Mac Churchill Acura

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There?s nothing you can do to lower your gas costs. Right? I mean, you could buy a more efficient car or search high and low for the lowest prices, but both of these options might lead to you spending more than you save in the short term. If only there was a way to somehow earn discounted gas?.

Oh wait, there is! There?s actually a whole segment of rewards credit cards that provides fuel benefits, and considering that prognosticators expect gas prices to top $4 per gallon by the summer, having such a credit card could save you as much as $250 per year, according to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics about the average American?s gas expenditures.

However, you will not automatically garner such savings by simply opening any gas credit card. Instead, you must first carefully consider both savings and convenience factors before deciding which gas credit card ultimately best fits your lifestyle: one tied to a certain chain or one providing more flexible benefits.

Gas credit cards that are tied to particular stations tend to offer relatively significant rewards. However, these rewards are only maximized by the consumer who fills up exclusively at that chain. So if this describes you, open the card tied to your chain of choice. If not, consider how difficult it would be to limit yourself and whether doing so is worth the accompanying financial gain.

Some of the most rewarding credit cards in this category are the Exxon Mobil Credit Card and the BP Credit Card. Each offers lucrative rebates for gas purchased at its affiliated station as well as less significant rewards on non-gas purchases made anywhere Visa or MasterCard is accepted.

However, should you come to the conclusion that logistical variety cannot easily be sacrificed, you can direct your due diligence to cash back credit cards that provide extra savings on gas. Such products allow users to earn rewards on gas purchased at any gas station in the United States, but these rewards tend to be less lucrative than those conferred by station-specific credit cards.

Some of the best cash back credit cards that provide extra rewards on gas are the TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express because it offers 3% cash back on gas purchases up to $3,000 and 1% thereafter, 3% on restaurant expenditures, 2% on travel-related purchases and 1% on everything else and the Capital One® No Hassle Cash Rewards Credit Card, which offers 2% cash back on gas and groceries and 1% on everything else.

Ultimately, the particular card you choose also depends on how you envision your gas rewards credit card fitting into your payment arsenal. Will it be your primary means of spending? If so, the overall rewards package that a card offers is quite important. However, if you foresee using your gas rewards credit card only for gas purchases, as more of a supplementary spending vehicle, you must concentrate on maximizing your gas rewards and avoid being distracted by the non-gas rewards that will be rendered irrelevant by your usage. Understanding the specific role your gas credit card plays and using it accordingly is the only way to truly maximize its benefit. In the end, doing so will help your gas reward credit card steal the show from rising gas prices and provide savings in a segment of your finances where costs are typically dictated solely by market forces.

This article was written by Odysseas Papadimitriou, CEO and Founder of CardHub.com, a website that helps consumers find the best credit card deals and buy discounted gift cards.

Honda does good wagons. The Civic station wagon sold in the U.S. in the 1975 through 1991 model years was a neat-looking and practical alternative to the then-very-small Civic sedan. The 1991 through 1997 Accord wagon not only suited the eye but also handled corners better than the sedan; the wagon had room for a better rear suspension.

The U.S. Acura TSX sport wagon is the Americanized Euro-market Accord Tourer. Acura figures it'll make out fine selling just 4,000 a year here because it already sells plenty over there.

• PHOTOS: More views of the Acura TSX Sport Wagon

• MORE TEST DRIVE: Archive of Healey's columns

• SIDE BY SIDE: Compare this vehicle to others

The TSX is, some might say, old-fashioned despite changes for 2011. That is, it pre-dates the complicated-is-good theme of electronic gadgetry, and the over-accessorized engines and gazillion-speed transmissions that reign today. We applaud that, and credit it for much of what made the TSX sport wagon test car a delight every mile.

For instance, you can actually figure out quickly how to manipulate the knob/joystick control on the center control stack. If not, you still can adjust most functions via dashboard controls.

The drivetrain was a star. The four-cylinder engine made its satisfying power not from turbocharging, but by being designed to maximize the engine's high-revving abilities (7,000 rpm redline), yet not require that it be driven flat-out to perform well. Thus, fun to flog and satisfying in the stop and lurch of crowded suburban traffic.

The five-speed automatic ? how quaint in this age of eight-speed gearboxes creeping like choking vines into more and more machines ? shifted brilliantly, changing gears briskly and without pausing first for consultation with the fuel-economy overlords. The automatic shifted so nicely it was heartbreaking to realize what gearbox mediocrity satisfies some other automakers.

Our fear is that when Acura "improves" the car it will use some sci-fi transmission, lard-on the engine "modernizations" and embrace baffling interior electronic overkill.

The TSX line in general got these changes for 2001: New rear styling and taillights. New front styling that, unfortunately, includes Acura's signature cow-catcher grille. But the absurdity is minimized on TSX. And new interior touches that include a climate-controlled center console (keeps the Coke Zero cool) and improved heating/cooling for rear occupants. Plus more sound-deadening, faster navigation system.

The sport wagon is identical to the TSX sedan underneath ? same wheelbase and track width ? and specifications for headroom, legroom and so forth are all-but-identical to the sedan's, so the wagon doesn't give you more space to sit in, just a spacious cargo compartment.

It isn't a substitute for a small crossover SUV, because its hunkered-down design and sporting intent dictate a ground clearance of 5.9 inches (or a mere 4.3 inches fully loaded) instead of 7 to 9 obstacle-clearing inches in a similar-size SUV.

TSX isn't available with all-wheel drive. A shame because Acura's SH-AWD (for super-handling AWD) is a lovely system that not only fights foul weather but also improves cornering agility. Lack of SH-AWD is meant to keep the price down ($32,000 and up) so the wagon remains an entry-level Acura.

Hard-core types will grouse, too, about the lack of a manual transmission. Acura says only 5% of buyers choose manual, so the cost of bringing it to the U.S. can't be justified. Too, the automatic transmission gets better fuel mileage and comes with a manual-shift system.

Narrow, toe-tangling rear door openings made it hard to get into or out of the back seat. Once ensconced, though, there was marginally acceptable knee and toe space for two adults.

The car's low stance would be a negative for some. Unlike taller SUVs, you had to twist and plop down to enter, clamber up and twist to exit.

Still, the TSX sport wagon test car was unusually satisfying because of these attributes, in addition to the responsive drivetrain:

?The chassis was agile.

Electric power steering ? hard to tune properly ? was just-so. Brakes felt firm, not stiff or touchy, and made themselves known the moment your foot requested.

The wagon weighs about the same as the sedan, but the weight is better-balanced, giving a more controlled feel in tight corners. The wagon carries 43% of its weight on the rear, a 57/43 balance, per Acura specs, vs. the sedan's 60/40. A 50/50 balance is considered ideal by most driving enthusiasts.

?Cargo space was handy.

There's a lot of it, and it's cleverly done. Space under the floor can be used to hide valuables, or provide a deeper well for things that you don't want to slide or tip.

?Layout was sensible.

As-yet-uninfected by modern over-complexity, the wagon's knobs, buttons and dials were just about where you wanted them and worked about the way you desired.

?Interior was inviting.

Passenger compartment is the same size as the sedan, but seemed roomier, probably an illusion due to the wagon's open space in back. Color scheme of black, gray and white was simple, classy.

If premium-wagon buyers are paying attention, we can't imagine Acura will sell just 4,000 a year.

WHAT STOOD OUT?

?Agile. Steering, brakes, balance ? all surprisingly good.

?Peppy. Gutty engine, crisp transmission.

?Lacking: No all-wheel drive, no manual transmission

ABOUT THE 2011 ACURA TSX SPORT WAGON

?What? Station wagon version new to Acura's small TSX entry-level line. Front-wheel drive, four-door (nominally five-passenger wagon. Offers only four-cylinder engine, five-speed automatic transmission with manual mode.

?When? On sale in the U.S. since Dec. 21.

?Where? Made in Japan.

?Why? Big seller in Europe, where it's called Accord Tourer. Not much trouble or risk to try it in the U.S., where rivals BMW and Audi successfully sell small wagons.

?How many? Just 4,000 a year is the U.S. forecast.

?How much? Base model: $31,820 including $860 shipping; with Technology Package, $35,470.

?How powerful? Same updated powertrain (low-friction improvements good for 1 more mpg vs. 2010 engine) as other 2011 TSX models: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, 170 pounds-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm.

?How big? Four inches longer, half an inch wider than Audi A4 wagon; TSX sport wagon is 189.2 inches long, 72.4 in. wide, 57.9 in tall on a 106.4-in. wheelbase.

Weighs 3,599 lbs. Passenger space, 94.4 cubic feet. Cargo space behind rear seat, 25.8 cu. ft., 60.5 cu. ft. when rear seat's folded.

Takes 36.7 feet to turn around.

?How thirsty? Rated 22 miles per gallon in town, 30 on the highway, 25 in combined city/highway use. Trip computer in test car registered 20 mpg (5 gallons per 100 miles) in suburban use involving lots of wide-open-throttle bursts, because they were fun.

Premium specified; regular OK temporarily, but Acura warns: "The long-term use of regular-grade gasoline can lead to engine damage."

Tank holds 18.5 gallons.

?Overall: Major fun with lots of cargo space, but cramped rear seat.