About: Autolove

Joe Mavilia is a syndicated columnist with more than 35 years in the automotive industry. He is a member of the Motor Press Guild and Automotive Press Association. His reviews have been published in print media including the Los Angeles Times, The Golden Transcript - Colorado, La Feria News - Texas, The Pasadena Weekly - California, and others around the country, including www.theweekenddrive.com where he is the West Coast Editor. Reviews and Opinion Columns may also be seen in Sunnews.org and The Country Journal every week in the Antelope Valley, CA. I hope they are helpful

2008 Honda Element 5-Door 2WD SC (682)

28-11-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2008 Honda Element 5-Door 2WD SC. I asked Ilona (sig other) why she wanted such an ugly car. “I think they’re cute and I like the look”. OK! And isn’t that the way it should be. If we didn’t have different needs and wants there would still be only one car for everyone – Ford Model A of 100 years ago. Even Communist China has more variety than that.

Ilona was intrigued by the fact that you could open the doors and hose out the interior for simple clean up. Ok, I thought, the inside of her present car was a mess so this might do the trick. I tried not to say too much that would be misinterpreted – know what I mean. If she is happy that makes me happy.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 70%, Japan 20%.

Assembly – East Liberty, Ohio, USA

Class: – SUV

Cars: – Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Element, Fit, Odyssey

Pilot, Ridgeline & S2000.

Handling & Performance:

Well, I can’t say I haven’t warmed up to the homely cars that dot our highways. But Scion trips over the edge however. Back to the Element and how it handles. I like it. The Crest Test continues to be impressive in the Element because of its lower center of gravity that helps it hug the highway better than other conventional SUV’s.

Element was never intended to be a high performance car but it is anything but slow, and the acceleration is smooth and steady. I really found the car enjoyable to drive and a refreshingly different Sport Ute.

Styling:

Although they have added carpets it was in large part the simplicity of the rubber floors and wide opening doors that attracted Ilona to the Element. With an aging mom who has difficulty climbing up into other SUV’s this still has the major attributes of the class while giving you all the other strong points of the Mini Van.

I rather like the contrasting cladding that makes the Element even more distinctive and the theatre rear seating makes for great visibility of the road in front for those back seat drivers. The rear is also unusually roomy for the tallest of passengers and it is outstanding for 4 large adults. I think, however, I would have moved the rear seats up just a bit and given a little more cargo area.

Fit and Finish:

I don’t believe it was designed for tight fitting seams but it works for this economically priced utility. In other words it is not as refined as other SUVs intentionally.

Cost:

Well priced.

Conveniences and comfort:

Wide opening clamshell doors front and rear. Without center posts on the side doors you get unobstructed entry, which is especially handy for older folks or handicapped passengers.

Consumer Recommendation:

I have to tell you I was mildly surprised on the first attempt at testing this vehicle when I was met with a dead battery from an electrical problem, and the second try found a delay because of a radio failure. So much for myths of Japanese superiority. In this global community it is painfully apparent we’re all the same after all. We are human and subject to error equally. American car makers early on made lemons an art form in cars. But the whole industry is a study in change and part of the great experiment we all endure and most enjoy.

I never keep a car very long, but then I don’t change wives like some so it balances out. But in this car world I’m not so sure I wouldn’t keep my present car, and save my money for a “Fuel Cell Hydrogen” car likely to be available in 5 years. That will be a real significant change in our personal transportation. Everything else today is a choice between relatively homogenous capable transportation with no real flair for difference. That’s where Ilona has me… at least she bought something as different as you can find in today’s world. But then I should have expected that… men look to the hottest muscle car they can find, buy a suit that is like every other man, while women can’t be seen at a party in the same dress – shudder the thought.

Recognized Competition:

Honda Element $19-24,000, Kia Sportage $16-23,000, Ford Escape $19-26,000, Ford Escape Hybrid $26-28,000, Scion xB $15,650, Pontiac Torrent $23-29,000, Chevrolet Equinox $22-29,000, Subaru Forester $21-28,000, Hyundai Tucson $17-25,000, Toyota RAV4 $21-27,000, Jeep Liberty $20-26,000, Suzuki Grand Vitara $19-25,000.

Good News:

Roomy, different, capable and fun to drive.

Bad News:

Disappointing fuel numbers, Ug-leee to many (ok – looks aren’t everything. It has a great personality).

Standard Equipment:

2.4 liter 166 hp 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual trans, 4-wheel power assist ABS disc brakes, electronic brake distribution, rear double wishbone suspension, drive by wire throttle, variable assist rack and pinion power steering, front & rear stabilizer bars, front and side airbags and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, tire pressure monitoring system, remote entry, immobilizer theft deterrent, latch system for child seats, audio with MP3/wma playback, steering wheel audio controls, XM satellite radio (3 months fee included), air conditioning, removable flip up rear seats with 50/50 split, power windows and locks, adjustable steering column, cargo tie downs, 12 V outlets, cruise control, 18” alloy wheels, halogen headlights, intermittent front and rear wiper washers, rear privacy glass, power door mirrors, side cargo doors, clamshell tailgate.

Gas Stats:

$3.20/ Gal avg. December 21, ‘07

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

Not rated by EPA but my experience was

18 City and 23 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $18,980.

Ford F150 (681)

25-11-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This is the city. Los Angeles, California. It was a warm day and I was working the story desk out of Pasadena when I got the call from the boss to get the story on a young car designer. My name is Joe and it’s Friday.

The story you are about to read is true and not even the names have been changed. It was 11 AM and I was early for my lunch meeting with Jason Hulst. As I got into my press car I wondered about what kind of young man I’d be meeting. The freeway traffic was uncharacteristically light. The sky was clear blue with patches of white clouds. One of the nicer days in LA. It was noon when I arrived at the Disney Studios in Burbank and I was to meet Mr. Hulst in the parking lot. Me, I’m 5′ foot 9” and Jason towers over me. I wondered if he noticed me being uncomfortable looking up all the time. We walked to the Riverside Commissary where we sat down to lunch and some conversation with this California born kid.

“Son I need the facts, just the facts,” I told him, as we enjoyed a pleasant lunch. The commissary setting instantly launches you back in time. The décor and photos on the walls speak of the 1950s. That’s when Walt Disney’s dream exploded when he displaced orange groves to build Disneyland in Anaheim.

Jason works in animation for Disney where he does Prop Designs. The Story is written, the Story Board department does the Layout of set background, Characters are designed and then Jason designs all the moving stuff that interfaces with those Characters. I couldn’t help but think, what an appropriate place this is for an aspiring car designer to work his day job. Art is, after all, a perfect way to actually see what the mind conceives.

A custom rod is really a caricature of the original from the “good old days.” Icons like Bob’s Big Boy, carhops and countless other images of the 50s, 60s and 70s pop out from the dusty corners of your mind. That’s when mostly older guys, like me, with money have a dream to restore a favorite car from their youth.

The dream necessarily is where it all starts. But making that dream come true takes a few ingredients, including several talented people, money (and generally lots of it) and about nine months. But what’s a dream worth, right?

Finding the right team of professionals to make it all happen the way you envision is not all that easy. And once you find the right team, it is still kinda like having a baby, and the birthing process includes a lot of labor. But the finished product is unbelievably beautiful.

Anyway, Jason shared how he had grown up, like many of us, with a dad to look up to and influence his life. Jason credits his drive to his dad who never sat still in his quest to become a custom rod builder. After 15 years as a motorcycle cop in Torrance (they rode Harley’s back then, which is why we call them the good old days), Paul Hulst packed up his young family and moved to Merlin, Oregon (a suburb of Grants Pass). That move gave birth to his dream of setting up a business to help others realize their dreams of owning a custom rod.

Jason was ten, and the years that followed would shape his desire to work with his dad doing what they both had learned to love. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design from Oregon State, Jason attended the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Transportation Design. Perched high above the famous Rose Bowl in the Arroyo Seco, it is a setting that has inspired great designers like: Bryan Nesbitt (PT Cruiser), recently promoted from head designer at Chevrolet to Executive Director Opel Design in Germany; Grant Larson (Porsche Boxster); Freeman Thomas, Chrysler design V.P. and co-designer with J Mays of the Audi TT and new Beetle (J Mays is now V.P. of Ford Design); Ken Okyama of Pininfarina (2003 Enzo Ferrari); Frank Stephenson, head designer for Ferrari; and Chris Bangle, head designer for BMW, just to name a few.

I learned that Jason and I have a few things in common. He lives on a street in Pasadena where I grew up. He has a Harley Davidson motorcycle. One of his professors at Art Center, Merkel Weiss, is a colleague of mine. Both men speak highly of each other.

After graduation from Art Center, Jason took a job in Tokyo – but after a few months he learned, like Dorothy, that “There’s no place like home.” He returned to the States and says, “I started working for Disney Imagineering and did that for over three years. While there I designed the “Rocket Rod” ride at the park. Not long after I designed the New “Autopia Cars” that consisted of three totally new designs.” I’m impressed Jason, go on, what else did you do for them? “Well” Jason continued, “on each of the projects I was responsible to develop all presentation sketches, 1/5 scale models, direction of the full size mock-up all the way to the final opening of each ride.” Jason then learned about the job in Animation from his good friend and another of his professors at Art Center, Bruce Berky.

Jason is a part of the new generation blessed with unique technology to make the impossible possible. Today’s movies are examples of what can be done because of computer art and animation. And let’s face it; Jason’s generation cut their teeth on all kinds of computers. From games and joysticks to serious business computers and computer aided design programs. His dad’s generation did things by the seat of their pants. Jason says, “just nine years ago when I walked into class at Art Center, layout was done the old fashioned way, by hand.” Today Jason scans his hand-made drawings into his computer where they will be digitally enhanced. I bring a pen and paper to our meeting; he brings his laptop. Know what I mean?

The process of building a custom rod goes from the customer approving Jason’s design drawings – (a 4-6 week process) to the bank and then back again with lots of money to get the show on the road. Then Paul (his dad) gets the rest of his team together, including chief fabricator, Andy Peterman. Unlike having a baby, the process can take more than nine months depending on the extent of the restoration and the problems they run into … like a rusty floor that falls out in the cleaning process.

Merlin would be impressed with these guys, not because their shop is in Merlin, Oregon but because they too are magicians. The finished product is simply a beautiful work of art and truly magic to those who have a love affair with cars.

Well, this story has many happy endings counted one custom car at a time. And this generation of young men and women were born to take the art of their parents to the next level. Paul’s legacy to his son was to instill a sense of the value of hard work and the resultant benefits. By example Jason learned to appreciate the joy of a job well done. I told him, “son this could be a life sentence, and I expect to watch his progress closely.” He walked me to my car and we shared pleasantries and said our farewells. I looked at my watch – it was three PM. I didn’t look forward to the rush hour drive back to Pasadena, but that’s Los Angeles and you’ve got to take the good with the bad.

Jason pleaded guilty to several counts of “passion for automotive design.” He and his dad agree the fruits of their labor will live on well beyond them, because their finished product is…

… just the beginning.

The Truck is a 2004 Ford F-150 SuperCrew Titled \”SuperWagons F-150\” By Hulst Customs and designs by Paul and Jason Hulst, Merlin, OR 541-474-1980 hulstdesign@earthlink.net

5.4 liter v-8, 2×4 5.5\’ bed

Custom changes and components: Shaved Door Handles with Electric solenoids, shaved tailgate handle with power actuator to operate gate, custom body trim, Motorized SuperWagon in bed (www.superwagons.com). Body paint mixed by X-otic Colours, Custom Bed insert, Brushed Aluminum with clear anodizing, shaved gas door and re-located in bed insert. Air-Ride Technologies Suspension with New Inteli-ride system.

Wheels/Tires: Cyclos designer Wheels by Oasis Jason Hulst – 22×9 Front and Rear

Pirelli tires. P-Zero Scorpions Front 265/35-22 rear 305/40-22

Brakes: Stainless Steel Brake Corporation, Custom 3 piston High-performance Calipers, with custom Milled stock rotors, (www.stainlesssteelbrakes.com)

Engine: CGS MotorSports Air Intake

Interior: Katzkin Leather interiors, Willow Green Leather with Burnt Orange Stitching.

Floor: Vinyl Diamond plate material by Haartz Corp.

Door Panels: Smoothed and painted to match exterior color

Dash: Painted Black, with combo smooth and texture surfacing

Interior plastic: smoothed and painted Black.

Exhaust: Flowmaster 3 Chamber exhaust System relocated exhaust to come straight out rear. Dummy Lake pipes installed to visually bring the truck to the ground.

SuperWagon tie down: Highland Products ratcheting tie-downs, custom receiver to lock down SuperWagon in bed

Truck Debuted at the 2003 SEMA Show in the Ford Motor Company Exhibit and was awarded the Ford Design Achievement Award – Ford press conference. Also showed at the Chicago and Cleveland auto shows in the Ford exhibit.

Hulst Ford F150 Profile

2007 Nissan Murano SE AWD SUV (680)

21-11-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2007 Nissan Murano SE All Wheel Drive Sport Utility. Nissan says this is the world’s first Smooth-UV and I have to agree that is the first thing you notice when you drive it for the first time. It shifts seamlessly smooth.

Nissan, or Datsun as it was called when it first came to America in the early 1960s, is near, even if not so dear to my heart. Not that my first Datsun was a bad car in the early days because it wasn’t bad. It was good. Not great, but good. Ours was a station wagon for our growing family with kids, dog, cat, bird and all the other stuff families need to have. There were no child car seats or anchors needed on the seats then and seat belts were not mandated yet. But buggy whips were out by then and we were happy to have a small, inexpensive simple car. It had been a long time since Ford gave us the simple and affordable Model A so everyone could have one in the driveway as well as a chicken in every pot. Now the Japanese were making cars affordable again for struggling folks like us.

Well that was truly a simple car and when you started it “Singer” sewing machines came to mind. After the muscle cars I had owned before replete with dual exhaust pipes and 30” glass packs to rumble my arrival, these new Japanese cars seemed as tame as “Pussy Cats”.

Today not only the name has changed from Datsun to Nissan the car is way different and so much more refined. I suspect it still would have evolved even without the name change.

General Info:

Parts –

Assembly – Los Angeles, CA USA

Class: – Special Purpose

Cars: – 350Z, Altima, Altima Hybird, Armada, Frontier, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, Rogue, Sentra, Titan, Versa & Xterra.

Handling & Performance:

Performance and the early Datsun are words that don’t belong in the same sentence. Not true of this 21^st Century Nissan Murano or any of Nissan’s product offerings. I was most impressed with the smooth and powerful acceleration.

Styling:

Nissan has grown up nicely and the pimply snot nosed kid of the 1960s has matured. I suppose the only criticism you can make about today’s automotive designs is characterized by the term CAD for Computer Aided Design. Computers simply don’t have heart so the styling is Robo-Design that is dictated by what the computer says about aerodynamics for maximum efficiency cutting through the air. It also identifies the perfect placement of components and often that tweaks the design in such a way as to make them all look strangely the same, or at the very least they look like they’re related.

Fit and Finish:

Typically Japanese pay greater attention to detail, but I believe American cars have risen to the challenge and you find very little difference in appearance any more. Where American made cars haven’t quite reached the point of equality with the Japanese is in philosophy. The Japanese still design components to last longer. We all need to impress that on American Car Makers. They can do it … I know they can but simply chose not to.

Cost:

Competitive pricing.

Conveniences and comfort:

Well equipped and all is standard.

Recognized Competition:

Nissan Murano $28-32,000, Buick Rendezvous $25-29,000, Kia Rondo $16-20,000, Cadillac SRX $37-44,000, Saturn Outlook $28-32,000, GMC Acadia $29-38,000, Chevrolet TrailBlazer $27-37,000, Subaru Tribeca $30-34,000, Toyota Highlander $27-34,000, Dodge Nitro $20-28,000, Honda Pilot $28-36,000, Mazda CX-7 $24-28,000, Hyundai Santa Fe $21-30,000, Ford Edge $25-32,000, Mitsubishi Endeavor $28-31,000.

Good News:

Nissan has been sold in US a long time (nearly 50 years), handles well, lots of ultra smooth power, good contemporary styling.

Bad News:

Fuel economy only fair.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter 240 hp V6 engine, Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission), manual shift mode, all wheel drive, 4-wheel power vented disc brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, power R&P steering, 18” Alloy wheels w/ all season tires, dual exhaust, power side view mirrors, audio system with CD and 6 speakers, dual zone climate control, defogger all windows, 7 inch color information display, aluminum trim accents, 10-way power drivers seat, reclining rear seats 60/40 split, rear fold flat seat, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, lighted vanity mirrors on sun visors, intermittent wipers, front and side airbags and roof mounted curtain side airbags with rollover sensor, 5 passenger front and rear head restraints, child safety rear door locks, anchors and tethers for children, tire pressure monitoring system, immobilizer security systems, anti lock braking and brake assist and electronic brake force distribution.

Gas Stats:

$3.15/ Gal avg. December 19, ‘07

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

20 City and 24 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $32,590.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4WD LTZ Crew Cab (679)

14-11-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4WD LTZ Crew Cab with a 6 foot 6 inch bed. A longer 8 foot bed is available.

I’m critical about a lot of things including the cars that are being produced for our consumption. I like testing them and trying to keep up with the technology trends is especially interesting to me. Perhaps the most exciting thing on the horizon is the technology I reported on about 4 years ago when GM introduced the Fuel Cell car that was named the High Wire.

That gave me the opportunity to learn from other automotive journalists who specialize in evolving technologies like hydrogen powered cars. It is exciting to me because I have a not so private opinion that our car manufacturers are NOT stupid as my good friend Merkel thinks they are. At a very minimum I understand him to say they can do much better with the cars they produce. I believe he and others who think GM is in the tank are not looking at the entire picture and they get stuck in the trees and can’t see the forest.

From afar you can see more clearly and my belief is, from all the data and trends the emerging hydrogen technology is about to pop. Ok, so maybe it will be another five years but the energy world will be rocked by that change and it really isn’t very far away.

The LA Auto show was replete with announcements about their Fuel Cell cars and that gives hope to people concerned about world energy problems. It is estimated that China will eclipse the USA in energy demand in just two years. Wow. What do you think that will do to oil prices? Well, American ingenuity, and GM leading the charge, means we can leave fossil fuel energy to China and other third world countries while America moves on to cutting edge high tech alternate power sources as it continues to lead the world.

So what’s that got to do with the Chevrolet Silverado for 2008? A lot, because it is a GM car and until the world leader in hydrogen technology gives us the fuel cell cars, they continue to give us state of the art trucks like this Silverado. They deserve our support on three fronts: They are American as Midwest apple pie, they are developing the technology and thirdly they produce arguably the best cars and trucks for the money on planet earth.

General Info:

Parts –

Assembly – Flint, MI, USA

Class: – Special Purpose – Truck

Cars: – Avalanche, Aveo, Cobalt, Colorado, Corvette, Equinox, Express, HHR, Impala, Malibu, Monte Carlo, Silverado 15,25 &3500, Silverado Hybrid, Suburban, Tahoe, TrailBlazer & Uplander.

Handling & Performance:

I had the opportunity to put a lot of miles on this truck and it is truly impressive. It has to be one of the smoothest crew cab trucks ever – not only because of the ride but the Allison auto trans is wonderfully smooth shifting.

The ride was a little bumpy without a load but with only a few golfers, their luggage and golf club bags it smoothed right out. The powerful 6.6 liter Duramax Diesel engine with an Allison 6-speed automatic transmission (optional) is awesome and impressed the two construction contractors sharing the ride to Scottsdale, Arizona. From Acton, California to Scottsdale is nearly 400 miles. With travel in and around Scottsdale we put on 900 miles and burned 50 gallons of diesel fuel at $3.45 a gallon. Doing the math we got about 18 miles per gallon. Consumer reports says 13 mpg overall but my travel was nearly all freeway driving. Not good, but for a truck of this capability doing what it’s made to do that mileage isn’t bad. A golf trip 400 miles away is not its highest and best use. But if you want to haul a house you have 660 foot pounds of torque to do it with. Argh, argh, argh! I can just hear Tim Allen grunting his approval.

Styling:

Tough and rugged looking. Very nice.

Fit and Finish:

Very good.

Cost:

In class it is competitive at $39,590 which buys you a standard equipment package, and options added on my test vehicle amounted to $10,200 of which about $8,400 was for the Duramax Diesel and Allison Transmission.

Conveniences and comfort:

Extra smooth ride and about the quietest diesel engine on the road. In fact I’ll bet you wouldn’t even know it was a diesel if you took a ride and weren’t told.

One of the options is a Cargo management system that is worth the $95 cost. It makes tying down cargo really easy. I liked that a lot.

Consumer Recommendation:

You can select from 20 base trim levels. The standard equipment is great and unless you must have the highly valued Diesel package, I suspect you’ll be very happy with the gas V8 version. And if you look at the price of diesel fuel these days you’ll choke on over $4.00 per gallon in some places.

Recognized Competition:

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 $24-40,000, GMC Sierra 2500 HD $24-40,000, Dodge Ram 2500 $26-43,000, Ford F-250 Super Duty $22-38,000.

Good News:

Great work horse with ultimate diesel power plant and 660 ft. lbs of torque, comfortable ride, LTZ well equipped package, Consumer Reports says, “First year reliability of the diesel has been above average”.

Bad News:

Poor fuel economy and diesel version uses highest priced fuel.

Standard Equipment:

6.0 liter 353 hp V8 gas engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, torsion bar front suspension, multi leaf rear spring suspension, 4-wheel ABS with dynamic rear proportioning brakes, dual air bags, theft deterrent system, auto headlights, OnStar system (1 year included and Turn-by-turn navigation available), tire pressure monitor system, chrome rear bumper, 17” aluminum wheels, front tow hooks, cargo box illumination, tinted glass, fog lights, dual zone air conditioning, rear window defogger, 60/40 split rear seating, stereo with CD/MP3 format, XM satellite radio (3 months included), driver information center, intermittent wipers, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, carpeted floor and mats, battery run down protection, 24 hour roadside assistance. LTZ trim option includes 10 way power heated bucket seats with driver memory, leather seating, power fold and heated mirrors with turn signal and driver side auto dimming, Bose premium speaker system, heated washer fluid system, remote vehicle start, HD trailering equipment, locking rear differential, steering wheel radio controls, power windows and locks, auto dimming mirror with compass and temp display, rear audio controls, leather wrapped steering wheel , remote keyless entry, illuminated vanity mirrors, electronic shift transfer case.

Options:

Adjustable pedals $365, Easy lift tailgate package $95, 6.6 liter Duramax Diesel engine $7,195, Allison 6-speed auto transmission $1,200, Power sliding sunroof $795, Power sliding rear window $200, brake controller $200, Cargo management system $95, Radiator cover $55.

Gas Stats:

$3.45/ Gal (Diesel) avg. November 25, ‘07

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

Not rated by EPA but my experience was

City and 18 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $39,590 and $50,715 as equipped.

2008 Honda Ridgeline 4-Door (678)

08-11-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2008 Honda Ridgeline 4-Door. I was able to put about 1,000 miles on the truck because of a wedding I needed to attend. 4 people, luggage for a week and a walker for grandma with space to spare. I couldn’t have been more impressed. I’d take this truck anywhere and for Honda’s first and only truck they forgot to make it look like a truck.

That would be a good thing and this truck is sure to be a smash hit. No pun intended. You will begin to see them on the roads in increasing numbers. You can count on that.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 75%.

Assembly – Alliston, Ontario, Canada; Engine – USA, Transmission – Japan.

Class: – Special Purpose – Truck

Cars: – Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Element, Fit, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline & S2000.

Observation:

Noticed a sign on the freeway that said “Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911”. It occurred to me the message was to say don’t be silent when you know the law is being broken. So I suggest Cal Trans post another message… “Report Illegal Aliens” – because they are breaking the law and endangering all including my friends who are Mexican Americans as I am an Italian American and proud of both heritages.

Handling & Performance:

I’m not thrilled with the fuel economy but it is a very spunky V6. It is extremely comfortable and not truck-like at all. The ride is ultra smooth in large part because it weighs 4,500 lbs.

Styling:

Very thoughtful storage compartments in a not so original design attempt. The unique truck design without the traditional pick up truck separation of bed from cab is patterned after the Chevrolet Avalanche that camouflages the fact it is really a pick up truck. It works great. Nice job GM. The most sincere form of flattery is when people copy you.

Fit and Finish:

This truck is car like in how nicely it is assembled with close seams and not at all truck like.

Cost:

At first blush it appears pricey but once you look at the standard equipment you’ll see why it is priced as it is. There are three trim levels – RT $27,700, midrange RTS $30,075 and RTL $31,490—or $34,640 with a moonroof, XM satellite radio and a navigation system. In any case it is quite competitive in class.

Conveniences and comfort:

Outstanding perfect array of features that puts you at the top of the comfort curve.

Consumer Recommendation:

In the truck segment this is a must see. It is, of course, a Honda-car with a good record of reliability.

Recognized Competition:

Honda Ridgeline $28-35,000, Nissan Titan $24-39,000, GMC Sierra 1500 $17-41,000, Dodge Ram 1500 $21-40,000, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 $17-38,000, Ford F-150 $17-36,000, Toyota Tundra $22-42,000.

Good News:

Fantastic storage compartments, in-bed trunk, fun to drive, take anywhere truck.

Bad News:

Poor fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter 247 hp V6 engine, 5-speed auto transmission with heavy duty cooler, 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS electronic brake distribution and brake assist, 4-wheel independent suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, variable assist steering, dual front and side air bags, side curtain air bags with roll over sensors, vehicle stability assist, tire pressure monitoring system, remote entry with security, immobilizer theft deterrent system, child latch system, Navigation, leather trimmed seats and steering wheel, Audio sound system with 6- in-dash CD player, XM satellite radio, steering wheel audion controls, climate control, heated front seats with 8-way driver seat with lumbar, multifunctional center storage console with sliding armrest, split fold up rear seat with under seat cargo, fold down rear armrest, power windows, power sliding rear window, cruise control, homelink, temp gauge, 12 V outlets, power moonroof with tilt, power door mirrors, dual action tailgate, composite cargo bed, in Bed trunk, prewire trailer connection 4/7 pin.

Gas Stats:

$3.25/ Gal avg. November 25, ‘07

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

15 City and 20 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $35,090 as equipped.

2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee (676)

31-10-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week I drove the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. What a nice SUV. Some folks including my friend Norman would disagree. Norm had a lemon, I’m convinced of it, because I have driven many Jeeps – years and models and never had the problems Norm had. Several transmissions and other parts failed, but that happens with every carmaker’s products.

I have been on Jeep Jamboree’s and tested all models under the harshest conditions. For those who don’t know what a Jamboree is, it is a gathering of Jeep owners who like to go off road on 26 various venue’s around the country. You have a chance to use your SUV under conditions you just won\’t believe. Great experience. My other friend Norman has a daughter who experienced similar problems with a Chrysler minivan and it is doubtful her family will own another car from that company. But for as many critics of a product there are die-hard supporters.

Well, generally speaking you get what you pay for and at the end of the day if you’ve experienced low maintenance problems and thus limited the aggravation of spending time at the dealer the extra money would have been worth it.

General Info:

Parts – USA

Assembly – Detroit, MI.

Class: – Special Purpose

Cars: – Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler.

Handling & Performance:

As good as the rest but all suck when it comes to gas consumption.

Styling:

Simply the best. This is perhaps the most identifiable SUV of the entire field. It has looked the part longer than any of the other copycats. Lets face it, if there weren’t so much profit in making this class vehicle Jeep would still own the market and others wouldn’t bother competing. Jeep Wrangler styling is what started the whole craze and remains special in its nitch.

Fit and Finish:

Very good. Jeep did have problems in this area in years past but I have noticed a marked improvement over the years.

Cost:

A bit overpriced.

Consumer Recommendation:

You simply have a huge range of sizes, makes and models to choose from. Establish a price range. If you want to spend $18-24,000 you will be looking at smaller SUV’s like Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape and Honda CRV, $25-35,000 mid range like the Ford Explorer, Chevy Trailblazer and Lexus RX 300 or $40-80,000 High end luxury SUV’s like the Lincoln Navigator, BMW X5, and Bad Boys like the Hummer and the downscaled H2.

Manufacturer Recommendations:

Don’t be so cheap. When a customer has problems that are chronic, give them a replacement and avoid the bad press and consumer dissatisfaction. Good news travels fast, bad news travels faster.

The Competition: (in order of avg. price).

(1t) Chevrolet TrailBlazer $26-35,000, (1t) Nissan Pathfinder $27-34,000, (2t) Oldsmobile Bravada $33-35,000, (2t) Honda Pilot $27-31,000, (3) Toyota 4Runner $28-36,000, (4) Ford Explorer $26-36,000, (5) Lexus RX 300 $35-37,000, (6) Dodge Durango $26-38,000, (7) GMC Envoy $28-37,000, (8) Jeep Grand Cherokee $26-36,000, (9) Land Rover Discovery $33-37,000, (10) Mitsubishi Montero $32-36,000, (11) Mercedes-Benz M-Class $36-66,000.

* – Ranking is based on cost, cu ft, number of features, warranty and gas mileage.

Good News:

Granddaddy of the bunch, classic styling, powerful and the best size for sport Ute’s.

Bad News:

Poor gas stats, a bit overpriced.

Standard Equipment:

4.7 liter V8 engine, 5-speed auto trans, dual front and side airbags, 4-wheel abs disc brakes, rear defrost, on-demand 4WD, variable lock progressive rear axle, heavy duty suspension with gas shocks, skid plates front, transfer case and gas tank, rain sensitive wipers, dual zone air conditioning, power windows and locks, cruise control, tilt wood and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, computer, security alarm, radio with 10 disc remote CD player and Cassette, six infinity speaker system, keyless entry, universal garage door opener, 10-way power seats with memory, rear 60/40 fold down seats, front and rear 12V outlets, power sunroof, auto headlights, tow hooks and tow package, 17” chrome wheels, fog lights, power mirrors, power adjustable pedals and tire pressure monitoring system.

Gas Stats:

14 City and 19 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $39,195.

2007 Jeep Commander Limited 4X4 (675)

23-10-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2007 Jeep Commander 4-WD sport utility vehicle. Navigation systems are getting more common … I think. I’m a little spoiled I suppose since many of the press cars I drive are loaded which of course makes perfect sense since we need to experience all they have. Well that’s where I’m going with this… Navigation systems should be standard equipment by now. That comment is for the car companies, because they need to know we all know how inexpensive electronics are these days. The important thing is that the benefit of Nav systems to travel, generally, is far reaching.

When I consider how much more comfortable driving can be with a Nav system they should be used to – a.) reduce stress b.) improve safety on the highways c.) save fuel consumption by every car being able to go directly to their destination without getting lost or simply getting there the most efficient way.

Anyway I wouldn’t buy another car without one and portable versions are “Really” cheap now. You can buy one for as little as $250. Brother-in-law Mark has one on his motorcycle and God knows he needs it. Talk about men and directions … we traveled all around Denver, Colorado one day and he was sure he knew where he was going. I forget if we ever stopped for directions because I believe I blacked out from exhaustion.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 73%.

Assembly – Detroit, MI, USA

Class: – Special Purpose

Cars: – Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot & Wrangler.

Observation:

This week began the LA Auto Show week and I was interested to see that most all manufacturers pre-show press conferences emphasised the announcement of their Hydrogen Fuel Cell models. In last weeks column I happened to comment GM putting all their eggs in that technology for next generation of cars. Of course the infrastructure will be a major obstacle in the early going as you’d expect.

GM was in the Hydrogen powered car development very early and I tested their Hi Wire fuel cell car at the turn of the century as you may recall. Back then GM estimated 20 years before it would be offered for general consumption. But it would seem the push for alternate fuel sources is heating up and we are sure to see them available sooner than GM estimated. Recently it was reported in several sources that in the next two years China will lead the world in oil consumption. Imagine what that will do to gas prices.

On the other hand VW / Audi are still putting diesel and particularly bio diesel on the front line for powering their products. I don’t blame them. Why not let the others do the development and when the obstacles are overcome they can easily make the transition. More on this later.

Handling & Performance:

Power plants offered for the Jeep Commander include a 3.7-liter 210-horspower V6, a 4.7-liter 235-horsepower V8 standard in the Limited and a very powerful 5.7-liter 330-horsepower HEMI V8 option in my test vehicle. I enjoyed the added power but I have tested the standard 4.7 liter V8 and would find little reason to pay the added $895 option cost for the HEMI. However the fuel economy differences are only affected by one mpg give or take.

Styling:

Well they say the greatest form of flattery is when others copy you. Well, looking around at all the “Real” off road SUV’s all try to copy the real thing – Jeep.

Third row seating with theater style higher rear seats gives rear seat passengers much better visibility. This may seem like a small thing but very noticeable for those who sit in the rear seats.

Fit and Finish:

As good as anything on the market in class. Jeep continues to improve not only the rough and tumble versions, but has added new more comfort oriented off road models. All around, they do a nice job.

Cost:

As quality, convenience and capability have improved the cost has gone up as you’d expect. But they are very competitive with others attempting to provide the same all terrain capability. You can literally pay twice the price for the Range Rover. I’ll take the Jeep thank you. I think I’d rather take a few trips abroad with the cost savings.

Conveniences and comfort:

Standard equipment is very good and the options are numerous including entertainment system, tow package, Nav and rear camera, etc.

Consumer Recommendation:

Model year-end is upon us as I write this so as common sense dictates you can do better generally at this time on a NEW prior year model. In this case there is very little difference from 2006 through 2008 so you will want to wheel and deal on a 2007 model.

Recognized Competition:

Jeep Commander $28-44,000, Lexus GX 470 $46,635, Land Rover LR3 $41-53,000, Nissan Armada $35-45,000, Infiniti QX56 $52-55,000, Hummer H2 $54-62,000, Dodge Durango $26-37,000, GMC Yukon $35-44,000, Chevrolet Tahoe $34-48,000, Ford Expedition $31-46,000.

Good News:

Comfortable, powerful options so you can have it your way, great theater seating for back two rows.

Bad News:

Only fair fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

5.7 liter V8 engine, 5-speed auto trans., latch ready child anchors, front and side airbags, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, Quadra Trac full time 4-WD, el traction control, rear park sensor, remote keyless entry and start system, theft deterrent system, Electronic Stability Program, power sunroof with 2nd row skylights, power windows, tire pressure monitoring, front and rear air conditioning, power front seats, lumbar adjust front, 2nd row 40/20/40 fold and tumble seats, 3rd row 50/50 split bench seat, power adjustable pedals, Boston acoustics sound system – stereo with in dash 6-disc CD/MP3 player, SIRIUS satellite radio (1 yr included), steering wheel audio controls – leather wrapped, tilt steering column, trip computer, auto on/off headlights, fog lights, power heated folding mirrors.

Gas Stats:

$3.25/ Gal avg. November 12, ‘07

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

14 City and 18 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $39,115.

2009 Chrysler Aspen Limited HEV 4X4 SUV (674)

17-10-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2009 Chrysler Aspen Limited HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) 4X4 SUV. And an interesting one it is. It is about time we’ve begun to move more to hybrid for the SUVs we love so much. Of course it helps to justify ownership of this platform since the need still exists for large cargo and 6-7 passenger capability. The luxury is also nice, but necessity drives us more in satisfying the need to transport soccer or little league kids and all the equipment. The class also is great for the summer outings to the beach or winter outings to the slopes as well as those longer family vacations. If the need were only once a year a rental RV would do just fine, but our life styles are all year long.

The family is still alive and well and sometimes “want” isn’t all that drives us to have a large car. What’s really cool with this Hybrid is you CAN have both size and reasonable fuel economy. I’ve observed that families on a tight budget and large families generally buy smaller fuel efficient second cars.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 64%; Engine- Mexico; Transmission – U.S.A.

Assembly – Newark, Delaware, U.S.A.

Class: – SUV

Cars: – 300, Aspen – Hybrid, Pacifica, PT Cruiser, Sebring and Town & Country.

Opinion:

Well, our government, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to give $ Billions to the Italian auto maker Fiat to help Chrysler out of the pits. Lee Iacocca pulled them out last time with similar financial loans and those were repaid plus interest. Hopefully present loans will also be paid back too. The odds are lousy on that bet.

Friend and colleague Merkel is ecstatic at the possibilities of finally having an American car maker selling small European style cars. He is even toying with the idea of going back to design engineering for his old employer. Go for it Merkel – they need all the help they can get. Meanwhile I’ll keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best – as I prepare for the worst.

Handling & Performance:

Merkel says of the Aspen, “this is a real car” and I must admit I agree with him on this one.

In fact this is a HEMI powered 5.7 liter V8 that is assisted by an electric motor to give it the better fuel performance. The first thing I sensed when I turned the ignition was the “Silence”. Ahhh this is a good thing I thought. As I pressed on the accelerator pedal – it was still quiet even when I needed more power and wa-la that big V8 kicked in and off we went with gusto.

Styling:

Typical great looking products coming from Chrysler in the past few decades and it is well appointed as well as being easy on the eyes. It is elegant and very comfortable. Nice job.

Fit and Finish:

Very good. No complaints here.

Cost:

When all was said and done the total price of this test vehicle is $45,270.

Conveniences and comfort:

There is something about real wood steering wheels that simply feels rich and special. The first SUV I tested that had such elegant appointments was the Cadillac Escalade.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you have a need for a large SUV this is a very good option that is seriously competitive at compelling pricing.

Recognized Competition:

Chrysler Aspen Hybrid $35-37,000, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid $73-87,000, GMC Yukon Hybrid $51-54,000, Nissan Armada $37-48,000, Infiniti QX56 $55-58,000, Toyota Highlander Hybrid $35-41,000, Mazda Tribute Hybrid $29-33,000, Dodge Durango Hybrid $45,040, Ford Expedition $35-51,000, Jeep Commander $29-46,000, Mercedes-Benz GL – Class $58-81,000, Lincoln Navigator $53-59,000, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid $50-53,000, Toyota Land Cruiser $64,755.

Good News:

Good fuel economy, spacious, priced well.

Bad News:

Hybrid and company uncertainties.

Standard Equipment:

5.7 liter HEMI V8 engine with electric motor hybrid power, auto trans with AWD transfer case, electronic stability program, regenerative 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, front and side curtain airbags, theft deterrent system, power steering, 27 gallon fuel tank, remote keyless entry, cruise control, power adjustable pedals, rear back up camera, power lift gate, air conditioning with rear air, power heated front seats, rear 20/40/20 split reclining seating, 3 rd row 60/40 split seating for 3, Sirius satellite radio with traffic feature (one year included), power windows and locks, steering wheel audio mounted controls, halogen lights and fog lights.

Gas Stats:

$2.34/ Gal avg. May 10, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

20 City and 22 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $45,270.

2008 Chrysler Town & Country 2 WD (672)

03-10-2007Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country 2 WD and although outwardly you won’t see much difference in design it is the optional configurations that will strike you as it did me. Innovation which has been the rule rather than the exception from Chrysler products is a real plus. It is perhaps the best company over the past couple of decades to think (and I hate the term) outside the box.

The Mini Van generally delivers the best in family transportation, in my opinion, and although they project the image of a vehicle for “Soccer Moms” they are just the best family vehicle on the market.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 73%.

Assembly – Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Class: – Special Purpose

Cars: – 300, Aspen, Crossfire, Pacifica, PT Cruiser, Sebring and Town & Country.

Observation:

Well, we all know where the CHP is when we make a mistake but what I want to know is where they are when dangerous debris is on our highways. Seems to me that is much more important – how about you?

Handling & Performance:

Typical mini van with double sliding side doors and a rear liftgate. It is a low profile vehicle that handles much better than those vans of a generation ago, and the engines and transmissions are much more sophisticated.

Styling:

Clean and sleek with all the bells and whistles to carry a good size family with options that make this a great vacation / holiday travel companion. The DVD player options – two of them – with headsets – provide the ultimate in tools to occupy several people. The optional swivel chairs and table between 2^nd and 3^rd row seating gives unparalleled versatility in making travel convenient and comfortable. The entertainment system is fantastic for those long trips.

Fit and Finish:

Excellent.

Cost:

Not to bad for all the capability in this class van around $30,000.

Conveniences and comfort:

Chrysler came to play and is a serious contender for the best of the best. They are perhaps the most innovative of car companies. My test vehicle was the Stow and Go version but I reviewed the Swivel and Go version and it is truly impressive. Really cool with captains chairs in the second row that swivel around to the rear so the 2^nd and 3^rd rows can interact with a table between them. The kids (or adults) can enjoy a home like environment for games or conversation over tea and crumpets.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you’re in the market for a family vehicle, you won’t beat this one. SUV’s have been more popular but times, they are a changing. I don’t believe these will go the way of the Station Wagon of the mid 20^th century. The Mini Van has evolved to meet the SUV but with the added convenience of sliding doors and low thresholds that are friendly to kids and older folks.

Recognized Competition:

Chrysler Town & Country $22-36,000, Buick Terraza $27-31,000, Dodge Grand Caravan $22-27,000, Hyundai Entourage $24-30,000, Mazda 5 $18-22,000, Saturn Relay $22-28,000, Kia Sedona $21-26,000, Mercury Monterey $28,595, Ford Freestar $20-30,000, Nissan Quest $21-34,000, Chevrolet Uplander $21-29,000, Honda Odyssey $26-39,000, Toyota Sienna $24-38,000.

Good News:

There is a great selection of competition to choose from which makes bargaining easier, great optional configurations, comfy and convenient for old and young alike with wonderful interior lighting.

Bad News:

I didn’t see much worth mentioning but I wish they’d do better with fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

3.8 liter V6 engine, 6 speed automatic transmission, front and side airbags, ESP electronic stability program, anti lock brakes, power pedals, auto headlights, tire pressure monitor system, dual power sliding doors, power liftgate, child seat anchor system, rear window defroster, rear intermittent wiper washer, stow’n go 2nd row bucket seats, 3rd row 60/40 bench seat, 2nd row power windows, 3rd row power vented windows, removable floor console, dual glove boxes, overhead storage and surround lighting, removable rechargeable flash light, 8-way power driver seat, 12 v and 115 v outlets, analog clock, am/fm with CD / MP3 radio with steering wheel audio controls and 6-speakers, cruise control, leather wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry with engine immobilizer power locks, quad halogen headlights, fog lights, sunscreen glass, power heated fold away mirrors and roof rack.

Optional equipment:

dual DVD entertainment system, hard disc drive, single disc DVD player, 2nd and 3rd 8-inch monitors w/DVD player, wireless headphones, video remote control, Sirius satellite digital radio, 1 year service included and rearview backup camera ($2,395).

Gas Stats:

$3.06/ Gal avg. October 17, ‘07

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

16 City and 23 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $27,700 / $30,825 with options.

2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4WD (671)

26-09-2007Autolove No comments

General Info:

Parts – Japan 100%
Assembly – Japan
Class: – Special Purpose. SUV
Cars: – Eclipse, Endeavor, Galant, Lancer, Outlander and Raider.

“An Automotive Love Affair”
By Joseph Mavilia 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4WD

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4-Wheel Drive
Sport Utility 4-door. Overall I liked this new crossover even though I
haven’t been a big fan of Mitsubishi, this new model gave me pause to
re-think my initial biased expectations.

However, one little complaint I must report is the unexpected noticeable
wind noise that reminds me of the little squeaks of cars of a generation ago
that were so common. So I try to overlook the little things in view of the
fact that today’s cars are far and away better than those classic cars of
the 50s and 60s.

Handling & Performance:

The first thing you’ll notice is a rather stiff ride, but that configuration
allows for greater handling which is especially noticeable driving the
winding mountain roads. It is really impressive for a high profile SUV. In
addition I tested it without a load which of course softens the ride when
carrying passengers and / or cargo. So this is not a negative since the
overall handling is excellent. The 220 hp V6 is very responsive and still
delivers 26 highway MPG. I can’t think of a better argument for moving away
from more expensive brands, badges and logos.

The 4-wheel drive facility is unneeded, in my opinion, but if 4-WD is your
thing you can easily switch on the fly from 2-WD to 4-WD and Lock positions.

Styling:

I like the crossover design that brings the two very popular SUV and the
Mini Van together for a great result. They have designed a neat and
innovative fold down rear bumper for easy loading of cargo. Nice touch.

On the other hand the design folks need to revisit the instrumentation and
consider more conventional gauges. The orange lighting is ok at night but I
found it difficult to read in daylight. The fuel gauge is a bar and although
I don’t dislike that all that much I found it to be inaccurate. Heading out
one morning over the mountain range between the desert and Los Angeles the
gauge indicated distance to empty as 70 miles. Then after about 2 miles it
adjusted to 60 then 50 then 40 within 10 miles. Then after concern if I
would have enough gas to get over the 30 miles ahead of me, the DTE
indicator display was magically back to 70 miles to empty. If they want to
include that feature it really needs to be more accurate.

Fit and Finish:

Very good.

Cost:

Competitive.

Conveniences and comfort:

I really like the new satellite radio systems like XM Radio and Sirius but
the nod goes to XM. I find the Sirius to be unstable and reception cuts in
and out very often which is annoying.

Of course the big draw for these kinds of vehicles which have evolved over
the years is the roominess for 5 passengers and generally the many features
that seek to make the driving experience one of comfort with comfortable
seating, handy storage, lots of cup holders, great sound systems with CD
players and seating that is flexible.

Consumer Recommendation:

If the crossover SUV is of interest for your need, look seriously at the
Chrysler Town and Country for 2008. It stretches the limits for family
vehicles with seating options of Stow and Go (where seats fold easily down
into the floor), or a Swivel and Go configuration (that uses the third row
seats and second row to face each other around a table) that may better suit
your family needs than an SUV.

Recognized Competition:

Mitsubishi Outlander $21-25,000, Mazda Tribute $19-26,000, Saturn Vue
$21-29,000, Kia Sportage $16-23,000, Mercury Mariner $21-26,000, Ford Escape
$19-26,000, Subaru Forester $21-28,000, Nissan Xterra $20-28,000, Jeep
Liberty $20-26,000, Suzuki Grand Vitara $19-25,000, Chevrolet Equinox
$22-29,000, Honda CRV $21-28,000, Toyota RAV4 $21-27,000.

Good News:

Nice performing V6 and better than expected handling, roomy.

Bad News:

More wind noise than expected, difficult to read digital gauges in daylight,
irritating interruptions of Sirius satellite radio,

Standard Equipment:

3.0 liter 220 hp V6 engine, 6 speed auto transmission, front and side air
bags and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, child latch
seat system, day time running lights, security alarm and immobilizer system,
electronic 4-WD system with driver selector 2/4 and lock, 4-wheel ABS disc
brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, air conditioning, rear privacy
glass, stereo with CD / MP3, power door and tailgate locks, power windows
and mirrors, cruise control with steering wheel controls for cruise and
audio, keyless entry, flap folding tailgate, intermittent wipers, 8-way
power driver seat, 60/40 split fold / tumble rear seats, prewired for
Bluetooth, 16″ allow wheels, auto off headlights, and roof rails.
Options: LS sun and sound package including added speaker, Punch sound
system upgrade, SIRIUS satellite radio with 6 months included, 6-CD in dash
changer, power glass sunroof $1740; Entertainment package including DVD rear
seat 9″ monitor, remote control, wireless head set $1150.

Gas Stats:

$2.85/ Gal avg. October 9, ’07
www.fueleconomy.gov <http://www.fueleconomy.gov>
for more information.

19 City and 26 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $23,770 / $27,285 with options.

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About: Autolove

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