This morning I was awakened by my alarm clock radio to hear "and meanwhile, crude oil continues to rise over $100 per barrel". This "wake up call" became one of multiple definitions. The days of us Americans paying dollars less per gallon than other countries is coming to an end. I hear many complain, yet so few realize that we have been dodging this bullet for decades.

It's true, other countries around the world from England to China, have been paying 2-3 times as much as us for years. So how did we get away with $2 gas? Well first off, it takes me as long to get to the Vegas house as it does for someone in England to motor over and watch a Cardiff rugby match in Whales! Simply put, our country is huge! This has justified us doing whatever it took to keep our gas prices down.

Let's take a look at what other countries are paying per gallon, on average:

Nation/City/Price in USD (Regular/Gallon)

Netherlands Amsterdam $6.48
Norway Oslo $6.27
Italy Milan $5.96
Denmark Copenhagen $5.93
Belgium Brussels $5.91
Sweden Stockholm $5.80
United Kingdom London $5.79
Germany Frankfurt $5.57
France Paris $5.54
Portugal Lisbon $5.35
Hungary Budapest $4.94
Luxembourg $4.82
Croatia Zagreb $4.81
Ireland Dublin $4.78
Switzerland Geneva $4.74
Spain Madrid $4.55
Japan Tokyo $4.24
Czech Republic Prague $4.19
Romania Bucharest $4.09
Brazil Brasilia $3.12
Cuba Havana $3.03

Some prices amaze me, even more so they make me realize that $3.50 isn't so bad after all. The wake up call that higher fuel prices are here for good is setting in for many of us. Is it a bad thing? No, I think this will help us realize that mass transit and car pooling are not overrated and should actually be practiced. It's time we wake up and realize that each of us are leaving a footprint of waist and pollution that directly effects the future generations.

So what am I doing to make a difference? I actually decided to to turn two cars into one. I've sold "the precious", my 2005 GTO and it's 400 horses of American muscle. My little pick up is also pending sale as I write this. Currently I am considering a 4-door truck with a fuel efficient engine (no more V8 for me). Another gas saver in my future is a bike (by bike I mean motorcycle). It has been well over a year since selling my last motorcycle, so I'm past due for a new toy. This would make my 14th street bike in the past 18 years.

I feel owning a new truck that gets on average 25mpg, or better, and a motorcycle that boasts 50mpg will help the environment and my billfold. I also practice carpooling with coworkers on a more regular basis. Every person can make a difference, just like voting and recycling.

I will now step off my soapbox! What do you think? How can you make a difference? How are you stretching your transportation dollar? E-mail me or comment below.

Sincerely,

Lance

It's that time of year already! Among that long list of changing your clocks and cleaning out the garage, I hope you make a little room for your ride. Today I would like to discuss a few simple things you can do to your car to help save money and time.

When was the last time you checked your fluids? What about the air pressure or air filter? We often see the shift to Spring as a time to clean up around the house. This is a good time to check up on the car for the warm months to come. Let's look at some of the simple things you can check to save some money at the pump as well as the repair shop.

Octane levels.

Buy the gasoline that your engine was designed to take. All that the wrong gas will do is make the car knock or waist your money. Too low an octane for a high performance motor will make the engine knock. Too high an octane for a standard engine like a 4 cylinder would be a waist.

Cheap gas.

Do you really think that cheaper is better? Most cheap gas suppliers supply cheap gas! Quality of fuel does make a difference to your car. Higher quality has better detergent to keep your injectors and combustion chambers clean. Better gas also gives you better gas mileage. Test it yourself; fill up with that cheap stuff and take down the miles then, do a tank with some Chevron, Shell or Texaco and you will be surprised.

5,000-mile oil changes.

Look in your book! Most manufacturers actually suggest 5,000 miles, 7,500 miles or even longer intervals between oil changes such as 10,000 for BMW or Mercedes. Many cars even have an engine quality monitor system that lets you know when the oil needs replacing!

Servicing your air filter.

These items can often be found in places we all shop every weekend like Target or Kmart. A simple $20-40 air filter can save you hundreds in gas mileage annually. Most air filters are fastened by clips whereas other may need a screwdriver.

Tire replacement.

Listen and look at what your tires are telling you! Get down on the ground to see the rear and crank the wheels one way to see the front. If they are not wearing even now, replacing them won’t fix the problem. Your shocks may be bad, your alignment may be out, or worse.Less tread equals more drag which makes for worse gas mileage. Be sure to also keep the recommended tire pressure to get the best mileage and tire wear as well. This can found on your door jam or owner's manual.

It’s Brake time.

If your brakes are talking to you chances are they have something to say. If your brakes emit a constant, high-pitched whine chances are they hit what we call the squeaker bars. This is to tell you that you only have a fraction of material left on the pad. If you heard squeaks then it left don’t think things got better. You may actually be metal to metal. Some cars like BMW have sensors and they let you know to replace the pads when there is ¼ life left.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Happy Motoring,

Lance

I recently was invited by Bunnin Auto Group’s General Sales Manager, Daniel Sterkel to take the new Pontiac G8 GT for a spin. How could a gearhead like me refuse? This is the latest addition in the already well-accepted line up from Pontiac.

I have been following this car since Bob Lutz announced its plan to hit our highways. This is actually another car to come over from the GM counterpart in Australia known as Holden. The specific model is a VE Commodore and shares over 80% of its parts with the G8.

Lines of a 5 series BMW, priced for everyone

Looks:

Three letters come to mind while looking at not only the stance, but the body lines found on this car...B-M-W. From the flared front fenders, allowing a wider track, to the "B" and "C" pillars on the roof line. I am a large fan of the additional European queues from the side markers on the fenders to the rear defuser. The ride height of the car is ideal for most U.S. roads but could withstand an inch less gap in the wheel wells.

The G8 GT equipped with optional factory 19" wheels

Ride:

GM is the first of the "big three" to bring a true “global� platform to fruition. The new Zeta platform started its life on Australian draft tables to take the place of the aged Omega platform from Opel. After years of design, the platform came to reality in the 2006 model year of the Holden VE Commodore. Is it worth the billion+ Australian dollars of design? Heck yeah! This chassis combined with the StabiliTrac system makes for not only a smooth, but a safe ride. I found one could easily take a set of train tracks at any speed without spilling your coffee. The tuned factory suspension stolen again from Holden also makes for superior handling with minimal body roll.

The beautiful mono-toned onyx interior

Feel:
The interior also holds a very European-like look and feel. I know, I know don’t say BMW. Well, the center stack alone screams classic Bavarian with window controls, center locks and mirror adjustments. The HVAC controls are very simple and allow for a near infinite number of temperature adjustments on the GT tested car. The dual heated seat controls and ESC button are also nestled behind the shifter in the center stack.

A well laid out center stack with dual climate control and heated seats

For those familiar with VW & Audi, I think you may feel at home in this cockpit as well. I found the OBC screen in the instrument panel very close in relation to that found in VW. Likewise, the shifter and shift gate had a VW/Audi feel as well. I must also mention that although this car is shorter than the Charger, it has more interior space. The G8 also has a great ski-through which opens to a 17.4cu. ft. trunk!

The GT's 6.0 liter V8 with Active fuel Management

Power:

The car is very responsive and has more than enough get up and go. On a second drive I was accompanied by three other individuals, all of us weighing 200+ each.. Even with a near 900 pound passenger load, we still had no problem getting “up on it�. The car comes in at 361hp and with a few common mods this car will be wide awake and over 400hp easy. The Active Fuel Management was never recognized, but much appreciated at the pump I’m sure. I found the true dual overdrive 6 speed to be a perfect match to the 6.0 liter engine. Another BMW trait is noticed when you toss the shifter to the right gate and activate “Sport Mode�. The “DSC� (Direct Shift Control) mode is nice for those who think they can shift better than a computer.

Manually adjustable wheel

Cons:

They always say start with positive yet this means you end on negative, the few features I think this car fell short with were; No Bluetooth (coming, finally in '09), limited automatic seat control and a manual telescoping wheel. After pointing out these flaws I realized I was picking over things I expect on a $50K up car!? Having said that, this car is excellent bang for the buck. It has the win in my book going above and beyond the simple claim as "the most powerful car starting under $30,000".

Motor On,

Lance

Last week I started off with five of my top ten all-time favorite cars.Some choices are from yester-year whereas other came to fruition within as little time as the past year. I again want to stress that "my list" comes from influences above and beyond mere run numbers and raw horsepower. I consider the impact the car had on our history both in respect to the automotive industry and pop culture as we know it.

Again, we continue with the second half of the list in no particular order:

1967-69 Chevrolet Camaro
This car comes to mind as one of the top muscle cars of all time. proving the first really is the best sometimes, I think this car's style and options hit a home run. With almost 80 factory options and 40 dealer options, this car defined the day of "special order". From the coveted Z28 to the RS, any model sends chills up my spine when I see this true American classic roll down the road.

De Tomaso Pantera
This car has a longer history than most realize. Boasting, several decades in several different forms from different companies. The car didn't hit mainstream until made popular by the gearhead's cult-classic movie, Gone in 60 Seconds. It was also seen in another classic called Cannonball. like many small run super cars, it to had it's blend of parts from around the world but still to this day is still sexy looking.

1960's Lincoln Continental Convertible
The image of this car will be burnt into many American's heads as the vehicle in JFK's last minutes alive. Being that John Fitzgerald Kennedy is my favorite president only makes it easier to admire this classic. The vehicle is most well known for the rebirth of the "suicide" doors made famous decades prior.

2008 Audi R8
The R8 was a major breakthrough from a sleepy manufacturer with strong racing ties. Dare I use the term 'liquid sex"? From the 3400 pound curb weight, to the 420hp 4.2L V8 this thing is a rocket! The design goes far beyond your basic power-to-weight ratio formula used in all super cars. If you want a car that not only looks good but delivers, look no further.

1968-'70 Plymouth Roadrunner
I could not leave my top list without giving props to the king of the muscle car generation. From Dart's and Challenger's to Charger's and "Bee's", The Hemi family literally owned the track in the late '60's-early '70's. The Roadrunner was a car that took the company back to it's roots. This muscle ride made a statement by boasting a 14-second quarter mile time and selling for less than $3000.

There you have it, my list of my top 10 of all time cars. Let me know what your list is and the top 3 lists will be published!

Happy Motoring,

Lance

Keep an eye out next week for my ride and drive in the all new G8 GT.