Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Nine Fuel Efficient Cars That Will Save You Money

Nine Fuel Efficient Cars That Will Save You Money
by Charles_Johnson

If you're in the market for a new car, you probably know what to look for at the dealership. How many airbags does it have? What's the car's crash test rating? But do you ever stop to check the vehicle's fuel efficiency rating? It's time to start looking! With gas prices at an all-time high, buying a car with good fuel economy is going to become even more important. After all, you're already spending enough on the car - why drive off in a vehicle that will cost you hundreds of dollars a week in gas?

Here's a list of some of the most fuel efficient cars on the road today:

1) The Ford Focus gets 24 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. And although most of the other cars you'll see here are imports, the Focus does an admirable job of showing just how fuel-efficient a domestic car can be (although, yes, it was designed by the company's European division).

2) The Honda Fit gets an average of 33 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. It's just one of several "mini-cars" that has come to the US in the past year. This one provides more than just good gas mileage though - it's also highly ranked for its interior space.

3) The Honda Civic gets 30 mpg in the city and close to 38 mpg on the highway. With a fuel efficiency approaching the 40 mpg mark, this car performs better than any other automatic transmission, non-hybrid car currently on the market. It's also a consumer favorite for its interior room, reliability and many additional safety features.

4) The MINI Cooper gets 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Produced by BMW, the MINI Cooper is known as a fun car to drive and has an impressively large amount of interior space. And reaching an average of 40 mpg, you'll save money every time you hit the pumps.

5) The Nissan Altima currently drives 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. This fuel-efficient vehicle packs a large 2.5 liter engine and 180 pounds-per-foot of torque - that's quite a bit of power for a car with this kind of fuel efficiency! It's perfect for those who want fuel economy in a mid-size car, without giving up powerful driving capabilities.

6) The Nissan Sentra gets almost 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. What makes this an impressive car is that you get great fuel economy in a car that offers continuously-variable automatic transmission. Unbelievably, the car gets better gas mileage than even a manual transmission. And you won't trade fashion for function - the Nissan Sentra is a beautiful car to look at!

7) The Toyota Camry - a classic fuel efficient car - gets 43 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. It's one of only two cars on our list that gets better fuel economy in the city. And at 43 mpg, it's hard to beat if you drive locally most of the time. It's got a large 2.4 liter engine and standard tires - plus there's plenty of interior space for all your friends.

8) The Toyota Corolla is another great car that gets 32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. This car always ranks well with Consumer Reports because of its outstanding fuel efficiency, safety features and reliability. The Toyotas are well know for retaining their value over time, so buying this car is an investment that will pay off for years to come.

9) The Toyota Prius is the crowning achievement in gas mileage, getting an unbelievable 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. Of course you'll get better gas mileage in a hybrid, but the Prius is really at the top of the pack. Don't worry about losing power with a gas-electric combination engine - the technology is constantly improving to give you great performance that's comparable with any regular sedan on the road. Just act now - you may have to spend some time on a waiting list for one of these cars.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Johnson

Gymnastics Fitness Programs For Kids

Gymnastics Fitness Programs For Kids

The YMCA is one place for kids to find many different fitness programs. When people think about fitness, they think about exercise such as running, jogging, and even swimming. What most people do not even consider is a fitness program like gymnastics. Gymnastics is very popular, and kids can start as early as six months old. Some people think that this type of fitness program is for girls only, but it is open for anyone. Some of the top athletes have had gymnastics as a kid or adult. It keeps the body limber and strong and promotes healthy bones.

Five Years and Younger Gymnastics


There are four groups to gymnastics when you are five years old and younger. There is a Parent n' Tot program for six months to 2 years old, Tumble Tots for three year olds, Tumble Tricks for four year olds, and Tumble Twisters for five year olds. This type of fitness program for kids starts out when they are young, and can continue until adulthood if they really enjoy what they are doing.

As a child turns six months old, they can easily start learning the fundamentals of gymnastics. This early class is more about fun than it is anything else. As they grow and advance into the different classes, they start learning tumbling and other mat activities.

Girls and Boys Six Years or Older Gymnastics

There is a six year old or older class for girls and one for boys in most locations. This fitness program is for those that have had some prior gymnastics or who are just starting out. Kids in these groups start learning how to do more moves on the mats, and then on the balancing beams. These classes will keep going until the child enters into the invitation only programs if they have successfully accomplished their routines.

Boys and girls will be in different programs as they learn different moves on the beams, mats, and other gym equipment at this stage.

Invitation Only Gymnastics

The invitation only gymnastics are for kids that have excelled in prior years at gymnastics, and want to continue their learning for more serious competitions. These two groups are called the hotshots and the starbursts. By this time, the fitness program becomes more of a challenge with hours of work and dedication.

Many kids keep completing in gymnastics far into early adulthood or they move into dance in school. Both programs offer fitness and help keep the body healthy.

If your children need something healthy to do or they need some type of fitness programs to keep them active, gymnastics is just one of the programs they can participate in and maybe even enjoy into adulthood. It is a program that will keep them limber and it helps to build strong bones and muscles.

During the fitness program, kids will need to eat properly and have a daily intake of protein and other healthy foods. Not only does the YMCA offer these programs, but also many cities have other fitness centers that can offer gymnastics for kids.


By: Dave OSullivan
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