Most people have forgotten the “synfuel” debacle of the ’70s so they’re damned to repeat it. Millions were spent on producing alternative fuels then with nothing to show for it because petroleum-based fuels were just too efficient, even with OPEC turning the screws.

Now we have a new era of synfuel, er, alternative fuels, which means what? Alcohol. Or more specifically, bio-ethanol. It’s a renewable resource, and it’s green. Literally, when it’s growing in the field. Or yellow, when it’s picked, husked, shelled and the whole process of getting it ready for a nation’s hungry automobiles. more

Posted in environment, ethanol by admin on October 31st, 2007

We should have been on the airplane heading home, but instead we were able to borrow a 2008 Nissan 350Z Roadster for an overnight run down the I-5 from Santa Monica to Oceanside and back for a quick visit with Mom. Okay, it wasn’t really a 2008 Nissan 350Z Roadster we drove, but the changes from 2007 model are minimal—including one new premium color and XM radio standard—subscription separate—on Touring and Journey models, so we pretended and so can you.

It’s still a treat despite being old by automotive standards. The Nissan 350Z was introduced way back in 2003 to less than unanimous acclaim, some complaining that it didn’t look like the original 240Z and others saying that it was too bulky or not sufficiently sleek.

But it was certainly a muscular and exotic-looking, and better yet, whether coupe or roadster, a true sports car.

Read the rest of this authentic carbuzzard.com new car review by staffer John Matras then come back and tell us what you think.

Posted in Uncategorized by admin on October 28th, 2007

The rules of writing a new car review say it must begin with some clever lead, or as they say in newspaper talk, lede. It’s supposed to hook the reader and give him (OK, or her) no option but to continue reading. Ain’t gonna happen with this review of the 2008 Infiniti EX35.

Not that there isn’t anything exciting about the EX35. Certainly it’s not an Infiniti G37 Coupe. That would say as much about the G37 were it true, and it isn’t. Instead, the Infiniti EX35 is the latest step in the evolution of the sport-utility back towards the family sedan, or perhaps station wagon.

The Infiniti EX35 is a (fanfare, please) crossover vehicle.

Read the authentic carbuzzard.com review of the 2008 Infiniti EX35 then return to speak out on Infiniti’s new crossover vehicle.

Posted in EX35, Infiniti, SUV review, car review, crossover, road test by admin on October 26th, 2007

We remember seeing about twenty years ago a car in a Pennsylvania parking lot with cardboard taped into a rear quarter window, replacing broken glass. Written on the cardboard: “Yes, I’ve been to New York. Why do you ask?” more

Posted in GPS, theft by admin on October 24th, 2007

Carbuzzard.com recently drove a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. We know: Big yawn. Except that Pontiac has heard the complaints of the masses. Behold the 2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP. By having received the GXP treatment, the already road-biased sport-utility moves even further in that direction, but we doubt that the half-dozen folks who removed the shadows that 2006 and 2007 Torrents were casting on Pontiac dealers’ lots took them further into the dirt than a soccer field’s parking lot.

OK, maybe a gravel road or two.

But little is lost by losing whatever offroadability the standard Torrent has in exchange for the added gumption and handles of the 2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP. See why we think so by reading Philbert J Thrombockle’s Quick Bite, then add your comment on carbuzzard.com below.

Posted in GXP, Pontiac, Torrent, car review, road test by admin on October 20th, 2007