What Not

H/T Autoblog
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Apparently, ABC news had already done a report on the situation, showing that floormats are not the real problem. Take a look at the following AOL video which explains how the problem also affects Lexus cars.

H/T Jim Vanek
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If you haven’t heard, Volvo is offering incentives for switching over to a new Volvo from Toyota or Lexus.

The media has been reporting that certain Toyota vehicles have had problems with the accelerator sticking to the floor causing certain Toyota built vehicles to drive forward without the driver’s intention! Just recently a woman experienced this and drove through a laundromat’s front windows! As a result of the problem, Toyota offered a recall on almost two million vehicles.

2005-10 Toyota Avalon

2007-10 Toyota Camry

2009-10 Toyota Corolla

2010 Toyota Highlander

2009-10 Toyota Matrix

2009-10 Toyota RAV4

2008-10 Toyota Sequoia

2007-10 Toyota Tundra

But do you really want to take the chance?

Why not trade in your Toyota or Lexus and get into a new Volvo? Volvo recently announced that it will extend it’s loyalty incentives to all Lexus and Toyota owners (SAAB and Volvo owners, too). That means that you can take advantage of up to $1000 off a new Volvo. If you currently have a Toyota, Lexus, SAAB, or Volvo vehicle, take advantage of Volvo’s generosity and reputation for producing one of the safest, most reliable vehicles available today!

We’re here to help you!

Leikin Volvo
38750 Mentor Avenue
Willoughby, Ohio 44094
(440) 946-6900

I was walking through the Mercedes garage today and passed a 2005 SL65 AMG. It’s a small two seater with a V12 in it. Seeing the car made me curious, so I looked up the specs on the internet. Compared to the 295 hp XJ-S V12 I had, this one is slightly more powerful:

• Twin turbocharged 6.0 liter V12 engine
• Power : 604 bhp / 451 kW
• Torque : 738 lb•ft / 1000 Nm
• Top Speed : 155 mph (electronically limited)
• 0-100 km/h : 4.2 s
• US$190,539

Yikes!

Is it really so difficult to pull over for a minute?

I remember working for a courier company which sent texts to my phone regarding the next pick up or drop off. It certainly was easier to read it while I was driving — especially when on the open road with few other cars around. But when you think of the recent deaths caused by truck drivers who were texting, it puts everything into better perspective. Safety is much more important than finishing a job a few minutes earlier.

Pull over. We’ll all feel better.

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I also heard from Pete Japiske of the ODE’s Pupil Transportation Office. He noted that another tragedy took place when a vehicle ran the red flashing lights of a bus.

Tragedy has again occurred within our transportation community. On Thursday, January 21, a high school student in Northwest Ohio was struck and killed by a passing motorist as she crossed the street to board her school bus. The bus was stopped, red lights flashing, and stop sign deployed. While the details of this case will most certainly continue to investigated, and undoubtedly will be reported and debated for years to come, it is again a case where we are reminded of the challenges in our profession. With all of the processes that we follow-including route planning, student stop assignment, student safety training, driver safety training, public awareness campaigns, and all of the vehicular equipment we use, including flashing red lights and stop signs, the inescapable fact remains that not everything is within our control.

He proposed several good ideas about transportation safety that should be considered by all drivers:

1. “The next time you report to work, complete your vehicle pretrip and then pause and take a moment to collect your thoughts, focus your energy and attention, and prepare to devote your best concentration on both operating your vehicle defensively and watching over your children.”

2. “Consider every vehicle on the roadway a potential risk – continually use the ‘what if … ‘ tactic of evaluating potential risks. Never assume that another motorist around your bus will do what they are supposed to, or that they see your big yellow bus and all of its flashing lights.”

3. “Follow the guidance of Ohio law with regard to turning in motorists who violate your school bus red lights. While your attention is most certainly focused on the children outside the bus, have bus helpers support you in obtaining license numbers and vehicle descriptions of motorists who choose not to stop for a stopped school bus, as required by law. This means that you should report these motorists.”

As a former bus driver, I have had vehicles run my lights and later complain about me turning them in. But when you consider the possibility of injury or even death of those under your care, it’s vitally important that drivers be held accountable for their actions. In the end, let’s all drive carefully for the safety of all!

SaabsUnited.com mentioned this car back in November of 2009.  At the time, “COYS Auctions [was] having a ‘True Great’ auction and one of the cars on the block [was] a 2005 Koenigsegg CCR, which is estimated to go for £175,000-250,000.”

The 2005 model had a whopping 806 hp, and could achieve 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.  That would be quite the experience … but I’m afraid it would achieve speeding tickets left and right as well. Nice wheels … nice price … unbelievable performance.

After all the waiting and picketing and the many worldwide convoys, it happened. GM and Spyker signed a binding agreement today for the sale of SAAB. I’d normally write more, but I’m still sick today. So I’ll let you read what happened. Happy happy.

I’m home sick today—nasty head cold. But when Jefferson came home from school, I helped him finish the Jaguar XJ-S pine derby car for tomorrow’s weigh-in. I told him he should sell advertising spots to Leikin Motor Companies, but he didn’t want to. Instead, he chose to advertize the Christian adventure books he’s reading. In any event, Jefferson and I are happy with how the car turned out. The only thing it’s missing is the chrome jaguar for the hood!

Thanks to Corvette Bob and Grandpa for help shaping the wood.