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

2000 Pontiac Sunfire GT Convertible (287)

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2000 Pontiac Sunfire GT Convertible (287)

Overview:

This 2000 Pontiac Sunfire GT Convertible is more of a mid range car and certainly at the higher end of its closest competitors noted below. The coupe base price is $16,295 as compared to the “Rag Top” at $21,745. That is rather betwixt and between its competition range and the Chrysler Sebring Convertible that I tested the week before.

The Sebring I had, well equipped had a sticker price of $26,560. You’ll notice the $5 grand difference, but moreover the Sunfire is more a scaled down version of the Sebring with a lobbed of rear end.  That was the first thing I noticed and also the first thing I disliked about the car. Not that there was a lot to dislike, but the back end is just to short for my liking. Notwithstanding, it is a worthy contender. 

Since I’ve owned several convertibles (MGB, ’67 Camaro, ’91 Camaro) I tend to notice the structural integrity of convertibles. You know how they twist and feel “loosy-goosy”, well, both this Sunfire and the Sebring are great at making you forget you’re in a convertible when the top is up. They do such a nice job these days mostly because the headliner hides the convertible well. But also, the real glass rear window helps to remove the perception of being in a “Rag Top”. Plexiglas, no matter how good it is, it is still “plastic”.

The visibility is rather poor, which is something they haven’t figured out how to improve. Naturally, if you like the advantages of a convertible top, you’ll live with the poor visibility. But, of course, with the top down, visibility doesn’t get any better. And speaking of top up/ top down, this has a single lever in the center at the top of the window that operates the power top. If memory serves me at all, I recall this auto top works much like the $70,000 Jaguar XK8 that I drove in 1997.

Handling & Performance:

Typical small car zip around town control. It hugs the road much better than I expected from this price car. When my two brain cells think of handling they collide with each other and recall the Acura NSX and the Corvette and the Mercedes Benz E55 all with high tech suspensions that make you feel like you’re on rails. So I was pleasantly surprised with the handling characteristics of this relative “Pee Popper”.

Styling:

I don’t much care for the “Bobbed Tail” look but you can’t please everyone, right? Overall, it has decent lines.

Fit and Finish:

Not bad, but Pontiac tends to be “bulby” so your eye doesn’t tend to notice the seams as much as if the surface were smooth, like the Lexus for example.

Conveniences:

Pretty much manual stuff, like the air conditioning, seats, etc., but enough of it for the money. I prefer automatic transmissions for every day drivers since shifting tends to get tiresome after a bit. On the other hand it reduces the price $810 from the standard 4-speed automatic.

Cost:

Convertibles simply cost more to make but the leap in price from the coupe seems too great. It is also high enough that I’d be encouraged to look at other convertibles like the Chrysler Sebring where the price is not so far removed.

Recommendation:

Look at the Sebring and compare for yourself. The price difference may be small enough to justify the added luxury.

The competition:

Chevrolet Cavalier $13,160-19,830, Dodge Neon $12,490, Ford Focus $11,960-15,380, Honda Civic $10,750-17,545, Hyundai Tiburon $13,999, Mazda Protégé $11,970-15,145, Mitsubishi Mirage $11,757-16,947, Nissan Altima $15,140-20,390, Saturn SL $10,685-12,895, Subaru Impreza $15,895-19,295, Toyota Corolla $12,418-15,068.

Good News:

Standard cloth seats are nice on cold mornings. The 2.4 liter engine is very responsive and with the manual transmission it was better than the larger engine in the Sebring, for example. Nice one lever convertible top control which is quite good for this price car.

Bad News:

Floor mat design problem in that it not only slips when you get in, but when it does the clutch pedal catches on it to screw up shifting. The emergency brake handle is too close to the gearshift. Door pockets are inaccessible to the driver with the door closed. They seem to be there more for the folks in the rear seats.

Standard Equipment:

5-speed manual trans, power steering, power top, cruise control, stainless steel exhaust, dual air bags, power front disc/rear drum ABS brakes, theft deterrent system, rear spoiler, rally aluminum wheels, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power windows/locks/mirrors, full headliner, stereo with CD player and tilt steering wheel.

Gas Stats:

23 City and 33 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $21,310.

2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible (286)

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2000 Chrysler Sebring Convertible (286)

Overview:
This 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible reminds be so much of the Pontiac Firebird. One difference is that the Firebird is a muscle car with a big V8 and torque to burn the tires of the car. Overall I received a lot of good comments. Shelly says “Oh you’re driving the Sebring, my most favorite car in the whole world. Don’t you just love it?” Well, now that you mention it, I do think it’s a pretty nice car. Shelly is just beyond teeny bopper but old enough to have a passion for cars. Yes even women have love affairs with their cars.

I reserve my enthusiasm not because I’m jaded by having too many… cars to drive but more because there have been questions about quality. Will it hold up? Time is the only test and that’s why reputation is so important to develop. I have to say it feels as solid as a coupe. The 1991 Camaro convertible I bought new wasn’t even solid the day I drove it off the showroom floor. It would shake, rattle and roll when you went up so much as a driveway. This Sebring isn’t that way at all, and it was one of the first things I noticed about it.

In spite of that fact, I believe you’ll notice drive train and road noise more than you should. Convertibles tend to be noisy but this seemed even more so than I expected.

Another thing you’ll notice is that it feels like a slug off the line. It felt like those 163 horses were straining a bit.

Handling:

Quite good considering most of the time I was testing this Sebring it was pouring rain. I tried to get it to mis-behave but it wouldn’t. Men do that you know. They keep pushing until they get into trouble. The “autostick” (Porsche calls it Tiptronic) allows you to shift manually for those mountain driving days.

Styling:

Noticeably sporty and good looking.

Fit and Finish:

This wasn’t a great time to have a convertible because California decided to pour down rain for nearly the entire time I was testing the car. Convertibles are more fun in the sum-sum-summer time but on a positive note it was a golden opportunity to see if it leaked. My Camaro had an annoying drip from the corner of the top on the driver side and you just knew it was a soft top. This Chrysler has a full headliner, no leaks and you don’t get the “soft-top” feeling when it’s up.

Conveniences:

I did put the top down when it stopped raining and unlike the Camaro manual top I had, this one is power activated and goes up and down without much effort. Yep, with the ’91 Camaro I had to get out of the car if I had the urge to “go topless”.  This Sebring top also includes a real Glass rear window and has a defroster. Mine was Plexiglas and it fogged  up in winter and in time they all discolor, so you can’t see through them even when it didn’t fog up.

Cost:

The base price covers most everything, but add $1,890 for upgrade in décor, traction control full 4-wheel disc brakes.

Recommendation:

The jury is still out on how well this Sebring will hold up. All Chrysler products in generations past were weak on quality. I wonder about the influence the Damlier/ Chrysler combination will have on quality. And I also wonder if being assembled in Mexico is a positive or a negative.

The competition:

Chevrolet Monte Carlo $19,290-21,735, Dodger Avenger $19,045-21,290, Ford Mustang $16,615-31,605, Honda Prelude $23,500-26,000, Mitsubishi Eclipse $17,697-20,287, Pontiac Firebird $18,590-30,950, Saab 9-3 $16,695-21,165, Toyota Celica $16,695-21,165.

Good News:

Convertible versatility, visibility good when top is down , roomy back seat for two more adults.

Bad News:

Convertible visibility is poor when top is up, too much road noise for my liking, sluggish off the line.

Standard Equipment:

2.5 liter V6 163 horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic trans with autostick, air bags, antilock front disc and rear drum brakes, keyless entry, theft deterrent system, power steering, air conditioning, cloth headliner, power locks, power driver seat, cruise control, stereo with cassette and 6-CD changer, tilt steering  with leather wrapped wheel, power windows, convertible top with boot cover, power mirrors and console.

Gas Stats:

18 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP  $26,560.

 

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

Copyright ©1998 – Automotive Love Affair

2000 Acura Integra 3-Door GS-R (284)

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2000 Acura Integra 3-Door GS-R (284)

Overview:

This entry-level Acura has a name. The Integra model is the only Acura with a name as every other Acura is identified with numeric designations for the RL, CL, TL, SLX, and NSX labels.

The Integra hit the market in 1986 and it is Acura’s biggest seller by a three-to-one margin. Buyers tend to be well-educated young people, and that’s not surprising because it’s a sporty performance car, and the price is right. In addition there is a wide range of models like LS, GS and GS-R, in coupe or sedan.

This coupe is powered by 1.8-liter VTEC engine that produces 170 horsepower. My initial experience was slow and go as I was busy “tak’n care of biz-ness”. But then my friend Merkel reminds me that it’s got the VTEC engine that redlines at 8000 RPM. And up there, of course, is where it develops that horsepower. Down in the low ranges it is pretty docile. Merkel says wind the P out of it and it will show its stuff. Well, Merkel is right, of course. He usually is. Thanks Merkel for the technical lesson. As you may recall, he’s one of those egghead engineers. I hate when they’re right about all that technical stuff. “Joe, this is the most advanced engine design on the market today” he tells me, and goes on to say “that ‘variable valve timing and lift’ is amazing engineering and is what allows the VTEC to get so much from so few liters”. Ok already.

A 4-speed automatic is available on LS and GS but I had the 5-speed manual transmission that gives that “real” sports car feel because you’re always busy shifting. Makes you want to get on the open road and stop exercising your left leg and right arm. Gee, what about left handed people. I never thought of that before. Do they have to drive from the passenger side?

Handling & Performance:

… is of course awesome. In some ways it even reminded me of the NSX. I had a near miss as someone pulled out in front of me from the left-hand turn lane and I appreciated the quick response you get from this sporty car.

Styling:

Pretty much the same look over the years. Hatchbacks are few and far between these days. It has clean lines and the rear Spoiler adds that final touch that this must be a performance car.

Fit and Finish:

Very good, but ho-hum in a way because you come to expect it from these Japanese automakers.

Cost:

Good. What else can you say? The badge is Acura; the engineering is top notch so you get a lot for the dough.

Recommendation:

If you like sporty, don’t need a lot of space for rug rats, or don’t want to bend over to adjust the car seat(s) this is a nice fun to drive car. At the end of the day however you’ll need to drive the competitors noted because – well, you’re you and I’m me.

The competition:

Dodge Avenger $19,045-21,290, Ford Mustang $16,615-31,605, Infiniti G20 $21,395-22,895, Mitsubishi Eclipse $17,697-20,287, Nissan Altima $15,140-20,390, Oldsmobile Alero $16,005-21,545, Pontiac Grand Am $16,040-21,470, Subaru Impreza $15,895-19,295, Volkswagen GTI $17,675-22,620.

Good News:

Popular price range for the quality, fast (at sewing machine rpms) and fun to drive.

Bad News:

Limited space when needed, small back seat and trunk area, open moon roof directs wind on back of your head.

Standard Equipment:

1.8 liter 170 horsepower engine, 5-speed manual trans, 4-wheel anti lock disc brakes, power steering, dual airbags, theft system, leather seats, air, stereo with CD, cruise, power windows and door locks, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, adjustable steering column, moon roof, allow wheels, power mirrors, rear window wiper/washer, rear spoiler.

Gas Stats:

25 City and 30 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $22,200

2000 Acura 3.2 TL (283)

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2000 Acura 3.2 TL (283)

Overview:

The 2000 Acura 3.2 TL is a lovely automobile. I hadn’t driven one for a few years but as I wade through the competition I have to tell you truly I could see myself owning one of these. I don’t know if I would add the Acura navigation system for the extra two grand, but I’d be real tempted.

They just seem to get better every time I test one. I had a first generation navigation system back in 1989. They weren’t satellite driven and thus less accurate. It came with the used car, or I wouldn’t have bought the thing. Surely a housewife doesn’t need it to get the kids to school or the dentist, (yuk, dentist, I hate going to the dentist), but if you’re in any business where you have to visit lots of unfamiliar places in a large metropolitan area, the navigator is easily justified.

I don’t want to belabor this Navigation thing, but I like it because it reduces stressful driving situations. Once you learn to trust its accuracy you come to rely on it. It empowers you by letting you know you can never get lost. Think of it men, now you really won’t have to stop for directions, which women remind us that we don’t stop until we’re so lost there is no way back. Well, when you miss your turn off, no sweat – the system immediately adjusts to a new suggested route. But more important you’re not likely to miss a turn because a voice feature will talk to you, even if your wife isn’t. You can gab with your passengers or if alone, you can sing along with the radio or listen intently to a program. Plus, no maps to perilously perch on the seat or steering wheel. Yeah, I know that’s not safe and people don’t do that, right? Wrong. In any case it is a great feature and I suspect it will soon be standard on most all cars when the price comes down.

Remember the time when televisions were priced beyond the reach of most. I remember folks watching TV through the window of an appliance store on Lake Avenue in Pasadena. It got so common they even brought folding chairs. Well it didn’t take long for our family to justify the purchase. Up ‘till then we sat by the fire and listened to radio. The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Straight Arrow and Inter Sanctum. Wow, life was simpler then.

Speaking of the “good old days”, what ever happened to the gas fillers being located in some secret place. Remember when they’d be located behind the license plate or tail light. Times have changed a bit. In fact the Audi TT marks the location with a larger than life aluminum contraption emblazoned with rivets and bolts so as to resemble the filler on an Indianapolis 500 race car.

Handling:

Speaking of race cars, this TL handles really well and it’s fast (from 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds). It also has a “Tip Tronic” kind of notched shifter like the Porsche for manual shifting up and down to give you the ability to shift “semi-manually”.

Styling:

Common, I guess, but nice. You may even mistake it for the Toyota Avalon. The lines are clean and elegant. I like it a lot.

Fit and Finish:

Typical Japanese workmanship. They are being Westernized in many ways but they still do the detail stuff well, and take pride in their craft.

Cost:

Not bad. That means it’s a little pricey but the quality and workmanship and reliability quotient is worth the extra.

Recommendation:

If it suits your taste and pocketbook go for it because this is a “keeper”.

The competition:

BMW 3 Series $26,990-34,990, Infiniti I30 $29,465-31,540, Oldsmobile Intrigue $22,210-25,840, Saab 9-3 $25,900-44,995, Volvo S40 $23,400.

Good News:

Clean and elegant styling, lots of features for the money, good handling, powerful, comfortable and smooth ride, one of the best navigation systems I’ve seen and nice attention to detail. A keeper.

Bad News:

Brakes are a little spongy and styling may seem plain and common to some.

Standard Equipment:

3.2 liter 225 hp V6 engine, 5 speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, speed sensitive power rack and pinion steering, front and side airbags, traction control system, theft deterrent system, remote keyless entry, satellite linked DVD Navigation system, leather seating, driver 8-way and passenger 4-way power heated seats, Bose stereo with cassette and CD system, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, climate control, moon roof, power windows and door locks, Xenon high intensity headlights.

Gas Stats:

19 City and 29 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $30,400 (includes $2,000 for the Navigation system).

2000 Land Rover Discovery (282)

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2000 Land Rover Discovery (282)

Overview:
The 2000 Land Rover Discovery provides a different “touch of class” to the SUV market. It’s not quite as different as the Hummer is, but it does have that look of take’n care of business. You know, safari style. It isn’t without its faults, but by and large there is little to complain about

A few things that I started to be picky about began with the impaired visibility due to the headrest in the middle of the rear seat. I thought I had found a legitimate complaint but it turned out to be one of many thoughtful touches. I simply had to pull the armrest down and down went the headrest. Wa-la, instant improvement of the rear view. Placement of the door handle inside also bugged me. You must reach down to open the door and that could have been rectified by placing the handle higher on the door. I also had a problem with the power seat adjustments placed on the side of the console. It’s more difficult to reach than it needs to be. And finally, I couldn’t fathom why there was a gearshift indicator on both sides of the shift lever. But then it became clear that this SUV is nearly a perfect “mirror image” on both sides of the interior. Most of the controls are exactly centered for equal access by both driver and passenger. I wondered if there was a steering wheel tucked away somewhere on the passenger side to provide a true co-pilot position.

The Land Rover has been around since 1948 and is sold in 100 countries. If you’re like me you visualize it on the sands of some far away desert or parked by a pyramid in Egypt. But you even find them in Beverly Hills where they can be seen scaling the heights of speed bumps or fighting their way through traffic on Rodeo Dr.

Handling & Performance:

Discovery handles extremely well. The suspension and front and rear sway bars give it a solid feel and the V8 engine is very responsive. I really didn’t expect it to handle as well as it does because it is taller than most SUV’s.

Styling:

Different, but it grows on you. The statement it would make if it could talk is that “I don’t care what you think I should look like, I\’m a ‘Real’ off road vehicle. I make no bones about the fact that Function is more important than Form. I am what the Nissan Xterra only tries to portray.” That may even be true, but Xterra is trying to appeal to the younger set and really isn’t competition for this Discovery. Well, you be the judge.

Fit and Finish:

It’s very good but because it has that rugged “military vehicle” look, you don’t pay as much attention. I like the way the two jump seats in a third row fold away easily and neatly. The rear seats also fold away easily as well.

Cost:

The model I tested included some nice stuff but it added about $9 grand that you could live without – like two electric sunroofs. Quite frankly I was surprised at the price and simply had thought they cost more than they do.

Recommendation:

Even if you don’t end up buying one, I recommend you test drive it anyway.

The Competition:

Acura SLX $36,300, Chevrolet Blazer $18,970-31,570, Dodge Durango $25,975-27,975, Ford Explorer $19,970-34,375, GMC Envoy $34,170, Infinity QX4 $35,550, Jeep Grand Cherokee $26,570-34,345, Lexus RX 300 $32,505-33,905, Mercedes M-Class $35,300-64,900, Mitsubishi Montero $31,370, Oldsmobile Bravada $31,398, Toyota 4Runner $21,938-36,466.

Good News:

Thoughtful touches that set it apart from the crowd, handles well, powerful, function over form.

Bad News:

Terrible fuel consumption, poorly placed power seat controls and inside door handles.

Standard Equipment:

4.0 liter 188 horsepower V8 engine, 4-speed automatic trans, permanent four wheel drive, traction control, 4-wheel power anti lock disc brakes, dual airbags, child locks, front and rear fog lights, keyless entry, dual climate control, power windows, power o/s mirrors, tilt leather wrapped steering wheel, leather, 6-way power front seats, 12 speaker audio system with cassette and weather band, dual electric sunroofs, third row seating with audio controls, leather seating.

Gas Stats:

13 City and 17 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $43,375

2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS VR6 (281)

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2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS VR6 (281)

Overview:

This Jetta GLS will put the VW kick back in your britches. I’ve owned a few over the years and always liked them. I’ve had two “bugs” and one Karmann Ghia. Those were fun driving days and this Jetta brought back that old feeling.

Yes, that one too. The ride is solid, fun and as “cool” as it was then. However, those were basic V-dub’s and the Beetle was popular in nearly every circle. The reasons were economic for most and simply “cool”, or “in” for others. Basic was good for the majority because the 1950’s weren’t all that far removed from the end of WWII. People could relate to rationing. The mindset was a mix of save, conserve, rebuild, re-use etc., and “splurge” after all the lean years. The 1950’s were “Happy Day’s” times. You were happy with anything. 

Well, people fell in love with VW’s and even fell in love “in” them. Impossible you say. Nothing is impossible. We’ve learned that too. Well, VW’s today have grown and perhaps there is only a slim resemblance to the old. Not even the New Beetle is a basic car. This Jetta I tested had a moon roof and luxury things that take it out of the basic car category. Air conditioning in the “Old” Beetle was crank open all the windows and drive like – well, fast, which wasn’t very. I remember driving up to Las Vegas in the Ghia in a kind of caravan with friends. They all had big American cars with V8’s and they’d pull way ahead going uphill and I’d put the pedal to the metal downhill and catch them. We got there the same time, but for the two of us in the Ghia it was “Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride”. Those things were light and a puff of wind could blow you off the road. Somehow we survived but those escapades gave me sleepless nights when my own kids were out driving after dark. Know what I mean?

Handling & Performance:

Not a road racer since it felt a little loosy-goosey to me. I didn’t feel real “in control”. But it was fun to drive in the context of normal day-to-day driving – zipping around town.

Styling:

but usual. If I wanted different I’d go for the New Beetle or the Audi TT. It isn’t as roomy as you’d expect a 4-door to be.

Fit and Finish:

It’s good like most German cars. Japanese are also better, by and large, than most American competitors. However, you get what you pay for and I’m not sure it’s worth the cost. American cars still seem to have that good old Ford attitude of production line, crank ’em out quickly and make them affordable. And that brings us to cost.

Cost:

For me, VW made getting through college easier. I, like most struggling college students, didn’t have a lot of dough so low operating costs for gas and maintenance was a big help. But things have changed and VW is no longer a low cost car, unless you consider about $20,000 low. That’s where you’ll find prices for the New Beetle and this Jetta. If you want economy you’ll have to go to Saturn, Daewoo Lanos, Chevy Metro, Honda Civic, Kia, Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Echo with prices ranging from about $9,000 – $12,000. At these prices that’s even less than the VW bug was back in the early 1960’s considering relative value of the dollar. Money doubles every 10 years at 7%, so $1,500 for a new Beetle then would be well over $12,000 today. So – bottom line, it’s a little pricey for what you get.

Generally, for what we use a car for, and for how long we keep them, it makes more sense (to me) to buy based on price in this “Economy or Compact Car” category. In that regard, I’ve tested all of the competition noted below and for transportation, all are quite equal. So my recommendation is go for the Price Leader.

The Competition:

Chevrolet Malibu $16,460-19,090, Dodge Stratus $15,910-19,810, Ford Contour $16,845-22,715, Honda Civic $10,750-17,545, Nissan Altima $15,140-20,390, Oldsmobile Alero $15,675-21,365, Pontiac Grand Am $15,920-21,350, Saturn LS $15,010-20,135.

Good News:

Solid feel, fun to drive, good fuel economy.

Bad News:

A little pricey for what you get, drive train seemed a little noisy, not roomy.

Standard Equipment:

2.8 liter 174 hp V6 engine, front wheel drive, 4 speed automatic transmission, anti lock braking system, air conditioning, power windows, door locks outside mirrors, cruise control, split folding rear seat, leather, stereo sound system, remote access to trunk and fuel filler, dual front and side airbags, remote access system, anti-theft alarm system.

Gas Stats:

19 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $23,970

2000 Honda Accord 4-door EX-VL (280)

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2000 Honda Accord 4-door EX-VL (280)

Overview:

Well, ok I must admit I haven’t driven a Honda in years. This Accord 4-door sedan with a respectable V6 is nothing like the “Honda-Car” image of the early days when they came on the scene and beat the crap out of the competition. In those days, however, you could put them (Civic) in the trunk of your big tank-like American car. Kinda like a spare can of gas with wheels. Come to think of it, they are still competing strongly in the market.

They’ve come a long way babe and I rather liked the latest version of the Honda-Car. Its rather “Plain Jane”, but at the same time they have a lot of creature comforts. The fit and finish is very good, so typical of Japanese made cars. The wood grain trim is simulated, but not bad quality. Today, however, the huge array of competitive cars are also very good in these areas. I’ve driven all either on and/or off the track. Beating out the competition isn’t an easy task in today’s world where there is more to choose from than any consumer really needs. Ever get the idea that there must be a ton of money to be made in the auto industry? Why else would there be so many car makers? They are so prolific and pop new models out like Hershey’s Kisses and with the same generic design.

How sweet it is some may say, but what ever happened to the good old days with great creative styling where cars really differed. You could tell one car from the other with ease. Now they all look the same, right! Remember the Hudson Hornet, the Studebaker, the Edsel? Ok, none of these are still around so I guess generic is better. But I think people still want difference or there wouldn’t be so much interest in the reborn VW Beatle and the new Audi TT.

I remember when grandma took the Santa Fe train from Massachusetts to Pasadena. She wouldn’t get on an airplane. At the turn of the century she’d come to Massachusetts on a boat via Ellis Island like so many new Americans. But California? That was a foreign land to her. Most of my family was still in New England and we were the rebels who left the clan to go to the wild west. Naturally she had to tell us how terrible California was and that not only did they have sin city Hollywood here, you couldn’t tell whether the cars were coming or going. She was referring to the newer Studebaker on the roads back in the early 1950’s.  Obviously she hadn’t seen one before and attributed them to the California lifestyle. Well, granny, I’ll give you that one, the Studebaker did appear to have two front ends, but Hollywood wasn’t any more a sin city than Las Vegas was. Ok, Granny you got me on both counts. She never came back.

I rather liked everything about the 2000 Accord EX and since it’s winter the heated seats were nice. The stereo put out great sound and it even had a CD player. The rear seat was roomy for a small compact/ mid-size car and in addition to a good size trunk you could put the rear seat back down for added trunk pass through capability. Like most Japanese cars the ride is quite, smooth and comfortable, has a solid feel and handles well. Power is more than adequate and I had fun driving it. It’s no wonder this has been such a popular car for so many years.

Recommendation:

Since individual appeal is so important you’ll have to test drive a lot of cars. There are so many to choose from in this market segment, and they are all quite good. I can honestly say I can’t even give a biased recommendation. To me they’re like women, I love ‘em all.

The competition:

Acura CL $23,100-26,150, Chevrolet Impala $18,705-22,365, Dodge Intrepid $20,390-24,435, Ford Taurus $17,695-20,895, Mazda 626 $18,245-22,445, Mitsubishi Galant $17,357-23,757, Nissan Altima $15,140-20,390, Nissan Maxima $21,049-26,249, Oldsmobile Intrigue $22,090-25,720, Pontiac Grand Prix $19,815-24,310, Subaru Legacy $19,195-24,295, Toyota Camry $17,418-26,098, Volkswagen Passat $21,200-27,655.

Good News:

Good fit and finish, smooth ride, nice handling, plenty of power, fun to drive, top selling car for 30 years.

Bad News:

Plain Jane styling, V6 puts it high in the competitive price range.

Standard Equipment:

3.0L 200-hp V6 engine, 4-Speed Automatic, anti lock braking system, child proof rear doors, theft deterrent system, security system with keyless entry and remote trunk, leather seating, simulated wood trim, stereo with 6 speakers, auto air conditioning, cruise control, power doors, windows and door mirrors, 8-way power driver seat with lumbar support, fold down rear seat with trunk pass through, alloy wheels, power moonroof with tilt.

Gas Stats:

20 City and 28 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP Retail Price Range $15,350 – $24,550

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is movello@earthlink.net .

2000 Chrysler LHS (278)

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2000 Chrysler LHS (278)

Overview:
Right out of the chute you have to notice the forward thinking styling of this 2000 Chrysler LHS.  You may not like it, but you have to notice it. That’s one thing I sensed immediately. And although I’ve heard it said, you either love it or hate it, my personal experience is that I only heard positive comments. Me – I love the overall design and styling.

Chrysler introduced the LHS as a 1994 model year to cover the full-size sedan segment of the market. They say its “paperless” design CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application) trimmed eight months off the total development time for the new LH models.  It comes in a single trim so decision making is made simple, especially since there are so many standard features.

Chrysler products were not my cup of tea in years past, and in fact I thought mom’s Dodge, with that old push button transmission, was a piece of junk. I thought it was cheaply made and obviously lots of other folks did too. That fact or at least the publics perception of poor quality took its toll on the company. If it hadn’t been for the efforts of  Lee Iacocca at that precise time in history we would have lost one of the Big 3 American automakers. Some thought we should have anyway. Why bail them out? The cries were loud from both sides but there were lots of people who would have lost their jobs if the company went out of business.

Today it is a different story and you have to give credit where credit is due. Chrysler is a contender in the “Rocky” sense of the word. It’s a scrappy company that successfully fought its way back. They seem to have “no fear” when it comes to design and innovation. And because they are state of the art in design techniques, they have kept the prices down to sane levels. One has to wonder what effect Daimler will have on the new Chrysler company in the years to come. But as of now, they produce cars that are extremely competitive.

Bravo, Chrysler, you get the award for tenacity over these many years of rebuilding. Yes, I know time is the test of all things and long-term quality of the new sedans remain a question mark. But, I can only judge based on the many cars I drive. I don’t notice all that much difference in higher priced cars in or out of class. I have encouraged family and friends to look at buying American because they are the best values on the market and have been for the past five plus years. That gap has to close, but it hasn’t yet.

The styling is different but in addition to having sweeping clean lines, the design is practical. It has a spacious interior, limousine-like rear seat, better than average visibility, large doors for wide easy entry, large front seats, quiet and well insulated, elegant interior feel with leather upholstery and nice touches such as a classy looking analog clock in the center of the dashboard, and wood trim. On the negative side I found the seats a little less comfortable than most and I think Chrysler needs to look at the seat design.

In keeping with the LHS being a full sized sedan with a roomy interior, the trunk is huge and even has a pass through to the rear seat. The opening of the trunk, however, is a little high which makes putting stuff in a little more difficult, but not bad. And in spite of the fact that it is a larger sedan, it’s not a boat. Remember American cars of the past that oft times road like boats. The suspension systems were so soft that when you went over a dip the car would float up and down for another block. Well, not so for most bigger cars in today’s world. This is true of this LHS with handling that more closely resembles a sports car.

The LHS shares its platform with the Concorde, 300M and Dodge Intrepid, and all are assembled in Canada.

The competition:

Buick Park Avenue $31,725-36,800, Infiniti I30 $29,465 – $31,540, Lexus ES 300 $31,405,  Lincoln LS $30,915 – $34,690, Mazda Millenia $24,995 – $30,995, Mitsubishi Diamante $27,199, Pontiac Bonneville $23,680 – $31,635, Saab 9-3 $25,900 – $44,995,  Volvo S70 $27,500 – $33,600.

Good News:

Roomy, classy interior, futuristic design, large rear seating area, fast, smooth ride, large car feeling with small car handling, well priced.

Bad News:

No side airbags, stigma of Chrysler poor quality in early years.

Standard Equipment:

3.5-liter, 253-horsepower V6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control, speed sensitive steering, climate control, power widows, locks, cruise control, tilt leather wrapped steering wheel, memory settings, keyless entry, AM/FM cassette and CD system, security, 8-way power heated front seats, auto headlights, fog lights, power mirrors and 17” aluminum wheels.

Gas Stats:

18 City and 26 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $28,090

 

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

Copyright © 2003 – An Automotive Love Affair

2000 Volvo V40 Station Wagon (277)

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2000 Volvo V40 Station Wagon (277)

Overview:

Just last night at a party I listened to a conversation about how station wagons were out. I thought, hey I just drove a 2000 Volvo V40 Station wagon and loved it. The comment was made relative to SUV’s that have been all the rage over the past decade. Now even Porsche is said to be getting into that market. Fads may come and go, but when a fad turns into practicality, the product stays around for a while. And that’s the case with station wagons that have been around since those great old Woody’s. Even Mercedes has a station wagon. I’ll bet Moon Doggie now puts his surfboard on his Benz. What’s this world coming to?

No, station wagons are not out of style. But they have been replaced in large numbers by SUVs. Station wagons smack of the practical family car, and give the impression of “down home” kind of people. It is, after all, just a stretched out family sedan that speaks of mom, dad, the kids and grandma on vacation. Right now SUV’s are the IN thing. They are OFF ROAD for goodness sake. They’re safe. Mom can drive in the rain, sleet and snow to SHOP and get the KIDS to school and back safely. You never know what obstacles you’ll need to negotiate out there on the streets of suburbia.

SUV’s also allow dad to give a SPORTing reason for buying this robust “Wagon”. They can tow stuff, haul other stuff and best of all they’re unisex. Dad can have the benefits of a station wagon and still be MACHO and mom can have practicality and also display that new macho femininity.

Well, in theory that all works, but in the real world 90% of the time the SUV will never get off road and the 4-wheel thing is just a costly appendage. The wagon does it all and does it more efficiently including much better gas mileage.

Think about it. Is that right or wrong? If you said that’s right, you’re less likely to be swayed by fashions and fads designed by marketing experts to separate you from your wallet. You’re probably a leader rather than a follower. You’re your own person who really cares about the real utility of a station wagon to handle the chores of suburbia for less money. Don’t misunderstand me, I love SUV’s. I’ve done off-roading and even gone on a three day Jeep Jamboree. However, two things come to mind to contrast these two options. Consider that both perform relatively the exact same function. Now picture a little child climbing into both. The wagon is accessible to the child while a stepladder is needed for those little kids to get into the SUV.

I’ve owned both and driven tons of others over the years and objectively speaking “That’s the Truth”, as one of Lilly Tomlin’s characters used to say with a slight lisp. And since Volvo is built in Sweden it’s appropriate to recall the Old Swedish saying that “Vee get to soon Oldt, Undt to late Schmart”.

Smart considerate shoppers will consider this Volvo for their small or young family. I was truly surprised at the price after the test drive. I highly recommend you look at this station wagon. There is a window of opportunity to get Volvo quality at a great price. I don’t believe it will be as affordable after folks learn what a good deal it is today. Volvo is trying to appeal to younger buyers who couldn’t afford the usual higher prices. Informed young families will surely take them up on an offer that’s hard to refuse. Are my kids listening?

The competition:

Subaru Legacy Wagon $18,395 – $23,695, All the mini vans in this price range, None of the pricey SUV’s .

Good News:

Compact size to zip around town, powerful, solid and well built, comfortable, handles great and is simply fun to drive, more rounded styling, lots of conveniences and most important it’s an exceptional value for the money.

Bad News:

Compact close quarters for bigger people, ignition poorly placed and hard to get the key in.

Standard Equipment:

1.9Liter inline turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 4-Speed Automatic transmission with Sport, Economy and Winter settings, 4-wheel power antilock disc brakes, dual front and side airbags, rack and pinion power steering, unit body construction, rear child safety locks, open door warning system, 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, climate control, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, stereo with cassette, remote keyless entry, tilt steering column, and much more.

Gas Stats:

21 City and 28 Highway MPG.

Pricing:

MSRP $23,900 – $23,900

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

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Copyright ©1994 – An Automotive Love Affair

2000 Audi TT Coupe (276)

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2000 Audi TT Coupe (276)

Overview:

This 2000 Audi TT has a lot to offer to the sports car enthusiast but there are some things to consider before you put thirty grand on the table. Is there trouble lurking around the ownership corner reminiscent of some cars from Audi in the past?

I wonder if making a fashion statement is worth the cost. Surely the handling is very capable and you’d have to spend double the dough to improve on it. Yes it’s fun to drive much like the VW Beatle is fun to drive. Since the designer is the same, you too will see the resemblance. It’s like they mashed down and stretched out the Beatle, took the Vaase out and put in a bunch of aluminum tinsel for highlighting.

Cynical, I guess, but there were some things that turned me off. This 1995 concept car turned production has some bugs to be worked out. I recommend waiting for future versions. That was the case with the Dodge Viper. It was a bucket of bolts in the first days of production but has turned the corner, big time, for 2000. If the demand for this TT is good enough now, I predict that it will be a fabulous car in the future.

What will strike you is that it feels solid and although some feel it is a road hugging car, I felt a little less confident in that area. Some of the competition is much more comforting in the corners. In particular the Mercedes SLK, Corvette, and the Acura NSX come to mind. But the price tags loom ominous as well. Like I say, for the dough it ain’t bad. Perhaps the cost control comes from the fact that it shares the same platform as other VW products like the new Beatle and the Golf. VW products, you say! Well that may be good news to many and even reason enough to buy the Audi over other competitors at any price.

I think you’ll be as impressed with the power you get from the 1.8-liter 180-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It’s quick, with acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds. It’s a version of the engine in the VW Passat and Audi A4. But you won’t find much use for the rear seat except to put the seatbacks down to enlarge the trunk. Visibility is only average and rather poor for shorter drivers who will find themselves stretching their necks to see over the nose. The rear roof pillars also cause blind spots. And I know it’s a little nit picky but the cupholders are awkward to reach.

While I was driving this car, it drew a lot of attention for sure, because it’s a one-of-a-kind auto. The first question I got was “is that one of those electric cars?” Another was – “does that come in a convertible?” I got lots of thumbs up so the popular vote is positive. The real ooo’s and aah’s come when they look inside at the truly imaginative and artful interior and an exaggerated attention to detail. Other things are almost invisible, like the power window switches on the doors. By the way, the car doesn’t come in an electric model but will arrive convertible likely in the spring of 2000. Also, TT” stands for the Tourist Trophy races in Europe during the early part of the “soon to be” last century.

The competition:
Porsche Boxster, BMW Z3, Mercedes Benz SLK.

Good News:

Fun to drive, fast, unique styling, true sports car look and feel, space age imaginative and simple interior.

Bad News:

Wouldn’t want to own early release, troublesome shifting, poor visibility.

Standard Equipment:

1.8 liter 4-cylinder 180 horsepower turbocharged engine, 5-speed manual transmission, front wheel drive, sport suspension, 8-speaker sound system, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, automatic climate control, power/heated mirrors, power windows, trunk and fuel-filler releases, anti-lock disc brakes, traction-control system, front and side airbags, power steering.

Gas Stats:

22 City and 31 Highway MPG.

Pricing:
MSRP $30,500

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