Reader Reviews
Test drive something recently? This is the place to post your impressions.
414 topics in this forum
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Quick Drive: 2011 VW Jettas SE with convenience automatic - SEL manual Some comments will be together but others will address the different trim levels. HIGHS 'classic' (cough) and 'safe' (cough), ok, we'll call it 'tidy' styling decent amount of KIT for the price more then deserved AMOUNT of power German 'engineering' is prevalent....regardless of where it was built cabin space and trunk space go beyond what is expected in class. leg room is abundant all around. non invasive cabin. solid road feel. good steering feel (with exception noted below) good road trip car, cruises nicely at high speed (with exception noted below) good transmissions nice feel…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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I drive a BMW 335I and recently took it in for service. The dealer I use is also a Toyota Dealer and so my loaner car was a 2006 Camry with 6000 or so miles. I don't remember the trim level but it had cloth seats and some options. My observations: 1. Noisy interior and "raspy" engine noise. 2. Hideous center stack and radio set-up. 3. Vague drive and handle. 4. Door close sounds cheap. 5. Weak performance. 6. Huge interior and trunk. 7. Is this what the "masses" want? Granted I normally drive a BMW which is the benchmark of cars...at least to me, but I expected better than this. Having driven the Impala, this Camry is no better than the Impala in any way. …
Last reply by ToniCipriani, -
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The big star for Buick at the Shanghai Motor Show was the second-generation Verano. Buick's compact sedan borrows a number of design ideas from Avenir and Rivera concept cars with a larger grille, new headlights, a double-swept beltline, and steeply raked front and rear windshields. A set of 17-inch wheels finish off the Verano. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5L EcoTec four-cylinder 166 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. How much of this comes to the North-American spec Verano remains a mystery at this time. Source: Buick Image Credit: Newspress Press Release is on Page 2 Buick Verano Debuts…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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DRIVEN: 2016 Chevy Sonic LT 1.4 turbo 6AT sedan. MSRP was a little bit below 20g. It's pretty amazing i had not yet driven a Sonic. I usually find a way to test most of Chevy's newer car lineup and so therefore the fact that i put this off so long is a big surprise. HIGHS: -Chevy nails the styling with the Sonic. It's unique both within Chevy and for it's econocar class. A lot of presence and very tasteful. -Compact outside, relatively space efficient inside for its overall size. GM doesn't do packaging efficiency well very often! -Getting in and out easier in the Sonic than other compacts and subcompacts. -Lots of headroom and more upright seating than …
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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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, -
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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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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've already reviewed the last-gen (2014 or 2015) Chevy Malibu. The reason I got the car is because I returned the new, heavily pillared and raked Chevy Impala to the rental car agency because I couldn't see out the back and over the headrests. I wrote a fairly good review about that Chevy Malibu. Some of you agreed and some of you disagreed. While this review is about an Impala, I had another of those last-gen Malibus in the recent past. The base 2.5 was indeed coarse when hammered and, not only that, the gas mileage on 2 tanks wasn't what I got the first time I had one as a rental. However, the biggest demerit was the start-stop feature at a light. It was far fro…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Back in Ohio for another week, another Pod to unpack. My rental car from Hertz for this week is a Ford Escape SE, first time I've driven one of Ford's cute utes. All in all, drives pretty well. Lots of headroom, outward visibility ok (though the rear window is small). There is an odd buzz and vibration when stopped w/ my foot on the brake, goes away when I release the brake.. The cab forward design results in a huge, deep dash and minivan like windshield. The base of the windshield seems so far away. Like the Fusion I drove last year, it has the neat retro center-meeting wipers. A few interior quirks, I found the rear wiper controls incomprehensib…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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2009 Mazda6
by Lamar- 1 follower
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So since spring is upon us and today was a nice and sunny (albeit windy) day, I decided to do a little test-driving. I went to the Mazda dealership since I wanted to test drive the new Mazda6 since it's on the list as a replacement for the Maxima (the wife's car). So I got there, told the salesman which trim I wanted to drive, and we went from there. The car was the Mazda6 i Touring, which came with the 2.5L 4-cyl mill, 5-speed automatic transmission, cloth seats, and 17-inch wheels (among other things I can't remember). I chose the 4-cyl because that was the engine my wife indicated she'd rather have, so I had to see if it was going to be fun enough for me to driv…
Last reply by Lamar, -
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2010 Camaro SS Full Review By Justin Loyear Cheers and Gears Biggest Fan - Head turning looks in a comfortable package. Oh, and 426 horsepower! Toughest Critic - Premium stereo needs improvement for when you don't want to listen to the engine. _____________________________________________________________________________ <img src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1265847896/gallery_253_27_415053.jpg" WIDTH="512" HEIGHT="340" HSPACE="15" vspace="15" align="right"> For the driving enthusiast, the automotive holy grail is a performance car that also maintains everyday practicality and affordability. With the Chevrolet Camaro Super Sport starting…
Last reply by loki, -
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Got a real brief drive in a 12 Focus. Hadn't drove one yet. Wowzers, nice! Quick notes: HIGHS: Sweet cabin. Nice plastics and design. Comfy seats. Great dash. Zippy, thought the dual clutch auto was alright! MyFord Touch has lots of features........ Sweet handling, nice ride Feels premium "Intimate" LOWS: MyFord Touch I can see, can be super buggy and a pain. Way too many buttons all around. Buzzy engine.....should be smoother Back seat looked tight, not as tight as I thought though (too) "intimate" for some Ford is putting money the hood of these now.....sweet little cars! I thought I would like a Cruze.....but......... Can't wait to see how the Fus…
Last reply by riviera74, -
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Will start with this one now and fill in / edit more later. Tested 2013 Chevy Malibu 1LT Had a chance to put a few miles on a new Malibu yesterday. I probably did not get a chance to make note of all I wanted to. But in any case, it was a good drive. I really wanted to just test an LS, but the 1LT was what was available. I enjoyed the car a lot. I think there is just enough room left for improvement and it is improved quite a bit over the 2008-2012...which now seems not as appealing in pretty much in every real way. 13 is not quite as nice as the Regal, still (engine perhaps not withstanding). ------ HIGHS -new engine revs nicely and vibrations are damped. -plenty of…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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So, the brother's ATS is in the shop again, this time getting the entire passenger side front LEDs replaced. His Rental while it is being fixed is a 17 Cruze LT with the RS package. Exterior: White does not suit this car. It looks bulbous and overweight, especially with the RS sideskirts. The premier looks much better with it larger rims and in a darker color. Interior: Tons of room. The controls are easy to use and work well, and it had Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Interior materials left MUCH to be desired. The thing is filled with hard and cheap plastics with that weird carpeted crap covering a few small places on the dash and doors. The trunk i…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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Well, had to go with my brother to pick up his car at the dealership Wed and he got a rental car to take us down. They had originally given him an Impala Limited, but he had been trying to get a new 200 for about a year. They told him they were detailing it and he could trade the next morning. Basics: 2015 200 limited. 39000 rental miles. It was pretty basic in features by today's standards but still had a backup camera and power driver's seat. Exterior: Even in basic white in the basic model the 200 is still a striking car. I love all the detailing, he LED running lights, and especially the rear stling Interior: I really liked the interior. It …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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After my Friday nighttime shots of the first 2011 Hyundai Elantra to arrive at our dealership, posted here: ...I was down again with my Sonata customer to go over her books (Trailblazer EXT -> '11 Sonata, talk about doubling fuel economy...) yesterday, so I had a few minutes of daylight time with the Elantra. Wow to the looks, again, and as expected, the paint quality, fits and so forth. It's a Hyundai, and though I've not driven it yet, what a looker for the class. This first one we've received is a Limited with the Nav, meaning fully loaded (even heated rear seats) with a sticker of $22830. In that regard, and size/pricing, it already seems to fit perfectly well …
Last reply by caddycruiser, -
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My step-son decided pretty late in the game to attend his senior prom last Friday (May 11). His original plan was to go with his friends in a stretch Chrysler 300 limo, but with his indesiciveness about attending, his friends replaced him with another couple. When he finally made the decision to go, it was too late for finding an affordable limo in short time (less than two weeks). In comes step-dad with the decision to rent a "luxury" car from Enterprise Rent-a-Car and offer my chauffer services for the evening (you must be 21 with a large fee to drive a rental car in NJ; 25 without the fee). I was hoping to end up with a Cadillac DTS or CTS, but being a holiday weeke…
Last reply by ponchoman49, -
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Well, I had to trip it this weekend, 1000 miles and didn't want to take the Aztek. That, and the Aztek and Taurus X would net about 20 mpg on the trip. So I did the math and decided to rent a car. I made the reservation for a full size and Hertz, thinking I would get what I wanted, a Chevy Malibu. Of course, you can only bet, not choose, and I got STUCK with a new (200 miles on the odo) Nissan Altima S. 4 cyl, white. Gonna go retrieve it soon and do part of the trip this evening. I am not that upset about the Altima, since my main motive was to save gas. I understand the Altima with CVT gets really good highway mpg and in that regard it should be bang on for the t…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Picked up a white Mazda6 at Port of Columbus Airport in Columbus, Ohio Thursday afternoon, dropped it off this afternoon. White w/ charcoal cloth interior. Put about 250 miles on it driving from Columbus to Cleveland (went to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum) then down to the family farm in Tuscarawas County and back to Columbus.. Nothing really to complain about...plenty of power for a 4cyl, quiet, smooth. Comfortable, good outward visibility. Reasonable controls. No steering wheel adjustment, though I was able to adjust the seat to my liking. No MP3 jack that I could find. Didn't like the red lit gauges at night. Turn signal control was counter-intuitive…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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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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Only a couple of days after first reporting about Chevrolet showing off the Bolt concept at the Detroit Auto Show, the automaker has revealed it for all to see. The Bolt is GM's attempt at building an electric car with a 200 Mile range for the price of around $30,000. Styling is a mixture of Spark and the BMW i3 with a large area of glass, and a high beltline. The Bolt's body features barely any front or rear overhang which in turn helps out in interior space. Materials such as aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber help keep weight down and improve range. Inside is very spacious with a light color theme which only adds to that feeling. The dashboard has a flowing look an…
Last reply by JulianWilliams, -
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-coming up-
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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So I set up an appointment for the Civic SI at a local dealer and checked it out They were very clear that due to the special edition nature of the car they would allow no test drives. I have a few impressions to share though.
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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2011 BMW 535i xDrive I’m going to admit something slightly embarrassing here in the hopes that other people out there, who suffer from the same thing, won’t feel so alone. OK, here goes. I’m a virgin. …a BMW-virgin. I’ve driven many Audis, Vokswagens, Mazdas, Infinitis, Cadillacs and even a few Porsches, but never a car with the blue and white roundel on the hood. All that changes today as I step into the new, 2011 BMW 5-series. Today, I become a man. Or, something… What Works Good news first. The 535i is packing a 3.0L, inline 6 cylinder motor with a twin-scroll turbocharger, and it likes to party. Its’ 300hp will get you to 60mph in about 5.5 seconds, and a $…
Last reply by bobo, -
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DRIVEN: 2015 Hyundai Genesis RWD 3.8, msrp around 38k. No options, i believe HIGHS: Looks good on its own, but especially for a Hyundai Big car chassis and RWD, a rarity these days, and in that regard, at a decent price Wide and long, low center of gravity, we need more cars to come back to this Feeling of heft and being anchored to the road Engine has some guts to it......steps down alright when you gas it. Nice muted snarl Simple interior layout and hints at luxury that exists in other marques Nice interior convenience features Lots of features and tech, including 4g Leather is nice and has nice stitching Seats were firm and supportive Decent view out …
Last reply by frogger, -
Audi Q2 - a brand and vehicle I wasn't expecting to try out - review based on a rental of several days
by trinacriabob-
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This vehicle was an upgrade, although that situation didn’t go smoothly. There was a fair bit of obfuscation that led to an upcharge for this Audi Q2. I actually wanted a smaller sedan with an automatic, so somewhat of a downgrade, but they didn’t have vehicles in that category. The other vehicles were larger and I turned down a newer Citroen DS 7 SUV. As I was being presented with choices, all with automatic transmissions, I would be checking their retail prices on my phone. I didn’t want that expensive of a car. For being an Audi, this is “somewhat” lower priced, but, per reading reviews and comments, this a vehicle where the sticker can climb if optioned up…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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...JUST SAY NO.......... this one will be quick. 2010 Hyundai Elantra BLU 5 speed (no A/C) HIGHS peppy engine light clutch decent shifter feeling of interior space (no claustrophobia) convenient and simple climate control decently quiet nice armrest handy window switches decent interior space for the type of car LOWS sea of gray, swirling acres of death inspiring plastic lower seat back dug into my back, seat was not shaped well mouse fur driving position is kind of like driving a bus or a Kia Rondo. no radio (this could be positive if you want your own) no A/C steering wheel is so bulbous its like it's going to birth a baby in your lap. In fact the …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I have an '06 HHR LT for the week here in Phoenix (3.000 miles on it) and I'm VERY impressed! The HHR is a fine ride and a nice example of how GM can do something right when they want to. This rental car is a fully-loaded HHR with the 2.4L, leather, moonroof, 17-inch wheels. Highs: Mostly (explained later) smooth and refined powertrain. Good ride-and-handling compromise. Quality feel on the road. Very usable interior roominess. Lows: VERY annoying engine/tranny whine upon any measurable acceleration. Electric steering, while improved, is still too vague and loosey-goosey. Interior fit-and-finish of plastic panels on the interior is very poor. Overall: A …
Last reply by Northstar, -
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C&G Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible By z28luvr01 If you've read my report of the New York International Auto Show press days, you know that during my time there I gained quite a respect for the Saab brand, its history, and its fans. Despite my newfound appreciation for all things jet-inspired, I still didn't have enough of a reason to actually head down to a dealer and try one out. The push I needed came last week, wrapped in the latest edition of Bicycling magazine. Nestled between pages 48 and 49 was a coupon for a free cycling jersey upon test-driving any new Saab. I make the trip to Saab of Smithtown, some 13 miles from my house. When I arrive I decide …
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Here's one you guys might like. My dealer group owns a Toyota store and a GM store, so I took a new Crew Cab Z71 Colorado out and drove it back-to-back with a Double (Toyota speak for crew) Cab Tacoma TRD Sport. I did a write-up right afterwards- Exterior- It's bigger than I expected. At first glance, it doesn't really seem smaller than a Silverado. Parking the two next to one another reveals the Colorado to mainly be narrower and have a smaller cab. The bed height is virtually identical, which is a sore point, imo. But it's a good-looking truck, overall. Nicely detailed, modern looking. I dig it. In comparison, the Tacoma looks cheap and toy-like. It's decidedly…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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I bought this used 2007 red V6 LT Malibu in January 2008 with 27K miles and have logged over 16K miles which translates to a current odometer reading of 43K miles. [/size]Driving Impression: The 2007 Malibu LT is a solid enough driving car with competent handling, a smooth ride and light steering that is easy to maneuver in parking lots. The driving position is perfect for my average frame and the telescoping wheel allows me to move the seat forward a little to preserve rear seat legroom. The drivers seat is comfortable, even after 8 hours of driving. Everything is within easy reach for the most part but I wish you can see both the clock and radio station display at t…
Last reply by vonVeezelsnider, -
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Had some free time on my hands today round lunch so I decided to go up to my Caddy dealer to get a word on the arrival of the CTS-V. My sales rep literally thru his hands up and said that they are wondering that themselves.. as they already have a pre-order list almost 100 deep, cash money deposits, and some from out in PA, VA and W.VA. So.. I looked over on the showroom an they had this Crystal White Frost matte-finish ATS-V: On the windshield it notes only 99 being made, and they wouldn't allow me to test it unless I was seriously considering it.. because of the rarity. Really beautiful car. The paint seriously emanates with the snoot in me. Driving it wou…
Last reply by Cmicasa the Great, -
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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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I had the most incredible test drive experience ever in my "career" as a car enthusiast! I attended the Ferrari Challenge at Infineon Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point) up in the Bay Area this weekend. Through a friend that I have at Ferrari N.A., I got to test drive a 612 Scaglietti and an F430 Spider for about 30 minutes each on roads in and around Sonoma County. And, incredibly, my friend got me two "hot laps" around the track in between races in a 612 driven by a professional Ferrari driver. 612 Scaglietti The 612 is THE Ferrari daily-driver. I was impressed by how much room was actually inside the car (it IS a big car after all....) and we had three of us …
Last reply by Camino LS6, -
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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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DRIVEN: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology A8 SUV MSRP $40,285 HIGHS: FINALLY something to drive real traffic in a VW showroom!!! Really, this (and the new Tiguan) will save Volkswagen and make them relevant again. After a second consideration, this is a very crisp, conservative shape that will play well in its market. Bland, sure, and a bit truckish perhaps, but that's what it wants to be. A+ on vehicle packaging. Considering the physical size, and usage of space; 3 spacious rows, usable cargo, great seating options. Second row slides forward and backward. Genius how it can tilt forward for good access to third row, which can ha…
Last reply by regfootball, -
2004 Chevrolet Impala Base V6
by Guest YellowJacket894-
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On a cool February day in 2005, we purchased a slightly used Chevrolet Impala with under 15,000 miles on the odometer. Since then we've put a little over 30,000 miles on the clock and here are my impressions of the car. Although I love GM and even hope to work at Design North Studio hopefully designing a car you may even buy, I'll try to be as honest and unbiased as possible here. Our Oh-Four Impala is the most basic model you can get -- bench seat, cloth, no tach, and -- get this folks -- a casette player and no passenger-side door key slot. Doesn't get much more basic than that. The engine was the 3400 V6 engine mated to a four-speed auto transmission with a column sh…
Last reply by Polish_Kris, -
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We got our first Camaro in yesterday, a Nightfall Gray over Kalahari 8AT 2SS w/ no options. Suffice to say, after all the reviews and positive press, I've been dying to drive one. And I'm happy that we got an SS in as our first car. Of course, I would have loved for it to have been a manual, but I'll take what I can get. More on that in a minute. Starting with the outside, pictures don't do this car justice. Not to how good it looks in the first place, or even how different from the 5th Gen car it looks. There are much more sophisticated design elements at work here than it's predecessor. Think of it as the old design shrunk down to 9/10's, pulled taught over it's ske…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
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2006 Dodge Ram Mega Cab 3500 SLT This Trucks Features Include:5.9 liter Cummins HO Turbo Diesel - 6 Speed Manual Power Locks - Power Windows - Power Steering Front Center Armrest - Business Console 17" x 8.0" Steel Chrome Clad Wheels AM/FM Stereo With CD Player And Four Speakers Light Khaki Metallic Clear Coat/Color Fold Away Power Trailer Tow Mirrors - Tow Hooks Engine Block Heater Front Hood Protection Shield Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Bright Grille Carpet Floor Covering Cruise/Speed Control Electric Shift-On-The-Fly Part-Time Transfer Case 11.50 Rear Axle 3.73 Axle Ratio Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat Air Conditioning Remote Keyless Entry As Picku…
Last reply by CMG, -
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Just turned in a weekend rental of a 2014 silver Camry SE 2.5 with automatic and black interior with painted silver contrasting. The drive- in two words mediocre and forgettable. The 2.5 was enough engine to get you there and the 6 speed shifted smoothly. Handling was a mixed bag. Steering felt like it was Novocain injected with numbness and little feedback. Driven conservatively the SE with it's 17" tires does well enough and feels somewhat sporty. But driven at the limits is where it all falls apart. The tires howl in agony and there is much body lean. braking was competent but hardly class leading. The 2.5 got up to 60 in a middling 9 seconds flat with 9,200 miles on …
Last reply by daves87rs, -
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So I got my Chevy Cruze (which I reviewed) for under $20 a day from Friday through Monday over a holiday weekend because I booked the rental, and the category of car, months in advance. The rate within a week or two of the rental was around twice as much. However, I didn't plan for how I would get around on Tuesday. It's seldom that I don't plan. I was looking at the rental agency sites as that Tuesday approached and was even slightly nervous. I saw some crazy one day rates for that Tuesday, including at neighborhood locations where they don't load you up with airport fees and taxes. Then, about 2 days prior to that, one of the majors was running a prepaid price…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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I just had a new Hyundai Sonata V6 for a rental car in Atlanta and drove it 450 miles south to Tampa so I thought I'd share some of my comments...... The car had a V6, 5-speed auto, moonroof, and alloys. It was a beautiful deep, deep, midnight blue with a light grey cloth interior. The center stack trim was a "faux, carbon fiber" plastic trim that actually comes off alot better than the woodgrain I've seen in uplevel models. Trip mileage was 24.1mpg, with about 60% of the trip with the cruise set at 80mph....and the remaining 40% with the cruise set a bit higher at 85mph. Tank range was a comfortable 367 miles to fillup. The new 3.3L V6 and 5-speed combo is a rea…
Last reply by The O.C., -
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My brother had another rental while his Audi was in the shop................. again. Anyway, enterprise was having a weekend deal at $9.99 a day for the weekend. THey were out of basically everything, but still had to honor the deal, hence the Traverse. He had it from Friday Morning until Monday evening for around $32 all in. Not bad. Anyways, here are just a few impressions. Exterior: Basic Traverse, silver in color. Decent rims and huge tires. A neat little easter egg I located was the CHevy bowties located on the headlights, I am sure there were probably more. Decent looking for sure, but can't wait to see what the new one looks like. Interi…
Last reply by Stew, -
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C&G Drives: The 2007 Jeep Compass By Brian Dreggors I could hear the lil' Jeepette screaming, "Drive me!" So I did. Today, I had the opportunity to test drive a fresh-to-the-floor 2007 Jeep Compass. For those unfamiliar, the Compass is Jeep's first foray into the highly-competitive car-based sport utility market, a market characterized by youthful looks, creative design, high utility, and affordability. How does the Compass fare? Let's go! The Basics The Compass that awaited me on the lot was a Bright Silver Metallic Limited 4x4 with 18" alloy wheels. The base MSRP for this trim was listed as $21,180, but the options (including two convenience groups, Boston Ac…
Last reply by I hope GMRULES again, -
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Got a chance to drive a base FWD 2.0 Ecoboost Edge. Let me just sum it quick. It keeps all the size, space, driving position plusses that makes the Edge popular. The new interior is light years more attractive, has way better quality, and is more functional. The new steering wheel has great layout with its buttons to control nearly everything on the vehicle. The Edge drives quieter and tighter now. Not any more sporty, but it does feel lots less junky than the first gen. Really this review is based on the engine......people say it's underpowered in the Explorer etc. Here is what i found........seems like a wee bit underpowered, but the power delivery is liquid smo…
Last reply by ponchoman49, -
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Tryin to catch up on reviews! Today I had some free time cuz the wife took the day off so I spun out to survey the new 2011 Kia Sorento. For 2011, Kia has updated one of their signature and most popular models by moving to a new platform that is car / crossover based in hopes of giving the Sorento a more modern crossover appeal. This is what renewed the interest for me in the vehicle. That, and very attractive pricing and value in addition to handsome, if a bit bland, new styling. For me in particular, having two crossovers in the garage (Aztek, one of the original crossovers, and a Ford Taurus X), i feel I am the type of shopper companies target with these kinds of …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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What makes you shudder? The cold? Seeing something gory? Well, a Ford Focus can make me shudder. Read on and find out how. I happened onto an exceptional opportunity to rent a compact car for about $11 a day around Labor Day. One rents a category and not a car. When I arrived to the agency, I didn't see anything among the compacts that I liked. Focuses were something I was curious about and they had been evading me in rental situations, despite seeing bar codes anywhere and everywhere as I went about my daily existence. As luck would have it, a Focus was being returned as I walked out to survey the inventory one last time. "Can I have it?" "Yes, if you'…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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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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A few weeks back, I took a still in the wrapper 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6 Limited in on trade, with just over 2900 miles. The clients had owned a 1999 Lexus RX300 for many years and many miles, and then decided after a few trials to get the Outback and specifically with the 3.6L engine "it has a lot more power, and is a lot nicer to drive" they said. But it didn't click. They have a lot of friends with Acura MDX's that sing the praises, and decided after driving one to trade it in again on the all new 2014 Acura MDX. So we now have the Outback for sale, with 3000 miles. It's an interesting package, as it has heated leather seats and the nicer audio, but a manual dimming mi…
Last reply by caddycruiser, -
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tested 2013 Chevy Volt base, no options. Fairly quick spin HIGHS: Major league and mature electric powertrain Electric motor kick in the pants! Accelerating and passing are nicely done Solid feel ride and handling, stable and secure Jazzy design compared to Prius Superior ride and drive to Prius Very little of the nerdiness of the Prius Hatchback utility for those that like it Cabin is not too closed off, nice view out the front when driving SUper freakin QUIET inside, and just enough powertrain noise to remind you you are in a motor vehicle. Low center of gravity, you can really feel its benefits. More or less to cut to the chase, it's a real car, and a goo…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com December 2, 2013 Speaking with reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show a couple weeks ago, American Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura said for him, "The big challenge is Acura. Acura has seen it sales increase six percent so far this year to 135,126 vehicles. However, the brand still trails in sales when compared to brands such as Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus. So what does Iwamura have in mind for Acura? To start, Iwamura wants to strengthen and grow Acura's presence in the U.S. and China, the two markets where the brand sells vehicles. To pull this off in the U.S., Acura needs to work on its sedans. Iwamura admits that sales o…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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DRIVEN 2013 Cadillac ATS RWD 2.5L, Black with Carmel vinyl interior, MSRP about 33,800 HIGHS ATS is sweet looking inside and out! 2.5 has decent power, revs freely Good passing power and better than expected off the line power. Neutral handling with RWD chassis Good ride and handling balance appropriate for a base car Front row seating has nice space for legroom and width / girth Good forward visibility Attractive interior on the base model, even with the decontented headliner and vinyl seats and such Very nicely contoured seats for the base model Nice gauge cluster You can tell, the car feels very balanced, also stable and secure. Quite quiet inside and com…
Last reply by vonVeezelsnider, -
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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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After the SCCA Autocross a week ago I went to the local Toyota dealer and drove a new FRS, a Lava orange automatic. At the buckeye Miata Club autocross today, I got some (passenger) seat time in a new black manual FRS at speed. My impressions. I like the silhouette of the car. It reminds me of the old air cooled 911's, the Cayman, the Ferrari GTO, my old first gen Mustang fatback, the 67-69 barracuda which is gorgeous, the Porsche Cayman, the original 250 Z, the jag E type...very classy. the front and rear, a little less so. Car is sweet, but suffers from a little bit too much of the "Angry Pokemon" style of a lot of modern Japanese iron. I like the design touches s…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Tested 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Sport 4 cylinder automatic CVT, MSRP right around 25 geezels. In the interest of wanting to vet all the media gushing on the new Accord, and having sold cars who had CVT's and dealing with the public reaction daily as well as driving them myself....and as possibly thinking mid size sedan in the future...... I ended up in a shorter than i wanted test of a new 013 Accord. The previous gen Accord did not do much for me, and the combination of weird looks, cheap interior, and NVH and driving issues meant the car never interested me. And pretty much the press as a whole had begun to look away from Honda some as midsize class leader. Even th…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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I recently flew to the Florida Keys to get married, and our "premium sedan" rental turned out to be a 2017 Infiniti Q50 3.0T (RWD) with under 1,000 miles. At first, I was pleasantly surprised to have the sport sedan because the rental preview online was a Buick Lacrosse, but my enthusiasm faded during the 100 mile drive from Fort Lauderdale to Islamorada. I'll try to keep my impressions fairly brief and I can answer any questions in detail. Exterior: 7/10 - I find the Q50 completely forgettable. Infiniti has made much better looking cars, this design has some clean lines, but I think the front looks kind of melty and the rear is too generic. Interior Fit/Finish: 8/10 - …
Last reply by Cmicasa the Great, -
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Well, as I've said before, I currently own a 2001 Chevrolet Impala LS sedan, 3.8L V6, Hydra-Matic 4T65E transaxle, leather interior, sunroof, power driver's seat, steering wheel mounted radio controls, am/fm,cd,cassette. The car has 110,000 miles on it and not given me that many problems. I've had to replace the water pump and belt tensioner pulley (both were making a very slight squeal, could only be heard with a screwdriver being used as a stethiscope (sp?), the belt's been changed once, coolant flushed and refilled, hoses replaced, air, oil, fuel, and transmission filters, pcv valve every two oil changes, one set of AC Delco spark plugs, and wires, brakes all the way…
Last reply by scharmer05, -
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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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- 9 replies
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I don’t usually take my vehicle to the dealer for service. But I just had a set of $1100 Michelins installed on my 2012 CX-9 GT and Discount Tire doesn’t do wheel alignments. My dealer recently sent me a coupon for a $49.95 alignment, so I decided to take advantage of it. While I was waiting for my car, I ventured into the showroom to check out the all-new 2016 CX-9 that was just released in the last month. They had a top-of-the-line Signature AWD model on display, which had a sticker of $45,215. The Signature is only available with Auburn-colored Nappa Leather interior and has real aluminum and genuine Rosewood trim. It even has very cool looking LED grille acce…
Last reply by daves87rs, -
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There's a new car in my driveway! And it has new car smell! (disclaimer, it's my companies car) Full day test drive tomorrow! Got about 25 mpg with it on a 40 mile sprint tonight........
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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It's been 3 years that I've owned the 2008 LaCrosse CX. The Regal is gone, fetching $1,500 at 271,000 miles. So, here I am with another W-body, a line which ceased production in 2009. The LaCrosse has been a reliable performer. It has not gone back in for warranty work. The build quality is quite good and it feels solid (well, it weighs over 3,600 pounds). The dashboard makes a lot of sense and I've finally started to understand the available commands in the center stack. Some of them are informative and I've had to make use of the tire pressure monitor which led me to the tire store. The powertrain is reliable. Best of all, the automatic transmission shifts se…
Last reply by ponchoman49, -
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2017 Cruze Hatchback Premier (1.4T/6A) Odo - 8051 mi We just took the Cruze on a 1,000 mile road trip (from Baltimore to Myrtle Beach and back) and this was my first extended, in-depth experience driving and living with the car for a week. I'll break down the review into sections if you want to skip around. Fuel Economy (EPA rated 28 city/37 highway): *Premium gas/mobil 1 oil used. Manual recommends regular gas, dexos approved synthetic oil. On our trip, we achieved 39.3 mpg leaving Baltimore and 41.0 mpg coming back, based on the gauge cluster. My wife reports that it's fairly accurate, if optimistic by an mpg. Hand calculation is pretty much out the window be…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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Tested 2014 Chevy Cruze diesel automatic. (Despite the dude at the one chevy place last week saying they would not hit lots until fall) HIGHS: Walks like a Cruze, talks like a Cruze, and this one is loaded. Feels great with the tan leather on black. Snappy acceleration. Possibly the fastest Cruze they sell. Peppy off the line and good kickdown for roll on acceleration too. Mostly behaves like a gas car. Fun to see instant mpg readings in the 60's, 70's, and 80's. Is heavier than a standard Cruze but does not feel overly ponderous or lazy or anything in that regard. Feels hefty on the road. Ride and steering very middle of market and will feel quality to most, …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Well as a part of the autoshow GM was handing out brochures to take to the dealership to get 25 dollars in free gas and to test drive a Cruze. The heater core hoses in my Malibu were rotting out so I had to pass by the dealership anyway to pick up a couple of new ones. I got into a blue Cruze LS. The First thing I notice is plenty of interior space; much different than the last compact GM car I drove. My brother owns a Cavalier, and when I enter that car I'm touching the dashboard with my knees, the steering wheel etc etc (Its cramped!). This car felt much roomier, no intrusions from the dash, door, wheel etc. Outward visibility was great. The car came with power w…
Last reply by daves87rs, -
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EDIT- SCROLL DOWN a few posts for the test drive. This is cheating a bit , not really a full review. But I just checked out a new CX-9, and boy that thing is (pardon the impression) sweet as balls. Having looked at a new Cadillac XT5 just a few days ago too, I am not sure why you'd spend much more for the Cadillac. Interior is really sweet on the CX-9 and packaging and space is great. All 3 rows. Looks nice, crazy low prices if you consider the ludicrous prices of some other brand SUV's. Easily this thing would whoop a new Lilliputian Acadia for same or less $$$. At a minimum far more style and execution for interiors than rival Japanese makers.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Had to zip over to my dad's funeral last week and rented a Nissan Sentra S to make the trip. This one had the CVT tranny. I was far more impressed than I thought I'd be. The car is a great cruiser--at 70 MPH, the tach showed about 2000 RPM. No engine noise at all and the ride was quite serene as well. Very little tire/road noise. Drove into some fairly strong headwinds and no wind noise to speak of. Sound system was very nice. Peppy acceleration, at least on par with my dear, departed Neon. Ride was pretty good as well; everything seemed decently damped. Drove 800 miles round trip and averaged over 35 MPG, in spite of some sustained speeds of 75+ MPH. Nice car.
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Tested 2014 Fiat 500L Easy, MT and automatic -----more later------
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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So our regular client and mega baller who graces us with all kinds of great specialty used cars just worked out a deal for us to get 7 of his cars, and among them were a Focus RS and new TT RS. I didn't get a really long drive in either, but here is a brief review and my impressions of each- Focus RS- This car was actually a positive surprise. The interior is markedly inferior to a Golf R. But it's really not terrible. It's not quite as intuitive or quality feeling, but it's miles better than an Evo, and still better than an STI, imo. The ride is definitely stiff and way rougher than a Golf R even in 'Race'. But it's not unbearable. It really is only a problem…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN 2013 Buick Encore FWD Leather 1.4t MSRP about 31 geezles HIGHS Snazzy looking, great styling job on a very challenging package Nice interior, nice leather and plastics, nice dash, nice design Lots of interesting detail inside, snazzy displays and gauges Dashtop screen is surprisingly effective Popular crossover friendly seat height and step in Very good view all around (surprisingly open cabin for a current crossover) Extremely parkable A very good amount of room inside in the passenger compartment, GM does not typically package interior space real effectively For the most part, pretty quiet inside in most driving Good steering feel and an oh so I wanna…
Last reply by GMTruckGuy74, -
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......and now I have never wanted something so badly in my life. Earlier I got a chance to take our 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Coupe out. Nothing crazy. about a 10 mile loop through some local roads with a few esses and sweepers. Seven speed dogleg manual transmission. My. Gawd. Easily the most fun, coolest, most charismatic car I've ever driven by a comfortable margin. The sound, the power delivery, the shifter, steering, the physicality of it. Just unlike anything else I've ever been in. I drove it right after a Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder E-gear, and the Brit was so, so much enjoyable to drive. It's just intoxicating. You have to drive it, and it's not eas…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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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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quick summation JUST SAY NO. MSRP a little under 23. White, front drive 2.4 CVT. Highs - better than expected engine performance, better than anticipated CVT behavior, solid 'trucklike' (Jeeplike?) feel, feels robust and secure (or did it just feel porky), steering that was decently quick, decent gauge layout and controls, seat was ok in terms of comfort, gets out of its own way (with a lot of groaning), basically sounds like you are driving a tractor. Lows - rear seat accomodations are a bit of a joke, so is cabin with, so is the cargo space, lots of road noise, lack of powertrain refinement, cheap interior, whole thing feels 15 years old, oddly quirky styling of Je…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Tested 2013 Buick Verano SD sedan, MSRP about 24k 2.4l four cylinder, 6 speed automatic. This is one I have dying to get into. Verano. WTF is a Verano? (Keep in mind I am used to seeing VERONAS aplenty in various states of non operation in my previous service department). I have been seeing these everywhere! I thought new age car shoppers did not buy Buicks! Only OLD people drive them! They are so.........so......... Wait, something about this car is different. What is it exactly? GM makes everything the same way! Oh, this is from Germany? Ok, well not exactly. But the car does have its roots in the German Opel Astra.....one of Europe's most popular and most …
Last reply by daves87rs, -
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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, -
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<h2 style="text-align: center;"><big><big>Battle of the Beasts</big></big></h2> <div style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 363px; height: 273px;" alt="2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1292458660/gallery_51_59_43290.png"> <img style="width: 362px; height: 271px;" alt="2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500" src="http://www.cheersandgears.com/uploads/1289944373/gallery_51_58_805248.png"></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><big><big>Ford F-350 Lariat Super Duty v. GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD<br> </big></big></div> <…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited automatic 6 speed EPA 29/40, MSRP 20,830 (I think) silver w/ gray interior. HIGHS snappy, smooth engine responsive and well spaced automatic trans. no shift delays, it bangs them out. No Cruze thing here. very usable and effective manumatic large interior with great space front and rear in all dimensions center stack shaped to allow a bit extra drivers knee room attractive, well laid out, and convenient gauges, radio, center stack, and other switches and controls gauge and center stack illumination is fantastic superb steering wheel, with nicely lightly weighted and responsive quick steering to go with handy and organized armrest a…
Last reply by daves87rs, -
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This was a one-day rental of a small automatic that really went over the top in terms of an upgrade. I was assigned a Cupra Formentor. It’s a SEAT SUV model that is its own brand within the brand. The instant you look at it, the Cupra makes an assertive statement. The minute you get in, it makes a good impression. The workmanship is evident throughout. And the instant you drive off, it will come off as roadworthy. Over that one-day period – to bridge a 7-day rental up to 8 days – this proved to be true over and over. I really came to like this car. One would think that smooth and quiet would compromise how planted a vehicle is and how well it communica…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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I won't go into too much detail, but I had to bridge the way to another rental with a two day rental. The rental agent told me to go to a line with a higher level of service and pick out a car there. I saw an intriguing Malibu, for lack of a better word, in an outstanding color combination and with the full sunroof. I decided on that one and am glad I did. It looks like there are no more extensions. This is it. There won't be another generation of Malibu with an ICE. We were strung along with all the conceptual and schematic mock-ups just like we were with the Charger. I'm not surprised. - - - - - PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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So I spent the last two weeks of Dec 2009 in Kauai. Upon my late arrival at the airport with the family and kids in tow, I headed off to the Hertz Rental desk. Being a large group of people getting off the bus and pulling luggage, I told the wife and kids to get everything and I would go grab the car since I had a gold membership, so it should be instally ready. WRONG, Some how HERTZ LOST my info and did not have a car on their reader board, so off to the desk I went to talk to the lady. She reviewed the reservation, due to budget I had taken an Impala for the 5 of us. All adults she realized as the wife and kids walked in with the luggage in tow. Since things were …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Since Zipcar now offers Focii, and since that's a vehicle I would seriously consider, I thought I'd borrow one for 2 hours while they're still mint, and see what's what. 2012 Focus SEL 5-door - $21,XXX (no options) and 700 miles on the odo PROS: silent engine, low NVH, very polished powertrain overall good build quality; not VW solid but still feels very substantial high-quality switchgear (solid buttons, switches, knobs) SEL gets soft upper door panels = nice supportive and comfy front buckets (even without sport seats) seats keep you fresh after a long drive superb tracking and stability; great on LA freeways, not perturbed by expansion joints, wind, uneven sur…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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As an owner of 5 of the 7 generations of Corvettes I feel the need to give some input into where we have come from and where we may be going. C3. Codename: Lmas I loved this car. 1979 L82 T-Top. 225HP/270lbs of Torque. 0-60 in 6.6 secs, C&D Link fuel economy that came in at about 15mpg.. on the road.. and looks that were constantly and consistently getting me ass. Well.. it and my gorgeous smile, beautiful eye-lashes, and way with words… smooth as a butter, and tasty as sweet cream :badass: I was 22 years old (1995)… and was able to afford this because I knu how to hustle.. in more way than one. “sell me the pen?” No *** sell me the pen, the paper…
Last reply by Cmicasa the Great, -
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2011 Ford Taurus SEL FWD (Rapid Spec 401A) The Story... Last Saturday I spent the day in a family members 2011 Ford Taurus SEL FWD Rapid Spec 401A with the 3.5L Duratec 35 V6 and six speed select shift automatic. This Taurus listed for $28,895.00 and was painted in Kona Blue Metallic with 18 inch alloy wheels, along with a long list of great features, that I will talk more about next. The Features & Interior... As an American car fan, but one who prefers GM some of things I have to say are hard for me to accept but I must. The Taurus SEL with the Rapid Spec 401A which adds Sync and rear parking assist is a great fullsize FWD sedan full of many neat featur…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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Was in Denver for the weekend, beautiful fall weather. Since I'd sampled 3 midsize and one fullsize this year, I thought I'd rent a compact...got a black 4dr Cobalt from Thrifty. Charcoal interior. First compact I've driven since a 2dr Cobalt back in '08, also in Denver. Was a pleasant little car, nothing to complain about..seemed competent, reasonably peppy, comfortable, easy to see out of. Interesting to have the controls for the info screen (trip computer) on the steering wheel...couldn't figure out how to reset the trip odometers, though. No cruise control. The seats were firm, pretty well bolstered...wonder if they might be too firm on a long drive. See…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Last year, I won a weekend trip out to California to take part in a test drive event sponsored by Motor Trend (and probably Chrysler). 5 auto enthusiasts were chosen from video auditions, and we drove the piss out of the 2014 Malibu LTZ Turbo, Fusion SE 2.0EB, Camry SE V6 (*not the brand new one*), and the then-new 2015 Chrysler 200S V6. I'll break down the individual tests with scoring out of 5 stars. I hope you guys enjoy the long read. Acceleration: Chrysler 200S - * * * * * Toyota Camry - * * * * Chevy Malibu - * * * Ford Fusion - * * * *Note: we were required to use sport mode and paddle shifters. First things first: the 2.0T engines are outcla…
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
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DRIVEN: 2017 Chevy Volt LT cloth seats quick note, most of my basis of comparison is the outgoing Volt model, which I have driven a few times. HIGHS: -Sexy new shape is less science project and more real sporty car. -Sexiness carries to the interior which you sit 'in' like a cockpit and its a sporty outlook out of the car. Center console with shifter and such is very nice. -Interior is revised with 'iPad on the dash' and a completely new design that fits in with all the other Chevy's; no longer an outlier -New Volt is a big step forward in overall execution of the Voltec concept; it's a big improvement in nearly every way over the already pretty well done Vol…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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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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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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For the last week because of not having a single drivable car in the driveway, I've had a white diamond '11 STS as a rental. Taking it back to Enterprise tommorow. First impressions: Smooth. Quiet. Comfortable. Good exhaust roar when I put my foot down. Like the color combination--white diamond w/ two-tone tan interior. I've always liked the exterior design of the STS, crisp and clean..not as aggro as the CTS, but definitely a Cadillac. This is the first current Caddy I've driven, have driven an '00-02 vintage DTS and a few mid-late '90s era deVilles. Seats are adjustable and comfortable, not sport seats, but wide enough for fat American behinds (my size 40 fi…
Last reply by z28luvr01, -
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Was near a BGMC dealer today and bumped in because i saw the new LaCrosse. They also had new Envision on the floor and 'new' "Acadia" as well (I'll probably be calling it what it is, an Envoy XL7, because it feels to me like a combination of those two FINE GM products, moreso than it feels like a 'real' Acadia.....but I digress). (Digression number two.....still really dig the Encore. 17's not in yet but the Encore to me is still one of GM's best masterstrokes. A bit more armrest and a real console, and such...nice little gem. Surprisingly not at all rendered without an identity with the arrival of the Envision. The Encore still feels like it has a rightful and …
Last reply by Stew, -
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A couple weeks back or so I managed to wind up testing a couple Fiats. Probably don't have much time here.... Fun car, better than I thought (the stick at least). Really would be a decent enjoyable car for someone who could live with the size. Car seems well made and is very affordable. The Pop I drove was a 5 sp manual. Due likely to the light weight of the car, the 100hp +/- motor kept the car on the beat and I didn't really miss a 6 speed much. Ride was fairly decent and the car did not crash on bumps. Interior was classy cute and was pretty comfy for the size. The clutch path and operation was hard to get used to and really it's an ergonomic issue. I'm sure …
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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DRIVEN: 2016 Mazda Mazda6 Sport 2.5 AT HIGHS: For many, quite a rakish look in the blah midsize sedans segment. Looks sinister in certain colors with gunmetal wheels. Knockout cabin, in particular when fitted with white seats and dash accents. Like the Mazda3, its very reminiscent of German designs like BMW and its done fantastic. Great materials. Ergonomics and controls all down pat. Control wheel for the screen is a nice add. Like the engine in the Mazda 3, the 2.5 has pep and goes about its business with almost 'just enough' power for most. Linear power delivery and within decent smoothness. Automatic trans seems well mated to the car's power output. Backseat a…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I've spent about a week in a Caliber SXT rental......and this review can tag along with Cremazie's...... Let's get to the bad stuff first......I HATE the CVT (as I've hated most of them) in this car. It really seems to rob the car of power....it's awkward-feeling....and none too smooth. You really miss the kind off "step-off" from idle that you get in a torque-converter automatic. The car just kind of ooooozes away from a stop. That being said, while the car feels heavy, the engine seems to have decent power for a 4-banger in the midrange. I was surprised at how smooth the 2.0L is.....at idle and on acceleration there is very little buzz or vibration even noticeab…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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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 4.2 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 4.2L I-…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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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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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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- 3 followers
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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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- Editor-in-Chief
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Editor's Note - Reader Reviews are submitted by readers like you and reflect the views of the author. I went in to get a rental car and, as usual, the sedan I had rented was not available. I was going to get upgraded into a SUV and asked what was available. I was told about a Toyota Highlander and then a GMC Acadia was added to the short list. For whatever reason, the Toyota Highlander has never gelled with me and the Acadia had more things going for it that I like – a GM product, a vehicle I’ve always wanted to test drive, and it’s even a place I like! Having sat in various renditions of GMC’s Acadia in showrooms, I’m not too surprised that I mostly liked sp…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
