Tag Archives: 2012

2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S (889)

12-10-2011Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S. If you would like to look at all models for Nissan, take a look at the link noted below. The Altima is Nissan’s midsize sedan and coupe and Nissan’s best-selling car. The Nissan Altima was first introduced in 1992, replacing the Stanza for the 1993 model year. A totally redesigned, second-generation Altima was introduced for the 1998 model year. The larger third-generation Nissan Altima went on sale for the 2002 model year, and for 2005 the Altima received additional interior and exterior upgrades. For 2007 an all-new fourth-generation Altima arrived with distinctive styling and is built on the new Nissan “D” platform with improved body rigidity and a redesigned suspension. For 2008, a coupe version of the Altima was added to the lineup.

This link will take you to Nissan’s entire lineup of cars and SUV’s and Trucks.

http://www.nissanusa.com/buildyournissan/?fromSav=true

Opinion:

The epidemic is here. It is a growing wave on pain inflicted on all people who have and those who have not by those who believe it is their right to take what little you do have. Yes it is a growing epidemic of THEFT.

Some suggestions you will hear and must take heed of include:

· Never leave your car with anything in sight in the car. I don’t even suggest you leave stuff in the trunk. Take it with you or park your car in a protected area.

o Thieves will brake your windows and be in and out in less than a minute. They avoid the alarm systems by not opening the doors.

· Park in well lighted and secure patrolled lots and garages.

o When in Europe and particularly Eastern Europe it was a common understanding that you park your car in fenced, walled, locked and patrolled facilities. That fact is coming to America.

o Remember when you didn’t lock your doors to the house and you didn’t have to look for your car keys because you’d leave them in the ignition.

· At the Supermarket be aware of people before walking to your car.

o The word is that women exiting the market are being held up for purses and jewelry.

Perhaps the worst part of being violated is that you carry that with you for a very long time. Me, I think gun laws in California should be more like 39 of our other states where law abiding citizens have the right to carry a gun and protect themselves. You can bet your ass the bad guys have them.

You may not agree but when (not if) you are facing danger you’ll have a change of mind. I have a police officer retired friend who always had his wife carry a small caliber hand gun in her purse. Cops know the dangers out there and use ‘common sense’ to protect themselves here in the Golden State of California.

Handling & Performance:

No complaints with the power or handling. And the fuel economy will be an important factor today and in the future. We can only expect increased cost of gasoline.

Styling:

Most of today’s cars are middle of the road. But Nissan has a flair for odd like the cube and its exciting Z coupe and Roadster, which is one of the more memorable sport cars you will have the pleasure of driving.

Fit and Finish:

Nissan quality is standard equipment.

Cost:

Excellent pricing. Nissan has average prices of $15,000 to $35,000 and a top priced GT-R Coupe at $90,000 and low of $10,000. Literally there is a car for every need.

Conveniences and comfort:

Perhaps the convenience I think of most these days is the intelligent key and push button ignition feature that is getting more common. I recommend including that on your next car. Of course there are expected things like 2-DC outlets, sun visors with mirrors, map lights, cup holders, arm rests front and rear and bottle holders and storage pockets, etc.

Consumer Recommendation:

Take a look and you’ll see Nissan covers most all needs in automotive transportation –http://www.nissanusa.com/buildyournissan/?fromSav=true

Recognized Competition:

Nissan Altima $23,000, Buick LaCrosse $30,000, Buick Verano $23,000, Chevrolet Malibu $22,000, Chrysler 200 $27,000, Chrysler Sebring $20,000, Dodge Avenger $19,000, Dodge Charger $26,000, Ford Fusion $20,000, Honda Accord $21,000, Hyundai Sonata $19,000, Kia Optima $19,000, Mazda 6 $20,000, Mitsubishi Galant $22,000, Subaru Legacy $20,000, Suzuki Kizashi $19,000, Toyota Camry $20,000, Volkswagen Jetta $15,000, Volkswagen Passat $19,000.

Good News:

Well priced, great fuel economy, perfect family / commuter.

Bad News:

Nothing worth mentioning.

Standard Equipment:

2.5 liter 175 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, independent front & rear suspension, power 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, 16 inch steel wheels, front, side and roof mounted air bags, LATCH child anchors, & safety rear locks & electronic brake force distribution, traction and vehicle dynamic controls, tire pressure monitor, security system with immobilizer system, cloth seating, 60/40 split folding rear seat, tilt & telescopic steering column, cruise control, speed sensitive intermittent wipers, audio with 6 speakers, trip computer, air conditioning, intelligent key and push button ignition, power windows and locks, power mirrors and solar glass.

Gas Stats:

$3.65/ Gal avg. November 21, 2011

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

23 City and 32 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $22,570.

2012 Mazda 3 (884)

02-09-2011Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2011 Mazda 3 Grand Tourning. I could have used the added space on my recent road trip in the Mazda 2, although it was fine for two. That speaks to need, right? Common sense will tell you what size car you will need if you think ahead a bit. Son Mike texted me from Utah – “It’s a boy”. Number 5 for them and I can only say I’m glad they didn’t begin their family any earlier. Even so wife Lindsey is only in her mid thirties and could pump out a few more over the next 5 years. I guess they won’t need seating for more than 7 for a while so the big SUV they have is just fine.

General Info:

0% of Parts are from the US and Canadian; 99% come from Japan including the Engine & Transmission. It is assembled in Hiroshima, Japan. Class is Compact. Cars from Mazda – CX-7, CX-9, Mazda 2,3,5 & 6, MAZDASPEED3, MX-5 Miata, RX-8, Tribute, Tribute Hybrid & Truck..

Opinion:

My Opthomologist knows that I review cars so she asked my advice. “My daughter is a senior in high school and I’m most interested in getting her the safest car possible when she goes to college next year”. How about this brand or that she asks?

Honestly it is not the brand so much as knowing your daughters level of responsibility and where they will be commuting. So we discussed the real important and latest features available in today’s world of automotive technology. Generally that means you need to move up a notch in class and therefore price to buy and operate. But no matter what the brand, I suggest you pick a car that includes Dynamic Braking Control, Vehicle Stability Control and sensors to detect cars in your blind spots.

You will also have to consider if she is even ready for a car, or does she need one where she’s going to college.

Youthful inexperience can be dangerous and taking corners way too fast is a common mistake. That’s where the smart braking system comes in handy as it will automatically correct for ‘stupid’. Oh, that’s right, at that age they already know everything, you say.

At the end of our discussion the Doc says her daughter is looking at NYU and in New York a car is a handicap rather than a help, so you’re off the hook. There are no places to park, and if you do find a place to park it is like paying rent on a brownstone walk up.

Handling & Performance:

Excellent handling as I found on the Crest Test. Angeles Crest Highway is now opened up here in the San Gabriel Mountain Range area of California so I was able to give this Mazda 3 a chance to show its cornering characteristics. It was really quite capable in ‘class’. However the Laguna Seca racing decals didn’t make any difference that I could tell. The 167 horsepower inline 4 cylinder engine is lively and the 6-speed manual transmission is well geared.

Styling:

It is sporty and youthful in the style of today’s look.

Fit and Finish:

Good.

Cost:

I’m so impressed with the value there is in today’s cars in this class with an average price of about $20,000.

Conveniences and comfort:

The real comfort you will feel comes from those neat safety features like ‘blind spot’ sensors that is a part of this Mazda 3. When you signal to move to another lane the car system beeps to alert you of a car that is already in that lane even though you can’t see in your rearview mirror.

Recognized Competition:

Mazda 3 $23,000, Audi A3 $27,000, Chevrolet Cobalt $18,000, Chevrolet Cruze $17,000, Chevrolet HHR $19,000, Dodge Caliber $17,000, Ford Focus $17,000, Honda Civic $16,000, Honda Civic Hybrid $24,000, Honda CR-Z $19,000, Hyundai Elantra $16,000, Hyundai Elantra Tourning $16,000, Kia Forte $15,000, Kia Forte Koup $17,000, MINI Clubman $25,000, MINI Cooper $23,000, MINI Countryman $25,000, Mitsubishi Lancer $15,000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution $34,000, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback $17,000, Nissan Sentra $16,000, Scion tC $18,000, Subaru Impreza $18,000, Suzuki SX4 Crossover $16,000, Suzuki SX4 Sport $16,000, Toyota Corolla $16,000, Toyota Matrix $21,000, Volkswagen Golf $20,000, Volkswagen GTI $24,000, Volkswagen New Beetle $20,000, Volvo S30 $25,000, Volvo S40 $28,000.

Good News:

Comfortable, sporty, fast and fun to drive and great safety features.

Bad News:

Only fair fuel economy.

Standard Equipment:

2.5 liter 167 horsepower 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, front wheel drive, 4-wheel power ABS disc brakes, stability control, traction control, dual remote power mirrors, air conditioning, audio with CD changer, remote keyless entry, power windows & auto door locks, leather seating for 5 – power driver, second row folding seat, tilt leather steering wheel with controls and telescoping column, trip computer, cruise control, LATCH Anchor system & child safety door locks, power sunroof, front and side airbags, tire pressure monitor, .

Gas Stats:

$3.89/ Gal avg. September 11, 2011

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

22 City and 29 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $23,010.

2012 Fiat 500 Sport Hatchback (873)

16-06-2011Autolove No comments

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2012 Fiat 500 Sport Hatchback. The first things that come to mind are the VW Bug that I owned in college. They were not pretty but they did the job and did it efficiently. Second was my owning a Fiat 124 Spider that was great fun and finally my experience with the older Fiats in Eastern Europe, in particular in Poland. Only 5 years out of Communism at that time, gas prices in Poland, and as was the case in most of Europe, right at $8.00 a gallon. The experiences gave me a healthy respect for Fiat cars.

Some will say I have joked about the acronym F-I-A-T that stands for fix it again Tony, but that is just poking fun. But in my automotive repair facility Fiat repairs would never have sustained us. For 12 years, we at G&I Automotive (for German & Italian), learned the real money to be made was from repairs of BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar and Ferrari.

Friend Merkel owns several Fiats as a collector and is an automotive engineer as you may recall from his guest columns here. He loves Fiat for a lot of reasons including the engineering. He is more than happy to share his views with anyone who will listen. He’s the most knowledgeable person I know in the world about anything automotive and I’m always happy when he agrees to write a guest column for me.

A couple of cars that are not on the competition list for this 500 include the Smart from Mercedes and the MINI from BMW came to mind as well.

General Info:

11% of Parts are from the US and Canadian; 59% come from Mexico; The Engine and Transmission come from Italy. It is assembled in Toluca, Mexico. Class is Sub Compact. Cars from Fiat – Freemont, New Doblo, Qubo, Bravo, Linea, New Croma, 500C, Idea, Sedici, Palio, 500, Multipla, Palio Weekend, Doblo, Panda, Punto, Albea, 600, Siena, Stilo, Ulysse, .

Opinion:

Look for more on the Governments retort to my charge that it is Government who is addicted to OIL.

Handling & Performance:

Nimble and faster than I would have thought. This puppy can take care of itself on the highway even though it is nothing like another product from Fiat, Ferrari. Yes, Fiat owns Ferrari which is the spoiled brat of the family, but anything that beautiful generally gets all the attention.

Fiat 500 is powered by a 101-horsepower 1.4-liter engine with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The 500 Sport adds sport-tuned suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, the 6-speed automatic and chrome accents.

Styling:

I know many will take issue with the outward appearance but consider the Nazi product the world embraced and especially in the US – it was Hitler’s pride and joy the Volkswagen.

Fiat didn’t pick up any of the Ferrari genes, but take a look at Scion – only a mother could love that child.

Fiat is offered in Pop, Sport and Lounge trim levels. Standard equipment on the 500 includes seven airbags, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, power windows & door locks, power heated mirrors and an ElectronicVehicleInformationCenter. The 500 Sport adds distinctive fascias, larger honeycomb grilles and aerodynamic updates.

Fit and Finish:

Excellent in class.

Cost:

More pricey than I thought at $17,000.

Conveniences and comfort:

Another thing you’ll notice with this Fiat 500 is how well appointed it is and features you’d expect of larger more expensive cars. Take a look at the very impressive listing of standard features.

Consumer Recommendation:

I believe Fiat 500 will be a real winner in a world of rising fuel prices. It is a welcomed addition to the US auto scene. For the rest of the world you already know the legend of Fiat in the Automotive world. Write me and I’ll give you Merkel’s Cell phone to learn more than you wanted to know about Fiat.

Recognized Competition:

Fiat 500 $17,000, Chevrolet Aveo $12,000, Ford Fiesta $13,000, Honda Fit $15,000, Hyundai Accent $12,000, Kia Rio $16,000, Mazda 2 $14,000, Nissan Versa $14,000, Toyota Yaris $13,000.

Good News:

Efficient, great fuel numbers, roomy small car.

Bad News:

A bit more pricey than competition named here.

Standard Equipment:

1.4 liter 101 hp 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, electronic stability control, cruise control, hill start assist, sport suspension, front, side and side curtain front & rear airbags and knee air bags, power windows & locks, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitor, sentry key immobilizer, rear window washer/wiper and defogger, air conditioning, driver seat memory, BOSE premium audio with CD / MP3 players, Blue&Me hands free and USB port, leather wrapped wheel with audio controls, tilt steering column, vehicle information, 50/50 split fold down rear seat, LATCH system, 16” aluminum wheels, Halogen lights and fog lights.

Gas Stats:

$3.85/ Gal avg. June 25, 2011

www.fueleconomy.gov

for more information.

30 City and 38 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $17,500.

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