tomorrow and God Bless America!