I'm Impressed by a Buffed Car

Have you ever wondered how a 'showroom' car looks so much better than anything you see on the lot? Maybe the lighting has a bit to do with that. But after watching the staging of a car designated to sit in our State of the Art Showroom, I realized that the tender loving care and professional application of various waxes and polishes is the key. And that same car, once it's pulled out of the showroom still shines above any of the other cars in the outdoor inventory.

So it's possible to maintain that High Gloss finish and to keep your car looking like a 'showroom' display model. And the secret tool of the trade is none other than the Rotary Polisher. In the hands of a pro...it's like a magic wand. In the hands of a novice, watch out for burning paint and irreversible damage to that finish.

These 'Pros' use a rotary polisher that can run as high as 3000 rpms. Enough to burn through that factory finish on any car or truck. So if you are thinking of keeping your car shining like new...maybe even better than new...consider this:

Dual Action polishers. DA polishers are characterized by the motion of the head. It spins on a central spindle, and this spindle rotates around an eccentric offset. A good metaphor for a dual action polisher is the earth's orbit. The earth itself spins and it also orbits around the sun. Dual action polishers are also called orbital polishers for this reason.

It's much less likely to burn that finish with a DA polisher and you can avoid the swirls that are also quite common when a novice is buffing with a rotary polisher.

I'll be doing more research on this over the next week to determine just what methods of application are best and what combination of tools, applicators, waxes and polishes can be most effectively used by the average car owner. If you can provide your advice, that would be appreciated. There's a lot of knowledge out there, let's share it here.

It's All about Value - Proof Positive - Honda Fit is #1 Value

Low-price subcompact cars are reportedly leaving showrooms at a rate of three for every two that dealers were selling a year ago.

Smart shoppers are opting for small cars priced at half that of the much higher priced hybrids these day. Many of these shoppers are looking for immediate relief from $4+ gasoline.

It's still a niche of the new car market: Despite 49% higher sales through February this year vs. a year ago, cars classed "lower small" by tracker Autodata — essentially all subcompacts — still account for just three of every 100 new vehicles sold.

So for any of you that are looking for that 'best value' in that class of car check this out:

This years Cars.com/USA TODAY/MotorWeek $16,000 Subcompact Shootout — aimed to see where you can get the most for your money in an entry-level small car. It pitted seven of the small cars with stickers of $16,000 or less (before shipping) against each other in three days of testing.

Our Honda Fit took First Place Honors! In a nutshell...it's roomy inside in contrast to it's overall size, spacious cargo room with second row seats that lay flat, and Honda's signature 'Magic Seats' add a new level of versatility for the on the go, active lifestyle driver. And bottom line, it's great FUN to drive.

Safety for Everyone begins with you and me.

ONE TEXT OR CALL COULD WRECK IT ALL



Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America's roadways. In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes.




The U.S. Department of Transportation is leading the effort to stop texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. Since 2009, the DOT has held two national distracted driving summits, banned texting and cell phone use for commercial drivers, encouraged states to adopt tough laws, and launched several campaigns to raise public awareness about the issue.



Distraction.gov is your resource for learning more about distracted driving. Get the facts, get involved, and let's join together to keep America's roadways safe.

Are You Ready to be your car's Co-Pilot?

Here's the most recent cover of Wired Magazine. As is usually the case I couldn't wait to read and find the answers to the questions that the cover story posed.

How ready are you to step into your car and leave the driving to the 'machine'. It's all a natural step in the evolution of personal transportation. Consider for a moment just how much of what your vehicle does for you today. From ABS..to auto-dimming mirrors...to backup sensors...GPS...Drive-by-wire technology.

Keep an eye on this evolution, it's already appearing in the mainstream media. And share your thoughts when you get a minute.

How Many Miles are on Your Honda Car or Truck?

There are memories behind every mile in a Honda, and we’d love to hear yours. If your odometer has reached a notable milestone, this is the place to share your journey with others who have done the same. Congratulations—not every Honda travels 100,000 miles and beyond. The stories here don’t represent the average expectancy of every Honda. Everyone’s experience is different based on vehicle, driving manner and conditions.