Summary. This document presents a review of the Volkswagen Beetle. The vehicle tested was a 2008 VW Beetle rental car (from Enterprise) with 35,000 miles on it.

Feedback. Comments and corrections are welcome, so feel free to contact us.

Features. The most noteable features of the vehicle are:

• Sport Mode (automatic transmission only) provides computer controlled shifting for maximum performance and very quick acceleration from 0 to 80
• Manual Shift option with Automatic Transmission provides even greater control
• Small exterior for easy parking and maneuvering, yet roomy interior provides comfortable seating for all passengers
• Nice handling
• Power mirrors
• Cruise control
• Adjustable steering wheel
• Front seats fold forward and lift up for easy access to back seat
• Front seats can be raised and lowered
• Back seats fold down for extra roomy rear storage
• Polished interior door surface resists wear and looks like new even after 35,000 miles of rental fleet driving
• Constructed of high-grade materials
• Good view of surroundings for driver and all riders
• Tight turning radius
• front passenger seat folds forward providing huge storage space for hauling longer oversized and large cargo.

Video. Below are three videos highlighting some of the features of the VW Beetle.

Summary. Simply Car-Free by Tammy Strobel is a comprehensive guide to car-free living.

Click here to learn more or buy now.

Biking Benefits. Choosing to live close to your work makes it possible to ride a bicycle (or walk) for daily commuting. This simple life decision is an example of lifestyle activism that can impact every area of your life. Riding a bicycle daily for transportation and fun offers the following benefits:

• saves time
• saves money
• improves health
• reduces stress
• increased safety (when making smart choices about where you ride)
• reduces noise pollution
• reduces air pollution
• takes up less room
• creates a more enjoyable commute
• increases oxygen intake

These are just a few benefits of riding a bicycle instead of driving a car. To learn more, get a copy of Simply Car-Free by Tammy Strobel.

Testimonial. Below is a testimonial from Gregory Johnson about the book.

I received a PDF copy of Simply Car-free from Tammy and was delighted to read her book. It reminds me of my own journey to life without a car. This book is quite comprehensive since Tammy goes through just about everything a person might encounter when choosing to ride a bicycle as their primary means of transportation.

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Disclaimer. This article is not a paid advertisement. However, a small portion of revenue from sales through this page benefit our website. Although a review copy of the book was received, it was not received in exchange for writing a review of the book. This page was created voluntarily. Click here to read more about our advertising disclosure statement.

Summary. Studies now show that faster speed limits are not necessarily unsafe. In fact, they may be more safe than lower speed limits. However, irrational thinking is starting to result in some equally irrational driving related legislation.

For example, some states are passing laws prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, even though many people find they are more alert when driving alone at night if they are talking to someone. So, banning cell phones may, in fact, make the roads more dangerous.

The same is true for legislation regarding speed limits. When speed limits are set artificially low, drivers are lulled into a boring, monotonous, trance-like, hypnotic stupor of mindless driving. When they ultimately need to react to an emergency, their senses have been dulled to the point of being less responsive. Higher speed limits make driving more enjoyable and keep drivers more alert and attentive to the road ahead.

Utah recently increased the speed limit on some roads to 80 miles per hour. Surprisingly, drivers tended to drive the same speed as they had before. Previously they were all breaking the law, by driving a speed that felt comfortable. The increased speed limit simply resulted in more people being within the posted speed limit with an average speed slightly over the posted speed.

On 9 February 2010, the National Motorists Association published an article, Speed Kills Higher Speed Limits Prove Motorists React Responsibly. The following are excerpts from the article [emphasis added]:

It has been a year since Utah increased the speed limit along some sections of I-15 to 80 mph, joining some rural highway stretches of Texas as having the highest posted limits in the U.S. Although proponents of 55 mph speed limits were apoplectic and dire in their predictions of highway fatalities stacking up along the I-15 roadside, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) data show that there has been no increase in accidents in the areas that have higher designated speed limits. …

UDOT measured the 85th percentile speed along those stretches of I-15, both before and after the limit was increased to 80 mph. The agency’s findings blew another myth out of the water, namely the one that claims drivers will automatically increase their speed by at least the same increment as the raised limit.

At the previously posted 75 mph limit, UDOT’s traffic study showed that a majority of drivers traveled at 81 to 85 mph. When the speed limit was increased by 5 mph to 80, the traffic stream was mostly at 83 to 85 mph. So, in other words, the degree of “speeding” actually decreased when Utah established a standard using 85th percentile data.

Drivers along I-15 demonstrated their comfort zone to be in the 80 to 85 mph range, regardless of the posted speed limit. This once again proved the effectiveness of using the 85th percentile speed to promote a safe, efficient traffic flow. And it no doubt increased the driving pleasure for the motorists traveling along the I-15 corridor in Utah.

The safety of faster driving obviously hinges on driver experience, time of day, vehicle handling, road conditions, visibility, and weather and other factors. Rather than setting speed limits, it would seem more practical to set safe speed ranges that help drivers gauge their speed based on a variety of conditions. For example, exit ramps often have a speed limit posted. This isn’t an arbitrary law. Nobody has probably ever gotten a ticket for speeding on an exit ramp. However, if you go over that speed limit, depending on the vehicle and road conditions, you may end up in the ditch.

Summary. The Fun Theory, at TheFunTheory.org, is an initiative of Volkswagen that demonstrates how the enjoyability factor is an essential element in designing products that will inspire and motivate people to use them.

Innovation. Volkswagen is to the automobile industry what Apple is to the world of computers and gadgets. Volkswagen vehicles include innovative design elements that are of little or no benefit other than making their cars more fun and enjoyable. For example, the VW Beetle includes a flower vase (pictured below) to bring color and and additional beauty to the inside of the car.

Inspirational Marketing. The Fun Theory campaign itself is an example of innovation, creativity, and fun with marketing. It is similar to the funny eTrade baby commercials, where a business will create a non-traditional advertising campaign that entertains or inspires while also spreading brand awareness and affinity. The Fun Theory campaign has the grass roots social action elements of the music video, If Today Was Your Last Day by Nickelback. The campaign proves that, with a little creativity, people can be inspired to do good.

Videos. Below are some of the videos demonstrating The Fun Theory principle. The cost of advertising to reach a targeted captive audience of millions would be very expensive. However, like the eTrade funny baby commercials, these videos have had millions of views on YouTube alone.

Summary. In an ideal world transportation would be completely non-polluting, small, safe, quiet, inexpensive, healthy, fun, and fueled by water and renewable organic foods.

Welcome to an ideal world.

Welcome to Iowa City Eco Cabs.

Contact. Below are the contact details for Iowa City EcoCabs.

• Vik & Veena Patel
• Web: www.ICEcoCabs.com
• Tel: 319-621-2877
• Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM

About. Vik and Veena Patel are a brother and sister who operate Iowa City’s first Bicycle Rickshaw Pedicab taxi cab company. With service to the downtown Iowa City area from Thursday to Saturday, 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM, Vik and Veena provide transportation when it’s in greatest demand. More photos are in our online Picasaweb photo gallery.

Popularity. Most modern and progressive cities and metropolitan urban centers have embraced bicycle rickshaw pedicabs. Santa Rosa, California is home to Rickshaw Rudy’s. In New York City, the Manhattan Rickshaw Company provides fun and ecofriendly transportation to residents and tourists. In Oregon, the CascadiaCabs.com company provides pedicabs and other pedal power vehicles.

Summary. Over the past ten to fifteen years, consumers have loudly spoken by purchasing smaller more efficient cars. During that same time period, numerous reports, studies, focus groups, and research projects all provided the same conclusive and incontrovertible advice: small cars are the wave of the future. This is a Small Car Society report on the decline of large vehicle manufacturers.

Good Policy. Companies like Honda and Toyota listened to consumers and responded to the needs and demands of the marketplace as well as the needs of our environment.

Poor Policy. Companies like For and General Motors were generally less responsive to the needs and demands of consumers and the environment.

Predictable Outcome. As a result, not surprisingly Honda and Toyota have done well financially while Ford and General Motors continue to be declining.

Correction Needed. This kind of behavior pattern among some automotive companies, of ignoring consumers and the environment, is not something a quick bailout will fix. For example, if an obese person has liposuction to remove fat, and then goes back to the same pattern of consumption and habits of inactivity, that person will be back in trouble again in a short period of time unless their behavior is corrected.

Strong Sell Recommendation. The Financial Resource Group in cooperation with the Small Car Society has issued a strong sell recommendation for any stocks even remotely involved in large vehicle production. Owners of larger vehicles should consider selling their vehicles as soon as possible before the bottom drops out of the market and the selling price declines sharply. According to Small Car Society Director, Gregory Johnson, “Unless your large vehicle is actually needed, and used daily for a long-term practical use, we would suggest that you sell it. Use the best tool for the job, and the best car for your actual transportation needs.”

Video Explanation. Below is a thoughtful video presentation by Al Gore regarding why small efficient cars are in demand.

Stock Price Value Charting. From a quick look at the stock value for Ford, General Motors, Honda, and Toyota during the time when small cars have become more popular, it’s easy to see how the stubborn refusal to build small cars has financially harmed the U.S. automotive industry (see charts below).

Members of the Small Car Society have been petitioning U.S. auto manufacturers for years, requesting smaller vehicles. Had U.S. auto manufacturers responded, they could have averted an economic crisis and financial harm to our national economy. They chose not to listen. Ford’s stock value has steadily declined from being almost $40 per share to now being about $6 per share. General Motors stock was worth about $80 per share and now it is worth about 85 cents per share. Companies like Honda and Toyota that listened to our advice have had seen significant increases in their stock value.

Government Funding of Failing Corporations. Because the downward financial spiral of General Motors is largely due to consumer dissatisfaction with their huge vehicles, it’s not surprising that there has been a public outcry about government funding to support the failing corporation. Below is an example of the public response (courtesy Despair.com).

ResourcesForLife.com Launches the Small Car Society

Iowa City, Iowa |12:18 PM

Summary. ResourcesForLife.com announced the launch of the Small Car Society.

After decades in development, the unveiling of the Small Car Society comes at a time when thse use of small cars is on the rise as people are seeking ways to save money and save the planet.

“Small cars represent one of the fastest growing segments in both the U.S. and around the world.” GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson [Source|Print]

The Small Car Society is best known for their Parking Ticket Relief Program. Members of the organization voluntarily pay parking meters and parking tickets for small car drivers. The program is part of an initiative lobby local city governments to allow free parking for smaller cars.

For more information, visit www.SmallCarSociety.org

“Sometimes big problems are best solved
using small solutions.”

Summary. Generally speaking, little tiny micro small mini cars have many advantages. They offer better maneuverability and easier parking. Better fuel efficiency, and fewer resources used in production make small cars environmentally friendly. Small cars are inexpensive to purchase, insure, and maintain. Finally, they look cute, happy, youthful, and are fun to drive. For these reasons and others, intelligent and thoughtful people are trading in their old cars, and purchasing small cars. Isn’t it time you considered a small car? For yourself; For the planet; Drive a small car.

The Best Cars At Any Price. Small cars are stylish and smart, and that’s why cars like the Smart Car are featured in movies such as DaVinci Code, Pink Panther, Scoop, A Good Year, Legally Blond 2, Just Married, and Agent Cody Banks 2. When other larger and more expensive cars could have been featured, producers choose smart, small, and stylish instead. Why own a mundane and average large car when you could own a small car just like the Hollywood movie stars drive?

Safety. While misinformation about small car safety abounds, the fact is that small cars  actually offer many safety benefits such as:

• Accident Prevention Technology. Many small cars offer anti-lock breaks and specialized handling packages that allow the driver to avoid accidents. Smaller cars are made with fewer materials, so more money can be invested in safety features. For example, the Chevy Aveo includes three separate traction and maneuvering safety technologies (antilock brake system, stabilitrak, and traction control). The Honda Fit features Vehicle Stability Assist^™ (VSA^®) with traction control (Fit Sport with Navigation).
• Impact Countermeasures. The Honda Fit offers six airbags as well as other safety features. Most small cars utilize high strength materials that are light weight.
• Improved Control Through Reduced Mass. Small cars are light and nimble which means they can maneuver quickly and easily. Large cars are sometimes referred to as boats because they handle sluggishly since they have so much mass and weight that nees to be navigated. There can be a delay in the response time from when you turn the wheel and when the car starts to turn — not so with a little car.
• Improved Stop Distance. If you’re trying to stop a big heavy vehicle, you’ll need plenty of breaking power to slow down such a large and massive pile of metal. If you hit a patch of snow, ice, or wet pavement, your chances of slowing down in time to avoid an accident are minimal. Since many collisions are with objects such as railing, poles, cement, telephone poles, ligth posts, and similar road size hazards, safety isn’t a question of one car versus another. Instead, true safety is a matter of the effective maneuverability of your vehicle.
• Safer For Everyone. If you’re simply concerned for your own safety and not that of anyone else, the above facts would be reason enough to get a small car. However, most of us are concerned about the well being and safety of others. For this reason, smaller cars make a good choice because they have a reduced likelihood of inflicting injury to other people (or property). Big cars present the most danger to everyone.

Manufacturers. Because of the numerous advantages and safety features of small cars, forward thinking and progressive auto manufacturers are designing, building, and promoting them. Here are a few of the more popular tiny little micro small mini car models and their respective manufacturers:

• Audi A3. Although the Audi A3 is among the most expensive of the tiny cars, and it’s top fuel economy is about 30 MPG, it’s one of the most powerful small cars available with up to 250 horsepower of propulsion.
• Chevy Aveo. With an estimated 34 MPG highway fuel efficiency and plenty of included technology, the Chevy Aveo is an economical and enjoyable car to drive.
• Ford Fiesta. The Ford Fiesta has long been a favorite among domestic tiny cars. The European ECOnetic Fiesta achieves fuel economy up to 65 MPG in some models.
• Honda Fit. Offering up to 35 MPG fuel efficiency, six airbags, iPod audio interface, ten beverage holders, and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation^™ with voice recognition^†, you’ll feel like you’re flying in first class.
• Mazda Miata MX-5. The Mazda Miata is one of the best known tiny convertible cars. The Mazda 3 offers greater fuel efficiency and a lower purchase price.
• Mercedes SLK 300. If you don’t have the half-million dollars needed to purchase the Mercedes 617 horsepower McLaren Roadster, the Mercedes SLK 300 is a relatively economical alternative.
• Mini Cooper. While the Mini Cooper isn’t the least expensive small car around, it may be one of the most stylish. With high performance and top speeds in excess of 120 MPH, the Mini Cooper still offers fuel efficiency of up to 37 MPG.
• Smart Car. Small cars are definitely smart cars, and the Smart Car brand is one of the cutest and smallest available, and one of the most efficient by offering up to 41 MPG.
• Tata Nano. “Tata Motors has won the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the ‘Transportation’ category.” (source) [Tata Nano on Facebook]
• Toyota Yaris. The excellent quality of Toyota vehicles is universally accepted and acknowledged even among their competition. The Toyota Yaris is no exception. With up to 36 MPG and a plentiful list of options, luxury and economy are combined in one.
• Volkswagen VW Beetle Bug. The VW Bug is one of the cars that started the tiny car revolution back in the 1960s. Through innovation and creative design, VW impacted the automotive industry around the world. At 29 MPG, the VW Beetle isn’t the most fuel efficient. However, what it lacks in fuel efficiency it makes up for in style and quality.

Video. The video below includes an excerpt from An Inconvenient Truth, and makes a compelling case for small cars.

Five Small Efficient Cars. Here is a list, courtesy of Bob B., of five inexpensive, small, fuel efficient cars. These are less than $15,000 and can get 35MPG or more.

• Hyundai Accent – 26 city, 35 highway, 29 average – Starts at $9,970
• Smart For Two Coupe – 33 city, 41 highway, 36 average – Starts at $11,990
• Kia Rio – 26 city, 35 highway, 30 average – Starts at $12,145
• Toyota Yaris – 29 city, 35 highway, 31 average- Starts at $12,205
• Honda Fit – 28 city, 35 highway, 31 average – Starts at $14,705

Summary. Dakar the Movie is a movie about the Dakar Rally racing event [Wikipedia] named after Dakar, the capitol city of Senegal in Western Africa. The movie is intensely poetic and artistically produced with beautiful landscapes and compelling soundtrack. The camera focus shifts from the smallest detail, such as an insect, to wide landscapes. The movie is expected to be released in 2010 or sometime thereafter. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Background. Although the official release date has not been announced, ResourcesForLife.com is anticipating a Summer 2010 launch of Dakar the Movie. From the breathtaking preview for the film on the film’s website, this looks like it will be a stunning cinematographic experience. According to a report on Frontstretch.com, the film will be produced in collaboration with “renowned Director Scott Duncan, winner of 7 Emmy Awards and nominated for an additional 27 Emmys.” Scott Duncan is cinematographic genius who’s excellence in video and film production seems to be a blend of ultra realism only achieved through an almost magical mastery of the motion picture arts. The Frontstretch.com article explains the global impact of the film: “Dakar The Movie is set to be the first feature ever produced about the event in its 30 year history. Shot in both two and three dimensional high definition, The Movie will follow four teams from different parts of the world as they prepare and participate in the most grueling motorsports event in the world. In all, 570 teams from 50 countries will attempt to navigate motorbikes, buggies, cars, SUVs and trucks on the 16 day trek. This is also the first time the event will be held in Argentina and Chile, starting in Buenos Aires on January 3rd. Broadcast in more than 185 countries with 300 media outlets, over 75 channels and 600 plus hours of coverage, the Dakar Rally brings in more than 300 million viewers worldwide.” ResourcesForLife.com believes this is a significant event because it will help unify the world community, and introduce cross-cultural awareness. It will also advance and raise standards in the film profession.

Video. Below is a video summary showing events from the Dakar 2009 event. Click HQ if available for high quality video and audio.

Summary. In the 2008 movie Truth in 24, Audi teamed up with NFL Films and Intersport to produce an award-winning one-hour and 38-minute documentary about the Audi R10 TDI (Turbocharged Direct Injection) racing car (replaced by the Audi R15 TDI in 2009). The movie also offers a very nice overview of Le Mans Grand Prix De France and the sport of auto racing in general. The movie features commentaries from technicians and drivers from Audi, Peugeot, Porsche, and others.

Promote. Please help promote this movie and this review by using the share button found above and to the right under the Subscribe and Share heading. To make comments, corrections, or suggestions, please use the Contact link at the top of the page.

Amazing Facts. Here are some amazing facts about Le Mans:

• Champagne. The spraying of Champagne in celebration was first practiced at Le Mans.
• Distance. The total distance traveled in 24 hours is over 3000 miles.
• Horsepower. The cars in the race (almost 50) have a cumulative of about 30,000 horsepower.
• Popularity. The town of Le Mans is about 150,000 in population. However, in the 2nd week of June, about half a million people from all over the world come to the city for the race.
• Roads. More than half the race course consists of public roads.
• Speed. In about 3 minutes and 23 seconds, a racer will cover more than 8.5 miles (13.65 km). That is equal to about 150 miles per hour average speed with top speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour.
• Tires. Over 8000 tires are prepared for the 24 hour race.
• Weather. Rain or other slight changes in weather can determine strategy, such as what tires will be used. During the race, Audi has their own weather radar and a technical specialist trained in meteorology to estimate rainfall within an accuracy of 3 minutes.

Excellent Quality Video. The movie contains some classic historical footage, but primarily seems to be presented in very nice quality high definition. The movie is rated as 9 of 10 stars at IMDb (Internet Movie Database). It’s fascinating to see the difference in video quality from the 2007 video excerpts compared to the 2008 video with the introduction of High Definition video. The video is said to be, “one of the best, if not the best, motorsports documentaries of all time.” [source] On some occasions, the camera focus would drift from a drop of water, a blade of grass, or a flower (52:57) and then focus back on the cars racing by. The multiplicity of camera angles and editing produce a God’s Eye View of the event. This is an amazingly poetic and artistic form of videography similar to the techniques used in Dakar the Movie.

Free Download. Considering the movie has been produced with the quality of a feature film using the best video production technology, it is very gracious of Audi to offer the movie as a free download on Apple iTunes.

Resources. Below are some additional resources.

• Facebook Page
• Internet Movie Database IMDb
• Motortrend.com Review
• Road and Track Review
• Truth in 24 Official Website
• Wikipedia – La Mans

Trailer. Below is a trailer preview of the movie.