Best Cars for the Money

The numbers don't look good. November car sales were down 30 percent from last year. While shoppers are used to doom and gloom sales numbers coming out of Detroit, the declines are now industry-wide, with Honda posting a 32 percent decline, Toyota sales dropping 34 percent, and even venerable Porsche reporting a nearly 50 percent drop in sales.

While these numbers obviously spell trouble for automakers, what they mean for car shoppers isn't immediately clear. The credit crisis has continued for months and with belt-tightening becoming the new American pastime, car shoppers are finding themselves adrift in a sea of bad industry news, rising new car incentives, and little advice for consumers.


That's where this year's U.S. News Best Car for the Money awards come in. Car shoppers face an uncertain economy and a shrinking ability to borrow. The key to surviving the current marketplace is to stretch your dollars as far as they'll go -- but that doesn't mean flocking to the biggest incentives. It means focusing on cars that are proven winners and offer a great value over the entire life of the car.


The Awards

The Best Car for the Money awards use data from U.S. News' online automotive rankings (at www.rankingsandreviews.com) to find cars that are among the best in their class. The rankings are based on the collective opinion of the automotive press, which helps to eliminate subjectivity and elevate expert opinion about each car. The awards also take initial price into account, but more importantly, they incorporate the five-year total cost of owning the car. Using data from IntelliChoice, an industry leader in determining new car values and ownership costs, the awards include how much buyers can expect to spend on maintenance and fuel, as well as how much of a hit they'll take from the car's depreciation. As a result, the awards tell you which cars are the best for your money over the long haul. Read more on the awards methodology.

The Winners

Across 14 new car classes, the clear winner is Toyota. Five Toyotas won Best Car for the Money in their classes, with Lexus, Toyota's luxury marquee, pulling in another three. Chevrolet and Mazda each claim two awards and Honda and Korean upstart Hyundai each claim one. Five of the award winners are even available as hybrids - most of which are also great values.

Despite ranging in size from the tiny Honda Fit to the hulking Chevrolet Tahoe, the winners have a lot in common. They share a high level of build quality that makes for worry-free and low-cost ownership. One of the reasons Toyota models take so many of the awards is because of their bulletproof quality. That not only lowers the cost of maintaining Toyotas -- it means that they retain value better than most other cars.

The winners have something else in common: they are favorites in the automotive press. Not because they tear up drag strips or star in music videos, but because they are extremely livable. Each winner occupies an automotive sweet spot that makes it an attractive choice for the vast majority of car shoppers. Take the Lexus ES, the Best Upscale Car for the Money: it doesn't drive as sharp as the BMW 3-Series and doesn't look as sharp as the Mercedes Benz C-Class, but taken as a total package, it's very comfortable to drive and easy to live with on a daily basis -- not to mention easier on your wallet.

Some winners, like the Mazda5, the Best Compact Crossover for the Money, take the best of what class leaders like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have to offer, but pack in an appealing lower price. The case of the Hyundai Elantra, the Best Compact Car for the Money, proves what many have been saying for years: Honda and Toyota should watch their backs because Hyundai is making not just economical cars, but very good ones.

Time to Buy

It's a confusing time to be shopping for a new car. While there are some incredible deals to be had, many of those incentives are for cars that don't offer a lot of value in the long term. Worse, a car with thousands of dollars in cash-back offers may be tough to drive, and laden with features you don't need.

The U.S. News Best Car for the Money awards cut through fog surrounding the auto industry to point out the cars that combine value with day-to-day livability. As scary as it is to part with thousands of dollars in this economy, by sticking with the cars that offer maximum satisfaction at a minimal cost, your money will go further and your driving will be happier. And, who knows? Happy new car buyers may be just the stimulus this economy needs.

Mushrooms that glow in the dark

No, you’re not hallucinating; you really are seeing bright green mushrooms, but if you are partial to the odd magic mushie, these images won’t faze you in the slightest.

These neon green mushrooms, or Mycena chlorophos, to use the technical term, emerge during the rainy season in Japanese and Brazilian forests, scattering the floor with glowing spores. The bases of tree trunks, fallen branches, leaf litter and moist soil provide perfect breeding grounds for the mushrooms.

Found mostly on Mesameyama island in Ugui, Japan and Ribeira Valley Tourist State Park, Brazil, the appearance of these garish looking fungi is due to bioluminescence, one of the weird but wonderful reactions that happen naturally in many plants and animals.

Bioluminescence occurs when the natural chemical energy produced within an organism is converted to light energy. The result is an amazing display of natural fluorescent light, or ‘cold light’ (as opposed to red hot light). The color of bioluminescence is normally at the blue/green end of the visible light spectrum.

Found mostly on Mesameyama island in Ugui, Japan and Ribeira Valley Tourist State Park, Brazil, the appearance of these garish looking fungi is due to bioluminescence, one of the weird but wonderful reactions that happen naturally in many plants and animals.

This organic light display can be seen in the late summer months, and although there are nightly visits to the forests in Japan, these rare shrooms only thrive where they are because they’ve been relatively undisturbed by humans. So, for now it’s probably best to enjoy them from the comfort of your own home, that way they’ll be around for a while longer. And, no, you can’t get high on them, although no doubt someone has tried!

Have u ever experience ur front car glass break?

I was in the car with my bro... was on the way to go to somewhere to eat in KL..
On the way... We think that let just eat at TGI friday at subang parade...
So, we u-turn and go back to USJ....
On the way back... Just b4 a toll..
The glass suddenly... *BOM (i oso dunno how to explain the sound)
We thought someone wit no work throw a rock to us....
But, we dont see any rock and dont see any people there....
Fortunately, the glass was double layer..
It does not break.. It make lines first...
I was sitting infront go back to the back seat..
For my safety scared if the glass broke and go in to my eyes..
Furthermore, i dont wear spectacles.. more dangerous...
My bro drive so slow... Scared if the wind blow the wind and causes it to break...
The place to my destination really far...
The glass make a sound.. every second got sound... sound like *creek...
And every sound will got a line on the glass....
After sometimes... The glass on the driver's became more worse...
It makes my bro hard to drive...
What i realize is, people that drive passing us, rarely see the car's glass was broke...
We really thank god because we back home safely...
My bro call mechanic and ask how much it will cost..
The mechanic monday onli know...
So, we go out eat 1st using another car...
At last wanna go to shah alam... Go to a place which is my teacher recommendation...
After go there... We really don know where the place.. So i call my teacher..
My teacher said it is not open at night...
So, we go to TGI Friday...
The next day...
My bro go to search to repair it as soon as possible..
becoz on 1 dec my bro got exams...
At last found a place and repair it right away...
The new glass really cool~!!!

The glass broke.....

If u try to touch the outside of the glass...
It is really smooth...
really flat..
but if u touch from inside really thorny...
so scary~!!!

Rare fragment of early copy of Gospel goes on sale

An unusually large fragment from possibly the oldest copy of part of the Gospel of John will go on sale next month, when the torn piece of papyrus with Greek writing is expected to fetch up to 300,000 pounds.


The fragment is believed to date to 200 AD, less than 170 years after the crucifixion of Christ, when Christianity was still illegal and around 100 years after experts believe the original Gospel was first written.

"This is either the first or the second oldest copy of this part of the text of the Gospel of John," Sotheby's specialist Timothy Bolton told Reuters as he held the document displayed between two sheets of clear plastic.

"It is one of the finest and most celebrated of Gospel fragments, as there are very few pieces of this spectacular quality."

The appearance of page number 74 in one corner shows the leaf came from a relatively large volume of the whole Gospel, he explained, and adds to the rarity of the piece.

Its Greek text is an account of Jesus preaching in the temple, where people challenge his right to give evidence on his own behalf. It includes the cryptic and prophetic words: "Whither I go, ye cannot come."

The fragment was discovered in 1922 by British archaeologists Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt at the site of the important early Christian community at Oxyrhynchus, about 120 miles (193 km) from Cairo. It is believed to have been written in Alexandria.

Most finds from the site ended up in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and the British Museum, although some pieces, including the fragment, were sent to seminaries and colleges.

The U.S. divinity school where it ended up sold the fragment in New York in 2003, and it fetched $400,000, which Sotheby's said was the highest price ever paid at public sale for an early Christian manuscript.

MARCO POLO COMPENDIUM

Another highlight at the London sale on December 3 is a large compendium containing a previously unknown, 14th century manuscript of Medieval traveller Marco Polo's adventures along the Silk Road and into China the century before.

According to the auctioneer, only six manuscripts of Polo's account have appeared on the market in the last century and none since one was sold by Sotheby's in 1930.

Bolton said the Latin volume was probably copied by a monk from a selection of manuscripts in the library of Glastonbury Abbey which are now almost completely lost or destroyed.

It is believed to have passed into the possession of the Earl of Devon in the 16th century and has passed by descent to the current owner, the 18th Earl of Devon.

As well as the Marco Polo account, there are sections on British history, near- and far-eastern affairs and a collection of prophecies.

"This thing has been in England since the 1380s and you could go to a Medieval library and pick this volume off the shelf, and read not only about China but about the whole world wrapped up in one document," said Bolton.

The compendium is expected to fetch 200-300,000 pounds.

5 Questions to Ask When Deciding to Buy a Home

Today's housing market may be bad news for borrowers saddled with mortgages they can't afford and developers stuck with houses or condos they can't sell. But it can be a golden opportunity for first-time home buyers.

Home prices in the 20 largest metropolitan areas have fallen 17% over the past two years. Meanwhile, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was recently 6.5%, which is low by historical standards.

And, says Elizabeth Blakeslee, regional vice-president for the National Association of Realtors, "there is excellent inventory all over the country." During the peak of the housing boom, first-time buyers were fretting that they'd never be able to afford a home. Now, it seems, they can take their pick. But just because it's a buyer's market doesn't mean you should dive in. Before you rush to put in a bid on the house down the street, answer the following five questions.

Can You Stay Put?

Aside from the price itself, purchasing a home is an expensive process. As the buyer, you'll have to pay closing costs for expenses such as a title search, title insurance, attorney's fees and much more. In fact, those expenses typically total 3% to 5% of the purchase price.

In the past, the rule of thumb was that you should plan to own the house at least three years in order to recoup your closing costs through price appreciation. But given the uncertainty of today's market, you're better off with a five- to seven-year time horizon. Consider any imminent life changes -- such as switching careers, going back to school or getting married -- that could throw a wrench into your plan.

Are Your Financial Ducks in a Row?

When applying for a mortgage, three factors are critical: your income, your down payment and your credit score. In the heady days of subprime loans and relaxed lending standards, "you could get away with having two out of those three," says Jan Valecka, a financial planner in Lewisville, Tex. "But now you need all three."

Needless to say, stable employment is a must if you're thinking about buying a home. Lenders will also look at your other debts, such as student loans, when determining how large a mortgage you can take on.

As for the down payment, Blakeslee says 10% is the minimum and 20% is even better. That will save you the $50 to $100 per month you would otherwise pay for private mortgage insurance on a loan for more than 80% of your home's purchase price. You may be able to tap your IRA or Roth IRA to beef up your down payment.

Applying for a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is one option that allows you to make a down payment of as little as 3%. There are limits on the size of a mortgage the FHA will insure, and you'll pay a slightly higher interest rate in return for the insurance. For help finding an FHA-approved lender, go to www.hud.gov.

Order your credit report at least six months before applying for loan preapproval, and fix any errors you find. It costs $48 at www.myFICO.com to get your report and credit score from each of the three credit bureaus. FICO can simulate how certain actions, such as paying all of your bills on time for a year, would affect your score. To qualify for the best interest rates on a mortgage loan, you'll need a credit score of at least 760; a score below 620 places you in subprime territory. The FICO Web site also lists current average mortgage rates for different credit-score ranges.

How Much Can You Afford?

If you're serious about buying, spend some time tinkering with Kiplinger's housing calculators that cover everything from home prices in your area to closing costs, homeowners insurance and more. But rather than stretch your finances to the max, think about what you can comfortably fit into your budget.

Rich Bergen, a financial planner in Garden City, N.Y., recommends that you compare your current monthly rent with the monthly net cost of ownership. Don't forget to factor in maintenance costs, utilities, homeowners insurance and property taxes, plus savings from your mortgage-interest tax deduction. And you'll still need to sock away money for an emergency fund, retirement and college for the kids.

Zach and Sarah Kirk, a recently married couple in Austin, Tex., who are in the market for their first home, decided that even though they qualify for a $350,000 loan, they're going to buy a home in the $200,000 range. Zach may attend graduate school, and Sarah will likely take time out of the workforce when the couple have children. "We could buy a house at the top of our budget range," says Zach, "but if there were any sudden changes and we lost one income, we'd have to reevaluate the whole situation."

Are You Ready For the Responsibility?

Your home will likely be the biggest investment you ever make, so you need to be mentally and financially prepared to take it on. If the hot-water heater leaks, you can't ask the landlord to fix it. And someone's going to have to mow the lawn and clean the gutters, whether you do it yourself or hire help. "There are some people who just don't want to have to think about 'What if the toilet breaks down in the middle of the night?'" says Avani Ramnani, a financial planner in Jersey City, N.J.

Still, "there's nothing like walking into your own home for the first time after settlement," says Blakeslee. "You can paint the walls plaid if you want to, and you don't have to worry about the landlord coming down on you."

Do You Know What You're Looking For?

Gorgeous, spacious and sunny? Sure, but think practical, too. If you drive to work, look for the most convenient route. If staying downtown is a priority, you may have to scale down your vision to a condo. "If you start out looking for the perfect home, you're not going to find it," says Elizabeth Blakeslee, of the National Association of Realtors. "You need to think about what's important to you."

Terri Carguillo was pregnant when she and husband Tom started looking at homes in North Babylon, N.Y., so a good school district and a safe environment were top priorities. "We did a lot of research," says Terri.

Educate yourself about the local market. Even within the same city, markets may differ depending on the neighborhood or the type of housing, says Elaine Scoggins, a financial planner in Seattle.

Go to www.zillow.com to research prices in areas that interest you so you can drive a hard bargain. "Prices are crazy right now, so you need to do some serious digging," says Scoggins.

Why would I have trouble remembering things?

Q:-
Hello I'm 26 years old and I have been experiencing some memory problems for the past week and a half. it all started Halloween morning I woke up everything was fine and then when I went to do something that required remembering a name I could not think of it this has been going on now for the last week and it's starting to make me worry that maybe there is something wrong with me simple band names that I know now seem hard like it's the first time I have herd them celebrity names and people in the news back home now seem like a hassle to remember. I even seem to struggle with some family names on my husbands side and friends names that I have known forever.

my question is what can cause this? I have to add that I recently was married a year ago on the 10th to my life partner who is a Marine and we moved away from all family and friends to Hawaii which is completely been a downer for me since I have never been out of my home state so this has been a constant stress factor and then my husband and I have fought a lot because of my unhappiness being here can this be the result of why my memory has started to slip? or could it be something else more serious that I should have a doctor take a look at. my biggest fear is ending up like my grandma who has Alzheimer's or my grandfather who had dementia I don't want to lose my memory so if someone could give some advise Id appreciate it thanks for your time.

A:-
it not alzheimers!!!
It is stress.

I went through the same thing , once your stress gets under control, you will have an eaier time remebering things but just dont keep checking in on yourself, overanalyzing what you remeber or not because that ads more stress and prolongs your recovery, I think though that if you are that stressed, you need to

change your attitude/outlook...for your own good

exercise

sleep good

eat good

do relaxation techniques

be patient this will take some time to resolve but soon you will be able to think clearer

see your doctor too because a doctor would know better about what you are going through and what you should do

JUST DON'T WORRY!!!!!! You could not have alzheimers at 26!

(Q&A) Physics question

Q:-
A rectangular block of ice 6 m on each side and 1.1 m thick floats in sea water. The density of the sea water is 1025 kg/m3. The density of ice is 917 kg/m3.



a) How high does the top of the ice block float above the water level?

m
5.3678 NO

HELP: Use Archimedes' Priciple.
HELP: The buoyant force of the water must balance the weight of the ice.

b) How many penguins of mass 24 kg each can stand on the ice block before they get their feet wet?

A:-
a. The fraction of the ice that is submerged in water is: 917/1025.
Thus, the height submerged is: (917/1025)*1.1.
Thus, the distance from the top of the ice floats to the water is: 1.1-(submerged height)

b. #penguins = (1025-917)/24