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C4 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 15, 2000 B e s t W h e e l s O a k v i l l e Insight owners will be strangers at the gas pumps (Continued from page C1) power-augmenting item is so thin and weighs so little (10 kilograms) that it fits neatly between its gasoline-fired mate and the transmission. Both engines simultane ously work to drive the front wheels and power the various on-board accessories. Since the electric motor is recharged each time the brakes are applied, it never requires an outside charge. Very cool. The Insight's IM A system includes an idle-stop feature that shuts off the threebanger whenever the car is stopped, and the standard-issue five-speed manual transmission (no automatic is offered) is in neutral. With the car in gear and the clutch engaged, the engine restarts just like the power cart at your favourite golf links. The Insight's sporty two-seater body is made of aluminum, making it 45% lighter than more commonly-used steel struc tures. Visually, the car resembles the late, lamented Honda CRX from several angles. Viewed from the side, however, the integrated fender skirts take some getting used to. The front suspension pieces are constructed of forged-aluminum, and the engine mounts, front brake calipers, rear brake drums and wheel castings also employ this material. The result of all this Tomorrowland technology is an'astounding fuel economy rating. Honda has yet to release Canadian fuel consumption figures as the Insight is not due out until later in the spring, but extrapolating from U.S. mileage figures indicates that more than 80 miles per gal lon -- perhaps as much as 90 -- is possi ble on the highway (about 3.5 litres/100 km). All of the planned first-year North American production of 4,000 Insights are equipped with a wide choice of features, including power windows, door locks and mirrors, keyless remote entry, rear window wiper, AM/FM/cassette audio system, fuel mileage computer and a fresh air filtration system. In fact, the only factory option avail able is automatic climate control. The best part about the Insight is that Honda has kept the price as reasonable as possible. The premium you will pay, how ever, will buy a measure of exclusivity, not to mention the ability to drive past gas sta tions for days -- perhaps weeks -- between fillups. Frontier Crew Cab turns heads (C onfd from pg. C1) coloured locking bed cover and, a close second, alloy door steps that come straight from the new Xterra spoit ute. In fact, the Crew Cab Frontier was a dead ringer for an identi cally coloured and outfitted Xterra, with the exception of the truck bed. The new fourdoor Crew Cab configuration offers dramatic improvement over the King Cab mod els with their little side-facing jum p seats. However, it's still more like a coupe back there and as such is still best suited for short hops. In case you were wondering, engine choices for the Crew Cab are simple. There aren't any. To tell you the truth, we don't think you'd want the regularcab's 143-horsepower 2.4-liter four banger under the hood, especial ly if you have four people on board, their luggage and a boat in tow. In that respect, Nissan was wise to offer only the 3.3 and the automatic trans mission. The Crew Cab can be had in either two- or four-wheel drive in XE or SE trim. The 2x4 SE test vehicle was decked out with most whistles and bells, which make it as good at cruisin' as it is at truckin'. Chunky tires and large sixbolt alloy wheels rounded out the package. Was the Frontier able to convert a car guy? Let's just say that if a certain Banana Yellow Frontier drove past me on the street, I'd prob ably smile and holler `cool truck, p a l. . . cool yellow truck!' LA-. x FUEL ' L , F\\ ' · ,F Ml Jetta G L If you haven't been hom e to Honda for a while, here's an excellent reason to visit. It's the Honda Comprehensive Spring Check-Up...a complete multi-point inspection, plus oil and filter change for just $58.88. All performed by our expert technicians using Genuine Honda parts. That's a small price for a lot of assurance. So don't open your hood to strangers. Bring It Home To Honda now. This diesel's a gas to drive. 4.41/ The Volkswagen Jetta TDI. At I 1 42 km per tankful*, these fun driving, German engineered gazelles can get you | to the end of the Earth and back again without any of the noise, smell or smoke you might expect from a diesel.The Volkswagen Jetta TDI, starting at $23,1 00. Tough to beat when you've got a lot of driving to do. HONDA'S COMPREHENSIVE SPRING CHECK-UP INCLUDES: Oil and filter change. Check for fluid leaks. 3 Battery load/charging test 2 Coolant level and boiling point 2 Pressure test cooling system, inspect related hoses and clamps Inspect all brakes for wear % and condition Inspect brake calipers, wheel cylinders and parking brake Inspect tire wear and pressure Tire rotation 0 Inspect transmission fluid level, power steering fluid level (if applicable), brake fluid level, clutch fluid level (if applicable) Inspect drive belt condition (excludes timing belt) 0 3 0 (2 Inspect distributor cap, rotor and wires Inspect windshield wipers, washer jets and blades Washer fluid top-up Inspect exhaust system Inspect springs and shock absorbers Inspect all lights and bulbs Inspect and lubricate door locks, latches, handles 100km 12 12 0 (3 D rivers w a n te d '(y M /) Don't open your hood to strangers 2000 model year. ` Transport C anada estimated mileage: 4 .4 1 /1 0 0 km. highway, 5 .6 /1 0 0 km. city for Jetta TD I. Your mileage may vary. Base M SR P excluding shipping, taxes, title, license, other options and dealer charges. 0 BRING IT HOME TO R H O N D A 'A p p lica b le to all H o n d a vehicles only. O ffer e n d s Ju n e 30, 2 0 0 0 Oakville Volkswagen - q! OAKVILLE ( HHONDA 191WYECROFT RD. OAKVILLE assssG g Q S HONDA HIT l i l t IU S T Off T H EO O R V A l HIT fROM0(W! 557 Kerr Street, Oakville (905) 844-3285 © 1999 Volkswagen. 1-800 D R IV E V W or W W W .V W .C O M J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. Study based on 8 7 ,6 3 9 U .S. ___________________________com sum er responses, ww w.jdpow er.com ________ i - 9 0 5 -8 4 4 -9 8 3 1 Tw urunv. o a k irille h o n d rt. corn w,«»>."' __ grnwotffr H i \# H e lp ttouti I fit! ? * 's*®5 fepifct . i-W S Bet S ' V to ' tes f3ft 1 * 5* W anted T o D e liv e r T h e O a k v ille B e a v e r P o o r to D o o r (G o o d e x e r c i s e w h ile y o u e c m e x t r a m o n e y ) tH E O S 0 W S S * -- -- -- Z t* a* ftj- &» * D o n 't d r in k - - DM toif ;W ·-- y jfto vow, M t*! Average route size is -4 0 Houses D e live ry: Wednesday and Friday to finish by 6)om D e live ry: Weekend to -finish by "100110 Sunday Ik - a jf jnitv* · jJfoyraBB.a.'- Papers Delivered to your house Wednesday, Friday 9- Saturday by 3 p r> o /? / i n t e r e s t e d P le a s e c a ll 'Hik H I V '* -X" Do c h in k and ? « :; a lfc p iS ^ WER Entertainm ent NEWS & SPORTS Three Times a Week