Year after year, Ford has continued to raise the bar, giving truck customers more powerful features and options. The term “Built Ford Tough” is not an exaggeration in terms of the F-150’s power and design.

With 1,000 pounds more payload than the nearest competitor and a class-leading 11,000-pound towing capacity, the Ford F-150’s capability leadership can be measured down to the bolts. While its 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 engine, fully boxed frame and robust suspension get most of the credit, the bolts hold it all together over the long haul.

The Ford F-150 is one of the only half-ton pickups to have earned NHTSA’s five-star crash rating for both driver and front passenger. This is due to its solid structure and rigorous testing. The structure includes strong hydroformed front frame rails that are built with computer-designed front horns to help manage crash forces. In an impact, these areas of the frame are designed to collapse in an accordion fashion, dissipating energy before it reaches the passenger compartment.

The Ford F-150 features a 4×4 system with integrated wheel ends that automatically disconnect when the truck is shifted into 4×2 and re-connect when it is shifted into four-wheel mode. The system reduces fuel consumption by up to a half gallon per mile in 4×2 driving conditions compared to more traditional systems used by competitive trucks. Combined with fuel-saving engine technologies such as the 5.4-liter 3-valve V-8’s variable cam timing, the F-150 gets comparable real-world fuel economy while still delivering class-leading capability.

The above characteristics and features are what helped the Ford F-150 reclaim its ‘Top-Selling Vehicle’ title, according to Truck Trend. Due to higher fuel costs and a sagging economy, sales for trucks, both new and used, are down compared with those of last year. However, Americans obviously still love their Fords. The Ford F-series continues to be a draw at truck dealerships, due in part to their power and reliability. Consumers who want a good valued truck that they can rely on, the Ford F-150 is not only a safe option, it’s only one.

Photo: xxxtoff

The fourth-generation Volkswagen Jetta was designed with the sporty driver in mind. It’s classy look, stylish interior, excellent ride quality, good safety records and a variety of engine choices all contribute to its popularity - and even make it one of the most sought after used cars on the market today.

The Volkswagen Beetle, on the other hand, is a revived version of its predecessor, the famous VW Bug. Still keeping its bug-like body, the Beetle keeps consumers wanting more with its new rear-mounted or air-cooled 4-cylinder engine.

Does the Beetle ride as smooth as the Jetta? Not a chance.
The Volkswagen Jetta is in a class all of its own. It comes with four great engine options:

• The base 4-cylinder SOHC 2.0L engine with 115 horsepower
• The high-performance DOHC 4-cylinder 1.8L turbo engine with 150 horsepower
• The 1.9L Turbo Diesel engine with 90 horsepower, which has very impressive fuel economy
• The powerful and smooth DOHC VR6 2.8L engine with 174 horsepower

* All engines except the 2.8 VR6 have a timing belt that must be replaced regularly.

Overall Volkswagens do not have the best reliability (hence the timing belt issue). Service and parts can be expensive. The same goes for the overall price of used Volkswagen cars. While the cars depreciate, they still hold their monetary value for several years.

Bottom line: If it’s a classy-looking compact car you are looking for then a Volkswagen Jetta is a safe choice.?? If you want fun, playful and zippy, then you’ll want to take a closer look at the Volkswagen Beetle. Both are light on fuel economy yet easy on the eyes.

‘Car buying’ was a phrase I was brought up to hate. Growing up, when someone in the family announced they were in the market for a new car, a collective sigh filled the room. So when the time came for me buy my first car, my initial thought was “HELP!”

Fortunately, in this technology age, help wasn’t far away. Aside from some ghastly advice I received from family and friends, I was able to really hone in on one really good rule of thumb: Do your research. With the internet at my disposal, I found researching car buying methods was really a fantastic way to learn about the industry, sales pitches, and financing options.

Money, unfortunately, was my big obstacle. I only had $5,000 to plunk down on a car. Could I even find a decent one for that price?

I live in Gulfport and knew I wanted to stay in the area to look for a car. With gas prices as high as they are, traveling a long distance just wasn’t worth it for a $5,000 car. I surfed the internet, searched the classifieds, and finally decided to contact a dealer. I figured the pros could make this real easy for me. Turns out I was right.

An ad for Darryl ‘Your Car Guy’ at??Russ Mullin??Ford Lincoln Mercury caught my eye. I headed over to their lot on Highway 49. I immediately knew I’d leave there with a new car - well, new to me that is. Darryl came right out and took me over to the pre-owned car lot. I told him my budget and he pointed out five cars that were in my price range. I was pretty impressed by the selection, especially given I only had $5,000 to spend. After a spin around the block, I settled on a little Ford Focus - black with tinted windows.

Into the back office we went to figure out a payment plan. Given my situation I knew I would buy the car, but I still chose to finance $3,000 plus tax and license. Fifteen minutes later I was tooling around Gulfport in my new ride.

See, car buying is easy if you just do your research. Oh, and I think Darryl at??Russ Mullin??had a little something to do with it too!

Sure glad I could help you, Jeff.

The same day General Motors announced that it will invest more than $500 million in the U.S. to build its next-generation compact car, Ford came out swinging. It too had an announcement. In Detroit, Ford President Mark Fields demonstrated a prototype of the new EcoBoost engine. The crowd was blown away. “This,” Fields said, “will put a smile on your face.”

Ford’s EcoBoost engine promises to get drivers 20 percent better fuel economy with 15 percent less CO2, causing even less damage to the environment. Fields says the EcoBoost system combines turborcharging and direct injection to provide better performance and higher gas mileage. The new engines will debut on the Lincoln MKS sedan next year. Ford plans to make it available on 90-percent of its models by 2013.

General Motors already has similar engines in limited production, but plans to really capitalize on its new 45 mpg small car, the Chevy Cruze. While it won’t go into production until 2010, GM is already touting its benefits saying that it will not only save consumers fuel costs, its production will re-energize Detroit’s sagging auto sector.

Fuel efficiency is the wave of the future. At least that’s how heavyweights Ford and GM see it. Both plan to spend the next five years stoking sales, restoring profits, and putting money back into consumer pockets. Experts say the U.S. can expect to see an exciting fight in the race for supreme fuel-efficiency. Enjoy the ride.

So who will win? My money’s on Ford.

What are your thoughts? Have your say in the comments.

Here is a report from one of our satisfied customers …
“You???ve just picked out a brand new car for yourself. You want it - bad. But should you buy or lease it? It???s a dilemma almost every new car shopper faces. Even I, the savviest of car shoppers, have been stuck with this decision. Fortunately, as I???ve learned from financial professionals, there is no right or wrong answer. Your decision should be based on your own needs.

Leases and purchase loans are simply two different methods of automobile financing. When you buy, you pay for the entire cost of the car regardless of how many miles you drive it. You typically make a down payment, pay sales tax and an interest rate. When you lease, you pay for only a portion of the car???s cost. You don???t have to make a down payment and you only pay sales tax on your monthly payment. At lease-end, you may either return the car, or buy it for its depreciated resale value.

All of this was explained to me by Darryl Deschamp and his finance manager over at??Russ Mullin??Ford Lincoln Mercury in Gulfport. They spelled out my options in simple terms that were easy to understand. They said that when making a ???lease or buy??? decision you must look at not only financial comparisons but also at your own personal priorities.

Here are some questions they threw my way:

* Was having a new car every two to three years with no major repair risks more important than long-term cost?

* Or are long term cost savings more important than lower monthly payments?

Bottom line, leasing typically does not build equity, while buying does. The reason that a buyer has equity at the end of his loan is that he purchases the equity by making higher monthly payments.

* Leasing - lower payments, no equity.

* Buying - higher payments, partial equity.

So there you have it. With this information I was able to make an informed decision about how to buy my new truck - which, by the way, was a Ford Ranger. Thank you??Russ Mullin??Ford Lincoln Mercury for making that terrifying decision an easy one.”

How can we help you, today?

A new car could be the answer to our pump price despair. A company named Zero Pollution Motors says it plans to bring a car powered by air to the U.S. sometime in 2009 or 2010. Yes, I really mean air. If you???re awed by this concept and how it works, read on.

The six pistons in the Air Car’s engine will be pushed by compressed air rather than gasoline combustion, an idea developed by an FI race car engineer. Sounds ingenious, right? Well it gets better.

At $18k, the Air Car promises to get 106 miles-per-gallon utilizing an eight gallon fuel tank and a compressed air tank under the deck. Overall, experts believe this car can achieve approximately 800 miles per tank. Pretty incredible.

Early projections indicate that when the car is driven at speeds in excess of 35 mph, the fuel - gas, ethanol, or biofuel - will kick in. The amount of fuel used will depend upon the speed. Zero Pollution Motors says top speeds will reach approximately 90 mph.

So what does it look like? It???s not big by any means. The Air Car will, however, seat six passengers comfortably. Its four doors are incorporated into its sleek, aero dynamic body, which is made mostly of fiberglass and foam. Instead of the usual speed and RPM gauges in the dashboard, the Air Car will use an in-dash computer with displays for speed and engine revolutions. This dashboard computer will also be used for navigation, media playback, and communication.

While the Air Car sounds promising for U.S. consumers, it???s already generating some buzz overseas. The compressed air car will get a chance to prove itself next year when it competes for the Automotive X Prize. It has also drawn the interest of India’s largest automaker, announcing an agreement to further develop and refine Air Car technology.

When the Air Car hits U.S. showroom floors, I will be eager to see if it really lives up to its specifications. Do you think it will? Add your comments below.

Photo: m-c

Well, it looks like it is that time of year again. LSU is creaming their opponent, everyone is cleaning their grills in preparation for the big labor day weekend. Except here on the Gulf Coast of?? Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama we are busy making last second preparations for a steadily approaching hurricane. Gustav.

Gustav Now a Category 4-Soon to be a Category 5

Gustav a large and dangerous category four, soon to be category five, hurricane is plowing?? its way into the Gulf of Mexico. Anytime a storm makes its way into the gulf we here on the Mississippi gulf coast know that it is time to start preparing.

Though Gustav is presently forecast to make landfall well to the east Gulfport , these storms are often unpredictable and waiting until the last minute to make sure you are ready, in case of a sudden turn, is ill advised and sometimes deadly.

That’s why I spent today going over my hurricane checklist and making sure that, if worst comes to worst, I am prepared.

Click for National Hurricane Center here

Hurricane Preparedness: 90% Preparation….and?? 10%Execution.

Hurricane preparedness starts at the beginning of the season. As summer approaches and the days start getting longer all coastal residents should make sure to start keeping an eye on tropical weather forecasts and to reacquaint themselves with their local evacuation routes. It is a good idea to check first aid kits and make sure that they are well stocked and up to date. Next….

Battery Powered Weather Radio

It is also important to make sure you have a weather radio that is in good working order, fresh supplies of batteries and bottled water, a bright flashlight and are well stocked with non-perishable food items. And don’t forget to check those storm shutters or plywood supplies so you aren’t running to the lumber yard at the last minute only to find empty shelves.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Hurricane Evacuation:

Of course hurricane preparedness doesn’t stop with the home. When a storm the size of Gustav approaches it is often the best decision to evacuate coastal areas, and before doing so, it is important to make sure that the car is prepared to take you where you need to go. As a car guy I always make sure to give the same attention to preparing the car as I do to preparing the house.

Hurricane Supplies for your Auto

It is always important to keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance on any car, but it is even more crucial when you might need the car to escape from an approaching hurricane. I’m sure to always check fluid levels and tire pressures before setting out on the interstates.

There are also a number of items that you should carry in your car if, or when, evacuation time comes. First, you should make sure you have proof of insurance and registration. You should also check the spare tire for proper inflation and make sure the jack is in good working order. Make sure you have a good set of jumper cables as well, and basic tools such as screwdrivers, a hammer, and perhaps a socket set or some wrenches.

You will also want to stock your car with some of the same items you stocked for your home preparedness kit. Bottled water, a good flashlight and a first aid kit can often come in handy during evacuations. I also make sure I have working road flares and rain gear just in case the unexpected does occur.

Last Stop the ATM: Cash is King…You will always need Cash for an emergency.

h these few simple steps taken, I’m am now prepared.?? This morning I simply went over my checklist, making sure that I still had sufficient supplies of batteries and water, went and topped of my gas tank, got some money from the ATM. When Katrina hit all the electricity was cut off. With no electricity your credit card was worthless because no transactions could be run. You better have a two or three day supply cash.

With hese few simple steps taken, I’m am now prepared.?? This morning I simply went over my checklist, making sure that I still had sufficient supplies of batteries and water, went and topped of my gas tank, got some money from the ATM. When Katrina hit all the electricity was cut off. With no electricity your credit card was worthless because no transactions could be run. You better have a two or three day supply cash.

I??am keeping an ear to the forecasts in case of a change in the anticipated storm track. Storms like Gustav are always dangerous, but if you are prepared and stay calm you can minimize that danger substantially. What ever happens, make sure you are among the Biloxi-Gulfport locals who are better prepared for Hurricane Gustav

Here’s my selection for this week. Let me know if you find them helpful.

www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm opens the front page of ConsumerReports.org. This site offers unbiased reviews and free advice about the car buying process. The site also provides thousands of review ratings for most vehicles sold in the U.S. marketplace. Additionally, consumerreports.org previews new cars just entering the market and examines the impact of increasing fuel costs on the auto industry.

www.caranddriver.com is a membership site. Members can elect to receive newsletters, periodic notices and consumer reports describing industry events. The site also provides auto reviews, auto buying forums and advice for car buyers.

www.autos.msn.com is an informational site providing free valuation services. Vehicles are divided into nine categories and are evaluated accordingly:

• Passenger cars
• Hybrids
• Vans and Minivans
• Sports Utilities
• Luxury Cars
• Pickup Trucks
• Sports Cars
• Future Cars
• Certified pre-owned vehicles.

Interesting articles about Sports Car Racing and Auto News are featured throughout the site.

www.theautochannel.com offers a great deal of resource material. Prospective purchasers can enter the year and make of the vehicle they are considering and receive pricing information, safety ratings and lists of specifications regarding the vehicle. There are numerous buyer’s guides and articles for auto buyers.

These review sites serve a purpose as viable resource centers. When purchasing a new or used car, much of this information should be used to help make your selection and to familiarize the buyer with the pricing.

The most effective car buying is best accomplished by incorporating information from these sites with your experience at your dealership. As a valued consumer you are entitled to ask as many questions as necessary to build a comfort level with the dealer. Remember, you will most likely be using that dealership for ongoing services and they will be standing behind the manufacturer’s warranty.

If you have questions regarding car reviews, new or used, Darryl at www.darrylyourcarguy.com offers experienced help and reliable input.

The size of a truck often has little to do with a driver’s use for the truck; the size is more of a status symbol and lifestyle statement.

As the popularity of trucks has increased, the trucks’ features and looks keep getting better.

Here’s where you can keep up to date with the Ford F-150 - and other best selling Ford Trucks ever…

Here’s a couple of great Ford F-150 videos I found for you - nostalgic trucks, and the country music that was often to be heard from them…then the latest for 2009

Ford F-150/F-100 Timeline (1948-2009)

a video about the lifetime of the ford f-150 and country music to go with it. BY: Ryan Sardachuk

When you’re the best at something, especially for multiple decades, there’s a lot of motivation and pressure to maintain that ranking. That mentality keeps Ford continuously improving its most important vehicle, the F-150 pickup.

Detroit: 2009 Ford F-150

Go to MYRIDE.COM for more car videos.

With an eye toward precision details, the vast Lincoln MKS accessories allow the owner to tailor personal preferences through varied vision, sound, performance, comfort and voice options.

Meanwhile, the 2009 Lincoln MKS never wavers from the company’s long standing tradition of commitment to safety. Featuring curtained side air bags, the vehicle scored even higher than its predecessor in the Lincoln MKS crash tests.

Lincoln MKS Effects commercial

Beginning with the distinctive split front grille then stylishly elongating to the extended back, the 2009 MKS model makes an immediate and lasting impression reflective of the subtle elegance that lies within. The 3.7 liter engine V-6 power plant boasts 272 horsepower with 265 pounds of torque assure power and consistent operating performance. The 2009 Lincoln MKS select shift transmission allows drivers to override the automatic transmission and opt for clutchless upshift and downshift capabilities, or select the popular all wheel functionality.

Elegance and luxurious comfort are at the core of the Lincoln MKS 2009. Spacious headroom, hip room and shoulder space are complimented by the 12 way power front seats while back seat controls assure individualized passenger comfort throughout. Sit back and revel in the unique splendor or the earth-friendly Bridge-of-Weir of Scotland genuine leather seats and try not to be awed by the dazzling grained olive ash and ebony finish surrounding the dash and console.

The 2009 Lincoln MKS continues its distinctively styled amenities with a dual panel moonroof. The fixed rear panel perfectly compliments the quietly opening front panel. All passengers are assured of sun protection from the power operated rear window sun shade. To facilitate the parking experience, Lincoln has provided its rearview camera system, complimented by reverse and forward sensors typical of the startling details that set the distinctive 2009 Lincoln MKS apart from the competition.

The road ahead will always be lit the HID headlamps in the 2009 Lincoln MKS. This year’s synchronized system features lighter and higher lamps that automatically move in concert with vehicle speed and steering wheel rotation. The rain sensing wipers further ensure undisturbed viewing. The smarter, faster and sleeker 2009 Lincoln MKS is supplemented by adaptive cruise control and intelligent voice activated systems that enhance the hands free driving safety options.

The voice activated 2009 Lincoln MKS synchronized system powered by Microscoft technology supports the Blue Tooth Phone, the crystal clear THX II certified car audio system and the astonishing next generation navigation system making sure that each driving experience is an eagerly anticipated event. The remote start ability, the intelligent access keypad with invisible keyless entry, passive anti theft system and post crash alert systems were specifically modified for the 2009 Lincoln MKS.

With 20 inch wheels, a long sculpted exterior and lavishly specialized interior, this 2009 addition to the Lincoln cars family represents the newest innovation in elegance marking Lincoln’s commitment to their no compromise approach to customer satisfaction. Test drive the 2009 Lincoln MKS and enjoys the unsurpassed commitment.