Please click on images to enlarge. 
Known to some as Jack A. Roo this cream Chow Chow has taken up residence with L.E. Fant and wife. He is 12 weeks of age and a handful.
Jack taking a break from chewing.
Remember the good old days?
Known to some as Jack A. Roo this cream Chow Chow has taken up residence with L.E. Fant and wife. He is 12 weeks of age and a handful.
Jack taking a break from chewing.
Remember the good old days?L.E. Fant's desperate attempt to remove himself from the clutches of "Big Oil" fails!
L.E. Fant drove to Los Angeles last Friday, where he hoped to buy a CNG/ gasoline powered vehicle.
He failed. The vehicles he had his eye on were Chevrolet Cavalier Bi-fuel ex-government cars. There were 6 of them 2001-2003 year models with 58,000-80,000 miles on their odometers.
As the Cavalier is, in L.E.'s opinion, not an exceptional vehicle in any respect L.E. believes that $6,500 was the most he should pay for one (a regular gasoline powered Cavalier of this age can be obtained for as little as $1,500).
L.E. was chagrined to find the first 2001(usually least expensive) Cavalier sold for $10,500. Then the next sold for the same amount. L.E. left the auction savings intact.
Apparently our neighbors from Utah are the reason for such high purchase prices for these cars. They can apparently buy CNG for 70 or 80 cents a gallon whereas we must pay $2.07 or so. Also they may be able to get a $4,000 state tax credit.
Interestingly (to some) is that if one deducts the $4,000 tax credit from the sales price, the remaining amount is identical to L.E. Fant's price estimate of the car's worth.
That leaves a $24,000 Honda CNG (not bi-fuel)being the remaining option. The range of that car is limited to around 150 miles which makes it unattractive to L.E.
L.E. has listened to a friend who has made some research into bio-diesel and will make his knowledge available to you soon.
BARGAINS?
There were, in L.E.'s opinion, some decent buys at the auction:
Two 2004 Chevrolet Malibu Classic, 4 cyl cars with approximately 6,000 (yes not 60,000)made $6,400.
A 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe with 76,000 miles made $7,300 and a couple of 2005 Dodge Caravans with V6 motors and 75,000 miles sold at $4,400 or so.
L.E. Fant Road Tests Toyota Yaris-so you don't have to:
L.E. Fant made an extremely daring run to Los Angeles and back to Las Vegas on Friday, through a fierce storm, in order to bring you the following report:
In order to kill two birds with one stone, or as we now say “multi-task,” L.E. performed a subjective road test evaluation of a new (one mile on the odometer) Toyota Yaris 4 door, automatic, sedan during the trip.
L.E.’s wife’s first comment regarding the Yaris was that it looked “very cute.” It, as is the modern way of such small cars, has its instruments placed in the center of the dashboard. Perhaps this is for styling reasons-or perhaps to make for easier manufacturing when producing left hand and right hand drive vehicles. Either way this placement requires one to look across the dashboard when checking the instruments, which appears, to L.E. less safe than if the gauges are directly in front of the driver as was the norm for many years. However, it is an aid to those of us who enjoy our privileges as “back seat drivers.”
Comfort of the little car is reasonable. When L.E.’s wife first sat on its front seat she remarked that it was very comfortable. However, after 50 miles of driving L.E. noticed that she was often changing her position on the seat by squirming around. L.E. concluded that perhaps the level of comfort she first noticed was now severely diminished. L.E. had problems after 100 miles or so with a nerve pain running down his left leg. Perhaps the lack of thigh support from the “short” seats was its cause?
The cabin noise level of the Yaris, in L.E.’s opinion, was too high. Road noise was very apparent and one has to noticeably raise one’s speaking level to converse when the car is in motion. L.E’s wife raves over the placement of the Starbucks cup holders on either side of its dash, which in the opinion of many will doubtless make up for other shortcomings.
Having said that, the Yaris, overall, appears no worse than its competition and maybe better than some other small cars.
Its multi-speed windshield wipers performed very well during the storm we drove through and no water leaked into its cabin.
The little car is very maneuverable and feels safe when making “high G” maneuvers. Its brakes are responsive and add to its ability to safely maneuver through traffic. Sever wind gusts are noticed, yet relatively easily compensated for.
For example this little Yaris’s progress apparently infuriated the drivers of a Mercedes R350, a Mercedes S55, a Dodge Kaliber and sundry Prius’s (what a hideous looking car that Kaliber is?) and the drivers a red and a blue Mustang GT convertible who all attempted to pass or re-pass the little Yaris as it progressed from L.A. to L.V. Let it be noted that the maneuverability of the Yaris proved adequate for its task and it remained leader for well over 100 miles of cut and thrust due in part also to the fearless driving techniques of Mrs. Fant. Only as we were close to Blue Diamond did the S55 and two GT Mustangs take the lead-and then only because they exceeded 100 MPH and paid no heed of traffic conditions (or speed limits).
The (non scientifically tested) top speed of the Yaris appears to be 100 MPH. Its fuel economy appears to be good also at around 35 mpg.
In order to kill two birds with one stone, or as we now say “multi-task,” L.E. performed a subjective road test evaluation of a new (one mile on the odometer) Toyota Yaris 4 door, automatic, sedan during the trip.
L.E.’s wife’s first comment regarding the Yaris was that it looked “very cute.” It, as is the modern way of such small cars, has its instruments placed in the center of the dashboard. Perhaps this is for styling reasons-or perhaps to make for easier manufacturing when producing left hand and right hand drive vehicles. Either way this placement requires one to look across the dashboard when checking the instruments, which appears, to L.E. less safe than if the gauges are directly in front of the driver as was the norm for many years. However, it is an aid to those of us who enjoy our privileges as “back seat drivers.”
Comfort of the little car is reasonable. When L.E.’s wife first sat on its front seat she remarked that it was very comfortable. However, after 50 miles of driving L.E. noticed that she was often changing her position on the seat by squirming around. L.E. concluded that perhaps the level of comfort she first noticed was now severely diminished. L.E. had problems after 100 miles or so with a nerve pain running down his left leg. Perhaps the lack of thigh support from the “short” seats was its cause?
The cabin noise level of the Yaris, in L.E.’s opinion, was too high. Road noise was very apparent and one has to noticeably raise one’s speaking level to converse when the car is in motion. L.E’s wife raves over the placement of the Starbucks cup holders on either side of its dash, which in the opinion of many will doubtless make up for other shortcomings.
Having said that, the Yaris, overall, appears no worse than its competition and maybe better than some other small cars.
Its multi-speed windshield wipers performed very well during the storm we drove through and no water leaked into its cabin.
The little car is very maneuverable and feels safe when making “high G” maneuvers. Its brakes are responsive and add to its ability to safely maneuver through traffic. Sever wind gusts are noticed, yet relatively easily compensated for.
For example this little Yaris’s progress apparently infuriated the drivers of a Mercedes R350, a Mercedes S55, a Dodge Kaliber and sundry Prius’s (what a hideous looking car that Kaliber is?) and the drivers a red and a blue Mustang GT convertible who all attempted to pass or re-pass the little Yaris as it progressed from L.A. to L.V. Let it be noted that the maneuverability of the Yaris proved adequate for its task and it remained leader for well over 100 miles of cut and thrust due in part also to the fearless driving techniques of Mrs. Fant. Only as we were close to Blue Diamond did the S55 and two GT Mustangs take the lead-and then only because they exceeded 100 MPH and paid no heed of traffic conditions (or speed limits).
The (non scientifically tested) top speed of the Yaris appears to be 100 MPH. Its fuel economy appears to be good also at around 35 mpg.
TOMORROW:
L.E. Fant shall bring you his opinion of the Red Rock Casino Sunday brunch.
DIGITAL DEVILS HAVE MADE NO RESPONSE TO L.E. FANT'S COMPLAINT!!
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