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 Suzuki Aerio SX (432)

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2003 Suzuki Aerio SX (432)

Overview:

This week I jumped from a $50,000 Hummer H2 (overstated, impractical, gas guzzling super SUV) into one of the most practical of family passenger vehicles on the planet. This week I tested the 2003 Suzuki Aerio SX. I guess you could view it as a “mini-wagon”.

In spite of the fact that most men secretly want to own the H2, they would be hard pressed justifying it to mama and the kids. Of course I’m not making mama out to be the hero here, because if the truth be known and she had her way she would buy a Jaguar for her and the “Kids”.

We all know we shouldn’t drink, smoke and chase fast women, Bill Clinton, but we are weak and fall to temptation. So, go out and buy a Jag for her and a H2 for him and forget practical cars like this Suzuki Aerio SX. Just kidding. Anyway there probably isn’t enough in the checkbook anyway, dear.

Handling & Performance:

Naturally small cars are easy to zip around town in. It was a major production to just run up to the store for a quart of milk while driving the H2. It would be easier to walk or I could take the Toyota Corolla or the Suzuki Aerio.

Styling:

The Aerio reminds me of the Pontiac Aztek that so many said was ugly. Ok so I agree it isn’t pretty but neither was the girl next door when I was a kid. I wonder what ever happened to her. She was practical, well constructed and would have been a great mom to the kids, and an unlimited warranty. I wouldn’t have noticed back then. I was into different styling. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder and it had a different meaning – then. I probably needed glasses back then and didn’t even know it.

Fit and Finish:

Good, like most Japanese cars tend to be.

Conveniences:

Austere – basic and boring to some, while adequate and cheap to others. Life is a series of tradeoffs, eh? My favorite saying, “Enough is abundance to the wise”, speaks volumes.

Cost:

Hard to imagine what you’d do with all the extra money by not buying that Jag or Hummer. Let’s see, the Hummer could cost as much as $112,000 so if I bought this Aerio I could bank about $100 grand. Or consider financing. Payments with 10% down, 7%, 5 years on each would be $267 on the Aerio and $1980 on the Hummer. Then there’s the consideration for repairs and operating costs. Gas consumption on the Aerio at an average of 30mpg vs. the Hummer at an average of 10mpg. You do the rest of the math and you will likely come up with a monthly cost to own the Hummer at about $2,500 and $350 for the Aerio. Pretty sizeable trade off.

Consumer Recommendation:

It is said, “A budget is something we stay within when we go without”. Only you know what you should really spend on transportation. The bus may be the best alternative. Or if you’re a health and fitness nut, buy a bicycle and save money and live long enough to spend it on other things.

The Competition: (in order of average price)

Suzuki Aerio SX $14,999, Chrysler PT Cruiser $17-26,000, Ford Focus $13-19,000, Ford Focus Wagon $17-18,000, Kia Rio Cinco $10,750, Mazda Protege5 $16,635.

Good News:

Good gas performance and priced well, great transferable power train warranty.

Bad News:

No ABS brakes, styling only a mother could love.

Standard Equipment:

2.0 liter inline 4-cylinder 145 horsepower engine, 5-speed manual transmission, power steering, alloy wheels, fog lights, power windows, locks and mirrors, rear defroster and washer wiper, air conditioning, audio with 6 speakers and 6-in dash CD changer, Cruise control, tilt wheel, 5-passenger seating, covered rear storage area, split folding rear seat, 100,000 – 7 year transferable power train warranty with courtesy vehicle program.

Gas Stats:

26 City and 32 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $14,999.

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

2003 Hummer H2 (431)

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2003 Hummer H2 (431)

Overview:

I like this new Hummer H2 much more than the H1. But both are about as practical as owning a fighter jet or a tank. On the other hand it is kind-a cool and surely takes the SUV experience to the Max.

People look, but you’ve got to wonder – are they thinking, “That guy or gal is nuts” or are they thinking it’s as cool as I do. Ok, it’s a Rambo-mobile and guys are brain dead, right ladies? Come on you can tell us how you feel about this “Guy thing”. Can you imagine a woman buying an H2? Let me know what you think, but several ladies have been seen driving on the streets of Los Angeles.

Here are some stats on the H2 that only Tim Allen kind of guys can appreciate: It is said to be the most capable off-road vehicle in the world. Ground clearance is 10.5 inches with an approach angle of 41.7 degrees and departure angle of 38.1 degrees, which explains why it can climb over 16-inch rocks and ford streams of 20 inches. (I did more than that in the H1 because it is a 6.5-liter Turbocharged Diesel… argh, argh, argh). The H1 diesel puts out only 195 horsepower vs. 316 from the gas power V8 in the H2. It has 35-inch tires, which are the largest on any GM Passenger vehicle. It is taller (77.8 inches) than H1 and longer (189.8 inches). It is over 3 inches taller than the Tahoe and believe it or not it is only 2 inches wider, and 9 inches shorter.

The H2 has great acceleration – like a football center that is also qualified to be a wide receiver. This is truly the Superbowl of SUV contenders.

I got much the same response driving this H2 as I did riding my Harley. There is an obvious “Club” that surrounds this type of vehicle. They are extreme, exhilarating and give you a greater sense of your environment. Driving the H2 is surreal and transports you into another dimension. You’re suddenly in the Twilight Zone. What man wouldn’t want to own one of these? In a heartbeat I’d own one if… dear, would you mind if I bought an H2?

General Info:

Parts – US

Assembly – Mishawaka, Indiana USA

Class:  – Special Purpose

Cars: – H1 & H2.

Handling & Performance:

Definitely a hand full but surprisingly easy to drive. It fits in parking spaces just fine – remember it is only 2 inches wider than the Chevy Tahoe. On the other hand, it has lousy rear view visibility, especially with the spare tire inside rear that displaces one possible passenger. Forward visibility is quite good. Off-road is fun and very capable. They did a great job of marrying the smooth highway-driving ride to an easy transition to rugged off-road conditions.

The H2 is faster, much quieter and far more comfortable and smooth riding than the H1 without loss of off-road prowess.

Styling:

It is (relatively speaking) more practical because of size and is simply more SUV-like in design and interior look and feel. It has the same military inspired design with the very straight windshield so reminiscent of the duce and a half I drove in the Navy. It seats 5 with an optional 3rd row seat for a 6th. The spare tire takes up the other half of the cargo area.

Fit and Finish:

Great – relative to the original that was really “Desert Stormy”.

Conveniences:

Just like any other SUV or car for that matter. All the comforts of home. In fact the seats are large like your overstuffed easy chair in the den.

Cost:

Ladies, if this gets your football watching, couch potato man out, it’s worth the $50 grand. But most won’t be able to justify the H2 as a daily driver and for the average Joe it doesn’t make a lot of sense to put a “depreciating” $50,000 asset in the garage to collect dust.

So who will buy the H2? GM says, “He is likely a very successful, self confident risk taker, personally and professionally. They are passionate, irreverent individuals who don’t mind driving attention-getting vehicles. They are predominately male, college educated with an average income north of $150,000.”

H1 goes for $100,000 plus, so for those who like the idea of a military type of vehicle, $50,000 is affordable. Did you hear that honey – it is affordable?

Consumer Recommendation:

Not recommended for normal transportation. But then, who’s normal. Speaking of normal and contrary to Shirley MacLaine you only go around once, so go for it. These H2’s are going to sell well and they’re only building 40,000. If the demand is as high as I expect you can count on price increases.

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

Hummer H2 $48,454, Chevrolet Tahoe $34-37,000, Ford Expedition $31-41,000, GMC Yukon $34-37,000, Land Rover Range Rover $71,200, Lexus LX 470 $63,125, Lincoln Navigator $48-54,000, Toyota Land Cruiser $53,405.

Good News:

Different, comfortable, quiet, powerful and exciting to drive.

Bad News:

Difficult to maneuver around town, lousy visibility in close areas especially rear view, poor fuel consumption and hard to get in and out of.

Standard Equipment:

6.0 liter V8 316 horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, electronic locking rear differential, traction control, dual air bags, remote entry, 4 wheel ABS disc brakes, auto headlight control, theft deterrent system, Bose 9-speaker in-dash CD/Cassette stereo system, OnStar communications systems, 8 way power seats, 2-position memory driver seat, dual zone air conditioning, triple sealed doors, driver information center (computer), leather wrapped tilt steering wheel, 6 power outlets, tinted windows, heated power outside folding mirrors, front winch receiver, underbody protection, Class III trailer hitch and all terrain tires.

Gas Stats:

Note that no data was readily available so compare the following: the 5000 lb. Tahoe 4.8 liter 275 horsepower gets 14 and 18 mpg respectively. The H2 is 6400 lbs. with a 6.0 liter 316 horsepower V8 engine so I’m guessing… But I bet I’m close. It has a 32-gallon tank, and all manufacturers engineer all cars for a 300-mile range, for you trivia buffs.

7 City and 12 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $48,065.

2003 Nissan 350Z (429)

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2003 Nissan 350Z (429)

Overview:

This week’s ride promises to be a huge success for Nissan in the form of the newly designed “Z”, the 350 Z – and it is wonderful.

Trust me, if you are a sports car nut, you have to go test drive one. The reason I like it so much is not because I’m nuts but I do go crazy over outstanding performance. And for the money this is a winner.

Part of my interest in the 350Z is the overall revival of Nissan beginning with its change in management. Carlos Ghosn started with Nissan in June 1999 and in 2001 he became its President and CEO. One man “can” make a difference and by all indications this guy has made noticeable adjustments and turned huge losses into profits.

General Info:

Parts –  n/a

Assembly – Los Angeles

Class:  – Sports Car

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

2002 Lexus SC 430 @ about $58,000.

Handling & Performance:

When you have a love for cars it has a lot to do with how they handle. This 350Z is a wonderful driving experience. My engineer friend, Merkel, gave it a test drive and came to the same conclusions – “Acceleration, handling and brakes are impressive”. I also agree with him that the transmission is slow to shift and even the “Tiptronic” feature only holds it in a particular gear. When you shift it is as slow as it is in Drive mode, where I preferred to operate. I also feel the 6-speed manual transmission would be a mistake for the average driver.

Styling:

Well, Merkel and I didn’t agree on the styling. I like it and he felt it is chopped up with contrasting vertical and horizontal design things like the door handles. Aesthetically and from a technical design standpoint he is probably 100% correct. But perhaps the departure from conventional thinking is what is so appealing to me.

Fit and Finish:

Excellent for the most part but I wish they had done something with the seat belts to keep them from knocking against the doorframe – annoying. Yes, I do wear my seat belt, but I don’t always have a passenger. Merkel felt the seats were uncomfortable but I didn’t get that sense at all, but then I didn’t take this Touring model on a long trip. I guess I was preoccupied with “enjoying the ride”.

Conveniences:

Wow, what a list of standard equipment. This Z was equipped with more than I needed, but most of it is related to performance enhancers you only find on more pricey sports cars. My 6 foot 4 inch friend Norm sat in the car and was fine with the legroom. He usually has a problem with cars accommodating his rather tall frame.

Cost:

Well priced for what you get – but many will find the cost high for a two seater.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you’re in the market for a two seater sports car you might want to look beyond the recognized competition noted below and test drive the Lexus SC 430 at roughly $60,000. Then when you test-drive the Z, you will really be impressed.

The Competition:

Nissan 350Z $26-34,000, Acura RSX $20-23,000, Audi TT $33-39,000, BMW Z3 $31-38,000, Ford Mustang $18-38,000, Mitsubishi Eclipse $18-28,000, Toyota Celica $17-22,000, VW GTI $19-22,000.

Good News:

Unique styling, well priced, fantastic performance.

Bad News:

Unique styling, well priced, fantastic performance.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter 287 horsepower V6 engine, 5-speed automatic trans, continuously variable valve timing control system, traction control, vehicle dynamic control, limited slip differential, carbon fiber reinforced drive shaft, electronic throttle, stabilizer bars, integrated strut tower brace, 4-wheel abs power disc brakes, electronic brake force distribution, 18 inch aluminum alloy wheels, rear window wiper (no washer), leather, 4-way power heated driver seat, 2-way power heated passenger seat, power windows, locks and heated mirrors, climate control, Bose audio with 6 in dash CD player with 7 speakers, cruise control, Homelink transceiver, trip computer, leather wrapped tilt steering wheel, security system with immobilizer system, remote keyless entry, dual air bags, tire pressure monitor and real aluminum interior accents.

Gas Stats:

20 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $34,000.

2003 Mazda MPV ES Wagon (Minivan) (427)

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2003 Mazda MPV ES Wagon (Minivan) (427)

Overview:

This week I drove the 2003 Mazda MPV ES Wagon (Minivan). I didn’t like it in years past but didn’t drive one until the 2000 year model. Interesting pricing comparison below.

I have to tell you I’ve warmed up to this van a lot. I think Mazda was smart to make the two sliding doors power operated as standard equipment on the ES. Plus, they are smart to allow for power windows on the sliders. They go down more than half way and that’s cool.

Another plus is the fold-flat third seat into a hole in the rear that is a great storage area when the seat is up. All things considered this is a very nice alternative to the mass of special purpose vehicles that are so versatile. So in summary, you get the benefits of the very popular SUV with improved fuel economy, a better family vehicle built lower to the ground, equally as good cargo area with the benefit of a lower entry level at the rear and all you give up is the 4 Wheel Drive that 9 out of 10 people will never use anyway.

General Info:

Parts – Japan

Assembly – Hiroshima, Japan

Class: – Special Purpose 2 WD

Cars: – 626, Millennia, MPV, MX5, Protégé, Tribute and Truck.

Handling & Performance:

Very nice. Boy is this one smooooth and so easy to drive. It doesn’t wander around the lane as it tracks true down the highway.

Styling:

Most cars, trucks and SUV’s are very similar in appearance, have great coefficient of friction numbers that simply means they are very aerodynamic in design that sits on a Ford platform.

Fit and Finish:

Outstanding.

Cost:

The two top choices in my opinion are this Mazda and the newest entry into this market from South Korea, the Kia Sedona.

Consumer Recommendation:

Price and overall feel I think you should look first at this Mazda and then the Kia Sedona and a third is the Chrysler Voyager. After that you will have a basis for comparison when you look at the more expensive alternatives. Happy hunting.

The Competition: (alphabetically)

Mazda MPV $23-26,000, Chevrolet Venture $21-34,000, Chrysler Voyager $21-24,000, Dodge Caravan $20-35,000, Ford Windstar $21-35,000, Honda Odyssey $24-28,000, Kia Sedona $19-22,000, Nissan Quest $23-27,000, Oldsmobile Silhouette $28-36,000, Pontiac Montana $24-34,000, Toyota Sienna $24-28,000.

Year 2000 model Pricing.

Mazda MPV $25,550, Chevrolet Venture $20,650 – $29,190, Dodge Caravan $18,850 – $32,175, Ford Windstar $19,815 – $33,360, Honda Odyssey $23,400 – $26,000, Oldsmobile Silhouette $25,195 – $31,790, Plymouth Voyager $18,685 – $24,080, Toyota Sienna $22,368 – $27,334.

Good News:

Nice styling, smooth ride and simply a great family vehicle.

Bad News:

Only fair gas performance and some will say the spare is inconveniently located and the seats aren’t as comfortable as they should be. (I didn’t change a tire and with AAA I suspect I never would anyway and I thought the seats were fine).

Standard Equipment:

3.0 liter 200 hp V6 engine, 5-speed automatic trans, front wheel drive, power steering, power front disc with rear drum ABS brakes, traction control, dual front and side air bags, remote keyless entry, power windows, door locks, mirrors and dual sliding doors with power roll down windows, cruise control, seat side table in front (no console, but lots of storage and cup holders), power driver seat, sound system with cassette, variable intermittent wipers and rear wiper washer, tinted glass, 7 passenger seating, antitheft alarm system with immobilizer, leather upholstery and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, captain chairs front and 2nd row with 3rd row bench seat.

Gas Stats:

18 City and 24 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $27,192.

2003 Kia Sorento 4X4 EX (425)

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2003 Kia Sorento 4X4 EX (425)

Overview:

This week I drove the 2003 Kia Sorento 4X4 EX model Sport Utility from, of course, South Korea. Wow, is this world shrinking or what? And you know what? Korea is putting out some pretty nice cars.  I like this Sorento a lot. It is powerful, looks and rides like the more expensive SUV’s and priced extremely well.

But Korea, you say? OK, I have to admit it entered my mind too. They simply haven’t been around that long as carmakers. But as I’ve watched these cars and driven them all from that country I have gained confidence over the recent past. But more than that feeling I put my money where my mouth was back in the early 1960’s when I bought a “Datsun” station wagon. Japan was a novice in car production then and it was a gamble. We all know how capable Japan proved to be in this market and industry and I have the same feeling about Korea. I can’t wait until we get some good Korean restraints here in America. If you know of any in the Los Angeles area, please email me.

Not only does this SUV look similar to the Acura, it is put together well both inside and out, it is comfortable and overall a nicer SUV than anything in its price range. It was also more responsive than the supercharged Nissan Xterra I’m driving while writing this review. Impressive – Kia.

Handling & Performance:

Powerful 3.5 liter V6 engine makes this one of the peppiest SUV’s out there. And it’s beefy like it’s larger competitors thus the solid ride and expected durability. It doesn’t have ABS so breaking is average.

Styling: 

I pulled up to the curb and parked, went into the bank and when I came out I noticed the SUV parked in front of my Kia Sorento was a very expensive Acura MDX. I had to do a “Double-Take” to be sure which was which since the color was very close as well. As I stood there looking from across the street it occurred to me that these were nearly twins in outward design. Boy was I anxious to do the comparison on these two.

Fit and Finish:

As good as they get. Verrrry impressed. Way to go South Korea. Do you ever wonder what North Korea produces? As I recall, there isn’t much north of the 38th Parallel.

Cost:

Pricing is Spectacular for the vehicle. When this takes hold it is bound to go up in price, so now is the time if you like this as much as I did.

Customer Recommendation:

If you are in the market for an SUV and $24,000 is your price range for a car, this is a fantastic alternative. Trust me, you have to test drive this one. It is well equipped including unseen things like airbags front and rear and 4-wheel disc brakes and quality assembly. And if you’re still concerned about it, you won’t believe the warranty on the power train. Are you ready for this? Ten (10) years or 100,000 miles. None better in the industry.

The Competition: (alphabetically)

Kia Sorento $19-24,000, Chevrolet Blazer $20-26,000, Ford Escape $19-27,000, Honda CR-V $18-22,000, Hyundai Santa FE $17-24,000, Isuzu Rodeo $18-31,000, Jeep Liberty $18-24,000, Land Rover Freelander $25-32,000, Mazda Tribute $18-24,000, Nissan Xterra $18-28,000, Saturn VUE $16-23,000, Suzuki Grand Vitara $19-20,000, Toyota Highlander $24-31,000.

Good News:

Great styling, powerful V6 and very well priced, fantastic power train warranty, great standard equipment package.

Bad News:

Korean’s are new to the automotive world so resale is a big question mark and fuel economy is only fair.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering with leather wrapped tilt wheel, dual front airbags and front and rear side airbags, car seat anchors, air conditioning, cruise control, power sunroof, power windows and door locks, power mirrors, radio with CD and Cassette players with wheel mounted controls, 8-way power drivers seat with lumbar support, 60/40 split folding rear seats with armrests, keyless remote entry, display for compass, temperature, barometer, roof rack, fog lights, tinted glass, underbody skid plates and lots of storage and center console.

Gas Stats:

15 City and 18 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $21,725.

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

2003 Jeep Liberty Limited and Renegade (424)

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2003 Jeep Liberty Limited and Renegade (424)

Overview:

This week’s testing of the 2003 Jeep Liberty and the Renegade models was a delight. I respect my elders and this Jeep has long roots as the founding father of all sport utility vehicles. It has come up the hard way along the road to development. It has earned its stripes over 60 years and, well, I just like this vehicle. Liberty will replace the 20-year-old Cherokee and takes its place between the Wrangler and the “Flag Ship” Grand Cherokee.

I thought it looked smaller than the Ford Escape but it is actually more spacious inside. I tested the Ford Escape on a 3000-mile jaunt to Yellowstone Park and back so I became real familiar with the Ford. Montero Sport is the only one of the competition that has more cubic feet of interior space than the Liberty.

Handling & Performance:

After all this is a Jeep and it is an off road vehicle that is not to be confused with smaller less rugged “Car Like” SUV’s (Honda CR-V, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota RAV4). Those aren’t designed to hold up to the rigors of off-road use. I like the way this Jeep handles on and off the road. The Part-Time 4-WD is nice to have but Liberty has an appetite for gasoline placing it at the bottom of the list of competitors in gas performance.

Styling:

Distinctively Jeep. The granddaddy has given us a new contender for the 21st century in this Liberty.

Fit and Finish:

Very good. Surely an improvement from a decade ago. Daimler – Chrysler has had a positive influence on this Genuine American classic.

Cost:
Priced very well. This is sure to be a hit with any SUV enthusiast.

Consumer Recommendation:

The Liberty (tied for 5th place) has two top competitors from the list, in my opinion. Sixth place Ford Escape and the Nissan Xterra are two other favorites of mine. It would be hard for me to pick just one to take home to the wife and kids.  But if price is the deciding factor Liberty has to be the hands down winner since the other two are more money.

The Competition: * (in order of ranking)

(1) Hyundai Santa Fe $17-23,000, (2) Mazda Tribute $18-24,000, (3) Suzuki Grand Vitara $19-20,000, (4) Honda CR-V $19-22,000, (5t) Jeep Liberty $17-24,000, (5t) Subaru Forester $21-24,000, (6t) Chevrolet Tracker $16-22,000, (6t) Ford Escape $19-27,000, (6t) Nissan Xterra $18-28,000, (7) Toyota Highlander $24-31,000, (8) Isuzu Rodeo $18-32,000, (9) Mitsubishi Montero Sport $23-33,000.

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

Good News:

Peppy sucker – describes its desire to run with the rabbits, rugged, distinct styling inside and out and it has a surprising amount of room, rear door opening right to left for good curbside access and nice action on the glass opening out of the way when the door swings open.

Bad News:

At the bottom of the list for gas performance.

Standard Equipment:

3.7 liter 6-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic trans, 4-WD, dual air bags, keyless remote entry, power steering, power front disc with rear drum brakes, skid plates on front suspension, transfer case and 18.5 gal. fuel tank, cruise control, intermittent wipers front and rear, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, radio with CD player and six speakers, tilt leather wrapped steering, center console, auxiliary 12 V outlets front and rear, auto light controls, cargo net and tie down loops, roof mounted light bar, side steps, roof rack, fog lamps, power fold away mirrors, tint glass and full size spare rear mounted.

Gas Stats:

17 City and 21 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $17-24,000.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com

2003 Dodge Stratus R/T (423)

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2003 Dodge Stratus R/T (423)

Overview:
This week I drove the 2003 Dodge Stratus. Stereotypes do a disservice to nearly everything you can think of. And most of our prejudices come from our youth, when we knew everything. Surely I knew all there was to know about cars in my youth. I could name every car on sight from three blocks away and so could all my friends. It was a game to us then.

But Chrysler was not a very popular car to many in my peer group in the 1950’s and 1960’s when Fonz was our hero as much as Joe Friday on Dragnet – Badge 714. We couldn’t miss Alfred Hitchcock Presents or Rod Serlings Twighlight Zone even if it were a school night. Great times for “American Graffiti” but not such a great time for Chrysler cars. Only nerds would be caught driving a Dodge, Plymouth both of which probably belonged to their parents who drove a Chrysler or Buick Roadmaster – tanks of the day.

But times change as do people, fads and fancies. As for cars, the romance is not as pronounced and the styles are not as fresh and exciting as they used to be when cars were emerging as the transportation of choice in America. There were lots of attempts at developing new gadgets for almost anything and cars were no exception. But other than the computer aided designs of the 21st century cars haven’t really changed all that much from the mid 20th century.

Handling & Performance:

Surely cars DO handle much better than in the “Good Old Days”. Suspensions weren’t as sophisticated so cars leaned a lot in turns, transmissions are not clunky any longer so the transition between gears is smoother. Engines are fuel injected and employ electronic ignition so they run much smoother and more efficient. And they are more powerful even with fewer cubic inches.

Styling: 

Today’s cars are designed in wind tunnels and friction coefficients are important to fuel economy and thus we get sleek looking cars. Stratus is a great example of futuristic styling. Few would argue these new generation cars are better than ever. But better is a relative thing and there are some notable exceptions like the new BMW built Mini Cooper – a remake from the past. It is anything but sleek. But then it is interesting and promises to be a winner – sleek or not.

Fit and Finish:

Better than Chrysler has ever been and I believe as good as anything on the marker in this price range.

Cost:

Chrysler has led the way with price competitiveness for the past two decades and remains one of the best cost-to-benefit car companies in the world.

The Competition: (alphabetically)

 Chevrolet Malibu $18-20,000, Chrysler Sebring $18-30,000, Dodge Stratus $19-22,000, Honda Accord $18-26,000, Hyundai Sonata $15-18,000, Infiniti G35 $27-32,000, Mitsubishi Eclipse $18-28,000, Mitsubishi Galant $18-24,000, Nissan Altima $17-23,000, Saturn L-Series Sedan $18-21,000, Subaru Legacy $19-25,000, Toyota Camry Solara $19-31,000, Toyota Camry  $19-25,000.

Good News: 

Nice styling, good gas stats for a powerful V6 and well priced.

Bad News:

ABS brakes not included and should be standard, difficult for tall people.

Standard Equipment:

3.0 liter V6 200 horsepower engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering with leather wrapped tilt wheel, sport suspension, battery run down protection system, air conditioning, power windows and locks, radio with 4-disc CD, steering wheel mounted controls, security/immobilizer system, keyless entry, 12V aux outlet, courtesy lights in side and trunk, cruise control, leather wrapped shift knob, halogen lights, power mirrors, tinted glass, fog lights and spoiler.

Gas Stats:

21 City and 29 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $21,725.

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

 

 

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Quadrasteer (422)

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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Quadrasteer (422)

Overview:

Wow, this weeks test of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab with Quadrasteer was the most innovative car/truck I’ve tested in some time. Quadrasteer is an all-wheel steering feature where the rear wheels pivot in concert with the front wheels.

The effect is exhilarating. The truck steers corners as if it were on “Rails” and it’s an “E” Ride for sure. Literally it corners better than most sports cars.

What problems are caused over time in maintenance is, of course, an unknown. One has to wonder what it would do to the alignment and therefore tire wear. You can choose 2-wheel steer or 4-wheel steer by pressing a button on the dash while in neutral. When I expect to be driving long distances on relatively straight roads I leave it in 2-wheel steer.

I didn’t tow a trailer but a good friend with SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) did have the vehicle towing a long trailer. He said it worked wonderfully for that application.

General Info:

Parts – USA

Assembly – USA

Class:  – Pick up Truck

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

          

Envoy                Safari                 Savana            Sonoma                   Yukon

Handling & Performance:

Like a lot of trucks with heavy suspension the ride was “Bumpy” as I mentioned in the Toyota Tacoma review, about this truck. Again, cement highways are awful and I’m sure you’ve noticed Black top being much smoother.

Styling:

Even Rodney Dangerfield would get respect in this truck. It is impressive and classy – for a truck. I especially like the amber lights on the top of the cab. It reminds me of a tractor for an 18-wheeler.

Fit and Finish:

Trucks today, like this GMC, are better assembled than the best cars of just a generation ago. No exception here. Good job GM.

Cost:

Well now, you get what you pay for and you’ll have to pay a bunch for the 4-wheel steering package. Try $5,525.00 if you have to have the latest and greatest in gadgets. I truly did like this feature and if it were less money it would be a no-brainer. Truth is, $5 grand is a lot.

Consumer Recommendation:

Without Quadrasteer and equipped as noted below, the price is about $33,000. If you have the bucks, (about $5,500), 4-wheel steer is cool.

The Competition: * (in order of ranking)

(1) Toyota Tundra $16-31,000, (2) Dodge Ram 1500 $18-34,000, (3t) Chevrolet Silverado 1500 $18-39,000, (3t) Ford F-150 $19-37,000, (4) GMC Sierra 1500 $19-44,000.

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

Good News:

Crew cab convenience, wide range of features available including the 4-wheel steering package and powerful V8.

Bad News:

Bumpy ride without a load, poor gas mileage.

Standard Equipment:

6.0 liter 300 hp V8 Vortec engine (no options), 4-speed auto trans, 4-wheel antilock long life disc brakes, tinted glass, carpets and mats, 6/40 fold down rear seat, 40/20/40 front bench seat with cloth trim, dual front seat recliners, dual air bags, auto control halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, tilt wheel, 8 bolt wheel hubs, theft deterrent ignition system, trailering wire harness, dual front hooks.

Gas Stats:

14 City and 18 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $33,620.

2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner 2-WD Double Cab (420)

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2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner 2-WD Double Cab (420)

Overview:

Ok folks grab your kidney belt and come along on this weeks testing of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma 2-WD pickup with crew cab – Toyota calls it a Double Cab. The kidney belt can best be used to keep your teeth from chattering. But at the end of the week, other than a bouncy ride (really from not carrying a load), it was a pretty nice little truck. The rough riders who will drive these trucks should, of course, have some purpose other than transportation.

Well, I gotta ask you, if they can put a man on the moon isn’t it fair to bitch about the fact that we can’t build highways and trucks that are compatible. Cars are more forgiving because they don’t need to carry a load and the suspension is softer. But trucks move the country and more importantly they get us back and forth from Home Depot.

On the whole, I liked the truck and give credit where credit is due. After owning pickups in past lives I definitely wouldn’t own one without at least an extended cab. This crew cab is the norm these days for most truck makers and a great improvement over trucks of yesteryear. I can’t imagine any application not better served by having rear seating of some kind.

Handling & Performance:

Just when I said the ride couldn’t be worse than a Peterbuilt dump truck I tested the GMC crew cab one-ton pickup truck and got my brains shaken up. In that light the Tacoma wasn’t so bad. Suffice it to say most heavy suspension vehicles don’t handle cement highways very well. Black top is best, but road engineers haven’t a clue how to lay down cement sections of highway. Car manufacturers have tested all makes and models and they all do the same thing. They simply can’t engineer for stupid road builders. Do you think we have lousy cement highways because some government official’s inept brother-in-law was awarded the contract or are they simply all inept? I’d be interested in your comments on this subject.

My three grandchildren 4-7 years liked the ride just find. Two adults, two 7 year olds and 4-year-old Cierra in her car seat made the trip to Disneyland in the relative comfort of this Tacoma. In fact the kids appreciated the bouncy ride and thought it was fun. On the ride home you could hear melodious and rhythmical “ah-ah-ah-ah…” as we bounced down the highway. They hummed themselves to sleep after the long busy day and damn near put me to sleep too.

Styling:

If a small truck is all you need, this is surely a nice looking ride. I had a 1955 Ford ½ ton pickup when I was 16 and still love that classic design. I delivered 420 LA Times papers to much of South Pasadena in that truck. I reminisce about those days, but mostly I remember the classic look of cars and trucks in the early days. Today, everything has a homogeneous look, especially the computer generated, wind tunnel perfect, .4 drag coefficient that means those distinctive days are gone forever.

Fit and Finish:

This truck is light years ahead of that old 1955 Ford or any car of those days in how well they are assembled. The Japanese, Toyota in particular, is especially good at attention to detail. Heck, they didn’t even sell cars or trucks in the US in the 1950’s.

Cost:

Here I go again, complaining about the high price of cars. They give us so much service, and we, as a society, can’t do without the automobile, so why complain, right? Well, look around. Everything that is technically designed and built keeps coming down in price. A personal computer purchased in 1980 for $3-6,000 is now ¼ the price for magnitudes better technology. Cars in 1980 that cost $5-10,000 have increased 4 times and haven’t changed all that much. In my view, a truck shouldn’t cost nearly $20-24,000, let alone $45,000 for that GMC I mentioned above with Quadra Steer.

Consumer Recommendation:

Trucks have come a long way and although I’m having a bad hair day and still shaking from the bouncy ride I have ranked it number two out of the competition noted here.

The Competition: * (in order of ranking)

(1) Nissan Frontier $13-27,000, (2) Toyota Tacoma $12-22,000, (3) Ford Ranger $13-25,000, (4) Dodge Dakota $16-25,000, (5) Chevrolet S-10 $14-24,000, (6) GMC Sonoma $14-24,000.

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

Good News:

Well built, seats 5 people and it’s a Toyota.

Bad News:

Poor mileage, bouncy ride, pricey and the competition are just as bad. Perhaps HP or IBM should get into the car business!

Standard Equipment:

3.4 liter V6 engine, 4-speed auto trans, power steering, power front disc rear drum antilock brakes, dual air bags, child restraint anchors, double wall cargo bed with hooks, tow hook, remote mirrors, cloth seats, radio with cassette, tilt wheel, intermittent wipers, carpeting, auxiliary power outlets. Now if you stop here the cost is $19,170. But if you want the following options you’ll pay $24,163: cruise control, SR5 / Chrome package that also adds a CD player and two more speakers, off road package, power windows and locks with keyless entry, bed liner and bed extender.

Gas Stats:

17 City and 20 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $19,170-24,163.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
Copyright © 2002 – An Automotive Love Affair

2003 Toyota RAV4 2-WD (419)

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2003 Toyota RAV4 2-WD (419)

Overview:

This week I drove the 2003 Toyota RAV4 2-WD. Great little SUV with good gas performance if you don’t need off road capability. It seats 4 comfortably and leaves decent cargo space too. And with the rear seats folded down it provides about 68 cubic feet of cargo area.

Handling & Performance:

This is a fun to drive smaller SUV very similar to the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe. It handles well and gets very good gas mileage. The 4-WD option indicates only a couple of  miles better gas performance, but I find that is not usually true. I suspect it is more like 4-5 mpg worse.

Styling:

Naturally the world is expanding for auto makers and it appears there must be more market outside the US because they chose to have the rear cargo door open from left to right, or toward the curb if you drive on the right side of the road. US drivers won’t like that much. That observation noted, the rest of the design is sporty and generally attractive.

Fit and Finish:

Very good. 8 on a scale of 1-10.

Cost:

Not bad but not great either. You’ll definitely want to look closely at all the competition.

Consumer Recommendation:

If you don’t need 4-wheel drive, this front wheel drive is next best plus it will pay dividends in passing a lot more gas stations. Size and towing is very limited. But for all the other reasons you buy an SUV this will do a good job. Other competitors in my view include the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix similarly priced.

Manufacturer recommendation:

A more powerful engine option should be available. Or better yet why don’t you go to high performance high efficiency diesel engines now available that get 90 mpg. Once consumers find you could do it and don’t they’re going to be really upset.

The Competition:

Toyota RAV4 $17-18,000,  Chevrolet Tracker $16-22,000, Honda CR-V $19-22,000,  Kia Sportage $17-18,000, Subaru Forester $21-24,000, Suzuki Grand Vitara $19-23,000.

Others to consider:

Pontiac Vibe $16-20,000, Chrysler PT Cruiser $16-23,000, Ford Focus Wagon $17-18,000, Mazda Protege5 $16,000, Subaru Impreza Wagon $17-23,000, Toyota Matrix $15-19,000.

Good News:

Sporty, roomy, economical and fun to drive with great turning radius.

Bad News:

 An SUV that is 2-wheel front drive so no off roading, rear door opens into the curb which is not so good for US consumers.

Standard Equipment:

 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed auto trans, front wheel drive, power steering, front disc and rear drum brakes, dual front air bags, manual outside mirrors, tinted glass, AM/FM with CD player, intermittent wipers front and riear, tilt wheel.

Gas Stats:

24 City and 29 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $17,575.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
Copyright © 2002 – An Automotive Love Affair

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