Tag Archives: 2009

2009 Kia Borego EX 4-WD

01-01-2013Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2009 Kia Borego that is brand new right off the boat. Made in South Korea and 86% of the parts from there and 4% from US/Canada.

You can’t help but be impressed with such a new company in such a relatively new free economic society. I wonder what they are making in NORTH Korea beside poverty. Chop sticks perhaps because they have all those trees. Have you ever seen pictures of the stark difference of the country from Google Earth? North is all trees and south is a bustling mass of development. Ok, so I must admit the quality of life may be better north of the border, but it’s not “south of the border down Mexico way” kind of development.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 4%, Korea 86%

Assembly – Korea

Class: – SUV

Cars: – Amanti, Borego, Optima, Rio, Rondo, Sedona, Sorento, Spectra & Sportage.

Observation:

Remember not so long ago anything made in Japan was Junk? Then China and then Korea and India. Well, the globe is shrinking and Nationalism is giving way to Global-ism. Soon Asian companies will be “Outsourcing” to Africa and other cheaper labor markets if that is possible. Eventually we’ll see a truly Global Economy.

Handling & Performance:

Good power and the ride is consistent with most of the competition in price range.

Styling:

Common place styling for the class. The Koreans have learned well from the west on how to appeal to the automotive senses. If you don’t look at the badge you could be driving a Ford, Mercury, Chevy or you name it.

Fit and Finish:

Average.

Cost:

If you can’t tell the difference in appearance and the price is the same I’m wondering why folks will risk the unknown. This will be a tough sell for that reason. All things being equal I believe the consumer in the US will lean to those more Tried and True for the money. I’d say it would ordinarily take a 20-25% saving to make most take that leap of faith in a new product. However the list of standard equipment is impressive and all good stuff. That means to me a 10-15% discount would be in order. They’re the new kid on the block and will have to earn the price point they are suggesting.

Conveniences and comfort:

The conveniences are there – competitive with the best listed.

Consumer Recommendation:

No question I would have to tell you to drive it and compare. Outwardly you will be impressed. If you can strike a great deal in price reductions and have long extended warranties thrown in I suspect it would be worth the gamble. Time will tell if the Korean products hold up. I’d be interested in your experience over time if you have one or know someone who does. The US auto industry is over 100 years old and you know what you’re getting. The Korean auto industry is a baby by comparison so I suggest erring on the side of caution.

But if Kia is dealing it could be worth a try. Keep in mind the soft market for autos at this time and don’t be shy about asking for a deep discount.

Recognized Competition:

Kia Borego $26-33,000, Buick Enclave $35-39,000, GMC Acadia $32-40,000, Cadillac SRX $40-47,000, Subaru Tribeca $30-34,000, Saturn Outlook $30-36,000, Mercury Mountaineer $29-35,000, Toyota Highlander $26-35,000, Hyundai Vericruz $ n/a, Chevrolet TrailBlazer $29-39,000, Chevrolet Traverse $28-41,000, Mazda CX-9 $30-35,000, Toyota 4Runner $29-39,000, Suzuki XL7 $26-30,000, Toyota Venza $26-29,000, Honda Pilot $28-40,000, Ford Taurus X $28-34,000, Lincoln MKX $38-40,000, Dodge Durango $28-40,000, Chrysler Aspen $35-37,000, Jeep Grand Cherokee $30-45,000, Ford Explorer $28-39,000.

Good News:

Overall it is similar to all SUVs on the market and I suspect they will be dealing.

Bad News:

Pricey for a little known product, up against tough competition, not different enough in performance & fuel economy to take a leap of faith.

Standard Equipment:

3.8 liter 276 hp V6 engine, 5-speed auto trans, 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel ABS power disc brakes, front and side and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, electronic stability control, traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, hill assist and downhill brake control, back up warning system, LATCH child system, dual zone climate control, power windows locks and mirrors, audio with CD, MP3 and 6 speakers, SIRIUS satellite radio with 3 mos incl., 8-way power driver seat, 4-way power passenger seat, 60/40 split folding 2nd row seats, 50/50 split folding 3rd row seats, remote keyless entry with alarm, leather steering with w/ audio and cruise controls, 3 12 volt outlets, trip computer, auto light control, under floor storage, privacy glass, roof rails, fog lights and windshield de-icer.

Gas Stats:

$1.99/ Gal avg. Jan 15, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

16 City and 21 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $29,995

2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart 4 Dr. Sedan

01-01-2013Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart 4-Door Sedan. After writing about the stylishly exciting Dodge Challenger everything else seems a bit boring. But at about 15 average miles per gallon using the Challenger as a commuter is not practical for most of us. This Galant IS practical and realistic for general driving needs.

The Ralliart model is the top of the Galant line at over $27,000 and sports a 258 hp V6, and a lot less fuel performance than the other trims. The ES and Sport Edition with a more fuel efficient Inline 4-cylinder 160 hp engine knock down between 20 and 30 mpg. The Sport V6 and Ralliart both have the 3.8 liter V6 engine that gets 230 and 258 hp respectively.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 51%, Japan 30%

Assembly – Normal, IL, USA

Class: – Mid-size

Cars: – Eclipse, Endeavor, Galant, Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Outlander and Raider.

Handling & Performance:

I tested the Ralliart model so the 258 hp is plenty powerful enough. I don’t want to be able to burn the tires off the rims but I do expect good performance over the mountains and be able to accelerate quickly enough to be safe on Los Angeles highways. It’s a jungle out there and people can be brutal so you want to be able to get out of your own way in those situations. This Galant won’t let you down.

Styling:

Cookie cutter styling that is uninteresting and common in today’s world. But the lines are clean and this is a decently comfortable commuter and family car. Not all cars can be different from the pack. Cars like the PT Cruiser, Plymouth Prowler, Corvette Z06, Chrysler 300 and of course the Dodge Challenger are several of the cars that stand out and come to mind.

Fit and Finish:

Good

Cost:

Competitive in class. The other two trims (ES and Sport Edition) are just over $20,000.

Features and Conveniences:

Many new cars have Bluetooth connectivity for your cell phone. But if you don’t have that built in you can buy a battery operated portable version under $100. I’m sure prices will come down further as they become more popular with the demand of law. And you can also have them tied into your radio system for a few more bucks. The technology is common on high end pricey brands, so the portable versions will take off with the mandatory hands free cell usage in cars beginning July 1, 2008.

Consumer Recommendation:

Resource – www.safercar.gov

If you are contemplating a change in your family’s cars the Galant can fill the need for economy. Then you can pamper your passion for your Hummer (soon to be history) or other SUV (now a very cheap purchase option). You can have the gas guzzler and simply drive it less frequently.

In fact my suggestion is that you look more closely at adding a third family car to include a Smart Car for about $11,000 that gets about 50 mpg of regular gas. Those are all the rage in Europe and experiencing a supply backlog for orders in the US. Remember if you want to cut the cost of fuel, doubling miles per gallon is like paying $2.00 a gallon of gas in your present gas burner getting 25 or even fewer miles per gallon.

You may recall my test drive of the Smart Car last year for its launch in the US. If you missed it and want to see that review it was published in the November 10, 2007 issue of the Country Journal. Or, simply email me or call the Journal and we’ll see you get a copy.

Recognized Competition:

2009s Mitsubishi Galant $21-27,000, Toyota Camry $19-28,000, Hyundai Sonata $18-26,000, Buick LaCrosse $n/a, Chevrolet Malibu $n/a,

2008s – Pontiac Grand Prix $22-29,000, Saturn Aura $20-26,000, Honda Accord $20-31,000, Dodge Avenger $19-26,000, Chevrolet Impala $22-29,000, Ford Fusion $18-25,000, Nissan Altima $19-29,000, Kia Optima $16-21,000, Chrysler Sebring $19-32,000, Mazda 6 $19-28,000.

Good News:

Well equipped and well priced mid-size ‘all around’ family sedan.

Bad News:

Uninteresting styling and only fair fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

3.8 liter 258 hp V6 engine, 5-speed automatic trans, front and side airbags with side curtain airbags, child safety locks and LATCH system, daytime running lights, tire pressure monitor system, engine immobilizer, 18” allow wheels, 4-wheel power ABS disc brakes, power rack & pinion steering, traction control, stabilizer bars, power glass sunroof, auto air conditioning, cruise control, audio system with 8 speakers 6-disc CD/MP3 player, SIRIUS satellite radio incl. 6 month service, sport wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power windows and door locks, leather seating surfaces, center console, 8-way power driver seat, rear armrest with cup holders and trunk pass through, heated front seats, power heated mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, remote keyless entry, theft deterrent system, fog lights, and auto off headlights.

Options: Navigation Package $1,500

Gas Stats:

$4.53/ Gal avg. June 25 ‘08

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

16 City and 25 Highway MPG

www.safercar.gov or 888-327-4236

Pricing:

MSRP $27,299, with options $28,799.

2009 Scion xB 5-door

01-01-2013Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2009 Scion xB 5-door small wagon. Like me lots of people I talked with about the Scion felt the early versions were really ugly. The sharp boxy edges just didn’t do it for most folks. Today’s more rounded edges soften the look and less like a gang bangers car. The gay community adopted the Saab for unknown reasons and it is interesting how cars have become an integral part of our lives and how they often define us.

The Scion has blended into the competition a little more with the 2009 and in fact it is much like its cousin the Honda Element. It sits even lower than the Element and in part the low to the ground design of both is what puts them in the Wagon category rather than an SUV class.

What surprised me from the outset with the two vehicles is the broad acceptance of the design. Young and old alike have embraced the look. I believe for different reasons however. Young people like to be different – period! Older folks like the practicality of the design. When the Element came on the scene Honda felt it would appeal to the older buyer since it was easy to get in and out of. It was simple and could even be hosed out for easy cleaning. Just open the doors on both sides and the ‘suicide door’ configuration make it look like you could drive a truck thru it.

I guess the generations are not as far apart as you might think.

General Info:

Parts – Japan

Assembly – Japan

Class: – Small Wagon

Cars: – tC, xB, xD

Opinion:

As car companies come and go cars have always been repaired and maintained. The history of the automobile should help us to get a grip on the fact that losing dealerships may in fact be a Good Thing. Have you ever experienced the cost to do anything at a dealership? Not a pretty picture at the check out counter. Bring more than one credit card because you shouldn’t carry that much cash around on your person.

As some of you know I experienced first hand the difference between the dealer and the independent repair facility. Why – because I was an owner of an independent mostly foreign and some domestic repair shop. We also had a body shop and I learned how BMW, Jag and Mercedes Benz owners would drop in as if we were an Oasis in the desert.

The point is simply this. If you have any trepidation about buying any car because they may not be around next year forget the worry – buy the car you want or need and know with confidence independents have been fixing cars abandoned by their parents for a hundred years now.

Handling & Performance:

The Scion is comfortable and has good stability in part because of the lower center of gravity. It is fast and because of its smooth ride you tend to drive faster than you should. That fact is sufficient reason why you always include ‘cruise control’ when you buy a car. Simply set the speed and forget it and you’ll avoid your, not so friendly, highway tax collectors.

Styling:

Another comparison where the Honda Element is more thoughtfully crafted than many similar vehicles is the rear ‘theater seating’. Scion doesn’t incorporate that design feature, and although it may seem like a small thing, when you try it you will love it. Correction – your passengers will love it.

Some Curb Weight comparisons: Scion 3026 lbs; Element 3352 lbs; PT Cruiser 3070; Kia Rio 2568 lbs; Chevrolet HHR 3155; Dodge Caliber 3052;

Small and large SUV examples: Ford Escape 3229 lbs; Cadillac Escalade 5511 lbs.

In the style department however the winner has to be the PT Cruiser from Chrysler. It simply stands out in the crowd and if you ask ‘mirror mirror on the wall…’ it is the prettiest one of all.

Fit and Finish:

Not bad and for this price point car it is quite good. You expect exceptional assembly from Japanese car makers and because they have set the bar so high the competition has met the challenge and none are really poorly assembled. To get to the really ‘exceptional’ level you must triple the price point, so I can’t get too excited about looser tolerances for the purchase price in this class.

Cost:

Very good car for the money.

Conveniences and comfort:

Very good.

Consumer Recommendation:

Nice selection to choose from in this economy class of small wagons. I’ve tested most but have not been in the Ford Transit Connect or the Nissan Cube. Good stuff.

Recognized Competition:

Scion xB $16-17,000, Pontiac Vibe $16-21,000, Mazda 5 $18-23,000, Chrysler PT Cruiser $18-25,000, Honda Fit $15-19,000, Suzuki SX4 Crossover $16-19,000, Kia Rio5 $13-14,000, Kia Rondo $17-22,000, Nissan Versa $10-16,000, Kia Soul $13-17,000, Dodge Caliber $16-25,000, Ford Transit Connect $21-22,000, Nissan Cube $14-19,000, Chevrolet HHR $19-25,000, Toyota Matrix $17-22,000.

Good News:

Good fuel economy, nice ride and well priced.

Bad News:

Light weight class that concern many.

Standard Equipment:

2.4 liter 158 hp 4 cylinder engine, 4-speed auto trans, electronic power steering, 4-wheel power ABS disc brakes with brake force distribution, sport tuned independent MacPherson front strut and rear torsion beam suspension, stability control with traction control, front – side and side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitoring, power mirrors, front and rear washer wipers, front bucket and rear split fold flat seats, cruise control, air conditioning, audio with CD, 6 speakers, iPod connector, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, privacy glass and tilt steering wheel with audio controls.

Gas Stats:

$2.43/ Gal avg. May 14, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

22 City and 28 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $16,700.

2009 Volkswagen SportWagen TDI

01-01-2013Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2009 Volkswagen SportWagen TDI. In the pricing scheme of things the VW is the tops in the field listed here. In my opinion the Toyota Matrix doesn’t belong in this group. All the others are very nice products but I just like the Jetta best. It is simply a lovely car and it looks great while not “Badge Showy”.

The 2.0 liter engine feels much more powerful because of the Turbo and it is exhilarating with the 6-speed transmission. The only thing I would prefer to change if I could would be to make it Rear Wheel Drive. It is flat fun to drive and 0-60 mph is about 6.5 seconds.

General Info:

Parts – Germany 35%; Mexico 30%; Engine and Transmission – Germany,

Assembly – Puebla, Mexico

Class: – Small Station Wagons

Cars: – CC, Eos, GLI, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Passat Wagon, R32, Rabbit, Routan, Tiguan and Touareg2.

Handling & Performance:

Pretty impressive and you can’t help but like this car. It has all the performance without all the other badge trappings of over pricing and snob appeal. The car performed outstandingly in all conditions but especially good on the “Crest Test” mountain course “E” Ride travel between the desert and LA (which drops out in La Canada).

Fast and the frosting is that the fuel numbers are exceptional.

Styling:

Great design with very clean lines and it’s a ten (10) in my book.

Fit and Finish:

Very good.

Cost:

Outstanding in class. All the others are much more money and no real distinction in all areas.

Consumer Recommendation:

I definitely would drive this as my personal car, and if you want a station wagon this sport model designing is classy. There is not a lot in class so here’s an opportunity to drive all small wagons to find the best of the best. For the money the Jetta Sport Wagen is my top pick. Matrix is way out of class and I wouldn’t bother testing that one.

Recognized Competition:

VW Jetta SportWagen $19-26,000, Saab 9-3 SportCombi $32-45,000, Volvo V50 $30-36,000, Audi A4 Avant $34,850, BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon $35-37,000, Toyota Matrix $17-22,000.

Good News:

Nice styling, fast Turbo, fun to drive, great pricing and with rising gas prices the fuel economy is fantastic.

Bad News:

Nothing I didn’t like… only happy faces.

Standard Equipment:

2.0 liter 140 hp 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, 6-speed manual transmission, front wheel drive, power steering, anti slip, stabilization program, differential lock, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, front – side and side curtain airbags, LATCH system with child door locks, tire pressure monitoring system, climate air conditioning, leatherette seating, 8-way power driver seat, 60/40 split folding rear seating, rear seat arm rest and pass through, power heated mirrors, cruise control, tilt and telescoping steering column, in dash 6-disc CD player w/ MP3 format, Sirius Satellite radio, remote keyless entry, power windows, anti-theft alarm w/ immobilizer theft deterrent, trip computer and compass.

Gas Stats:

$2.69/ Gal avg. June 8, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

30 City and 41 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $23,870.

The 2009 Nissan 370ZX

01-01-2013Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re talking with Merkel Weiss an old associate about his opinion of the 2009 Nissan 370ZX, one of my favorite cars to drive. Ok, so he’s not all that old but you know what I mean. Herewith an automotive engineers view of the Z.

The other night my old friend Que Quan (Q) pulled up to my back yard in a new test car. There it was, silhouetted in the moonlight. This sleek red Nissan thing with giant 19 inch open-spoke silver wheels sat there as we looked on in mock reverence, usually reserved for an Aston Zagatto or the like.

It was the old car but more, and it was the old car but less. Here is my problem. I have at times liked the Z-car and at times not so much. The early 240Z was a nice car to look at and a reasonably well behaved car for its day. It was also one heck of a bargain – I remember the head of the Mechanical Engineering laboratory at Penn State where I was at grad school debating whether to buy the Vega GT or the 240Z. At that time the Datsun (Nissan today) was a bit of a risk because in 1970, nobody had any experience with the brand, especially with the inline 6 sports car shy of the Datsun 2000 which fell short of being a reliable car. Well, he bought the American car and although patriotic at the time, I never looked at him the same way. Driving the Vega had all the thrill and panache of driving a Trabant. Driving that Z-car on the other hand was a serious hoot. Sure they got fat and sloppy in the 70’s and 80’s but didn’t everything?

And so it was last night and this 370 thing sticks like epoxy. It is well behaved and suffers from none of the underdeveloped shortcomings of some of the earlier cars. It changes direction at the mere thought of it, and it has a nice compromise in ride to its prodigious grip. And when the grip runs out, this thing handles like it has some balance to it. Those famous 3 dials in your face and glowing atop the dash remind you constantly where you are. One could argue that not all the information conveyed by the 370s instruments is actually useful, but what the heck. It’s Japanese. The Western mind stretches but fails to comprehend the strangely oriented and only obtusely connected artifacts of the Asian sports car cockpit. And what’s with the mid-dash flap door that opens to a shallow shelf of rectangular configuration, useful for a hankie or maybe some loose soil? It should be lower in front of the 6-speed shifter and a bit deeper for the obligatory gloves.

The 1990s bought a 300ZX that I thought at the time to be the best ever and occasionally my mind wanders down that path again. Lovely to behold (no small thing for any Asian car) and in twin turbo V6 guise, this car was a real rocket ship. Together with the 4-wheel steering setup, gleaned from the all-too-short Mid 4 program, this car was a serious barrel of monkeys to drive, except that it was really buttoned down. Even the 2+2 version seemed to look properly proportioned, unlike the travesty that befell the Jaguar E-Type V12 2+2, when without any warning it turned from the perhaps finest looking sports car of all time into a pregnant guppy with wheels. Truly, the 300ZX was a milestone automobile.

In truth, the 370ZX may be a milestone car as well. There is some real driver feedback and not that it can read and write like an M3, the car has such high levels of grip that when it approaches the edge, you pretty much know that you’re out there on your own. And still the car’s stability control (4-wheel ABS activating as required to stabilize directionality) comes in to rescue you so long as you have not done something beyond Newtonian physics. If you only need 2 seats, you can live with this car very easily on a day to day basis, providing that you don’t have luggage to haul around bigger than a standard suitcase.

The 370ZX is not a pretty car, in my opinion, but it is very close. I say this as a critic because I very much want to like the way it looks; it is sooooo close. The 350ZX was a car that was aesthetically flamboyant. As such, it tends to get old a bit faster than other, more conservative buttoned-down shapes. But the 370 is really quite different, although closely related and easily identifiable, which I like. Along with the shorter wheelbase, the humpy roof line behind the windshield header that stretches out to an interminably long, flat fastback, punctuated by the big-butt Bertha rear bumper is now gone, replaced by a reasonably perfunctory and quite near attractive roofline.

Where the 350 was a collection of horizontal lines of the sports car, clashing with vertically oriented elements of trim like the front side markers/signals, door handles, and long amorphously stretchy headlights and taillights combined in a random if not pointless manner, the 370 seems to mostly fit into a horizontal theme. The 350s undercut along the bottom of the door has been smoothed out on the 370 and now we have a couple of thin bone lines in the rocker panel, much like a BMW E36. The rear window now has a nice shape to it. There is still not a whole lot of rear ¾ vision available, but to be fair the fat pillars dictated by side impact protection in a coupe rarely permit much these days. At least the trunk has a bit more storage space as a result of the elimination of that ridiculous cross brace, emblazoned with the big Z. That was just too close to the screaming chicken for me.

There is much to like with the car inside and out. The apparent quality of the materials used in the interior is hugely improved. The arm rests, interior door handles and wheel/instrument binnacle all seem to be ergonomic perfection. In contrast, the 6 foot + crowd will have some difficulty with the too-short bottom seat cushions and the barely adequate headroom. For the under 6 foot crowd, like my friend Q, I’d say jump on this car now while they are still dealing. This is about as engaging as sports cars get without having to pay the price of a Porsche and then being grateful for the opportunity. Huge Bridgestone RE050A tires, 245/40-19 front and 275/ 35-19 rear, and well sorted 4-wheel A-arm suspension, 0 – 60 in 5.2 seconds, 60 – 0 in 115 feet, and 18/26 mile per gallon EPA city/highway gives a lot for not so much dollars (list below $30K).

One more detail that needs mentioning is the brilliant shift rev-matching (SynchroRev Match) button above and to the right of the shifter. Engage the rev-matching and it is now near impossible to miss a shift, no matter how goofy you get. Go ahead and try but do not get yourself in trouble please. In all the years that we, the car enthusiasts have had manual transmissions, this is perhaps the most useful and meaningful execution I have ever seen. Now anyone can be Stig Blomquist or Michelle Mouton, dancing on the pedals and charging up that windy road. Life is good behind the wheel once again.

General Info:

Parts – n/a

Assembly – Japan

Class: – Sport

Cars: – Altima, Altima Hybrid, Armada, Cube, Frontier, GT R, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, Rogue, Sentra, Titan, Versa, Xterra & Z

Recognized Competition:

Nissan 370ZX $30-42,000, Infiniti G Coupe $36-39,000, Lotus Elise $47-55,000, Saturn Sky $28-34,000, Audi TT $35-48,000, Chevrolet Corvette $49-114,000, Pontiac Solstice $24-30,000, Honda S2000 $35-38,000, Mazda RX8 $26-32,000, Mercedes SLK $46-66,000, Porsche Cayman $50-60,000, Porsche Boxster $47-57,000, BMW Z4 $46-62,000, 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe $22-31,000 and Ford Mustang $21-36,000.

Gas Stats:

$2.69/ Gal avg. July 24, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

18 City and 26 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $30-42,000.

2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4X4 SUV (814)

11-05-2010Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4X4 SUV. This is one step down in cost from the Liberty and of course in features and performance as well.

If you are OK with basic you will want to look at the Sport 4X2 to save about $5,000. You’ll probably flash back to the days when all cars were equipped with manual crank windows and manual door locks. A slight digression is that leather is not available on the Patriot… and that got me thinking how Naugahyde was so popular in days of old. Oh, for those who never heard of Naugahyde it is a Vinyl make believe (artificial) leather that was very popular in the 1950s and 60s. Today they call it Pleather for Plastic Leather. There are several reasons for substituting artificial leather for the real thing. The most important reason in my view is that it is far lighter and better for many applications.

Likewise, however, there are benefits to using cloth seats over leather other than cost. I don’t know about you but leather is very cold in the winter months and sweaty hot in the summer. I love the smell of leather and it is very luxurious in feel as well but being “Real” is a taboo to animal rights groups.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 66%; Mexico 19%

Assembly – Belvidere, Illinois, USA

Class: – SUV

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

Opinion:

Riding with a friend to town I had to pass on the right and my passenger barked how rude drivers can be. “Why didn’t he pull over to the right?” Well, sometime it can be a tough call of whether to move over or not, I responded. Relative speed is what makes the difference and if you are going with the flow of traffic and some “Rapid Robert” is weaving in and out I don’t believe you need to feel compelled to move over. The best rule of thumb is that if you are not passing traffic to your right then that’s the lane you belong in.

Good drivers are many things but to me they are NOT self appointed cops who drive slower in an attempt to slow other drivers down. Good drivers go with the general flow of traffic and pay attention to driving by using hands free “Bluetooth” devices to avoid dangerous distractions – and they don’t text or read their mail either. In short, they are considerate and sensitive to other drivers around them – and they are not too proud to move over if they are driving slower than the flow of traffic and they don’t tailgate or flip others off. I’m sure you have other pet peeves when you share the highway with others.

Handling & Performance:

Comfortable ride but at 172 hp this inline 4 cylinder will struggle more, of course, than the Liberty with a 210 hp V6. Unfortunately the fuel economy doesn’t improve very much at all with the 4-cylinder. The only way to boost the MPG is to move away from the 4X4 to the 4X2 and then the highway numbers move up by about 6 mpg or about a 30% increase.

Styling:

Simply Jeep. You either love it or you don’t. Me, I’m a Jeep guy from way back and I particularly appreciate the names given to these All American vehicles. Enjoying the Liberty and being a Patriot – all things being equal is enough for me to lean toward Jeep.

Fit and Finish:

Good for the money.

Cost:

About $4,000 less than the Liberty. Not chump change.

Conveniences and comfort:

Very good.

Consumer Recommendation:

Consider the 4X2 for a more efficient cost to benefit. In every instance, in fact, where a 4X4 is considered remember only 5% of 4WD vehicles will ever be used that way. You’d have to live in the back woods on a steep dirt road or be an off road kinda guy or gal to justify the cost difference.

Recognized Competition:

Jeep Patriot $18-24,000, Jeep Compass $18-25,000, Chrysler PT Cruiser $18-25,000, Mitsubishi Outlander $20-26,000, Ford Escape $20-28,000, Saturn Vue $23-31,000, Subaru Forester $20-28,000, Suzuki SX4 Crossover $16-19,000, Mazda 5 $18-23,000, Kia Rondo $17-22,000, Hyundai Tucson $18-26,000, Nissan Rogue $20-23,000, Honda Element $20-26,000, Toyota Matrix $17-22,000, Toyota RAV4 $22-28,000, Chevrolet HHR $19-25,000, Pontiac Torrent $25-31,000, Dodge Caliber $16-25,000.

Good News:

Well equipped standard features, competitive pricing.

Bad News:

Only average fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

2.4 liter 172 horsepower inline 4-Cylinder engine, continuously variable auto trans with off road crawl ratio, electronic stability program, electronic roll mitigation, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist, multi stage airbags with side curtain bags front and rear, cruise control, power windows, speed sensitive door locks, Sentry key and theft deterrent system, power fold away mirrors, remote keyless entry, interior removable flashlight, rear window defroster with wiper washer, 115 volt and 12 volt outlets, air conditioning, heated front seats, passenger fold flat seatback, manual driver height and lumbar seat adjustment, rear 60/40 split folding / reclining seat, stereo with in-dash 6 disc CD/MP3/WMA player, Sirius radio service (1 yr. Incl.), leather seating and wrapped wheel (with audio controls), tilt steering column and vehicle information center.

Gas Stats:

$2.17/ Gal avg. April 5, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

20 City and 22 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $23,230.

2009 Jeep Liberty Limited 4X4 SUV (797)

19-01-2010Autolove No comments

Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2009 Jeep Liberty Limited 4X4 SUV. The first time I reviewed the Liberty it took me elk hunting. Unfortunately it was the only thing that went well that trip. It all started when I stepped out into thigh deep snow. God I love 4 wheel drive. That was November 2001 for Liberty’s introduction into production for the 2002 model year. It was first introduced as a concept vehicle in 1997 at the Detroit Auto Show, as the Jeep Dakar.

Today Liberty is larger (not much) than I remember. It is assembled well and for an off road SUV it is very passenger car like. My first impression was “Smooth” “Solid” “Comfortable”. And the poem “My Wife” by Robert Lewis Stevenson came to mind. “…Steel-true and blade-straight, the great artificer made my mate…”

I believe Jeep has continued to improve over the years, and not only because of the evolution of time but the intercession of Daimler (Mercedes Benz) for the brief time they owned Chrysler & Jeep. The impact and affect they had on Chrysler products is indisputable. And that influence was positive in every way. I was curious why they sold off the Chrysler brands but recently I concluded they were simply ahead of the curve on downsizing and shedding products that weren’t making money – (enough money). Recently Daimler Truck division (North America) discontinued another of their brands – Sterling Trucks, and the production of their truck flagship Freightliner is moving to Mexico.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 61%

Assembly – Toledo, Ohio, USA

Class: – SUV

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

Opinion:

It has always been my contention that whenever something bad happens, something good comes out of it. Currently we’re experiencing a terrible economic adjustment – bad. What’s the good you say? – well if you are as frustrated with overcrowded highways you too will have noticed the decrease in congestion on the highway. I think of that every day I commute and say a little prayer for our country. Not that I want traffic to increase but it does make the congestion easier to take these days.

Handling & Performance:

Outstanding highway ride. The 210 hp is nice, but the fuel economy is not any better than it was in the 2002 model year.

Styling:

I was impressed with the huge sunroof and really like the way they block the wind.

Fit and Finish:

Outstanding.

Cost:

The price has increased from $17,960 to $27,430 since 2002. When you consider the value of the dollar today that’s ok – recalling that money doubles every 10 years at 7%. But assuming inflation of 3% per year, the price has grown beyond that inflation rate. Conclusion: it’s a bit overpriced – unless you consider the upgrading in size and quality and of course the competition is priced about the same.

Recognized Competition:

Jeep Liberty $23-28,000, Mitsubishi Outlander $20-26,000, Ford Escape $20-28,000, Saturn Vue $23-31,000, Subaru Forester $20-28,000, Suzuki Grand Vitara $18-26,000, Mazda Tribute $20-28,000, Kia Sportage $17-23,000, Hyundai Tucson $18-26,000, Nissan Rogue $20-23,000, Honda Element $20-26,000, Honda CRV $21-29,000, Toyota RAV4 $22-28,000, Chevrolet Equinox $24-31,000, Pontiac Torrent $25-31,000, Dodge Caliber $16-25,000, Dodge Nitro $22-29,000, Mercury Mariner $23-28,000.

Good News:

Great ride, powerful, unusually large sun roof.

Bad News:

Lousy fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

3.7 liter 210 horsepower V6 engine, 4 speed auto trans with command trac part time 4 wheel-drive, electronic stability program, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist, all speed traction control, hill start and decent assist, cruise control, speed sensitive door locks, Sentry key and theft deterrent system and alarm, tire pressure monitoring, rear window wiper washer and defroster, air conditioning, 6-way power driver seat, passenger fold flat seat, rear 60/40 split folding / reclining seat, stereo with in-dash CD/MP3 player, Sirius radio service (1 yr. Incl.), leather trimmed seats with stain resistant fabric, leather wrapped wheel (with audio controls) and armrest and console, vehicle information center.

Gas Stats:

$2.07/ Gal avg. March 21, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

15 City and 21 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $27,430.

2009 Audi A4 Sedan 2.0 T Quattro Tiptronic (784)

22-10-2009Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2009 Audi A4 Sedan 2.0 T Quattro Tiptronic. It sports the new signature headlights similar to those first introduced on the Audi R8 featuring LED running lights. I fell in love with this lighting feature when I first tested the R8 and was happy to see it a part of the A4 touches.

The 2.0-liter engine produces 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, significantly more power than the engine it replaced. More importantly it is a testimony to the fact that you CAN achieve more than 100 hp per liter. Of course we in America historically hadn’t wanted to do that for US made cars. Again I suspect that had more to do with marketing and giving the consumer what they wanted – ‘down and dirty’ simple Muscle kinda cars. The other ingredient in the American auto experience and love affair was the fact that gas prices have always been far lower than the rest of the world so we didn’t need to engineer in exceptional power train design. No country has better engineering than is achievable from inventive and Space Age America. That’s why we have historically been the world leader in the industry. We simply got out foxed by countries more hungry with more realistic corporate leaders that didn’t get paid $500 million a year plus benefits and perks beyond belief.

Hey, I’m not knocking our beloved capitalism but rather I’m disappointed with the greed and corruption from captains of industry here in America. But guess what – it always catches up with the bad guys and the consumer sensed it and turned to better run car producers.

General Info:

Parts – US/Canadian 1%, Germany 75%

Assembly – Neckarsulm, Germany

Class: – Compact

Cars: – A3, A4, A5, A6, A8, Q5, Q7, R8, RS4, S4, S5, S6, S8, TT

Handling & Performance:

I wasn’t happy with the brakes because they are very grabby. I’m sure I would adjust to them over time but it was a constant irritation. The rest of the handling characteristics are Audi excellent and thus very enjoyable to drive.

Styling:

Thumbs up in this category. Audi has always had distinctive styling that is consistently Audi and a common trait of most German cars. A good thing, and it reminds me of the days when American car makers would retool every couple of years for a new look and a marketing strategy that I never appreciated as it implied you should trade up every two years because new vs old was intentionally obvious.

Fit and Finish:

Very good.

Cost:

Pricey in large part because of the badge but it is competitive with others in its class.

Conveniences and comfort:

Audi is a comfortable ride by any standards but I find all model electronic controls to be much too complicated an not at all intuitive.

Consumer Recommendation:

The competition is not terribly clear so I’ve chosen All Wheel Drive cars similarly priced. The competitors to the A4 noted here are all V6’s and the BMW and Mercedes have a bit more horsepower and only a little less fuel economy as you’d expect. Most other dimensions and weight are nearly identical.

Recognized Competition:

Audi A4 AWD $32,000, BMW 328 xi AWD $35,600, Mercedes Benz C300 AWD $37,000, Lexus IS250 AWD $35,000.

Good News:

Nice handling and a comfortable ride, lots of power with more than 100 hp / liter.

Bad News:

Electronics controls are not to my liking – just not intuitive enough.

Standard Equipment:

2.0 liter 211 hp 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed auto transmission w/Tiptronic / Dynamic Shift Program, Quattro all wheel drive system, ABS, Electronic Stabilization program, 17” alloy wheels, speed sensitive power steering, auto climate control, power windows & locks, cruise control, 60/40 split folding rear seat, power adjust front seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM with in dash CD player & Sirius satellite radio, leather seating, trip computer, front and side and side curtain airbags, power heated mirrors, anti-theft alarm system, LATCH for children.

Options:

Prestige model $7,300 – 18” alloy wheel, Bang & olufsen sound system, side assist & rear parking system, advanced key keyless start/stop, Xenon headlights, Bluetooth, three zone climate control, heated front seats, 6-CD changer, memory driver seat & mirrors. Audi Drive Select – $2,950. Navigation with rearview Camera, voice control – $2,500.

Gas Stats:

$3.05/ Gal avg. November 2, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information

21 City and 27 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $32,700 – With options $45,850.

2009 Toyota Avalon 4-door LTD Sedan (781)

28-09-2009Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2009 Toyota Avalon 4-Door LTD Sedan. And I have to tell you I wasn’t real thrilled with prior models. Daughter Jenny had one and they weren’t so thrilled with it either. But this year model is really nice. I think I like it better because it more resembles the styling of the Camry, which of course is the top seller for Toyota.

It has an elegant look and feel inside that is further embellished by seats that heat and cool and a very smooth ride doesn’t hurt the overall feel either.

General Info:

Parts – n/a

Assembly – United States

Class: – Large Cars

Cars: – 4Runner, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Camry Solara, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser, Matrix Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and Yaris.

Handling & Performance:

It is fast and a real pleasure to drive. Overall it is a great ride.

Styling:

The best yet for style of the Avalon in my opinion. Much more elegant than prior model years.

Fit and Finish:

Excellent.

Cost:

Not bad pricing and if you add the options like voice activated DVD Navigation with upgraded radio and CD changer, Bluetooth, and dynamic laser cruise the price goes up to $38,000.

Conveniences and comfort:

Some of the more impressive creature comforts, for me, include the heat and cool seats, a keyless start system becoming more popular in several makes. That feature allows you to open and lock doors, start and stop the engine simply by having the key fob in your pocket or purse. The other most appreciated feature is the Smart Laser Cruise Control that senses the car in front of you and maintains a safe distance automatically.

Consumer Recommendation:

Perhaps the most interesting competitor to this Avalon is the newest kid on the block – Hyundai Azera. It is definitely worth a close look for a couple of reasons – it is well priced and they may be more motivated do deal.

Recognized Competition:

Toyota Avalon $28-35,000, Hyundai Azera $25-29,000, Pontiac G8 $28-38,000, Mercury Sable $25-31,000, Mercury Grand Marquis $29,270, Chevrolet Impala $24-30,000, Buick Lacerne $29-39,000, Dodge Charger $24-38,000, Chrysler 300 $27-45,000, Nissan Maxima $30-33,000, Lincoln MKS $41-48,000, Ford Taurus $25-37,000.

Good News:

Great state of the art technology features, great ride, elegant interior, nicer Avalon styling and decent fuel economy for powerful performer.

Bad News:

None.

Standard Equipment:

3.5 liter 268 hp V6 engine, 6-speed auto transmission, front – side and side curtain airbags and driver knee airbag, 4-wheel ABS Electronic brake force distribution power brakes, stability control with traction control, tire pressure monitor system, daytime running lights and fog lights, 17” alloy wheels, anti theft and engine immobilizer system, power moonroof, rain sensing wipers, power mirrors, auto on/off Halogen headlights, smart key with pushbutton start, JBL AM/FM 6 disc CD changer with 12 speakers, 360 watts, SAT capable, Bluetooth, perforated leather seats with driver’s memory seat and power lumbar, driver and front passenger heated and ventilated seats, rear reclining seats, power rear sunshade, tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate control and cruise controls, dual zone climate control, wood grained style and leather shift knob and steering wheel.

Gas Stats:

$2.98/ Gal avg. October 11, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

19 City and 28 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $35,185.

2009 Toyota Land Cruiser (780)

21-09-2009Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser. It is extremely solid feeling and overall elegant look inside. But then for the money it’s hard to believe you’d expect any less.

The nav system is a bit klugey and not intuitive enough for my liking. However I have a limited time to get comfortable with the idiosyncrasies but I can only compare it to others that are much easier to use.

General Info:

Parts – n/a

Assembly – Japan

Class: – SUV

Cars: – 4Runner, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Camry Solara, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser, Matrix Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and Yaris.

Opinion:

With the ever growing number of potholes left unattended one has to wonder why Cal Trans is not fixing them. It’s not like we don’t pay huge gas taxes to take care of these dangerous conditions. Sounds like negligence to me. I’d be happy to hear from our road repair people for their side of the issue.

Handling & Performance:

A solid well built SUV requires heavy suspension so without a load the ride is stiff most noticeable on cement highways.

Styling:

Elegant interior but pretty unexciting exterior.

Fit and Finish:

Outstanding fit and finish. Again I expect that of any car or SUV in this price range.

Cost:

Speaking of cost this is pricey and the fuel economy is poor with estimated annual fuel cost of $4,102. Not a figure easy to ignore or forget. But if you can afford all the goodies that come standard for the price the fuel is not a real consideration. And if you decide to include all the options a long list of upgrades and navigation you can push the price up to nearly $74,000.

Conveniences and comfort:

I suspect the most positive memorable feature is the cooler space in the front console. Very cool for those long hot summer days. The most negative memory is split between poor fuel economy and poor Nav system ease of use.

Once again I have to tell you how much I like the “Smart Cruise Control”. You’ll recall that is the laser sensitive feature to keep you at a preset distance from the car in front of you.

Most recently Mercedes Benz has been advertising this wonderful feature. To begin with it helps you avoid following too close while helping you keep up with traffic flow when you set it just above the speed flow.

Recognized Competition:

Toyota Land Cruiser $64,755, GMC Yukon Denali $50-56,000, Chevrolet Tahoe $37-51,000, Chevrolet Suburban $40-53,000, Mercedes Benz GL-Class$58-81,000, Mercedes Benz G-Class $100-119,000, Volvo XC90 $37-51,000, Chrysler Aspen $35-37,000, Jeep Commander $29-46,000, Audi Q7 $44-59,000, Land Rover Range Rover $78-93,000, Land Rover LR3 $46,750. 2010 year models: Honda Pilot $28-40,000, Nissan Armada $37-52,000, Lincoln Navigator $54-59,000, Ford Flex $28-39,000, Infiniti QX56 $56-59,000, Ford Expedition $35-51,000, Lexus LX 570 $76,405, Cadillac Escalade $62-87,000.

Good News:

A delightful driving experience and if it’s in your budget range they haven’t left anything out.

Bad News:

A bit pricey and the fuel consumption sucks.

Standard Equipment:

5.7 liter 381 hp V8 engine, full time 4 wheel drive with 4-wheel traction control with dynamic suspension / hill start assist control, dbl wishbone coil spring independent front suspension and 4 link coil spring rear suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, stability control with cutoff switch multi-terrain anti lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, front airbags and knee bags, front and 1st and 2nd row chair mounted airbags, all rows side curtain airbags, tire pressure monitor system, daytime running lights, 18” alloy wheels, Halogen headlights and fog lights, 8 passenger leather seats with power heated front seats, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, moon roof, 4 zone climate control, 605 watt JBL radio with 6 disc CD with 14 speakers, satellite radio, power retractable mirrors, back up parking sonar warning, smart keyless entry, engine immobilizer with alarm, power tilt and telescopic steering column.

Gas Stats:

$2.98/ Gal avg. October 1, ‘09

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

13 City and 18 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $64,755.

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