Goal For The Green

When cars roll off the assembly line, they’re designed for the widest range of buyers. This means that they all look alike. You can easily find the exact model you want thanks to the mass production lines. However, they lack personal style. They don’t stand out in a crowd. That may be what you want, or you may be craving something more. If you want your truck to demand attention and be a unique reflection of your lifestyle and personality, then it’s time to invest in some personalizing.

Chevy El Camino Truck (Photo credit: skeggy)

Change the Suspension
Start with the suspension. Trucks are made to be rough, tough and handle a heavy load, but they cannot always go off-road. If you’re looking for a truck that can also handle the mud out at camp or handle the rough areas out in the ranch, then you’ll want to change the suspension and put in something heavier.

Lift it Up
People love riding in SUVs and trucks for the extra height, but you don’t have to settle for factory settings. In addition to changing the suspension, you can also lift your truck to higher levels. It’s great for going out on rough terrain, and it also makes the ride more enjoyable. Whether you’re staying on the streets or going out in the mud, lifting your truck will make it stand out.

Customize with Chrome
Add little touches and extra features to customize your ride and ensure that everyone sees you coming. Companies like mkmcustoms carry a wide range of products that will change the finished look of your truck to make it more interesting and unique. Choose new grilles, custom exhaust systems, push bars, top rims and other great accessories. Every unique touch you add to your truck ensures that it’s a reflection of your personality and more than the basic factory truck that you drove off the dealer’s lot.

You don’t have to settle for a truck that anyone can buy at a dealer. It’s more fun and interesting to add your own touches and make sure that your truck stands out in a crowd. With the right additions and custom changes, you can rest assured that no one else will have a truck just like yours. Roll around your town in proud knowing that yours is a truly unique look.

Photo by Jyle Dupuis via Flickr

What is old to some can be new for others when it comes to hybrid vehicles. According to the New York Times, an estimated 415,000 used hybrids were on the market this past May, with some used Toyota Prius models listed as low as $15,000. Similar hybrid models remain competitively priced today, as a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was recently listed for $15,495 on the used car dealership website Drive Time. However, buyers willing to spend more to own the newest models not only get the full life of a manufacturer’s warranty but they may also be eligible for the federal Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit as well as other state tax credits, as the IRS notes.

Photo by motorblog via Flickr

Whether you buy a used or new model, there are certainly advantages that come with owning a hybrid vehicle—namely the improved gas mileage that will save you money by spending less time at the pump. According to the Huffington Post, hybrid car sales rose about 73 percent from 2011 to 2012 to an estimated 440,000 units. If you do decide to look for a used hybrid vehicle, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind during your search.

As the automotive website Edmunds.com noted, “the first and most important step a prospective buyer should take” is to conduct a thorough check of the used hybrid’s service record. As hybrid vehicle specialist Carolyn Coquilette told Edmunds, the fact that hybrids are largely computer-controlled is good because it generally means you’re not going to have the same concerns about prior driving abuse you would have with other cars. Instead, one concern for hybrid buyers has more to do with the specialized batteries.

The April 2013 issue of Consumer Reports reported that nearly 20 percent of 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid owners required a battery replacement over a 12-month survey period. Additionally, the replacement rate was more than 10 percent for 2003, 2004 and 2010 Civic Hybrid models. Because hybrid batteries can range between $2,000 and $4,000 to replace, that is an understandable concern for potential buyers.

Photo by goldberg via Flickr

However, the Times noted that federal regulations require all hybrids to carry a minimum of a 100,000-mile, eight-year battery warranty, and some tests have shown that hybrid batteries can last much longer. John O’Dell, a senior editor at Edmunds, told the Times that battery life shouldn’t be a concern if a car is less than five years old and has fewer than 100,000 miles. Additionally, two executives at top automotive battery companies told the Wall Street Journal that the cost of lithium-ion batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles will likely be about half of today’s price by 2020.

Another important step in looking for a used hybrid vehicle is to have an independent inspection performed by a trained hybrid mechanic. While many locations will typically have signage letting you know that they employ such trained mechanics, some dealerships do not always have certified mechanics. If you are unsure where to find qualified technicians in your area, the Auto Career Development Center lists such locations.

Photo by jurvetson via Flickr

Price can understandably be the major sticking point for those torn between buying new or used, but it should be noted that David Wurster, president of automotive research company Vincentric, told Forbes that while most hybrids have higher depreciation costs than non-hybrids, about half the hybrids his company analyzed in November 2012 had lower depreciation rates than the non-hybrids. Prospective buyers should also learn about the potential incentives their state offers—many of which are tax credits worth thousands of dollars.

Luxury cars are about status. Given that green hybrid cars offer status in and of themselves, it’s no wonder they’re usually pretty ugly: they don’t need to be pretty to lend their drivers status.

In fact, it’s probably fair to say that, for many hybrid drivers, driving an ugly car because you care about the environment so much is part of the appeal. Or so the story was once told…

Luckily, if you like to drive a nice looking vehicle and take care of the environment, luxury hybrids are coming into vogue. Here’s a look at some of the hottest hybrids on the luxury market. Meet status and sustainability without sacrifice.

2013 Lexus LS 600h L

The 2013 Lexus LS 600h L is a sleek, smooth-driving luxury car, and the first to merge a V8 gasoline engine with an electric drive system. You may remember the late-eighties television ads where the Lexus was seen with a pyramid of champagne glasses stacked atop it, while running. Well, that was the eighties, when the hybrid was hardly even a dream.

Imagine how many champagne glasses you could stack on this dream machine.

The LS 600h L combines Lexus’ trademark power and luxury with a drive that’s smooth, even by Lexus standards. It starts around $119,910, so it’s not a car for everyone, just those who need the finest things in life.

Photo of Lexus LS 600h by Overlaet via Wikimedia Commons

2013 Acura ILX Hybrid

A more low-end luxury car, starting at just $25,900, the ILX Hybrid is far more affordable than the Lexus, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be sacrificing a true luxury experience. Acura may not boast the same status symbol of Lexus, but it stands as one of the most comfortable and luxurious brands that one could conceivably afford on a middle or working class income.

The ILX Hybrid motor performs as a generator when braking or coasting, so you get long-lasting battery life from the electric drive system. And whatever you do, don’t dismiss the Acura on style. One look will prove the body has a great, modern take while the interior is both cozy and cool.

Photo of 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid via Wikimedia Commons. All Rights Released.

2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid

You can’t drive this one yet as it’s still on the horizon, but that just means you have some extra time until it hits the streets to save your pennies. A roomy interior makes the QX60 a true Infiniti, with proportions inspired by the Pathfinder. The new, green ride debuted at the New York Auto Show and wowed spectators with a stylish design that really excels at the finer details, including some pretty slick LED rear lights and High Intensity Discharge xenon headlights.

The motor is lithium-powered, although the electric drive system is not powerful enough to drive the car on its own at higher speeds. This may prove a turn-off for those looking for a true electric driving experience, but it’s a start for larger vehicles.

These cars merely scratch the surface of luxury hybrids. It’s only a matter of time before the marriage of sustainability and style truly skyrockets and takes hold of Phoenix Chevrolet dealers and others. From hybrid luxury cars, sports cars, trucks, SUVs, station s and everything in between, the innovative front is definitely in motion. Cost efficiency and the environmentally conscious perspective will only further the push for the next generation of vehicle that luxury lovers will surely support.