Reader Reviews
Test drive something recently? This is the place to post your impressions.
403 topics in this forum
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Another rental of a smaller sedan with an automatic transmission brought on an upgrade. The vehicle offered was the VW T-Cross SUV. I took a quick look at the phone and went with it. VW makes 2 smaller SUVs with the T in their names, meaning the T-Cross and the T-Roc. It quickly came across that the T-Cross was going to be easy to live with. The proportions would be more workable for Southern Italy. The interior has that spartan but fleshed out enough with comforts and accessories currently found in many VW products. Not only that, the layout of the dashboard and controls allows for quick driver familiarization. Driving out of the rental lot showed more de…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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This road test of the Citroen C5 was the result of a serious upgrade in a rental at a Sicilian airport. I’ve been assigned a smaller Citroen C3 at this very airport before – when the AirBump feature was novel and unusual - and remarked on its excellent ride and easy handling. The C5 is quite a few steps up. Mostly, it’s all good. This is a heavier vehicle and, along with that, the ride is like that of a bank fault. It’s smooth, quiet, and isolated. In some ways, it is perhaps too isolated. By this, I mean that road feel is a little compromised owing to its very soft ride, and there is too much assist in the steering. I noticed this upon taking out of the rent…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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This was probably the first time I’ve gotten downgraded and it wasn’t on my part. I rented a compact (icon showed a Nissan Versa) at LAX to keep costs down and was given what could be considered a subcompact. Their number of cars was slim. I felt I was downgraded in more than one way. I had seen these cars at auto shows and didn’t pay much attention to them. At the time, they were the only car sold in North America that I knew of being is sold with a 3-cylinder engine. The guy at the rental lot didn’t believe it and lifting the hood – to count manifold ducting – is what convinced him. Spark plugs which depended on a coil are no longer in the sides of engines as t…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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I was in a situation where I had rented a car – a category with a trunk – and there weren’t any available. Their running out of certain categories happens frequently nowadays. As such, I was assigned a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. This didn’t look like any of the Trailblazers I remember. For one, it was a lot smaller. It was also badged as AWD. I assumed there would be a Chevy 1.5L T I-4 under the hood. Previous Trailblazers of the New Millennium ran with a 4.1 L I-6, possibly the modernized, aluminized version of the same 250 c.i. I-6 of the last century. A friend bought one of these in the early 2000’s. I was once given one by a rental agency and its 4.1L I-…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
I had never driven an Infiniti Q50 before, let alone ever really looked at them. I also didn’t know much about these cars. I was supposed to be assigned a medium sized SUV, but remarked I wanted the luggage area to be hidden. The rental agent told me they could not guarantee the presence of a retractable cover. (Why would they order a car without one or why would someone take one? eBay?) They didn’t have any SUVs anyway, and I got put into an Infiniti Q50. I checked my phone to verify the cost would be covered by my insurance and the credit card parameters. It came in at around $43,000. That’s if new. That said: “no worries.” However, this unit would b…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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I was handed the keys to a Chevrolet Malibu 3 times in the last 2 months. On two occasions, it was in the province of Quebec and, on the other, it was upon coming back to the U.S. One rental lasted only 2 days. As for the Quebec rentals, both of my vehicles were plated in the province of Ontario. I was told that Malibus were common in rental fleets because they were one of the more obtainable cars during and after the pandemic. I don’t know how much sense that makes, but it’s not something I’d investigate further. Since they’ve released this last-gen Malibu, I’ve had them in so many rentals, probably aggregating somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Whe…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Reader Reviews are submitted by our readers of vehicles they test drive or rent. If you would like to submit a Reader Review, e-mail [email protected] I recently had a current-gen Nissan Sentra as a weekly rental. I had driven one before, but it was the last-gen model, and I’ve reviewed it on this forum. This rental unit had slightly over 30,000 miles on it. I gave the last-gen model a mostly positive review for its “can do” aspects and excellent fuel mileage. Now, looking at this new one, it almost makes the last-gen model look a little dowdy. You’ll notice a couple of things with the new model rather quickly in addition to its more aesthetically p…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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This little car, a 2022 Chevy Spark, saved the day …. or, rather, the week. I exchanged a larger and more complex vehicle and, of the few available to pick from, I chose this one. It was a dark metallic blue sedan. I once had a Spark for a day in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and I felt I could go for this pint-sized and economical go kart, even though, this time, I would be taking it on the open road for about a week. The Spark’s hallmark is simplicity. The interior is simple. The controls are simple. And what’s under the hood is simple. A person gets into the Spark and setting it up is easy. The controls are straightforward. Curiously, the only thing t…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
I have come to believe that you shouldn’t opt for the manager’s special or wild card to save some money on a rental car. If you order a specific type of car, it is usually set aside for you or an upgrade is possible. In this case, the agency's manager’s special indicated that it could include EVs. I called several days ahead and was told that getting a gasoline powered vehicle was likely if that’s what the customer wanted. When I got to the airport location, that wasn’t the way it was going to be. I was given the keys to a Tesla SUV, a twin motor Model Y. I was told that getting a gasoline powered car would cost me a fairly hefty sum, for which it seemed they ma…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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This was the last of 3 rental at different locations in Portugal and a vehicle I never thought I’d be writing a review about. Again, I rented an automatic vehicle with one of the major agencies and the description indicated a Toyota Corolla Hybrid automatic or similar. Anymore, you go up to a kiosk, as if ordering at McDonald’s, to kick off your rental at major European airports. It’s important to have one’s data for the transaction ready. If there are questions or hiccups, agency personnel are on hand. I was doing this and then, at a certain part of the screen, a car description, including specifics like the license plate, appeared. I asked the agent what this was …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
I like to rent cars with automatic transmissions in Europe when I do rent a car because it eliminates one stressor and allows better focusing on traffic, signage, and defensive driving. Sadly, they milk tourist for this, with rates often being double. Stateside, your base Fiesta or Spark is implicitly automatic. So, it’s “funny” overseas because the purchase cost of that vehicle for the agencies is not twice as much because of the gearbox. That said, in the not so populated Algarve, the south facing coast of Portugal where it’s a collection of beach towns spread across some 150 miles, I decided to go with an econobox with a manual transmission and save some money.…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
I had to get a rental car for a couple of days to see some sights near but not in Lisbon, Portugal. For others, public transit such as the Metro worked well … or even better. Overseas, you want to land on deals that wrap all the insurance coverages into the deal and this was one such package – and one you want in a European capital. Surprisingly, the traffic wasn’t all that, bad but the roads outside the belt roads aren’t as clear and neither is Google Maps. To that end, I ordered something with an automatic transmission. The invoice said I’d be getting a Toyota Corolla Hybrid or similar. That’s what I was given. I don’t know how they manage over there …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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I’ve rented the Chevrolet Malibu before and I was treated to a normal weekly rate that didn’t have a drop charge in the Florida Panhandle, most likely because their tourist season is beginning and that area could use the cars. It didn’t really drive in from Malibu, but from elsewhere within Florida! It’s last call because the Malibu is bowing out this year. Chevy and its General Motors stablemates are overhauling their product lines in a big way. Nonetheless, whether as daily drivers or company cars and fleet cars, there are quite a few of these on the road, first arriving in 2017. With newer powertrains, first a smaller turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and the…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
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I had never driven any Honda vehicle until this year and, after being assigned a 2022 Accord as my rental car in March, I was again assigned an Accord in May. However, this time it was a hybrid. I had never driven any hybrid vehicle until recently, either. First, all Honda Accord sedan models were refreshed for this model year and the minor changes took this car in the right direction. The front grille and rear fascia, together with their lights, are simpler, cleaner, and, somehow, pack an even better punch. It has become a more attractive vehicle. Inside, things are much the same except that the cloth seating surfaces have also been changed for the better compa…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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I had never driven any Honda. I had rented a full size car for a week in a Southern California suburb. I saw some Chevy Malibus and Toyota Camrys on the lot, but was assigned an Accord. I would have preferred to remain in something I was familiar with, but was open to this experience. I’m glad I was. The Honda Accord was of the last model year before the current refresh. It’s a comfortable car with an easy to live in cabin. Both the front and rear seating areas are spacious enough, and the trunk is also generous. The seats have a nicer shape, even though the fabric was weird, with an unusual sheen. (In the refreshed Accord, the seating upholstery has reverted …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
I had rented a car in an Italian city on the Adriatic side - a small vehicle with an automatic - and once again, got upgraded. This was a substantial upgrade into a larger crossover SUV - a Seat Tarraco. The car is named after the Spanish city of Tarragona. I did not know what this model was, except that it was a SEAT product. Upon getting into the vehicle, one sees the typical graphics and appointments shared by the VW family of brands, which include SEAT and Skoda. It shares a lot of components with the VW Tiguan and is built at the same plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. I set up the car right away and learned the controls. It’s better to do this up front than…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Sometimes I don't get upgraded, but most of the time I seem to. It's not because I push for it. It's that the rental agencies don't have much inventory so I'm given a nicer car to putt around in. This latest time, I had rented a compact. The only thing I asked for was a vehicle with a trunk ... or, if was going to be a SUV/CUV, that it had the retractable storage area cover. The rental agent was one of the most relaxed people I've ever come across in this line of work. He told me that, with the way the market is going and with the current state of supply and demand, one should opt for a standard car (one notch below full-size) while setting up the rental if a pe…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Cadillac had a Lyric on tour here a couple days ago at a local dealer. Coincidentally I was downtown for a work seminar that day which was close to the dealer, and I managed to make it just in time before the end of the day to check it out before they got it back on the trailer. Images momentarily
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Will get some notes in later today. a couple pics or it didn’t happen
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Will get some thoughts up later today. Unfortunately missed out on getting any pics.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Here's some pics and thoughts on the Acuras I checked out in the showroom today.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I seem to score better cars when renting overseas. I tend to reserve the smallest car they have with an automatic transmission. If I was in a rural area with just towns instead of cities, I could probably be satisfied with a manual transmission ... and save some money. So, once again, I rented a small car with an automatic. Once I got up to the counter, I asked what I'd be assigned. I was told that it would be a Skoda. I had heard of the brand but didn't know what its products looked like. It sounded Slavic. The car was in the lot and it seems the Italians have a host of other small(er) rental agencies in addition to the names we know in the U.S. and Canad…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Lately, I've been getting the category of car that I selected during the on-line rental process. That means I haven't been upgraded in a while. For a rental while away in May, and for a very good price in these crazy times, I was given a new Toyota Corolla base model. Pros: - the legendary reliability - the engine was a 2.0 L 4 cylinder, but there is a base 1.8 L 4 cylinder; also, Toyota has really cleaned up its engine bays and everything is easy to identify and reach - the fuel economy, with the CVT (also in cons) delivering better fuel mileage, per the EPA ratings, than the 6 speed manual option - it's a car that a driver becomes familiar wit…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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This visit was brought about by getting an oil change and wandering around the sales floor while it was being done. The GMC Yukon of 2021 vintage was at one corner, taking up a lot of room. This one was an SLE yet, somehow, it had cloth interior seating. Pros: - big and roomy, with 3rd row seats - commanding seating position; seating comfort was acceptable - 5.3 liter V8 that puts out over 350 hp, coupled to a geared automatic transmission ... this engine was previously badged a Vortec, but is now an Ecotec product - simple layout of engine bay - nice enough instrument cluster, with dash mounted gear selection through buttons - climat…
Last reply by balthazar, -
This rental consisted of a much welcomed upgrade from a compact and being upgraded to a full-size though, in my estimation, this Toyota Camry base sedan looks more like a mid-size to me. That's based on full-sizes looking more like American boulevardiers. They didn't have many cars ... just a lot of SUVs, so I asked for something with a bona fide trunk. Better yet, I got to enjoy having this car in a temperate climate when winter is treating other parts of the country more harshly. I've reviewed this vehicle before, and appended many photos. This is a brief update highlighting pros and cons. PROS: - A 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with an 8 speed automatic…
Last reply by balthazar, -
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I'll do this minor update with pros and cons, since it's just an update and it's easier. I had a white 2019 Malibu sedan that I drove for about a week from Michigan's U.P. to the Twin Cities. I've probably had a handful of this generation of Malibu as rentals. Pros: - familiar and popular - the 1.5 liter engine is up to the task, but that's probably because of the assist from the turbocharger - roomy interior and trunk - sensible dash layout and cluster arrangements that are easy to learn - respectable fuel mileage, especially on the highway - fairly comfortable seating - nimble and connected handling ... seems to be at its…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Whoa! Didn’t know the Compass got an interior redo for 22! This is a game changer! Why does anyone even look at GM stuff anymore? Nice interior!
Last reply by balthazar, -
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With some scouring and luck, I was able to get a weekly rental at a price folks were more accustomed to seeing. This was at the end of last month, right around when fall colors peaked in some places. I was booked for a "mid-size," for which the icon showed a Nissan Sentra. Once I got to the rental agency, there was indeed a Nissan Sentra. However, I saw a Ford Fiesta - a "compact" - toward the edge of the lot and asked if I could have that, instead. The rental agent obliged. It was interesting that this was a 2019 and with miles that were low enough to allow it to remain in the rental fleet. For some strange reason, I get a kick out of the Ford Fiesta. It …
Last reply by ccap41, -
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??? What a sweet looking rig! Wagoneer......... Wish I could have got interior pics. Seeet interior! And this isn’t the loaded model…
Last reply by ccap41, -
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I had just finished up with a doctor's appointment and there was a Cadillac dealership right across the street. I don't usually look at Cadillacs but, since it was right across the street, I thought I'd look at their entry-level vehicle, the CT4. There was one in the showroom and it made for sticker shock. That's because it was the Blackwing edition, the top of the line. I was told that they are having trouble getting cars in general and that there was one slightly used or demo of the more basic CT4 on the lot. I told the lady there was no sense in opening it up since I was just looking. I'll do this review in pro and con style, like @regfootball does, to be…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Friend texted me; said he spotted a Maverick! I was actually close by where he was at, so I went to check it out. more pics later; just a few for now.
Last reply by balthazar, -
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Can’t drive anything these days. And that’s ok. Here’s some Mach E pics from today.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I haven’t gotten much in the way of rental upgrades lately. I’ve gotten exactly what I’ve rented on line. I had a scheduled airport rental for a “standard” car, barely below a full-size car. When I showed up at the counter, the woman working there was trying to find available cars and wanted to put me in a SUV. I asked her for a regular car with a trunk. I pointed out a Malibu on the lot and she said, “No, that’s a full-size.” Wow! That’s splitting hairs. She spotted a VW Jetta, which is exactly what the icon on the rental reservation showed. She was very nice throughout the rental process and took me out to the car. I took to the VW Jetta with curiosity…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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DRIVEN: 2017 Cadillac CT6 Luxury 2.0E Plug in hybrid RWD (Used vehicle review) HIGHS: Always love driving the CT6, it's a nice size for me, nice ride height, car rides and handles lighter than it is. My other CT6 that I have reviewed you will see I really think its a great package. Quiet interior, once again. So quiet, that I couldn't discern electric operation vs gas, most of the time. Both modes very quiet. Comfortable seats as I have noted before. Some minor bolstering but wider and well padded cushion. Not many cars have this anymore! I have always liked how well layout the gauge cluster is on the CT6, it seems like it crowds the dr…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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(Edit)---write up (still) coming---
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Here's a couple pictures of Buick Envisions I took while out at some lots today. Through the window glass, the interior looks to be as nice as it seems in pictures, but perhaps less spacious feeling than the outgoing Envision...perhaps mainly due to a less tall cabin.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Managed to capture a couple pics of the all new 2022 Acura MDX today. Interior looks wider than before, the dash is interesting. Not sure if I dig the console or not. Side flanks of vehicle quite boring and doesn't really give away what brand of vehicle it is. Should appeal to someone who wants a sporty Honda type vehicle and not a blah Pilot or Passport. I wonder if drivers will like the touchpad and weird console and lack of touchscreen.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2020 Cadillac XT6 AWD Sport, MSRP about 63,500. Satin Steel exterior, black interior. HIGHS: -Peppy, responsive 3.6 v6 and 9 speed auto. -Nice quick steering, unusual for a CUV and especially for Cadillac. -Overall, nice suspension, ride and handling. Comfortable but tight in turns, feels darn near sedan like, Cadillac did a really nice job with the steering, ride and handling. -I didn't take issue with the interior so much, apart from it's dated and dull design. At least in all black it looked pretty good and textures and plastics and build quality were nice; I just don't have a good frame of reference for interiors vs. the whole of t…
Last reply by surreal1272, -
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DRIVEN: 2018 Buick Enclave Essence AWD original MSRP about 49,000 HIGHS: -Stylish, understated looks, particularly for a rather large CUV. -Room and space, OMG what so many are looking for. And it has it a plenty. Simply put, leg room, hips and shoulders, head room. Easy to ingress and egress; just perfect for that! This is why people buy these kind of vehicles. OH I LOVE THE GIRTH. So comfortable is this vehicle. Nice driving position, for a CUV. -A very interesting interior design, consistent with recent Buick theming, with all the swooping and flowing curves and trim.....but probably best executed overall in this vehicle. The interior on thi…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Have you ever planned a trip "slightly" incorrectly? Sometimes, it's due to unforeseen events. In this case, I had rented a car for one day less than I actually needed one. So, I then proceeded to book a car for one day to bridge that gap. The car turned out to be a 2020 Chevrolet Spark 5 door hatchback. For the second time now, I have been given a vehicle corresponding exactly the car category that I rented on line. I had seen the Chevy Spark around before. I had even seen them at dealerships and I've sat in them at auto shows. The most noticeable thing about the Spark is how small it is and that the wheelbase is short. And that there is very little overhang…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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I had reserved a mid-size car. I would have it for a week. I arrived to pick up the rental and there were no cars that I could see. The gentleman helping me pointed to either a Toyota Rav 4 or a Nissan Rogue. I did see a Malibu and a Fusion parked further away, and asked if I could have those instead. I was told that one had a mechanical issue that needed fixing and the other one was already assigned. I looked at the 2 vehicles available and focused on how well the luggage area was covered. I picked the Toyota Rav 4. I see the reviews bill it as a "cross over SUV." The interior and the controls took some getting used to. It's very different from a domesti…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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DRIVEN: 2020 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Launch Edition: Well, the lease end is approaching soon and time to get into market to see what the newest is in the family haulers. We currently lease a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and its been fantastic. But as you know, the market never stops. And, my curiosity was piqued, to find out that the 2021 Pacifica coming out soon was to arrive with an all wheel drive option! Not that is it always needed, but living in a snow state, all wheel drive can always be a benefit, especially on those really tough stormy days or when you need to get up a slick driveway and need the traction wherever you can get it. And best thing...no functional …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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I needed a small car for a few days and the rate at a suburban location for a small car was excellent in these times of not so great rates for rental cars. I didn't know whether I'd get an upgrade one or two categories upward, as I sometimes do. I did not. I was given three cars to choose from. I chose a blue Kia Rio S sedan. The Kia Rio is the fraternal twin of the Hyundai Accent. There aren't many differences, and one certainly sees that in the switches, knobs, and readouts on the dashboard, for one. The difference is that, through the roofline, pillars, and even possibly the slope of the rear back lite, the Kia Rio looks like more of a notchback sedan while …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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- 18 replies
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While I’ve posted about Dodge Chargers quite a bit, I’ve never reviewed one. I once reviewed a Chrysler 300 because I rented one for a day for an abnormally low price. I’ve had Chargers as rentals. The last rented Charger featured the current roofline, but had the last bulbous Ram-like grille. Just recently, I had drove a 2020 Charger for 6 days via an upgrade. I was supposed to get a Hyundai Elantra (or similar). They didn’t have intermediates, so I was directed to the full-size aisle. The Dodge Charger is often one step up from full-sizes in rental fleets. So I asked the Cuban gentleman working on the lot if I could have the one Charger in the full-size row …
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
2 of 2 - 3 day rental across the pond - Citroen C3 with automatic transmission - economy car
by trinacriabob-
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I rented 2 different vehicles lasting 3 days each back to back. I’ve already reviewed the VW Golf. The second rental car was a Citroen C3. This was because each of the rentals took place in a different overseas location. I had seen the new Citroen vocabulary on display in the atrium area of an indoor shopping center overseas years ago. I didn’t know what to think of it - both the brand and the styling were unknowns to me. The one weird feature in the ones on display was the “Airbump.” Basically, the Airbump is the proprietary name, adopted overseas in English, for the large moulded rubber insert along the side doors. It’s supposed to function like protective s…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Bingo. This is one of the few times I've rented an economy car and got the exact car shown on the icon. I rented a car for one day and was given a Ford Fiesta. I have rented quite a few slightly larger Ford Focuses in the past but never a Fiesta. Also, the only times you get the "icon" from what you rented is if you rent a really high priced luxury car where the car is specifically named. And it's a large enough airport location. I've never done that. The other extreme is when you want an econobox mini with 2-seats and an automatic trans overseas to keep costs way, way down. I have done that. In that case, you'll usually be handed the keys to a Smart for two. …
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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This is 2 reviews in one. Like the title of the review says, with a Fiat 500, it depends. Here, I'm not talking about their reliability. That's a big question mark across the board. I'm talking about the driving experience in the 500 and how it varies by the model you have. In this case, a while back, I had 2 back to back Fiats in different places, given to me by the rental car to fulfill the economy car with automatic criteria. Fiat 500 coupe This is the reboot of the old school Fiat 500 coupe of yesteryear that people laughed at, stereotyped as the prototypical Italian car, was once truly ubiquitous, and could be picked up and moved by 2 or 3 strong peopl…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
I never gave much thought to VW products until, when renting a full size at a local Budget years ago, I was given a Passat. I liked it more than I thought I would. I liked the user-friendliness of the dash and the controls. And I liked the flatness with which it cornered and rode. This "flatness" was more noticeable than in similarly sized Camrys and Altimas often found in the same tier of rental cars. The second and only other VW product I have driven was a VW Golf with an automatic. This was across the pond and the rental lasted 3 days. I immediately liked and disliked a few things about the Golf. I liked the dashboard and console set up, as well as the …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Pics of a new 2020 CT5 Impressions: whoa Finally got picture up impressions later
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
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Generally speaking, I prefer not to drive a rental car in Europe unless it has an automatic transmission. That allows a person to pay more attention to the nutty or aggressive drivers than on timing the clutch in tricky situations. Now, even with an automatic transmission, I would not drive in left-hand drive countries - UK, IE, or Malta. Period. Automatics are more readily available and larger cars over there. And they cost more. That slims how many econoboxes with automatics are available as rentals. The icon on my rental reservation indicated a Smart coupe, which would have been fine for 5 days. Instead, I was given a Toyota Aygo. The tiny Toyota had a…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Coming up later..... Here's some pics. Was shopping for mom. I don't think MOM 'needs' the TWIN TURBO. HIGHS: Lots of extra ROAR and THRUST for the twin turbo vs. the AARP issue V6. Attractive car, take a look at the pictures. Comfortable seating and lots of girth, room, and space. This is how GM used to build a lot of their cars (they don't anymore unless you get a truck). Honestly the car could cruise all day (that must be why they offer Super Cruise). At the same time, it has steering and handling that isn't dead or slow. It has the right amount of reflexes for a non sport model. As with every CT6 I have driven, it drives ligh…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT 1.5 with CVT, cloth, MSRP just a little over 29,000 my previous review of current gen Malibus are here, where I cover a lot of the highs and lows. https://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/topic/86223-2016-chevrolet-malibu-1lt-15-update-2-hybrid-20-2lt/ Also in reader rides is a link for my lease experience with a 2016 Malibu LT 1.5 to date (now pushing about 40,000 miles). Therefore, I will try to address what is fresh / different on the 2019 car, most specifically the odd decision to swap out the 6 speed traditional automatic for an all new, in house, GM designed CVT transmission. NEW HIGHS: -Revised new front end c…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Nissan hasn't gotten the best press and the best sales numbers lately. I recently had a Nissan Sentra as a rental. This was a one car bump up in category from what I rented on line. I had driven one once before. Surprisingly, this is now considered an intermediate car. To me, it's a compact car. The Nissan Sentra is more likable than one might image, but it's also sort of boring and predictable. It's likable because it does everything fairly well for its size and price point, while not excelling at any particular thing. On second thought, it excels in terms of fuel economy when on a highway jaunt. Also, the Sentra is a very easy car to get accustomed to once …
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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Again, the rental agency was out of compacts and I got upgraded. I jumped up 2 categories, into a Toyota Camry SE with less than 10,000 miles. I never recall liking Camrys, thinking back to when I was given keys to a late 1990s model and the vague and boring motoring experience that came with that. The Camry has come a long way. I didn't fall in love with this car, but I'd have to say I liked most things about it. First, from once being a boring looking vehicle, most vantage points on this vehicle are flattering and much better than they've been in past model years. The only exception is the grille. Toyota can't seem to separate itself from the abrasive, ov…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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for a rental I got a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (RVR in Canada) with about 200 miles on the odo. the target buyer is your weird aunt who always called herself ‘the fun aunt’ when you were 11 because she’s 44 but says she looks 41, unmarried, says words like ‘groovy’ , funky’ and ‘kiddo’ and always takes you to applebees for appy hour for some belated birthdate you had a week and a half ago. the aunt whose name your mom would slowly sigh out after hanging up another phone call where the subjects shifted between dried ovaries, outdated match.com profile photos, gravity’s toll and questioning why that nice boy way back in grade 12 never called again, while your…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Ford Edge ST AWD 2.7t Prior Ford Edge Titianium review here for comparison https://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/topic/85019-2015-ford-edge-titanium-awd-20/ HIGHS: Lots of room, front and back, the Edge is cavernous 'Grand Touring' ride (for a crossover). That is to say, comfortable. 2.7 it strong once it spools up. EPA ratings are quite good for the 2.7t. Nice commanding view of road and good overall visibility, which is getting more rare in crossovers. Nice looking wheels. Power adjustable steering column! Love that feature..... Big discounts on these right now, you get a lot for your money with the ST at…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Chevrolet Blazer LT AWD 3.6 (MSRP around 40k) HIGHS: -Blazer name is back! -Unique, sporty CUV style, drawing inspiration from the Camaro. Be seen. Looks good in person, even in a bad color. -Nice new interior design, including ball blower vents down low. That will be a godsend in summer. I liked the gauges, displays, controls, and touchscreen. -Cargo area seemed more useful in size than I imagined. If I recall, the rear seats can slide forward and back to help out with that. -If you are averse to 4 cylinder engines, Chevy has you covered here. Most of the Blazers will be had with 3.6 v6. And with enough throttle foot, and…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2020 Subaru Ascent Premium (AWD 2.4 turbo) HIGHS: -Finally, what the market was looking for, a worthwhile Subaru entry into the 3 row crossover segment. And packaging, size wise, styling, just about perfect for Subaru -2.4 engine can snarl, nice go juice, and the CVT is actually fairly responsive. Moves out well, or at least feels like it does. Makes the Ascent feel sporty actually. -As mentioned above, packaging is just about perfect for Subaru. It might be considered a tweener, but it does not feel hulking or girthy...and it still will be garagable for many of those folks that would shop import brands. Cabin width not as wide as a Traver…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 2.3 Ecoboost 4WD MSRP 39,770 HIGHS: -Complete redesign is sharp looking in the flesh, while still familiar and identifiable as an Explorer at the same time -Size was not sacrificed in the redesign, the Explorer is still a nice large vehicle in a time where EPA pressures are forcing smaller vehicles. -New RWD architecture dramatically improves space efficiency and driving feel all at the same time. That combination almost never has been able to exist before. Truly a complete beneficial ground up redesign. -2.3 Ecoboost now mated to new 10 speed automatic has nice pep and verve for most drivers, sounds good and sm…
Last reply by regfootball, -
DRIVEN: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2.7t four cylinder turbo Crew Cab Short Box 4-Wheel Drive All Star Edition
by regfootball-
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DRIVEN: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2.7 turbo four cylinder Crew Cab Short Box 4-Wheel Drive LT All Star Edition (48k +/- MSRP) This is written from the perspective of someone who is not a truck fan, hasn't owned one, loves cars, not crossovers or trucks. Looking for a daily driver with space and utility. I won't be commenting on 'truck stuff' here. I can't tell you if the four wheel drive system is boss. Or anything about trailering. Or, LOADS. This is about a truck as a transportation device. HIGHS: -Although many may disagree, I love the new design of the Chevy and GMC trucks. (I prefer the more butch GMC front end) -OMG, HUGE INSIDE! NO. LIE…
Last reply by balthazar, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Honda Accord LX 1.5t CVT, MSRP under 25k HIGHS: -Roomy, spacious, front and back, and in the trunk. Front seats reasonably comfortable. -Interior design and quality of plastics entirely nice enough for this price class. Clean, simple dash shape and console. Fake wood is decent, plastics are nicely grained. No complaints. -Its nice to not be in too much of a bunker. The side windows and glass area are generous enough that it is easier to see daylight out than some other competitors. Good front, rear and side visibility, comparatively speaking. -For a CVT, one of the better performing CVT's. And with good get up and go with a hea…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Cadillac XT4 Premium Luxury AWD 2.0t, sticker north of 50 for sure HIGHS: -Pretty spot on size for compact class for Cadillac, this will be easy to park for urban dwellers or those who park in ramps. -A Cadillac with some personality, whoa. -Despite what you've read, this is actually a smooth engine, and it revs nicely. -I felt the acceleration was very good and more than I expected following reviews I've read. And the transmission really kicked down nicely when i needed it. -Very nice responsive steering. Perfect quickness and a very nice size steering wheel to work with. This wasn't a sport model yet to me this is sportier t…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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I rented a car because I got a good deal. AAA was giving a 3rd weekend day free if you paid for 2. Not only that, I got bumped up from a compact (because they didn't have any) to an intermediate. The car assigned to me was a 2019 Toyota Corolla LE. It was bronze with a black cloth interior and wheel covers on what appeared to be 15" wheels. Its styling is acceptable. The signature "angry appliance" grille isn't as bad as it is on some bigger Toyota's and Lexus products and an identifiable front fascia/bumper is welcomed. The greenhouse is sort of dull, as is the rear fascia. The small slats at the edges of the front bumper are odd but sort of grow on you. I t…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Through the last few years, and many automotive ventures, I've had the pleasure of living with endless long term rental vehicles for thousands of miles each. Typically, this has meant anywhere from 3000-6500 miles a piece, before swapping or exchanging for the next. Road warrior, randoms. I'm changing roles tomorrow, and will now be driving manufacturer demo's for long term. My "last rental finale?"... 2019 Cadillac XTS. Picked up yesterday. After putting 3,900 miles on a 2019 Ram 1500 Classic (LOVED it), Enterprise asked me if I'd do them a favor and take one of their leftover XTS's on my one way "get rid of it" trip. Interesting car...for sure..…
Last reply by caddycruiser, -
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Driven: 2018 Buick Regal Sportback GS 3.6 AWD and Regal TourX Essence 2.0t AWD Prior review thread worth reading of 2018 Regal Sportback here. So I won't get too deep into here, I'll try to add on what is notably different or of relevance. REGAL GS HIGHS: -sexy look for the GS package -feature laden, the GS package is, heated and cooled seats with memory, heads up display, etc. Lots of content. -v6 for those that don't want a 4 cylinder. -Manual mode with the shifter is delightfully simple, slide to left, tap up / tap down. Explains why no need for paddle shifters, which using the lever is much easier in this car. 9 speed tranny is r…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Damn if it's not a good looking car. In the flesh. Sort of an Alfa Romeo / Infinity cross up, but they did a nice job with it (at 43k with LOTS of stuff on it). Interior was locked but to be honest the inside of it looked surprisingly good as well. Lots of surface development and good basic layout. Strangely, the rear seat bottom is very deep, so there will be more leg room back there than meets the eye. There is some Korea faux German finishes and switchgear in there you can detect through the glass, but still, why is this a nicer interior than in most Cadillacs? Knowing that anyone with a beating heart and chromosomes can get credit on a Hyundai, they wel…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport AWD; (around 50k) HIGHS: -Sexy, sporty, attractive as a crossover these days can be. Love how you can get different colored brake calipers on this thing. -Very comfortable front row seating; lots of room and girth, bolstered seats hug you just right.......disclaimer: I would not get the bolstered seats, I am wider than the bolsters! and I hate climbing over them. The non-bolstered seats are just as comfortable and supportive. I will go so far to say that the seats are VERY GOOD, regardless if you choose bolstered or not. -Love the interior dash layout, and the gauges. The steering wheel is a rockstar, great …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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XT5 - 3 days, 300+ miles, Review Dropped off one auto Friday morning and was put into a 2017 XT5 in White with White / grey interior. Fit and finish is solid, comfort level, this auto has it and could easily be a road trip CUV. Ease of use is right up there especially if you are a GM previous owner, this auto makes it easy to get in, adjust and drive. CUE worked flawlessly for me and spacious, yup, had that in spades. This was the initial impression, once you get over the newness of being in an auto you then start to notice small things such as the drivers chair for me initially was fine, but by the end of the first day, I realized it was short for m…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2016 Cadillac CT6 Luxury 3.6 AWD (Used vehicle review) originally 63k msrp. HIGHS: Yup, this is my type of car, I got in and felt right at home. To heck with crossovers! Surprisingly I had a very positive vibe of the interior and it's quality. Sure it may not 100% match some Germans but honestly it was fine in the front and quite honestly better than what a lot of Cadillacs have had for interiors in the last 20-30 years. And a quiet interior. Hushed for road noise, like a luxury brand should be....an obvious upgrade vs. non luxury marques. And so comfortable! Seats were a glove and the cockpit around me was there just for me. I liked the l…
Last reply by riviera74, -
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DRIVEN: 2017 Cadillac XT5 Luxury 3.6 AWD (preowned vehicle review) HIGHS: -the 3.6 in this GM vehicle is decently powerful. -nice comfortable seats, good cabin space -dash design and layout is simple and effective -good commanding view of the road. -i do dig the steering wheel -floats along like Cadillacs of yore, sort of, give it credit for good comfort. LOWS: -milk -toast -What are you getting here any different than a trimmed out Ford Edge? -Doesn't feel like a luxury vehicle (to me) even though it is 'nice'. -Vehicle is bulky and not really nimble. -leather and plastics need to improve in quality an…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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There once was a time, a time when full sized family sedans were in nearly every driveway in America. During this time GM's Oldsmobile divison built a reputation for quality and performance on the name Eighty-Eight. Introduced in 1949, the Eighty-Eight was the least expensive of Oldsmobile's full size offerings for 50 years until the end of production in 1999. The following C&G Drive is on a 1988 model with the optional 3800 V6 As Dick Van Patten says so well in this 1986 commercial"Its the family car, that didn't forget the family" . My 1988 Delta 88 Royale has done just that, after nearly two decades of faithful service I can say this is one family car that did…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL 2.4 AWD and 2.0t Limited AWD HIGHS: -Pleasant new shape, and a new larger size. Not a tweener anymore. -Value for the dollar. Sticker prices comparable to Equinox / Terrain in a much larger package. Lots of standard safety equipment that is not yet standard in even near lux or lux makes. -Nice space inside, both rows, Nice cabin width, ample leg room, nice driving position with really comfortable seats, even the back seats comfortable. Super hot heated seats. -Not a luxury interior but nice fresh design, and some interesting new materials for non-luxury. Dash plastic is nice, door plastic decent, even the fak…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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For comparison, see my previous review of the Atlas 3.6 SE here DRIVEN: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas 2.0t S FWD, $32,030 HIGHS: A conservative, butch, truckish shape that works well for the large 3 row crossover segment, on VW's first honest try. A+ on vehicle packaging. Considering the physical size, and usage of space; 3 spacious rows, usable cargo, great seating options (still applies). Very easy to get in and out of. Second row slides forward and backward. Genius how it can tilt forward for good access to third row, which can have real leg room for adults when all three rows are set up well. (still applies) Seating height in second row and l…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Quite frankly I’ve seen some bonehead moves in the auto industry over the last 35 years.. but this one might just take the cake. I’m not gonna speak on crazy comebacks that didn’t get enough attention and they crashed and burned like the Oldsmobile debacle.. and how GM was gonna rename the company Aurora.. put out class leading cars like the Aurora, Intrigue and Alero.. then killed the division. We won’t talk about the super cool Trofeo Toronada.. or the bend to tree-huggers with killing Hummer instead of simply merging it with GMC. Naaaah.. I’m not gonna bring up the fact that they killed the unanimously voted best sports sedan Chevy SS.. but instead of saying “hey We …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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Cadillac dealer had a couple new XT4's! Couldn't drive, and the particular ones they had were more pricey. But I sat in the one and got some pics. I like that it has back some of the Art and Science Edginess and more youthful swagger to it. The cabin in the front row is a very nice width for a compact, the seats way very comfy, and the ergonomics of the screen, wheel, shifter, and especially the selector wheel for the screen were very well thought out. Rear leg room depends on how the front seat is set. For a 'compact' its adequate space. But the rear row has a short seat back, and if the front seat is back far, then leg room for taller folks is tight. …
Last reply by Windstorm, -
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Local dealer had a sponsored event for a comparison drive opportunities for 9 2018 compact crossovers in one place. Free food and coffee as well! Wanting to sample some of these without spending time at the dealer (which is why you go, right?) I decided to spend part of a saturday checking out these contestants / soul sucking, testosterone elimination devices. I also want to make note of the really nice biffy's that were provided for the event. My impressions will get up a bit later but the contestants were. Chevy Equinox 1LT 1.5 AWD Ford Escape SE 1.5 w appearance pkg Nissan Rogue Subaru Forester Toyota RAV4 Honda CRv Volkswa…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Driven: 2018 Buick Regal Sportback Essence 2.0t (the original review is in this post. Revised reviews are further down, in this post, and in this other post) HIGHS: -Nice understated shape conceals a cleverly integrated hatchback design -'Decent' propulsion from 2.0t engine -Nicely shaped upper dash with touchsreen oriented slightly to driver. Interesting at least from a design standpoint. -Sporting driving position and good room in both rows, mostly, plus the biggest benefit being improved leg room over previous model -Really nice cargo space, with seats up, or seats down, the cargo area of this vehicle and the flexibility of it in a…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Let me get to the point. A short 1 mile ride of the Outlander hybrid. The Outlander is past due, the hybrid powertrain didn't make any sort of impression on me otherwise. If the powertrain is advanced, this needs a new wrapper. thanks,
Last reply by frogger, -
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I signed up for an 'electric car test drive event'. I go, thinking Volts, Bolts, and Teslas would be available to drive (also the Pacifica hybrid). Well, there were no Chevy's there. And the only Tesla was a Model 3, which i sat in for awhile. Separate thread. No other Teslas. Wouldn't let anyone drive the Pacifica. Since they had a new Leaf, i took that for a spin. HIGHS The current Leaf is a nice, stylish, space efficient wrapper. I so wish more hatchbacks were like this, tall, without a tumbling roof in the back. So nice and roomy inside because of it. Comfy seats, particularly with the nice leather. Nice driving position. Easy to see …
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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DRIVEN - short take review Used 2014 Cadillac CTS 2.0t AWD (20k on odometer) HIGHS -Wow! The steering! Perfect speed, awesome feel. -The ride is also pretty much spot on, it's comfy and allows some fun, too. -Car feels SOLID but not heavy. -Terrific views out of the car. Slender pillars in front. Even with the long hood, it is low and it falls away from your line of sight. -Car is just about the perfect size for a drivable fun sedan. Just big enough, not too big, not too small. -Gauges are nicely in line in front of you. They may look cheap to some but I liked the layout and liked their classical Cadillac look. -S…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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DRIVEN 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD 1.5t 9 speed auto, MSRP like around 30k. Front wheel drive version only. Cloth interior. HIGHS Ok, with the higher hp and torque, and the 9 speed auto, the engine performance did --- ok ---. And its smooth most of the time, particularly when just 40-70 mph cruising. Tranny seemed well matched, the higher tune 1.5t and 9 speed is exclusive here I think. Why isn't this the powertrain in the Malibu? Terrain interior is unique from the Equinox and Envision and feels sufficiently trucky. Nice layout and shapes on the dash. I like the GMC steering wheel. And the screen display and climate controls are done the best of…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T AWD LT HIGHS: 2.0t engine is relatively well behaved and mated well to 9 speed automatic. Move the Equinox pretty well and without fuss, four a four cylinder. Should be good for more than just in town errands. Rear row seats are very supportive, placed at a good height, and are nicely comfortable. Cargo area manages to be about the same as the previous version. Crazy considering how much smaller the vehicle is. Interior contains all the style and function upgrades of the new Malibu, like switches, gauges, etc. The size of the vehicle will work well for those who need something that is easy to get around…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN 2016 Buick Envision Premium I 2.0t AWD 15k miles HIGHS -One of the more favorable impressions of me with the oft used 2.0t in a GM vehicle. A very strong point on this vehicle. It fit the character of the vehicle well. Smooth, nice power and torque, and tranny behaved well. It sort of changed my impression of that powertrain as it seemed to fit here better as opposed to being in a 'sport sedan'. -Comfy seats (with nice leather and design), this is supposed to be what Buick is for. And feels very solid. -Quiet cabin, this is supposed to be what Buick is for. -Supple ride and very smooth steering, this is supposed to be what Buick…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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previous review of a 2013 Encore by me here DRIVEN 2017 Buick Encore Essence AWD Leather 1.4t (about 7k miles) HIGHS Still has distinct and snazzy styling. Interior updates made a nice interior even nicer, despite random cheaper plastics. retains the popular crossover friendly seat height and step in. Still a good view all around. No cabin claustrophobia here. Still greatly manueverable and parkable. Still a very good amount of room inside in the passenger compartment (GM does not typically package interior space real effectively for every vehicle) Reasonably quite inside, thanks to Quiet Tuning. Decently quiet while cr…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Well guys, it happened. I never thought it would, but I drove a car that may be technically perfect. You can stop reading here if you want, or go further for me to explain why. I'm pretty sure I have spoken of our one particular client from whom we get regularly get a lot of very high end cars from. Last Friday upon arriving at work, I was simply told to "...get in, we're going to pick up some of Tommy's cars." I don't need anymore of an invite than that. Typically, we pick his cars up from one of two locations- from a parking garage underneath one of his friend's restaurants that is nearby, or from a shop about 10 miles away where he has his cars detailed. This time…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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Recent got to ride along on family member's rental. A new Hyundai Elantra impressions from the passenger seat: -clean sensible interior layout, with good room and space for a compact. room for 2 big guys and drink holders in between -styling is a bit bland but grows on you a bit. Not offensive or unattractive -did not feel overwhelmingly noisy or uncomfortable on the ride -seat cloth a bit too spartan. a nicer design would upgrade the whole interior -clean and simple dash layout.. not overstyled. -would be an attractive option to an overstyled Civic. A more open feeling than the Mazda3. Much nicer than a Corolla. -overall, goo…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2017 Buick LaCrosse Essence 3.6 FWD ; Driver confidence, Sun and Shade, Sights and Sounds. HIGHS: Car looked good in good color combination and 20" wheels Pretty good interior space front and rear... deceiving when you look at it but the leg room in back is nice. Acceptable pull from generally smooth v6 Nice gauge cluster, GM making progress Seats more comfy than I am used to in GM vehicles lately Not wholly serene, but not noisy inside. Nice view in and out of the car. And large panel sunroof helps relieve the cabin of claustrophobia that can be present in many of the smashed roof sedans today. I was ok with most of t…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I was in the Sunshine State for Easter and the car had to go one way out of the state for a really good rate, so I returned it to Atlanta. I arrived in Florida and the selection of cars was really dismal, for what I like, that I almost just took a Focus from the pick your car line. However, I took a Camry. I didn't really like that car. With 29,000 miles on it, it idled roughly with the air conditioner on. Worse yet, there was no fob on the key ring. I figured that out when I tried to pull my stuff out of the trunk. I had to use the key for the front door and then use the inside release just to open the trunk. However, I was tired and went to sleep. The next …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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- 48 replies
- 2.5k views
Malibu 2.0 but with a hatch. I like, but the interior is no real step above apart from a little bit nicer console. Not a drop dead stunner. Like most of the new Buicks it just sort of fades in. looks spacious at least. Overall I'd give styling a b for being inoffensive and incorporating the hatch very well. It doesn't come off as 'premium' as much as it should. I hope to check it out asap.
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Since my dealer thought my oil pan might be leaking again on my 16 Malibu, I brought it in for them to fix it (turns out they said it wasn't but after an ECU update my autostop doesn't work now either) but in any case they gave me a loaner sedan Cruze which I didn't drive the tar out of but logged about 50 miles driving home and back. It was an LT with basic wheels (not sure if 16" or 17") and cloth heated seats. The small 7 inch touchscreen also and driver's power seat also. No blind spot or cross path or any other notable newer equipment. Engine was the 1.4t gas and likely the 6 speed automatic. It is also interesting to see how my thoughts match or contrast when i…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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- 6 replies
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I won't write this as long as my other reviews. At the auto show a few weeks ago, they had a way for people to test drive (a few city blocks) some of the new vehicles. I managed a little time in a new Chevrolet Bolt EV!! I had been wanting to try out the new Bolt. I'm a fan of the Volt, but could leaving out the gas engine in fact be the way to go? The Volt is small outside, but it's skateboard platform allows for tremendous packaging efficiency. It doesn't seem at first to be much more than something the size of a Sonic or Encore, but it manages to be big enough inside to feel generally spacious. The unique dash and console design returns much space to the…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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- 660 views
I won't write this as long as my other reviews. At the auto show a few weeks ago, they had a way for people to test drive (a few city blocks) some of the new vehicles. I managed a little time in a new leather optioned Equinox diesel. I had been wanting to try out the new GM diesel. I'm not a huge fan of the new Equinox, but could the diesel engine in fact be the way to go? It helped that this Equinox was trimmed out nicely. Even had the BAMR (big ass moon roof). As a contrast to my quite loathed test drive of a 1.5 LS equinox not too long ago, the impression of the vehicle was very different. What had felt cheap and shitty in many ways with the anemic 1.5 …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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- 8 replies
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I had always known Hyundai Accents were in the compact category for rentals and I've seen so many on the road, but I had never driven one. I had one of those ridiculously low rental rates for a couple of weekend days, and it was actually for an intermediate. Upon arrival, I was told that this off-airport location had very few cars and that I'd be upgraded ... to a Buick Encore. Well, I really didn't want one. I asked if they had regular cars. I was told they had a smaller car in the way of a Hyundai Accent. I told the agent I'd take it. He seemed sort of surprised. First, the car was not an Accent sedan, but a hatchback. As I got in, I looked around and adjus…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
- 5 followers
- 14 replies
- 1k views
Philly auto show is a small one without big unveilings but I work about 40 minutes drive from Philly so left work early yesterday to take a look. So here few of my thoughts. Subaru Ascent - I have to say I was somewhat disappointed. Externally it looks more awkward than in pictures, it is like somebody took Forester and did a 150% copy. At the show they had Limited model, not sure if it is top of the line or not but interior looked just ok. Front seats felt pretty comfortable. Second row doesn’t have a lot of leg room, and third row is tight. My legs were crammed to the second row seat backs as bad as in MDX for example. The only thing due to a more square des…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 851 views
A couple of weeks ago, my sled, a 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX with the base 3800 V6 engine, turned ten! Both then and today, it had and has less than 70,000 miles on the odometer, respectively. I remember driving it home after being pushed by friends and family to replace its predecessor, another W body with over 270,000 original miles and reasonably hassle free service, and savoring the new car smell. Part of what pushed me was the impending cessation of Buick Motor Division’s production of the 3800 V6 engine, which I had in the previous car, albeit of Series I vintage. I had been extremely pleased with everything about that “little” engine. The other impetus was t…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
- 4 followers
- 7 replies
- 915 views
I was in a weird predicament where transportation from point A to point B became questionable and I looked into renting a car. Generally, you get soaked on short notice. In this case, there was a very good airport to airport deal available and I selected an economy car, displayed as a Ford Fiesta. I didn't care. I just needed to get home. When I got to the first airport on transit, I found out there weren't are economy cars around. And that there weren't any compact cars around. I'd be starting out with an intermediate. I asked what sort of intermediates were around. I was told that I could have a Corolla or a Mazda 3. I've driven Corollas before. It's …
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 709 views
Spotted and touched a new Enclave a week or so back. Couldn't get inside Very impressed at how it continues the look of the outgoing model. Very tidy, and body gaps are much tighter. Not as bombastic in overall design as the old one. But the market will like the shape in the flesh. The size of the vehicle is literally spot on for the market. Perfect size. Buick's bling reduction I think is setting itself up to bring back the bling in mid cycle refresh..... The interior through the windows looks very well done. With lighter shades of materials, its not a dark tomb like most of the Traverses. The new dashboard is quite different than the outgoing one, a…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
- 6 followers
- 7 replies
- 923 views
Recently, in a few bargain basement rentals of 3 days and 1 day, I had a full size reserved and was upgraded to "anything you want" from a compact, respectively. The first time, it was a white Malibu. And, with nothing but SUVs to choose from the second time, the only car I found was a Malibu in the odd pepperdust metallic that Chevrolet is currently offering. My review of the cars is largely the same. However, the first Malibu, with around 30,000 miles, had a drone that was either due to the tires or a bearing. The second time around, the car had less than 7,000 miles, allowing me to review it more objectively, so I held off on doing so. I may have already …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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- 3 followers
- 17 replies
- 1.7k views
We've gotten our first Tiguans in and I've got a decent little drive a few times. I've thus far driven an SEL Premium 4Motion (2 row) and an SE FWD (3 row). My impressions follow- The Good- Overall driving dynamics. Steering is crisp and precise, with nice weight. Handling is beyond competent with a generally eager nature and it is happy going through corners. It really feels like a larger, taller Golf. Which it essentially is. Solid structure. It feels stiff and solid. Like most other VW's. It is quiet, and it rides quite well, even with the 19" wheels found on the top-trim SEL Premium. Virtual Cockpit really takes mainstream segment infotainm…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
- 3 followers
- 7 replies
- 1.2k views
Spotted and touched a new 2018 Accord a few days ago. Couldn't get inside It definitely has an 'interesting' look to it. It's got the lowered coupe like roof that is in vogue, and the greenhouse is basically a stretched Civic sort of look. Some odd sculpting to the body and a very blunt and weird upright front end make for a look that is hard to process at first; although strange design has been done often by Honda on cars and motorcycles over the decades (strange design is like a Honda badge of honor). The headlight detail in particular is interesting, with a very introverted looking face. Some of the other front end seams and cut lines and detailing is a bit …
Last reply by frogger,
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