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

Recent Posts by Autolove

2003 Subaru Baja AWD (442)

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2003 Subaru Baja AWD (442)

Overview:

This week I tested the 2003 Subaru Baja AWD mini crew cab truck. What a cute little car and the looks you get from young people indicates what market Subaru is after.

Overall I found the Baja a fun car to drive that will not appeal to people over, say 35. Younger sport minded people will want to opt for the tubular bed extender for a surfboard, for example. Older people will say, why not buy a station wagon that provides the cargo space plus the security? Station wagons aren’t cool for young folks today. But remember the “Woodies” so popular in the last generation? Today that generation is re-visiting such cars like the PT Cruiser. I think young people would go for a “Woodie” too, but the “Off Road” craze gives more appeal to the “Truck” thing.

A pickup truck used primarily for transportation will be inconvenient. Recently on a trip to Mexico in a Frontier Pickup we had to move our gear into the cab for a lunch stop and all stops where the vehicle will be out of your control or view.

General Info:

Parts – N/A

Assembly – USA

Class:  – Pick up Truck

Cars: – Baja, Forester, Impreza, Legacy.

Handling & Performance:

It slips around town with ease. I did notice a little clutch chatter when cold. Acceleration is a little sluggish and better with the manual trans. The All Wheel Drive is all the time and I consider that a plus because you get that improved traction and better fuel economy that alternative 4-wheel drive capable vehicles. Although the Baja has all wheel drive it is not meant for heavy duty off road use.

Styling:

The design includes a pass through from the rear seat to the cargo truck bed and a tubular extender with the tailgate down provides added hauling capability. It truly is a mini crew cab pickup truck. Kids love this sedan/truck but others won’t be as impressed.

Fit and Finish:

This little truck is quite and well put together and well insulated from outside noise.

Conveniences:

There is a lot of gadgetry commonly available on most cars these days. This is packed with the “Lifestyle” considerations for the young out of doors active guy or gal.

Cost:

Base price is $23,995 and if you want the bed extender, speaker upgrade add $495, they also have a 6-disk in-dash CD changer for $520 and Baja Lights on the roof rack is $395. Total with floor mats and delivery the total comes to $25,985.

Consumer Recommendation:

I found myself recommending Subaru to my Niece when asked what cars would fit her budget and need for good performance. She wants an SUV like too many others but I cautioned her on the certainty that gas prices are not going to get much better in the near term and certainly with normal inflation and uncertain supply she should brace herself for spending more for transportation unless she goes with a better fuel economy car. If you are in the market for a youthful car/truck with good gas performance in an all wheel drive, all the time, vehicle, Subaru is an outstanding choice. If you simply need a small truck, this isn’t it.

The Competition:

Chevrolet S10 $24,260, Dodge Dakota $24,075, Ford Ranger $19,975, GMC Sonoma $24,560, Mazda Truck $21,160, Nissan Frontier $24,419, Toyota Tacoma $18,630.

Good News:

Good fuel economy, fun to drive, all wheel drive, surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride.

Bad News:

Optional Roof lights are functional only with the parking brake set, only average acceleration.

Standard Equipment:

2.5 liter 4-cylinder 165 hp engine, all wheel drive, limited slip differential, abs 4-wheel disc brakes, dual air bags, air conditioning, stereo with CD player, cruise control, keyless entry, leather wrapped wheel and shift knob, leather trimmed upholstery, power windows and door locks and mirrors, 6-way power drivers seat, fold down rear seats, 16 inch alloy wheels, cargo light and tie downs and liner, fog lights, heavy duty raised suspension, power moon roof and tilt up, roof rails, swing down license plate, bed extender and pass through, 5 year 60,000 mile warranty.

Gas Stats:

20 City and 25 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $24,495.

2003 Nissan Frontier 4WD SC V6 Supercharged Pickup (441)

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2003 Nissan Frontier 4WD SC V6 Supercharged Pickup (441)

Overview:

This week I tested the 2003 Nissan Frontier 4WD SC V6 Supercharged Crew Cab Pickup. Boy that’s a mouthful, but it is a lot of truck made especially for the kind of trip I made into Mexico.

The venture gives meaning to “Off Road”. But that is where the poor of Mexico live. In general, in fact, we in America seldom get off road. Here in Mexico you spend more time off road than you do on road when it comes to the small towns and villages.

And wouldn’t you know, not a few hours after crossing the border I saw the sister to the one I was driving. It was silver and had Baja California plates that made me think the 5 year 60,000 mile Powertrain warranty will be greatly challenged here in Mexico.

All things considered, this truck performed wonderfully here in the rugged country dirt roads and even smoothed out the otherwise poorly paved highways.

General Info:

Parts – N/A

Assembly – Smyrna, TN, USA

Class:  – SUV Special Purpose Vehicle

Cars: – 350Z, Altima, Frontier, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Sentra & Xterra.

 

Proverbs 14:31

I was thrilled to see Toyota is building a plant not 3 miles from this building site half way between Tecate and Tijuana. Thrilled because it’s about time we began to shore up the border communities of Mexico. As much as we think America is a better place to live it has more to do with the economy. If we did more of what Toyota is doing less would go to countries like China and south of the border would flourish. Bravo Toyota. Thanks.

Handling & Performance:

I’ve been off road for fun, but this was business and the erosion ruts were deep and wide and it was a big help to have the assurance I could handle anything Mexico could throw at me. 4-wheel high was great for the terrain and getting labor, materials and tools to the building site was a delight. I wasn’t impressed with the gas mileage however. But there were a few times the Supercharger gave a boost to safe driving. Big buses and trucks in Mexico are more ominous than in the US.

Styling:

Rough and tumble is the image all truck manufacturers are trying to portray. That is true of this Frontier that was restyled in 2001, after its introduction in 1999. Nissan produces state of the art designs that are the sign of the time and very different from the cars and trucks they produced in the early 1960’s when I bought my first “Datsun”.

           

2001 redesigned.                                                                              2000 Old design.

Fit and Finish:

Outstanding for a truck. It is a very comfortable ride in part because it is relatively quiet and well screwed together.

Conveniences:

More than a truck should have. It is almost undignified for a workhorse to be so well endowed. But it didn’t have a tape player. CD is the thing these days, but tapes are still in huge supply.

Cost:

Competitive with all in its class. Equipped the way mine was pushes the price up the almost $27,000 and if you add leather, upgraded stereo and vehicle security you can push the price up to over $29,000.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles you can keep the cost way down. But in any case this is the top dog of the competition in my view.

The Competition:

Nissan Frontier $13-27,000, Chevrolet S10 $15-24,000, Dodge Dakota $16-26,000, Ford Ranger $14-25,000, GMC Sonoma $15-25,000, Toyota Tacoma $12-22,000.

Good News:

Comfortable ride, supercharged and attractive.

Bad News:

Poor fuel consumption, side rails look cool but are appendages in my view, long turning radius in the 4-WD models, no cassette player, 4-cylinder version is way under powered so you will likely opt for the V6.

Standard Equipment:

3.3 liter V6 210 hp Supercharged engine, 5000 lb towing capacity, limited slip differential, Power front disc with rear drum ABS brakes, auto trans, independent front and solid rear axle suspension, 2-speed transfer case with auto locking hubs, 74 ft 6 inch double wall cargo bed with locking quick release removable tailgate, 17 inch alloy wheels, fog lights and cargo light, tubular roof rack and step rails, air conditioning stereo with 6 CD player, remote keyless entry, cruise control and tilt leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, compass and temp display, brushed aluminum interior trim, center console with 3 DC power outlets, 4-door crew cab, power mirrors, 8-way power driver seat, 5 passenger seating, dual air bags, 3 child seat anchors, skid plates for engine and 19.4 gallon fuel tank.

Gas Stats:

15 City and 18 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $26,939.

2003 Nissan Murano SE 2 WD (440)

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2003 Nissan Murano SE 2 WD (440)

Overview:

This week I tested the all-new 2003 Nissan Murano SE 2 WD. But they are also available in an AWD (All wheel drive) version. But don’t buy it for its off road prowess. There is no low gear for serious off road use.

I like its quick steering and generally this fun to drive car has the comfort and convenience of the finest SUV’s on the market. It doesn’t have a 3rd row seat available so if you need to tote more than 5 people you’ll want to look elsewhere. Better yet, with the gas prices what they are likely to reach, buy this and when lots of people must be transported, let them drive their Suburban that gets about 7 miles per gallon.

The name Murano is taken from a popular Italian sculpted glass. It is said this SUV was designed primarily for the North American market. But then what isn’t? I’ve been told that about 90% of Porsche’s, for example, are sold in the US of A and most of those are sold in the Los Angeles area. Correct my sources if you have better information. However, I quote that because when in Germany I don’t recall seeing one Porsche. I saw some Corvettes. Just goes to show you that the grass is greener on the other side of the Atlantic – no matter what side you’re on.

General Info:

Parts –  N/A

Assembly – Los Angeles

Class:  – SUV Special Purpose Vehicle

Cars: – 350Z, Altima, Frontier, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Sentra & Xterra.

Handling & Performance:

This is truly a road car. It is not meant for off road but it is well suited for the highway. It is totally comfortable and well behaved. The powerful 245 horsepower V6 is mated to a really impressive smooth shifting and responsive automatic transmission. It is referred to as a CVT for Continuously Variable Transmission. The 4-wheel vented ABS brakes are superb. I just like the way this new entry into the SUV world handles itself. It is sure footed and gives you a sense of security.

Styling:

Well, you be the judge. I think is sports wild lines and the overall design leaves you with poor visibility. I also didn’t like how the rear hatch opens. When you lift up the hatch shifting cargo will likely fall at your feet. I suggest they put a lip that folds up when the hatch is opened. I’m indifferent about the broad smiling grillwork, but I happen to like the windshield treatment. The sloping line gives plenty of useful dash area. You could server a sizable buffet on the surface.

Fit and Finish:

I love the Japanese and their strong work ethic. I toured some manufacturing facilities, in particular aircraft plants, in the Kobe area of Japan and got a sense of the special concern every employee had to do the best job possible. They are proud people. But perhaps more important is the attitude of Japanese companies who enjoy mutual loyalty with their employees.

Conveniences:

Yes. Check out the list below. Generally for the dough the standard features are great. Options are all non-essential in my view. Sunroofs are a waste of time, extra power for the passenger seat is unnecessary and who needs memory seat, pedals and mirror settings – Really!

Cost:

Enough already. Really, it’s enough and not really too much either.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you don’t need the third row seat this is a great addition to the SUV line up. These are truly Cross Over vehicles. Not a Van, Not a Car, Not a Jeep, but they will give you the benefits of all three to a greater or lesser degree.

The Competition:

Nissan Murano $28-31,000, Acura MDX $36-42,000, Audi all road quatro $40-41,000, BMW X5 $40-67,000, Buick Rendezvous $26-29,000, Honda Pilot $27-33,000, Lexus RX 300 $35-37,000, Mercedes Benz M-Class $37-66,000, Subaru Outback $19-32,000, Toyota Highlander $24-31,000, Volvo XC90 $33-40,000.

Good News:

Not half bad gas stats, but then it is a 2 WD, comfy and roomy, solid ride and smooth on the highway, lots of power and terribly responsive when you need some thrust for passing, handy storage compartment under cargo area floor.

Bad News:

Poor rear visibility, opening rear hatch reminds me of flying. Careful while opening the compartments as items may have shifted in flight.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter V6 245 hp engine, Xtronic CVT auto trans, electronic distributed 4-wheel ABS power vented disc brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, power steering, 6 spoke 18 inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, Halogen fog lights, Audio system with CD player, cruise control, tilt steering wheel with controls for radio and cruise, climate control, aluminum interior trim, cloth seats, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way manual passenger seat, reclining rear seats, fold flat rear seats for expanded cargo area, remote keyless entry, power windows and locks, Homelink transceiver, rear wiper and defroster, side impact airbags front and rear, child safety rear locks and anchors and tethers and security system.

Gas Stats:

20 City and 25 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $28,999.

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4 WD (439)

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2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4 WD (439)

Overview:
This week I took a break from the daily boredom of get up, go to work and went off roading in the 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4 WD. A friend has a 1942 Army Jeep and we took them together.

The Old and New. Well, the first thing that happened is the Army Jeep overheated and vapor locked. After the usual attempts to clean out the fuel line we concluded the fuel pump went out. After trying some starter fluid in the carburetor it primed the pump and it started.

Some statistics I thought interesting between the first and the last: Curb weight is 2800 lbs. on the 1942 and 4600 lbs. on the Rubicon. The Wheelbase is 14 inches longer on the Rubicon and it tracks 11 inches wider.

Other than the basic-ness of the Wrangler, it was fun to drive and surely a departure from usual transportation. And this Jeep is not just a guy thing. There are a lot of gals driving Jeep Wranglers. My kind of gals. In fact I have visions of a lovely lady in a wet T-Shirt, in search for adventure, wind blowing through her hair and always ready to hang with the guys.

This Rubicon spells excitement and conjures up visions of hunting, fishing and rafting trips and almost seems out of place on a paved street.

By the way if you gals are looking for guys, I gotta tell ya, buy one of these and the guys will find you. Guys go for that “Wet and Wild” kind of gal. There is an interesting mystique with off road vehicles and the people who drive them. Consider the recent craze for the Hummer H2. At $100,000 the H1 was not reachable for most. At $48,000 the H2 is closer. At 24,000 this Rubicon will still give that “ready for anything” image. Well, almost anything. Of course if you hate the wind blowing in your hair, can’t stand outside activities, stop reading and forget the whole thing.

General Info:

Parts – US /Canada 83%

Assembly – Toledo, Ohio, USA

Class: – Special Purpose

Cars: – Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler.

Handling & Performance:

Bumpy. Rugged. Basic. But off road, hold on to your hat because this modern version of the original Army Jeep is nimble, Jack. For you old timers it is an “E” Ticket ride.

Styling:

Original. There isn’t much of a departure from Jeeps beginnings aside from fancy paint, pretty wheels, upholstered seats and the like.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is available in a Soft Top, Hard Top or both Hard and Soft-top versions.

Fit and Finish:

It is a bit more solid and well put together, but still pretty basic.

Conveniences:

You can spoil the effect by adding almost anything you find on Luxury SUV’s.

Cost:

The price of being different means you’ll pay for champagne and get beer, because there is much more to this Jeep than meets the eye. It is very capable off road. Things like the front and rear wheel-locking feature. This kind of engineering doesn’t come cheap.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you’re a down to earth guy or gal who pride yourselves with being uniquely you, don’t mind getting your hands dirty, love to be outside in the wilderness, the manufacturer had you in mind for this vehicle. You probably like, skiing, camping, rock climbing, skydiving, rafting, surfing, hiking or all of the above.

Jeep owners are in a special club encouraged by the company who help make the off road adventure a reality with Jeep Jamborees. Truly a great experience and a 3-day course on how much your Jeep can do. It will amaze you as it did me on the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts. I’m looking forward to the experience on the Rubicon Trail in California. You can learn more from their web site

http://www.jeepersjamboree.com/jeep-itinerary.html

The Competition:

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon $16-24,000 is in a class all by itself, even though the following are listed as competitors. Chevrolet Tracker $16-22,000, Kia Sportage $15-18,000, Suzuki Vitara $16-18,000, Toyota RAV 4 $17-18,000. But there is nothing close except the Hummer at two to four times the money.

Good News:

Different, fun to drive, powerful and a good reason to get off the couch, because life is not a spectator sport.

Bad News:

Poor fuel economy and getting in and out is like mounting a horse.

Standard Equipment:

4.0 liter inline 6 cylinder 190 horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic trans with lockup torque converter, dual air bags, 4-wheel power disc brakes, power steering, skid plate shield on the transfer case and fuel tank, tow hooks – 2 front and 1 rear, stabilizer bars front and rear, high pressure gas shocks, tilt leather wrapped steering wheel, center console, AM/FM radio with cassette and 4 speakers, carpeted, fully padded roll bar, fog lights, swing away mirrors, matching full size spare wheel and tire, soft top. Options: Air-conditioning $895, Cruise control $250, CD changer $125, Hard top with roll up windows, rear wiper and defroster $920.

Gas Stats:

16 City and 19 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $24,485.

2003 BMW Z4 (438.5)

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2003 BMW Z4 (438.5)

Another View:

This week I had the opportunity to visit with an open critic of the BMW Z4 Roadster. To the naked eye – mine – I didn’t see the problem, but then I’m not a car designer.

Merkel Weiss is a professor and automotive design engineer who’ve I’ve known for many years. From his work at Chrysler Corporation to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, he has always been an automotive voice asked for or not.

Well, I asked Merkel what he thought of the new BMW Z4. He owns an M3 so I figured he would surely have a good thought, but I got another view.

Merkel says he was in the dentist chair for X-rays and the tech said he was doing very well controlling his gag reflexes. Merkel explained he had spent a lot of time analyzing the form of the Z4, which he surmised was a complete non sequitur to her.

Me too, until Merkel explained. “ A gag reflex is a protection feature of the human anatomy that is completely autonomic. It is certainly possible, through practice to learn to control the gag reflex. But that thought came to me while I was thinking about certain aesthetic features of modern car design which are accepted as good work, and that which is not – specifically the BMW Z4.”

“Ok, Joe, I am not an old fogie and reject any reference to old fogyism that one might attribute to this aesthetic consideration, mainly because I taught car design for years. I know many car designers, and I enjoy all aspects of modern design, but only the good ones that are, by the way, good today and tomorrow. They may date themselves but the good part stays good.”

Merkel, how do you evaluate the good ones?

“It’s really not too difficult. First you need an adult view of sculpture. When we were kids we drew pictures with all kinds of stuff in the composition. The picture got busy and we liked it that way. I think of a busy stylistic treatment as an immature aesthetic, like Datsun’s of the 70’s.

So what’s your beef with the Z4?

“It is a tremendous achievement for BMW’s design department because it is something that ordinarily should not be possible. The joining of concave and convex surfaces through a 45-degree sculpture line through the front fender is really a work of genius, except for one thing. It fails to mate by definition, making the front of the car separate from the back. For one thing the rear haunches are way too weak, and the ducktail is way too tall, dropping off on either side of the center duck tail like Niagara Falls and giving the car a saggy butt Bertha look. The tail edge drop-off here should be reduced to no more than about a third of what it is, but no drop-off at all (like a Ford GT40 ducktail) would be better yet. And with the top up it turns dreadful.”


Ford concept GT 40.

Wow, Merkel. Don’t hold anything back; tell me how you really feel.

“Joe, you know I own a BMW and they drive great, but I loathe the body of the Z4 simply because I want to like it so much and it is such a departure from the nicely sculpted BMW’s of the past. And while I’m on a roll, the 7 series trunk treatment also brings out the barf bag. The pasted on trunk is just plain undignified in a car of this stature.


2003 BMW 7 Series


2003 BMW 7 Series

I believe that the same ingenious thought process has led BMW down the path of over analysis to such a degree that the original function got lost in the translation. This flame surfacing and trunk pasting direction is simply bad. I think GM got it a lot better with the Holden Monaro/GTO, Porsche with the Boxster, Honda with the S2000 and Audi with the TT.    

        
GM’s Monaro                             Porsche Boxster

                    
Honda S2000                                       Audi TT

While I applaud BMW for inventing and building something completely new, I think someone inside BMW should have stepped up and barfed. Only now in the darkest corners of the empire are shadowed figures beginning to whisper,
hey, the Emperor has no clothes on…”

Consumer Recommendation:

Don’t ask Merkel.

The Competition:

2003 BMW Z4 $33-40,000, Audi TT $33-40,000, Mazda MX 5 Miata $22-26,000, Mercedes SLK $40-55,000, Porsche Boxster $42-52,000, Toyota MR2 Spyder 24,570.

Good News:

Drives Great.

Bad News:

Flawed styling.

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
Copyright © 2003 – An Automotive Love Affair

 

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Turbo (437)

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2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Turbo (437)

Overview:
This week I finally got to test-drive the 4-cylinder Turbo version of the PT Cruiser. I had felt back in 2000 that this car / truck / SUV would not only be a trip back in time, the price would surely go up once the demand pushed production. Prices didn’t go up as much as I thought, however, and Chrysler really pushed up production to meet the demand.

I believe the folks who drive the demand up for the PT Cruiser are in their 50’s and 60’s. Those are the Rod lovers for car of the period and I think they too have pushed for this Turbo version. Those are the same people who invented the “Drag Strip” and have supported professional racing for the past 50 years. And it is comforting to know that their old high school sweethearts are also seen driving them.

Ok, so although it rides nice and now has the power we wanted, is it still too small inside and barely adequate for transporting lads and ladies and luggage. Well, the “Cruiser” is a unique addition to the highway like other older renovated Rods, but with the advantage of being new, reliable, and thus more practical as a daily driver. It provides everything other cars provide and I expect it will continue to be a popular reminder of transportation of the early part of the 20th Century.

Handling & Performance:

The Cruiser has a terrible turning radius and that was the only gripe I heard from a friend who rented one on a recent road trip. Me, I like the increased power from the turbo that boosts the 150 horsepower to 215, but that was never a deal breaker without it. As to the ride, it is surprisingly smooth and quite comfortable and the long turning radius is only a minor inconvenience.

Styling:

It is a shiny, clean, modern version of the past. A second Dream Cruiser edition will also be added to the PT Cruiser lineup later in the 2003 model year. It sets on a Neon platform and follows in the footsteps of some older panel trucks. In fact, there is now a conversion kit available that converts it to a true Panel truck. It means removing the rear door handles, installing rear side window coverings and even provided cladding on the inside to make it a true Panel Truck.

Fit and Finish:

Very good.

Conveniences:

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cost:

Prices are a climbing. In 2000 the price was about $15,000. Why, you say? Well, I’d say “…because” but I can just hear my daughter at various adolescent ages chiding me that “Because” is not an answer. Ok, she broke me of that and now kids drive adults up the wall with that favorite response of the day – “Whateverrrrr”.  Why do they say that? I suspect, just “Because”.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you’ve got to capture a bit of the past and have the dough it’s a fun car to have and drive. It attracts attention in lesser and lesser degrees than when introduced in 1998, but still a fun car to drive.

The Competition:

VW Beetle $16-26,000, Mini Cooper $16-19,000, Toyota RAV4 $17-18,000, Chrysler PT Cruiser $17-22,000, Honda CR-V $19-22,000, Subaru Forester $21-24,000, Suzuki Grand Vitara $19-23,000.

Good News:

Turbocharged engine, smooth ride, different – a departure from the hum drum cars that are flat boring, 4-wheel disc – replace rear drum brakes.

Bad News:

Cargo area is small and general feeling of cramped quarters.

Standard Equipment:

2.4 liter 215 horsepower Turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, 4-speed auto trans, front and side air bags, child seat anchor and rear door protection, power 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, power steering, traction control, stabilizer bars, air conditioning, tilt steering column, power windows, fold down rear removable seats, AM/FM six speaker radio with cassette and CD, power driver seat and fold flat passenger seat, theft deterrent and security alarm system, door locks, keyless entry, tint glass, fog lamps, 17” aluminum chrome wheels, power moon roof,  and power mirrors.

Gas Stats:

19 City and 25 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $25,675.

 

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com

Copyright © 2003 – An Automotive Love Affair

2003 Infiniti G 35 Sedan (436)

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2003 Infiniti G 35 Sedan (436)

Overview:
I have to tell you I do like this Infiniti G 35 passenger sedan – 90%. It is a little sportier than the I 35 that I tested last week. They are about the same money. It was introduced in 2002 and is an indication of how aggressive the new Nissan management is.

The G 35 is not as roomy as the I 35 but you don’t really notice the difference all that much. If I didn’t like sporty cars it would be a toss up between the two. The I 35 is more sedate and a good all around family car. But I believe younger drivers will like the look and feel of the G 35 much better. And the real sports car enthusiast will go for the Coupe.

The G 35 reminds me of the Cadillac CTS, but on a slightly smaller scale even though it is actually bigger than the CTS by 14 cu. ft. As to preference, some people will always opt for American made while others will go for the foreign perceived quality differential.

Me? I’d pop for the Cad in a heartbeat at about the same money. It is beefier and much more classy looking inside and out, albeit the CTS has that Darth Vader look.

General Info:

Parts – Japan

Assembly – Tochigi, Japan

Class: – Compact Sedan

Cars: – FX45, G35, I35, M45, Q45, QX4

Handling & Performance:

This is a spunky little car and 40 more horsepower than the CTS. But I did feel the brakes and transmission are too touchy. A little jerky on the starts and stops.

Styling:

As I said, I like the styling very much. I think it is “Today” and this will be a good seller for Infiniti.

Fit and Finish:

Japanese is always first cabin in workmanship.

Conveniences:

Today’s cars come from the land of plenty. Electronics are so cheep these days that you get all you need and the price is right. The list below is lavish.

Cost:

Priced well, but then the competition is tough in this category.

Consumer Recommendation:

All are nice cars, but my picks have to be the Volvo S60 and the Cad CTS.

The Competition:

Infiniti G 35 Sedan $27-32,000, Acura TL $29-33,000, Audi A4 $25-42,000, BMW 3 Series $28-43,000, Cadillac CTS $29,650, Jaguar X-Type $29-36,000, Lexus IS 300 $29-31,000, Mercedes Benz C-Class $25-50,000, Saab 9-3 $25-40,000, Volvo S60 $26-33,000.

Good News:

Sporty handling, fast, comfortable, fair gas mileage, Japanese quality fit and finish.

Bad News:

Sensitive brakes and jerky engine-trans combo and small side rear view mirrors.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter 260 horsepower V6 engine, continuous variable valve timing control, 5-speed auto trans, speed sensitive power steering, 4 wheel power ABS disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, traction control, cruise control, dual power outside mirrors, 120 watt audio system with cassette and in dash 6-CD auto changer with steering wheel controls, leather, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power windows, climate control, dual front and side air bags, child safety anchors & latch system, remote keyless entry, power door locks, alloy wheels and theft deterrent system.

Gas Stats:

19 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $28,950.

2003 Infiniti I35 (435)

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2003 Infiniti I35 (435)

Overview:
This week I had the pleasure of testing the Infiniti I35 passenger sedan. I always liked the Q45 luxury and look, so this is a nice update of the I30 with similar grill look and the feel inside is similar yet smaller than the Q. It sports more features than its predecessor the I30 and is much faster. In fact you’ll be impressed with its 0-60 quick time of about 7 seconds.

More important for me however is the abundant power at any speed. It just digs down and gives you a boost for launching into fast freeway traffic. Very nice.

It is roomy and the trunk is good sized. Overall this is an easy to like new model to chose from in a very popular price range. With soaring gas prices that may never look back, I believe concerned budget conscious folks will start migrating from their “Gas Guzzling” SUV’s and get real with reasonable transportation like this Infiniti I35.

General Info:

Parts – Japan

Assembly – Japan

Class: – Passenger Luxury Midsize Sedan

Cars: – FX45, G35, I35, M45, Q45, QX4

Handling & Performance:

Generally the car handles nicely. However the suspension needs to be beefed up and smoothed out. I’m not an engineer, but like you who simply know what a good ride is and what isn’t. You get a lot more road noise than I expected for an Infiniti. That’s why it is a “Near Luxury” car. It simply does rather poorly on bumpy roads.

Styling:

Pleasant lines and classy presentation as is the case for most of the upscale Nissan products with the Infiniti badge.

Fit and Finish:

Great. From the inside it has all the earmarks of a classy luxury automobile. Nice simulated word grain trim and leather and appearances of its bigger siblings.

Conveniences:

Great standard equipment listing in this price range. The Bose 200 watt 7-speaker audio system is better than my home model. If you want more you can opt for a sunroof for $1,500, sport package for upgraded wheels and tires and sport tuned suspension (meaning a better handling ride) and computer assisted handling control for $1,800 and a Navigation system with trunk mounted 6-CD player for $2,000.

Cost:

For the money I believe I could put up with a little rougher ride than I prefer. It is well priced when you consider the whole picture.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you are in the market for a near luxury automobile and have looked at the competition noted here, this I35 is a must see. I like it better than the Diamante but would prefer the Volvo badge. This is a real contender in the market today. I believe it will sell well.

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

Mitsubishi Diamante $26-28,000, Infiniti I35 $28,950, Volvo S0 $26-33,000, Lexus IS300 $29-31,000, Mazda Millennia $28-32,000, Acura TL $29-33,000, Lexus ES300 $31,625, Jaguar X-Type $29-36,000, Saab 9-3 $26-40,000, Audi A4 $25-42,000, Oldsmobile Aurora $34,425, BMW 3-Series $28-43,000, Lincoln LS $32-43,000, Mercedes Benz C-Class $25-50,000.

Good News:

Nice handling, comfortable, fair gas mileage, Japanese quality fit and finish, fast but stops well and the price is very competitive.

Bad News:

Doesn’t handle the bumps well.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter 255 horsepower V6 engine, 4-speed auto trans, engine speed sensitive power steering, 4 wheel power ABS disc brakes, 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, dual front and side air bags, power mirrors, traction control, child safety locks, climate control, trip computer, steering wheel controls for audio and cruise controls, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, power leather seats, audio system with cassette and in dash 6-CD player with speed sensitive audio volume control, alloy wheels, theft deterrent system and remote keyless entry.

Gas Stats:

20 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $28,950.

2003 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 Quad Cab SLT Turbo Diesel (434)

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2003 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 Quad Cab SLT Turbo Diesel (434)

Overview:
I thought the Hummer was big. I forget how big a dualee Ram 3500 is. 6-speed on the floor to transfer the power of a very capable 6 cylinder Cummins Turbo Diesel. I noticed the fenders were a different red from the body of the truck. It made perfect sense when I made the first turn into the driveway and past a building too close. Any closer and they would have been repainting the fender again.

Brother John has the same model with a Cummins Diesel that is about 2-years old. He regularly hauls more than a ton of hay for his animals. He just loves his Dodge Ram. It’s a “Man’s” truck and necessary on a working horse and cattle ranch.

Handling & Performance:

Other than the huge size that takes some getting used to, it is responsive and awesome to drive. The only thing that just fries my bacon is the bumpity-bump-bump-bump ride you get on cement surface roads. With a load, of course, the ride is smooth. And with 460 ft. lbs. of torque you can pull a house. It red lines at 3,000 rpm, and with 6 speeds you’ll find yourself starting out in second, shifting to 4th and then to 6th to cut the number of shifts, unless you have a load.

Styling:

Dodge Ram has been a truck leader in style for a long time now. This is one tough looking truck.

Fit and Finish:

Great, even though it’s a truck made for serious business.

Conveniences:

Availability is endless and the price tag will reflect that fact.

Cost:

Price-eeeee. Well I guess if you have a need to haul heavy stuff like 2-tons of hay, horse trailer, etc., then this is the hot ticket. And really the base price of $31,970 isn’t bad if you don’t need the Preferred Package and Turbo Diesel.


Consumer Recommendation:

On the ranch this is a great truck but if you don’t have such a need and Home Depot supplies is all you’ll haul, the base model is just fine.

The Competition: (in order of average price)

Ford F-350 Super Duty $22-37,000, GMC Sierra 3500 $28-36,000, Dodge Ram 3500 $25-40,000, Chevrolet Silverado 3500 $27-40,000.

Good News:

35-gallon fuel tank, Heavy-duty capability, diesel with turbo is fast and smooth.

Bad News:

35-gallon fuel tank necessary, so it is expensive to buy and operate.

Standard Equipment:

5.7 liter V8 engine is standard (see below for upgrade diesel), 6-speed Heavy Duty manual trans, dual air bags, 4-wheel abs brakes, manual shift-on-the-fly transfer case for 4-wheel drive, power steering, trailer tow 4-pin wiring connector, air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power windows & locks, cruise control, trip computer, radio with CD, rear folding seat, cargo lamp, preferred package with tow hooks, leather 8-way power driver and passenger seats, power adjustable pedals, electronic transfer case upgrade, fog lights, upgraded radio with cassette, 7-speakers and steering wheel audio controls, leather wrapped wheel, wood grain instrument panel, temp control air, keyless entry, security alarm and theft deterrent, upgraded trailer tow, added side air bags, heated front seats, engine upgrade to inline 6-cylinder HO Cummins Turbo Diesel, 750 amp maintenance free battery and box bed liner.

Gas Stats:

 Not available- my guess is 6-12mpg.

Pricing:

MSRP $44,555.

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
Copyright © 2002 – An Automotive Love Affair

2003 GMC Envoy XL 2-WD (433)

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2003 GMC Envoy XL 2-WD (433)

Overview:

Ok GM, this 2003 GMC Envoy XL 2-WD makes sense, but why can’t we get more mileage out of a two-wheel drive? You guys simply have to do better. I’ve been complaining for many years that we can put a man on the moon, but we can’t seem to drive by enough gas stations in an SUV.

Why is that? And now that gas prices are back up to two bucks a gallon in the beginning of 2003, manufacturers will be pressed to do better. Thus far they have done lousy. Hello, is anyone listening?

I wouldn’t make such a fuss but Greenpeace isn’t going away. Big companies are being watched with a suspicious eye or two. We, as a people, just seem to ignore the effects of our actions and will chop down trees without consideration for the future. Big oil companies seem to be more willing to lobby for war to protect oil interests than to develop alternate fuel vehicles to leave some of that oil in the ground. Seems cheap oil paid for with someone else’s blood is ok. Do you think Enron is secretly in the oil business?

General Info:

Parts – USA

Assembly – USA

Class:  – SUV

Cars: – Envoy, Safari, Savana, Sierra, Sonoma, Yukon.

Handling & Performance:

Quite nice. I, like most of you, like the idea of the SUV. And this is powerful and finally sports a state of the art engine. It is an inline 6 with variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder. It produces 270 horses and is similar to more advanced engines from foreign carmakers. Nice change GM, from the old push rod design engines common to American cars.

Styling:

Common to the competition and at the rate you see them on the road (trucks and SUV’s make up about 40% of all passenger vehicles out there).

Fit and Finish:

Excellent. I like how well American car makers have risen to the challenge of the Japanese in this area.

Conveniences:

Usual and ordinary. Manual air conditioning and seats. I get lazy and appreciate the comforts and convenience of power mirrors, seats and auto air. I come to expect it. Fact of the matter is that it would be cheaper to put everything in all cars since high tech is so cheap today.

Cost:

A bit pricey. Since these things are so lousy on gas consumption and so profitable to their makers you’d think they would cut us a break.

Consumer Recommendation:

Personal preference will lead you down the isle with America’s beloved SUV. They make us feel invincible and keep our wives and children safer on the road. You simply must balance that need with your budget. Compare a mini van as an option to the SUV.

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

Nissan Pathfinder $27-34,000, Ford Explorer $26-37,000, Toyota 4Runner $27-36,000, Jeep Grand Cherokee $26-38,000, GMC Envoy $28-37,000, Isuzu Trooper $28-37,000, Dodge Durango $27-38,000, Mercury Mountaineer $29-37,000, Mitsubishi Montero $32-37,000, Infiniti QX4 $35-36,000.

Good News:

Good warranty, powerful, comfortable, spacious and nice handling.

Bad News:

Poor mileage for a 2-wheel drive.

Standard Equipment:

4.2 liter inline 6-cylinder 270 horsepower engine, 4-speed auto trans, fog cornering lights, heavy duty trailering, tilt steering wheel with cruise control, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, theft deterrent system, child safety locks, 7-passenger seating, lumbar support on front seats, remote keyless entry, air conditioning with rear controls, AM/FM stereo with CD and 6 speakers, power steering, windows and door locks, rear defroster and washer wiper, split folding rear seat, stainless steel exhaust and 3 year 36,000 mile warranty with courtesy transportation and 24 hour roadside assistance.

Gas Stats:

15 City and 20 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $30,270.

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