Pierre

While I agree that this program isn't necessarily the best, your comment is a little misleading. The extra $2B appropriated for the CARS program was already designated for other projects; congress didn't add to the deficit in order to fund it. I am not sure if that was the case with the original $1B, but the fact is we won't pay *extra* taxes in order to fund something that *is* boosting car sales.

Sorry, but Consumer Reports did the right thing. I am glad they compared it to gasoline vehicles, because hybrids are intended to replace gasoline-only vehicles. Sure, hybrids belong in their own class. However, if you truly expect a common driver (who does care about performance, etc) to switch to hybrid for the fuel efficiency, it needs to be compared against similar cars in its price bracket. If CR only compared hybrids to hybrids, they would only be preaching to the "hybrid" choir. By comparing the Insight to hatchbacks, they are actually highlighting the car.

It's just Honda's fault that it received poor marks.

Well said, Dave.

Pointing out the endangerment of others is important, because too many terrible drivers walk away from fatal accidents with barely a bruise. We'd see even more of this without responsible legislation and speed limits.

Avoid being rude; it just makes you look worse.

Instead, consider where he might be coming from. Sure, we are all driving enthusiasts and nothing beats going fast, but I, for one, am glad speed limits currently exist. With all the lousy, phone-addicted drivers on the road these days, I am glad that they can't go much faster than 10mph over the speed limit.

Imagine, if you will, a soccer mom. On the phone, yelling at her kids, drinking coffee, and going 80mph on a secondary road. She simply would not have as much control as she would at 45mph. If you respect yourself and your vehicle, I'd suggest that you stop disrespecting others and learn that not all rules are inherently bad.

That being said, nothing beats going 40 over on a country road where no other drivers are around. But we are talking about urban and suburban situations, so that country road doesn't apply anyway ;).

As much as I hate to say it, you are preaching to the choir. What really needs to be discussed is how policies can actually be changed--not idealistic editorials that end with one sentence of vague instruction for the public.

I'm not insulting anyone, but I am calling for a greater emphasis on realistic solutions and realistic avenues for those solutions. (e.g. A sample e-mail for the mayor instead of just a link? etc)

I quite like the design. Sue me.

I just can't wait till the 5-door Yaris hatchback arrives in the USA.

C'mon Toyota.

This is great news for the ethanol crowd. National Geographic puts this into perspective, "While each acre of corn produces around 300 gallons (1,135 liters) of ethanol a year and an acre of soybeans around 60 gallons (227 liters) of biodiesel, each acre of algae theoretically can churn out more than 5,000 gallons (19,000 liters) of biofuel each year. ".

(http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/10/biofuels/biofuels-text/6)

I hang out at two coffeeshops in downtown Raleigh, NC. They aren't typically that busy when I go, but there are always Macs (in addition to mine).

Using it as an alternative energy source (the nuclear plant is only 3gb, way outdated.)