An edition of The Bulletin • April 28, 2012

VROOOMSPRING 2012 VEHICLES GUIDE

NEW CARS YOU’LL WANTTO TAKE OUT FOR A SPIN

CAR CAREGET THE MOSTOUT OF YOURINVESTMENT

FUELEFFICIENCYSMARTERDRIVING HABITS

CONVERTIBLES • MOTORCYCLES • RVs • TRUCKS

CONTACT USPhone: 860.887.9211 Fax: 860.887.1949

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CUSTOMER SERVICEcustomerservice@norwichbulletin.com

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Rides is created annually byGateHouse Media Inc.,The Bulletin’sparent company, and is distributedwith various GateHouse papers acrossthe country. Reproduction in whole orin part without prior written permissionis strictly prohibited. Opinionsexpressed in the publication are thoseof the authors and do not necessarilyrepresent those of the managementof the publication.

©2012 GATEHOUSE MEDIAALL RIGHTS RESERVED

By DANIELLE BRAFFGateHouse News Service

Take a ride with the top down, grab abike or hop onto a boat. Time to getmoving: Spring has finally sprung.

Hit the road with new wheelsSPRING 2012 RECREATIONAL GUIDE

Spin As fuel prices rise, more people areturning to their exercise-friendly,environment-loving vehicles: bikes.Bike sales rose nearly 15 percentfrom 2009 to 2010, generating awhopping $6 billion in the sales ofbikes in 2010 — which includes thebikes, related parts and accessories,according to the National BicycleDealers Association.

Move into an RVSpend your spring and summerexploring America in a camper.Travel trailers are the least expensive option, ranging from$9,000 to $70,000, according to RV America. But motorhomescan go all the way up to$900,000 for a custom highlighter Class A coach.

Buying a boatIt’s something that most people

dream about, but it’s also become areality for many. According to theNational Marine Manufacturer’s Association, sales of new and usedrecreational boats and new outboardengines were $2.8 billion in 2011,which was a 21 percent drop compared with sales in 2010.However, Thom Dammrich,president of the NMMA, toldCNBC in January that he proj-ects a rise in new boat sales of 5percent.

Motorcycle helmets Here’s another reason not tohop on your motorcycle withouta helmet: The National HighwayTraffic Safety Association foundthat 1,829 people’s lives weresaved in 2009 because theycrashed while wearing a helmet.They estimated that an addi-tional 800 lives could have beensaved had everyone who

crashed worna helmet.

WIKIMEDIA PHOTO MORGUEFILE PHOTO

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AMERICAN CARSAMERICAN CARS

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AUTOMOTIVE REVIEW

BY SILVIO CALABI | GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

T he farther north one travels in New England, themore Subarus there are. In fact, along with pick-up trucks, mommy minivans and senior-citizen

Buicks, the Subaru wagon is a staple, especially in pea-soup green. And why not? Subies are practical, thrifty,long-lived, go-anywhere, low-maintenance vehicles; if atfirst they’re sometimes easy to overlok, the longer weknow them, the more they impress. Does this not alsodescribe the natives of, say, Maine, New Hampshire andVermont?

Just like those Yankees who pack their children off(sometimes as far away as Boston or New York) for agood education, Subaru has steadily toned up its models,especially the Legacy and the Outback. Horsepower, dig-ital connectivity, plush decorating, and new safety anddriver-assist technologies—it’s all there. Or at least avail-able. Still, every model, no matter how gussied-up, hasall-wheel drive and none is what you might call low-slung. Up north, the weeks between winter and summeraren’t spring, they’re mud season.

Now, for 2012, Subaru has given its least expensive car,the Impreza, a good going-over as well. Some of the im-provements are subtle. The seats have been raised a bit,the dashboard lowered a bit, the base of the windshieldmoved forward quite a lot. The result, though, is no-table: No more sitting in a bathtub. Outward visibilityseems much improved, and the driver feels more in con-trol. The cabin is light and airy, and the materials andfittings have been upgraded appropriately. Old Subie

seats had flat bottoms and only adjusted fore and aft.These are nicely contoured and supportive, and can beraised or lowered. On this two-steps-up Limited mod-el, they’re even leather-covered and heated.

The cheapest Impreza has a sticker price of $17,495plus $750 for delivery. This one cost $22,645, to whichhas been added $2,069 for a power sunroof, a navigationsystem and all-weather floor mats. The only things onthe center stack besides a storage cubby are three knobsfor heating and air-conditioning and a small screen forthe satnav and radio. The simplicity may leave you won-dering what Subaru has skimped on, but really, it’s allthere. Cruise-control and radio switches are in the steer-ing wheel. There’s an iPod plug and Bluetooth audio. Ittook me a while to find the two-stage seat-heater switch-es because they’re between the front seats and I’d cov-ered them up by sliding the console cover-armrest for-ward. The nav system is easy to use and the controls arejust sensitive enough. It isn’t a long, or distracting anddangerous, reach to the touch-screen, either. You can gettext messages on it, too.

The most interesting thing about this Impreza is its new2.0-liter engine. It’s still a compact, flat four-cylinder,but it’s half a liter smaller and 22 horsepower (and 25lbs-ft of torque) less powerful than last year’s. That’squite a lot, and you’d think the car would suffer. But it’slost weight, too. The Impreza barely weighs 3,000pounds, which is unusual these days. There’s more thanenough acceleration. Add responsive steering and strongbrakes plus four-wheel independent suspension, and wehave a comfortable AWD sedan that seats four and is

more agile than some small FWD cars. In addition, thefuel economy has improved. With the optional continu-ously variable transmission (with paddle shifters, noless), the Impreza is now rated for 27 miles per gallon incity driving and 36 MPG on the highway. The Imprezamust be one of the least-expensive, most fuel-efficientAWD cars available, but it certainly doesn’t feel like abottom-feeder.

Overall, the Impreza gives off a strong whiff of sanityand reason. It’s as though Subaru really thought abouthow to make its car genuinely better instead of bigger,heavier, faster, glossier. The Impreza recently won theNew England Motor Press Association’s Yankee ValueAward for 2012. No surprise.

Silvio Calabi reviews the latest from Detroit, Munich,Yokohama, Gothenburg, Crewe, Seoul and wherever elseinteresting cars are born. Silvio is a member of IMPA,the International Motor Press Association, whose auto-motive reviews date back to the Reagan administration.He is the former publisher of Speedway Illustrated mag-azine and an author. Contact him at calabi.silvio@gmail.com, silvio.calabi@nempa.org or 207-592-2619.

2012 Subaru Impreza: Less is More

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CONVERTIBLES

There's something about the convertible that continues to capture the passion of car lovers. Jack Nerad, executive editorial director at auto publisher

Kelley Blue Book, sums it up like this: "The sheer excitement of open-air motoring is something that appeals to a certain type of driver. It's a different

way to drive. Not everyone does it. There is so much positive imagery of driving with the top down and with the wind in your face. It resonates with a

lot of people." ?The good news for convertible enthusiasts is that 2012 and 2013 will see the debut of several new convertibles that have already caused some

excitement in the national automotive press. Nerad and Ed Hellwig, editor at auto news site Edmunds.com, are most excited about these models:

IS A CONVERTIBLERIGHT FOR YOU?Convertibles are supposed to be fun, ofcourse. But Hellwig says consumers needto be certain they're willing to trade in thefunctionality of a traditional car for theexcitement of a convertible. They do, afterall, come with notoriously limited storagespace.

But if it's the fun of driving you're after,these new models might be perfect foryou.

"It's a completely different driving experi-ence," Hellwig said. "Not just do you seemore, but you can smell more, you can feelthe temperature better. There is more sen-sory input. It's incredible how much theexperience is different when you don'thave an entire roof over your head."

FUN IN STORE FORCONVERTIBLE LOVERSGO TOPLESS

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible Thismight be the perfect convertible for thosemotorists who think driving should be all aboutfun.Nerad says that this version of Chevy's ZL1 ranksas its most powerful convertible ever. That'sthanks to the car's higher horsepower and bettersuspension. "It's nearly Corvette-like in terms ofits performance," Nerad says

2012 Fiat 500 C Convertible Nerad points tothis convertible as a good choice for consumerslooking for the convertible experience at anaffordable price. The car has a sharp design andboasts an impressive-sounding stereo, perfect foropen-air driving. "This doesn't look like a tradi-tional convertible," Nerad said. "Factor in that it isboth inexpensive and fun to drive, and this looksto be a popular model." The Fiat 500 C retails forabout $20,000.

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Roadster Convertible For those willing to spend a bit more— imagine a price tag of more than $90,000 —there's the latest convertible by Mercedes. Like allMercedes vehicles, this car is luxurious, boastinga retractable hard top, powerful V-8 engine,impressive safety features and every bit of tech-nology that you'd expect in a Mercedes. "The hardtop gives this car the best of both worlds," Hellwigsaid. "It's a coupe when you want it to be and afull convertible when you're looking for that expe-rience. And to a lot of people, the Mercedes SLSRoadster remains one of the cars they think aboutfirst when they think of a luxurious convertible."

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible This carhasn't even been officially previewed, but Hellwigis eagerly awaiting its entry in the market. Thiscar, too, fits in the affordable range, with a pricetag that will range from $20,000 to $30,000. Thefact that it's a Beetle, a car that U.S. drivers stilllove, adds some allure to this particular convert-ible, Hellwig said. "The Beetle is certainly an icon-ic car. Add the convertible aspect to it, and youjust have a fun car," Hellwig said. "It's like the ulti-mate summer convertible."

2012 Mini Cooper Roadster Convertible Bothpointed to this car as one of the more excitingopen-air models to hit the market in 2012. Thisconvertible makes a bit of history by becomingMini's first two-seat convertible. Instead of rearseats, this model offers a shelf perfect for holdingsmall items. "This car is perfect for the buyerlooking for the true convertible-driving experi-ence," Hellwig said. "Because it is small, driverswill have to give up some practicality for a morecompact style. But, this car certainly has a nicestyle to it."The car is also affordable, with a price tag in thelow $20,000s to the low $30,000s.

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BY DAN RAFTER | GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

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FUEL EFFICIENCY

BY MOLLY LOGAN ANDERSONGateHouse News Service

There’s no doubt that gas pricesare on the rise. Conserve a bit

with our suggestedmethods and reap bigsavings at the pump

over time.

Easy, riderWant to save on gas? Try smarter driving habits

STOCK.XCHNG PHOTOS

Drive smartHow you drive can largely affect onhow fast a tank of gas is used, Fullersays. “The way that you acceleratefrom a stop makes a big difference;don’t hit the gas hard,” he says. “Also,starting your car takes a lot of gas.The more often you do it, the moregas you’ll use.” Try accelerating slow-ly, and plan for infrequent starts andstops whenever possible.

Maintenance is key“The best thing you can do for yourgas mileage is to keep your car in topworking order,” says Fuller, who saysmany people will continue to drivewith illuminated warning lights, suchas the “check engine” indicator. “Thisis a sign that something is wrong andyou’re likely burning more gas thannecessary.” The check-engine light,as well as other warnings, can refer toan array of maintenance issues andshould be attended to as soon as possible.

Shop before you spendTake a moment to search your ZIPcode at www.gasbuddy.com to locatethe best fuel deal nearby. You’ll besurprised — prices can vary as muchas 20 cents a gallon in a two-mileradius. For a 20-gallon tank, a fewclicks can result in a $4 savings. Forfolks who fill up once a week, that’s$208 saved over a year.

Constant speeds saveFuller says that highway driving iseasiest on a vehicle, and your car willreward you with less consumed gaswhen you do it. “Around-town drivingis tough; there’s not much you cando,” Fuller says. “You’re always goingto burn more gas this way.”

SPEEDLIMIT

55Consider engine sizeMechanic Ethan Fuller of Fuller’sService Center in Hinsdale, Ill., a sub-urb of Chicago, suggests consideringengine size when you’re looking tosave on gas. “Small engines burn lessgas,” says Fuller. “But keep in mindthere’s no magic trick that’s going tohelp you save. It’s mostly commonsense.” If you’re in the market for anew vehicle but are concerned aboutfuel use and expense, opt for a smallerengine.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOE GRECO/GHNS

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Examples are based on MSRP and include destination freight charge. Your payments may vary.See dealer for complete leasing details. All payments are plus title, tax, re. and dealer doc. fee.Ally Bank must approve lease. Must take delivery by 4/30/12.

860.889.3333774 W. Thames St., Rte. 32, Norwich, CT

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MAINTENANCE

BY ARA CONTENT

By doing the little things to maintain your car on a day-to-day basis, you can do everything in your power tomake your car last long past the day you make your fi-nal payment on that car loan.

"Time and miles are the two forces fighting to destroy everycar," says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president ofRockAuto.com. "Giving the car an occasional wash and wax isnice but really not as important as regular maintenance. Drivingand maintaining your car as if it needs to last for at least200,000 miles or 20 years is a smart way to preserve the valueof an expensive asset."

Car careGET THE MOST OUTOF YOUR INVESTMENT

STORAGEIf you have a garage, make it your car's permanenthome. Reserving a garage space for your car insteadof household items that could be stored elsewhere willhelp you avoid the accelerated wear and tear causedby prolonged exposure to the elements. If you storeyour car in a partially protected carport or use a carcover, regularly inspect underneath your hood forsigns of vermin. "I recently needed to replace a fuelinjector connector that a rat gnawed off our 20-year-old family van after it was left unattended in a carportfor just a few days," says Taylor. "Rats and mice like anice warm engine bay, and they chew constantly towear down their ever-growing teeth."

DRIVE LESS You don't need to cut out the annual family road trip— highway miles are among the easiest miles you canput on your car. But eliminating unnecessary trips ineveryday life can have noticeable results because thestarting and stopping associated with short trips canbe tough on your car. Take care of all your errands inone trip, walk with your kids to school if it's close tohome or ride the bus to and from work. If you can cutdown on driving by five miles per day for 10 years,you'll save 18,000 miles of driving. Taylor estimatesthat those miles are worth $4,000 in parts, deprecia-tion and gas. Not only will you save money, but you'llput less stress on your vehicle, which should extendits lifespan.

DRIVE SMARTOccasionally kicking up your heels is fine, but consis-tently accelerating too fast can put unnecessary strainon your engine and other moving parts. Stopping orcornering too quickly can prematurely wear out yourbrakes and suspension. If you're starting your car inthe cold, take it easy at first — letting your car idlewon't help protect your car, but driving a little moremethodically than usual while your car warms up will.

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCEYour car's maintenance, engine oil, radiator antifreezeand other components might differ significantly fromyour last car. Following the maintenance schedule laidout in your owner's manual is important to protectyour vehicle. Making sure items like filters, struts andbrake pads are replaced when needed will help pro-tect other components, saving you money and unnec-essary wear.

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TRUCKS

BY ERINN HUTKIN GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

Since the start of the recession, trucksales have slumped. The poor econ-omy — coupled with some highsummer gas prices — led many

people who bought trucks just for fun tolook elsewhere, often to more fuel-efficientvehicles.

According to Bill Visnic, an analyst andsenior editor at Edmunds.com, an automo-tive information website based in SantaMonica, Calif., one way automakers mightlure personal-use buyers back is by makingtrucks that are more fuel-efficient.

“It's going to be a never-ending sort ofpriority to keep optimizing fuel economy,”he said.

In the coming months, as automakers un-veil 2013 truck models, many will likely fea-ture downsized engines and transmissionsthat promote fuel efficiency. In addition tomeeting the demands of the market, Visnicsaid, federal fuel economy mandates arecoming in 2016. He said the governmentis working toward a target of 35 milesper gallon.

Here are a few changes taking place whenit comes to trucks.

For the 2012 model year, Visnic said, Chrysler offered its lineof heavy-duty pickups with six-speed automatic transmissions.The engine can be found in the Ram 2500 and 3500 HD mod-els. In the past, the Ram was sold with a five-speed engine,but Visnic said the move contributes to improved fuel efficien-cy: “To go from a five-speed automatic transmission to six-speed ... is enough to make fairly meaningful changes.”For example, he said, it can mean the difference betweengetting 21 miles per gallon instead of 18.

For 2012 Ram 2500 (pictured) and 3500 HD models,Chrysler changed the transmission to a six-speed.

The Ford F-150 switched from a V-8 to asix-cylinder engine last year, and powerdidn't suffer with the change.

Last year, Ford released its F-150 truck with aturbo-charged, six-cylinder engine instead ofa V-8. The change, Visnic said, was a big movefor Ford. From 2004 until the downsizedengine was introduced in 2011, the automakeronly used the larger V-8. The switch to themore fuel-efficient engine, Visnic said, is “verymuch a nod to what's going on in the market.”Mike Levine, Ford's truck communicationsmanager, said the downsized, direct-injection,turbocharged engines provide the power of aV-8 with V-6 fuel economy. It’s rated to tow upto 11,300 pounds, he said, more than compet-itive V-8s, and is rated up to 22 miles per gal-lon. He said Ford sold more than 109,000 F-150s with the downsized engines in2011— the first year of production.

In 2013, GM will debut a new generation of trucks — such as the updated Chevrolet Silverado — featuring a new Gen V engine family. Tom Wilkinson, a

Chevrolet spokesman, said the trucks will be more capable and more efficient thanthe current generation. Visnic said the automaker is being “very tight-lipped”

about the changes, but he suspects the new models will also address weightto contribute to more fuel efficiency. However, Wilkinson said while there'sbeen “a lot of noise around 'more efficient' pickups” since the recession,most full-size trucks are bought to tow and haul, so function can't be sacri-

ficed. As a result, he said, efficiency gains are incremental and can't comeat capability's expense. Still, he said, while Ford caught up to GM with itsturbocharged V-6 engines, “we expect our next engine family to put usback in the lead.”

DODGE RAM PHOTO

WHAT’S NEW IN

PICKUPSTruck makers up fuel efficiencywithout sacrificing function

CHEVROLETPHOTO

Chevrolet will update theSilverado for 2013 (picturedis a 2012 model), butspecifics are unknownat this time.

FORD PHOTO

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BUYING USED

WHAT TO LOOKFOR IN A USED CAR

BE ASMARTBUYER

Here are the top items youshould inspect when buying a used car:

1Look for paint and body repair.Evidence of bodywork could

mean the car has been in an acci-dent.

2 Check for fluid leaks. Any leak-ing fluid, from oil to windshield

washer, could mean the car needsa costly repair.

3Look at the engine. Does itsound smooth or rough? Does it

smoke excessively?

4 Evaluate the overall wear andtear on all parts of the vehicle.

Is the wear commensurate with theage and mileage on the vehicle?

5 Has the car been driven bysomeone who smoked in it?

Transported pets or small childrenin it? All those things can leaveodors behind in the vehicle —smells you might have to live withor go to great lengths to eliminateas the new owner.

6 What was the primary use ofthe vehicle, and are most of its

miles highway or local driving?

7 Are all accessories in workingorder? A sunroof is great ...

unless the motor to open it doesn'twork.

8 How is the drivability? Do thebrakes squeak? Does some-

thing in the passenger cabin rattle?Does the steering vibrate?

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