Over the weekend I was in Seattle to meet up with a friend. If anyone lives or has been through the great city of Seattle, or any decent sized city, you know that finding parking is like that scene in Total Recall when Arnold pulls the bug out of his nose.  Anyway, it was about 15 minutes before the meters turned off for free evening parking, so I was purposely wasting time driving and passing up good spots.  Then I realized, Ahhh!  It’s Sunday, parking is free all day!  So I pulled into the next spot I found, locked up, and had a good time.  And even if I would have gone to pay, the meter would’ve let me know what’s up.  That one’s easy.

But many of us unwillingly commit various crimes of traffic, and don’t realize it until we see that beautiful white envelope stuck beneath our wiper.  I need to perform a service, and hey, maybe this’ll save some of you some needed cash.  So here are 5 of the most common parking (non-moving) violations that you might don’t know about.

Does Nissan’s aggressive reptilian look-a-like have what it takes to upset the top of the small car elite?  Introducing the 2012 Juke.

Nissan Juke Trims and Features

The Juke is a 4-door, 5 seat hatchback/crossover competing in a segment alongside the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, and Chevy Sonic.  Nissan has rolled out three Juke trims for 2012: the base S (from $19,990), SV ($21,310), and SL ($23,630).  Model traits include a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, available all-wheel drive, 30+ highway MPG, and a compact stature that provides versatility while helping to ease parking headaches.  Upgradable features include leather trim, navigation (packaged at $800), sunroof, and rearview camera.  You can get greedy and browse every Juke option right now at Carwoo.    

*All nominations based on 2012 model year vehicles released for the calendar year 2011 unless otherwise noted.

The cars we drive every day provide countless hours of fun, and fill our heads with oversized memories that cannot be replicated anywhere else.  This is a celebration of cars, for those who drive them.  Just to be nominated is a feat that is by no means small.  However, as we have many deserving nameplates worthy of recognition, please hold your applause until the end of the article.  Or don’t; you’re probably not reading this in a theatre.  And so without further ado, we have our first Wooscar to hand out, for-

If the FJ Cruiser were a person, I’m sure it’d do well at parties.  The 2012 FJ can be considered a mid-sized SUV, but that’s really telling half the story.  This retro themed off-road attraction is fun to look at and stays equally as attractive in the elements, but the pleasure seeking lifestyle does have its drawbacks.  Think of the FJ like an energetic puppy; it loves to get out, always waiting by the door, tailpipe wagging for that next romp into the mud.  It’s a little rough around the edges, though in the end, you can’t help but to fall in love.  With that in mind, on we go…

Give your overstressed mind a break and check out the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. 

Does Lincoln’s contribution to the entry-level luxury market have enough to compete with the best of the staunch Euro class?  Take a look around, it’s all here.

Introducing the 2012 Lincoln MKZ. If you’re ready to buy a new MKZ right now, head on over to CarWoo!. 

Following a dramatic 2011 redesign, the Jaguar XJ’s aim was to keep a dignified air while simultaneously shrugging off the stigma of mentalities past.  This is what that reinvention looks like.  Once you see the 2012 XJ, you’ll probably come to the conclusion that you really want one.

It’s powerful, it’s light, it’s aesthetic, and it’s a Jaguar.  Presenting the 2012 XJ – configure one now on CarWoo!…

While any truck worth its salt can be stacked with accessories to become a badass all-terrain explorer, Ford’s SVT Raptor is prepackaged to help you find whatever you’re looking for out in the world beyond pavement.  The Raptor is based off of the F-150, which is already the Prom King of pick-ups, but Ford has injected this version with X-Men type mutant prowess.  Svtusa.com really nails it when describing SVT Raptor as ‘the world’s biggest Tonka toy.’  The Raptor can perform the things you practiced on a smaller scale as a child in the living room, because this is Ford’s domestic version of the truck that cut its teeth at the Baja 1000 off-road endurance race.

In case you’ve been stuck in the desert sun without any Ford truck news, here’s what the 2012 SVT Raptor has to offer. 

When you first see the Outlander Sport’s aggressive exterior, you can picture it pouncing on the road for a little pavement fun.  The little part fits, because the Sport is related to, but not quite a shrunken down version of Mitsubishi’s bigger Outlander.  And there’s certainly fun to be had here, just don’t jump when you realize that the Sport’s performance is more economically inclined.  Think of this Mitsubishi as a role player- it’ll get you where you want to go with little hassle, for a cheap price.  And affordable ease can be pretty underrated.

Check out the ins and outs of the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. 

Three-fourths of a 6 foot sub, 1 ½ pizzas, countless bottles of booze/antacid concoctions, and a couple of million dollars later, how did the auto brands fare on Game Day?  Super Bowl commercials tend to mimic the game itself- some ads come up huge while others flop embarrassingly.  And there’s gotta be one MVP.  For those of you who were too ‘fatigued’ yesterday to remember the ups and downs of Super Bowl Sunday, here’s your Monday morning recap. 

Consider these fine testimonials from reputable gas companies…

Chevron:  “Chevron®, Texaco® and Caltex® fuels contain our Techron additive, which cleans the engine and helps deliver lower emissions and better performance.”

Exxon:  “We offer gasolines in three octane grades developed on a molecular level to clean up intake valves and keep vital engine parts clean.”

Arco:  “Straight up quality.  Straight up value.  Straight up gas.” 

When a nameplate manages to top one of the most popular segments- crossovers – right now, you should probably take notice.  That means it’s doing something right.  Well done, Acura.  But wait; does that mean the 2012 MDX is the best car on the road right now?  We’ll let you decide that one.

Check out all that is golden and then maneuver yourself over to Carwoo to grab your own MDX.