Buick Lucerne Test Drive; Project Fuel Economy

A few weeks back, BJ and I had lunch with one of the General Motors PR guys. I asked why they axed Oldsmobile instead of Buick - wasn't that the frumpiest brand?

"Buicks sell," was the answer I got. Sure enough, he's right. Buicks are still in demand, and their build quality is particularly good among domestics. Jason Fogelson test drove the 2006 Buick Lucerne V8, and while it wasn't necessarily his cup of tea, I think he was surprised by how nice the Big Buick was to drive. I'm almost ashamed to say that I haven't driven any of Buick's latest and greatest... I think it's time to call them and see what I've been missing.

In other news... a while back I posted my top ten fuel-saving tips, a list of ten ways to squeeze more MPG from any car, old or new. After seeing lots of tips similar to mine on the TV news and even getting a call from the San Francisco Chronicle asking about them, I decided it's time to put my money where my mouth is. This week I'm going to scout out a test route and get a baseline MPG figure using my trusty ol' Honda. Then I'll start applying the tips one by one, re-running the test route and seeing what kind of increase - if any - I am able to pick up. They'd better work -- at $3.30 per gallon, this test is going to bankrupt me if they don't! -- Aaron Gold