deezle

The Kat's model 24100 (100 watts) is $22.45 U.S. from Warehouse Auto Parts. Their 50 watt model might be all a person needs. I bought their 150 watt model for my other vehicle and the shipping via USPS was $5.01. So, say, $28 U.S. ---- you'd save over $50. But, yeah, if you're losing the race against old man winter, grab the other. Frost-bitten fingers are no fun.

Glenn, you could always get a new set of panels with your insurance, then unload your old ones with "very slight imperfections" in our Member's Classified forum. I don't think our President can be impeached.

Those Wolverine prices sure are a lot higher than the Kat's prices I linked to.

That's a lot more wattage than recommended by Kat's for their oil pan heaters: chart. It is not recommended to go higher than the recommended wattage.

Condolences on Gina's assault, Glenn. I've recently used a product to remove some very deep scratches on our nose panel. I highly recommend that you try Quixx repair system that you can pick up at Canadian Tire for around $15. It's just a couple tubes of paste and some very fine sandpaper ---- but it is truly impressive. Be prepared for a tired arm afterwards (it takes several applications for the deep stuff), but you might be able to salvage at least a couple of your panels. The product is made in Germany and it is much more serious than products like McQuires scratch remover that are fine for taking out swirl marks. Worth a try, mate.

That one looks like a serious contender ---- 135 mph and gets 275 mpg in the city (plug-in hybrid) link There are a few three-wheelers still in contention. Looks like this one just seats one??

I think that what made the original cub such a big success is that Honda took an old design (Vespa/ Lambretta), then modernized the design ---- by adding bigger wheels to handle potholes and centralizing the engine location. It is similar to what they did with the original Honda Civic --- taking the front-wheel drive Austin and modernizing the mechanics. There is a whole batch of photos of the new Cub here showing it's glowing LED hubs and mirrors. I'm not too sure what advantage 2 wheel drive would be on a scooter, but I think it's unlikely that the feature would make it to production because of added costs.

On October 19th, the entry field of candidates was narrowed from 97 to 43 after a rigorous review by the Design Judges. The 43 will now go onward in the competition. Here is a brief article about that, and then an informative you-tube documentary about each candidate: article and youtube documentary

In September 2009, GM China sold more vehicles than GM did in the U.S., and that trend will likely continue into 2010. As Asian imports continue to make inroads into the share of North American sales, this might be an encouraging sign for GM. story

Honda is said to be ready to re-invent the Honda 50 Cub ---- a scooter that sold like hotcakes in the '60s. The difference is that the newest version will be an EV and it just might raise the bar for what an efficient, clean commuter vehicle can be. read more

A few years ago, I looked into getting plate frames made up for ClubsmartCar, and there turned out to be a problem with different States/Provinces. You see, different places have different locations for the 'expiry' stickers that attach to the plates ---- some jurisdictions having the stickers at the top, some at the bottom. Authorities get upset if the stickers are partially obscured by a plate frame.For example, notice the thickness of the lower part of the frame in this photo compared to the thickness of the lower part of the frame in atikovi's photo.

One toasted smart. It's lucky that nobody in the house fire was injured. Hopefully the drunk behind the wheel of the Acura will see some justice.

The problem isn't with the car ---- it's with a few of the unscrupulous dealerships scattered around the continent.

'Fix It Again Tony' is history. I rented a Fiat 15 years ago in France ---- it was a treat even then.

I hear ya! I've owned a variety of VW's. But picture a 'smart' sidecar. It would be perfect.

But picture it without the windshield which would never make it to production (a sloping windshield from roof to nose would remedy it). The rear seatbacks would also never see production. It is a legitimate response to both smart and Toyota.

Here's a video of the Peugeot BB1 concept in action. Surprising to see four adults fit in there ---- can't tell if everybody's holding their breath during the ride. If they'd just lose that ugly, inefficient windshield and have the roof slope down to the nose, it would even look OK. link to video.

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued it's 2010 list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles. Here's the list and the link. MODEL YEAR 2010 FUEL ECONOMY LEADERS Listed below are vehicles with the highest fuel economy in the most popular classes, including vehicles with both automatic and manual transmissions. Please note that many vehicle models come in a range of engine sizes and trim lines, resulting in different fuel economy values. Transmission MPG Transmission MPG Type City/Hwy Type City/Hwy TWO-SEATER CARS Smart ForTwo .........................................automatic ..................33/41 Mazda MX-5 ...........................................manual ......................22/28 MINICOMPACT CARS Mini Cooper ............................................manual .....................28/37 Mini Cooper Convertible .........................automatic ..................25/33 Mini Cooper ............................................automatic ..................25/33 SUBCOMPACT CARS Toyota Yaris ............................................manual .....................29/36 Toyota Yaris ............................................automatic ..................29/35 COMPACT CARS Honda Civic Hybrid .................................automatic ..................40/45 Volkswagen Jetta (diesel) .......................manual ......................30/41 Volkswagen Golf (diesel) ........................manual ......................30/41 MIDSIZE CARS Toyota Prius Hybrid ................................automatic .................51/48 Hyundai Elantra Blue ..............................manual ......................26/35 LARGE CARS Hyundai Sonata ......................................automatic ..................22/32 Honda Accord 4-door Sedan ..................manual ......................22/31 SMALL STATION WAGONS Audi A3 (diesel) ......................................automatic ..................30/42 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen (diesel)...automatic ..................30/42 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen (diesel)...manual ......................30/41 MIDSIZE STATION WAGONS Volkswagen Passat Wagon ....................automatic ..................22/31 BMW 535i Sport Wagon xDrive .............manual .....................16/23 SMALL PICKUP TRUCKS Ford Ranger 2WD .................................manual .....................22/27 Toyota Tacoma 2WD ..............................automatic ..................19/25 STANDARD PICKUP TRUCKS Chevrolet C15 Silverado 2WD Hybrid ....automatic ..................21/22 GMC C15 Sierra 2WD Hybrid.................automatic ..................21/22 Hummer H3T 4WD .................................manual ......................14/18 VANS, CARGO Chevrolet G1500 Express 2WD .............automatic .................15/20 GMC G1500 Savana 2WD .....................automatic ..................15/20 VANS, PASSENGER Chevrolet G1500 Express 2WD FFV......automatic ..................13/17* Chevrolet H1500 Express AWD FFV ......automatic ..................13/17* GMC G1500 Savana 2WD FFV .............automatic ..................13/17* GMC H1500 Savana AWD FFV .............automatic ..................13/17* MINIVANS Mazda 5 ..................................................manual .....................22/28 Mazda 5 ..................................................automatic .................21/27 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES Ford Escape Hybrid FWD.......................automatic ..................34/31 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD ....................automatic .................34/31 Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD .................automatic ..................34/31 Jeep Compass 2WD...............................manual ......................23/29 Jeep Patriot 2WD ...................................manual ......................23/29 * When operated on gasoline.

I love the creative mind behind this sidecar. It also makes me realize that a downsized smart would be equally suitable. link.

In that case, I would have thought that a recall would have been in order ---- it is certainly safety related.

LOL ---- I hadn't even seen that. Anybody got any snake oil to sell?

IIRC Rome has the highest number of smarts of any city (though perhaps Victoria has surpassed that). Love those Fiat 500's, though I haven't had a chance to drive one yet. That Abarth edition would be a good start.

I spoke with a fellow a while ago who had one installed on his old Mercedes. He had worked up north and said that all of the heavy equipment operators used them on their equipment and trucks. Perhaps if the vehicle is frequently covered in a thin layer of snow or rain, the process can work?

Can't help you with your extra-curricular activities, but as far as the site goes, just click on 'Inscription', then fill in the registration form (it's intuitive) and halfway down you can choose your language preference. Once you're registered and logged-in, just click on Duck's link and the photo essay is self-explanatory. If you do need to translate part of the text, just copy/paste it to a 'google translation' page. It's a very helpful 'How to'.

Ah --- you register after clicking on 'Inscription' in the top left corner of that page.