Reader Reviews
Test drive something recently? This is the place to post your impressions.
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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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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, -
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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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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, -
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previous 2018 Equinox comments here DRIVEN: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox 1.5T AWD LS HIGHS: (previous) Rear row seats are very supportive, placed at a good height, and are nicely comfortable. And they fold flat now (WHOA!). Nothing else. LOWS (LS trim considered): See link for previous 2018 Equinox comments above. Tight, compromised, unacceptable front row space. Useless for space or comfort. No real gratification from steering, handling or anything vehicle dynamics wise. None at all. LS model gauges and center display look ridiculously cheap and third world. Suzukis had better gauges. Weak styling. The old styling was…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Our big dog client who we get all the high end cars from just dumped a major load on us yesterday- 2018 Panamera Turbo S, 2017 M4 GTS, 2017 Civic R, 2018 M550i, 2017 Shelby F-150, 2017 California T, and a Lava Orange GT3RS. Being the Porsche fan I am, I of course chose the 911 when we picked them up. Impressions follow- First off, this car just looks the damn business. It's not conventionally beautiful or full of stylized elements. This thing is all purpose. All function. It looks like it's ready to rip your face off, and pulverize any car it comes across. And it is. I could go on about the interior and whatnot, but if you've seen the inside of a 911, you…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
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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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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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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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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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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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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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FIAT's 500e is an odd vehicle, in that it's one of the industry's better EV efforts and yet it's publicly loathed by FIAT's own CEO. Though sold only in California and Oregon, a number of 500e's are coming off lease, needing new homes. Unlike many Americans in late 2016 who swore they'd move to Canada, FIAT 500e's are actually following through on those plans, aware of Canada's love of cheap and cheerful compacts. Juicy Jolt A couple diminutive expats ended up at a nearby lot, one of which was a bright, juicy orange with a white accented spoiler, air dam and mirrors. Despite being a fairly old vehicle, this colour combination is akin to a Scaramucci-esque…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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DRIVEN 2018 Chevrolet Traverse AWD LT 3LZ (will verify) No MSRP on the label HIGHS Mini Suburban feel Mini Suburban crossover style Spacious and well laid out interior. Spacious front and second rows, particularly in GIRTH. Cargo space behind third row is more useful than previous version. More space and additional depth below cargo cover. Ridiculously simple dashboard design comes off as elegant and easy to use, using the same bits as all the other newest Chevy's (window switches, gauges, etc.) Sliding door cubby with touchscreen is actually not gimmicky and is a ridiculously useful center storage cubby. Very quiet inside. …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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, -
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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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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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So, I've had a good week as far as fun vehicles and test drives go. A quick run-down on a few- Roush Supercharged Raptor with full ICON suspension (3" lift) and 35's- Wow, what a beast. The guy that traded it in said it had 700hp, but he's full of it. Their website says the Stage 1 setup is good for 525hp, and that sounds right. Either way, for a big truck, the thing moved out pretty good. It had no problem lighting up the back 35's and with the headers and full exhaust, it sounded absolutely monstrous. this thing would scare little kids. It was extremely loud, but still sounded really, really good. It was a total chore to drive, though. No way would I want to…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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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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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: 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, -
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My wife's Cobalt Sport is at 140,000 miles and it's starting to nickle and dime her. It's been efficient (29 mpg average mostly highway) with a bulletproof powertrain (2.4L/4A), but it's loud, it's ugly inside, and it's run its course. Besides, it's not fitting of a young woman with a doctorate in pharmacy making good money. Her requirements for her next car were: -small/maneuverable -more efficient with longer range between fill-ups -peppy acceleration (Cobalt had a reasonable 173 hp) -good for highway commuting -decent tech features like good stereo, heated seats, remote start -reasonably nice inside and out -light color interior (tired of burning her …
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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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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O.k., so I reviewed the Chevy Traverse which I could have kept for the extent of the rental but didn't want to. I'm not used to that size of vehicle. And so I decided to go to Enterprise at the airport to try my luck at getting a regular ole car. Surprisingly, there wasn't much to pick from. I did see a new Chevy Cruze up by the rental station and thought it might be up there for a peculiar reason or some kind of issue. I was really looking forward to driving one of those. I went into this small office on the lot and told them that the Traverse obtained from a suburban location was just too big and hard to see out of - both true - and to see if I could get a car…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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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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I was going somewhere and needed a rental car. Since it fell out of the Thurs.-Mon. time frame, the rates were a little high at the airport. I looked at neighborhood locations. I found a good rate at Enterprise, albeit in the suburbs. As it turns out, I could take rapid transit train service and then walk, yes walk, some 15 minutes from a rail station through an established neighborhood to get to Enterprise. Wheeled luggage is great! So I got up to Enterprise and saw nothing like the intermediate I selected. I saw few cars to begin with ... either much larger or much smaller. When I got up to the counter, they were super nice and the agent told me he would be …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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DRIVEN - 2017 GMC Acadia SLT AWD, MSRP like 45,500 or something HIGHS: Something in the showroom at GMC to fend off the onslaught of Jeep Grand Cherokee sales Downsized to hit a broader swath of the market. Much more garageable than old Acadia. Solid build quality, inside and out. Feels very hefty and solid on the road, giving the impression of durability and ready for tough roads. If GMC wanted it to feel like a truck, and not a crossover, then they hit the jackpot. First and second row seating is very solid and comfortable. Drivers seat is very adjustable. Rear seats even good for large adults and plenty of leg room. Sort of a …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Okay, gents. Long time since I did one of these. This one will be somewhat brief, as I only drove one powertrain option, and although the test drive loops were decently long, I didn't get the variety I would normally incorporate into a good test drive. What I am going to do with this is a 'Good' and 'Bad' list, and then a quick comparo against the other vehicles on hand for the ride and drive event. Good- * Appearance. Yep, I said it. In person, it's a handsome vehicle with a cohesive and non-fussy design. It's not going to turn any heads with its boldness, or lack thereof, but it's clean and understated and elegant. As for looking like other vehicles, …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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There are only 4 econoboxes that I know of that you can get with manual windows. They are the Chevy Sonic, the Chevy Spark, the Ford Fiesta, and the Nissan Versa. When it's icy outside and hitting the power window button does NOTHING, you sort of think back to manual windows. I had them in my last car ... by design! It's not surprising they are in the Nissan Versa. It's supposedly the least expensive car you can buy in America. At least, that's the case in base form with manual transmission and no options. It costs something like $12,000 outfitted that way. Professional reviewers all say that the Versa sedan is bread and butter transportation and nothing m…
Last reply by oldshurst442, -
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Last weekend my brother got married in Destin. Since we were only staying a few days, we decided it was worth it to rent a car for the trip from Cincinnati to Destin. I was hoping for a Malibu or Fusion and we received a Malibu that had about 1900 miles on it. The 1.5L was a solid engine. I've read where some people complain about turbo lag, but it seemed fine to me. The sound system was pretty good, although it had a weird issue with my iPod where it would randomly skip a few seconds ahead in the song. The usb location could have been better. It's out in the open, so you have to remove whatever device is sitting there if you don't want to worry about someone break…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I finally drove the Continental today. It was a base Premiere, which of course has the 3.7L. That was my biggest concern as I wasn't sure if it would be enough for the car. Turns out I was right that it is more than adequate. It even shifts a lot smoother than the MKX I drove last year. I was also impressed by the sound system even though it wasn't Revel audio. The ride quality was everything I expected, I'd say it was even better than the MKX. The one negative I discovered was that if the battery died, everyone would have to climb through the driver's side door to get out. Overall, I was very impressed. I was expecting to come away wanting a higher spec model, but that w…
Last reply by TaurusSHO, -
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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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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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Well, pure coincidence, didn't even know it was out yet. 2018 Chevy Equinox in the showroom when i picked up my Malibu from service today. Wow, very different than the current one is all I can say. Shape looks good mostly, apart from clumsiness and awkwardness in the greenhouse and proportion of top to bottom. The design continues on Chevy's current themes inside and out, but is definitely less butch and less crisp than the current Nox. The greatly reduced wheelbase is definitely noticeable. Somewhat feminine and some Euro look to it also (as if it would compete with Renaults and Peuguots in France). I sat in it, the front feels a fair amount less spaci…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Picked up a white Passat early Sunday morning at the Cleveland, OH airport. I've got it through Feb 4th, so I'll have 2 weeks of experience. So far, pleasantly bland inside and out. Good, clear gauges. HVAC controls took a bit of time to figure out (humidity!! windows fogging up! Don't have that in AZ). Mirror adjustment controls were hard to get to work, thought the knob was going to break off. Driving--good steering feel, reasonable power and reasonably quiet (lots of tire thump noise on Ohio's broken up freeways and streets). Mostly surface roads and streets so far. Will update over the next week.
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.CheersandGears.com Mazda CX-9, 812 miles, 5 adults, 8 days, 7 nights, Grade = D- 25 years of Marriage is what started this lovely 8 days, 7 nights week for the family. Wife wanted to celebrate with the kids in a warm place. Answer was to trade in our time share condo for a time share condo on Kona at Aston Shores at Waikoloa (http://www.astonshoresatwaikoloa.com/). With the wife asking for a perfect week, I went ahead and got our place, made a reservation for a full size SUV, which sadly I could not get with Enterprise or Hertz as they both were out of stock, crazy but being married on Dec 24th doe…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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Friends, if you don't like VW or German cars, turn away now, because these next few paragraphs are going to read like a circa-2008 preteen girl just met real life Edward from Twilight. So with that disclosure out of the way, I'll throw a punch straight to the gut for those still with me. The Alltrack is the best new vehicle I've ever driven. Not the fastest. Not the most fun. Not the sexiest. Not the coolest. But all things considered, the all-around best. Some of you may remember I made a nearly-as-bold statement when I posted a review of the then-new '16 Malibu. This is finally the car that unseated it as being the most impressive out-of-the-box car for the …
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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And hot damn, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little impressed. Nice steering. Great ride but not at the compromise of handling, which itself is pretty nice. Low noise levels. Solid brake feel and action. It's let down by the transmission, which is painfully slow to respond under heavy throttle and can deliver harsh shifts. Under part-throttle upshifts, it's generally fine. The smallish back seat, cheap interior, and Chrysler reliability would keep me from buying one, but I can't in good conscience say it drives bad. Which is rather surprising.
Last reply by daves87rs, -
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So, the Smart came ... and stayed. It's not something that came and went. I will say something right off the bat - with their small size and automatics, they are a dream to park or squeeze through narrow spaces if in Europe. The Smart car has seen its sheet metal change in a few areas, and for the better. I remember how the front and rear styling in the original versions was underwhelming . Current versions feature grilles that look like grilles, and improvements in character lines and rear tail lamps as well. However, the biggest change is the slight elongation of the front of the car over the engine compartment. With there actually being a small amount of hor…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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, -
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I'll keep this one brief, as I didn't get a real long stint due to the near empty gas tank new cars are delivered to the dealer with. Just enough time to get a pretty decent impression of it. Car was a 6MT that stickered for a shade over 23K. Right off the bat, I'm not a fan of the clutch. It's softer than a marshmallow, with an absurdly long travel, and a super vague engagement point. No feel to it whatsoever. Made me feel like a manual car-novice. The next impression is the acceleration. And it's pretty modest. Yeah, yeah, I daily a GTI, but still. This is an engine that likes and needs to be revved. There's not much going on down low. It wakes up above 4,00…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Did the Beetle Friday, so i will do the Camry today. The Camry is the better halves so yesterday was my first time actually driving it, though I have rode in it quite a few times since we got it. Anyway: 2011 Camry LE 2.5 4/6 speed auto Price: 9900 64k miles Ok, long story short. i don't feel a need for a long review. he Camry is what it is and nothing more. I have come to the conclusion it has a mission and does i well. It is big, roomy, all-day comfortable and buttery smooth in in all of it's moves. The ride, the lazy handling, the numb steering, the utter quiet, the fact that every control is placed perfectly to fall in hand with…
Last reply by Stew, -
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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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I had the opportunity to rent a Chevy Cruze. This would have been the last gen model, prior to the arrival of the new one that is now in the showrooms. While the Cruze was definitely a step up in that niche from Chevy's previous Cavalier and Cobalt models, it was starting to get long in the tooth. It was never ungainly. It just seemed a little chunky. Though I haven't driven one, the current Cruze fixes all that. I got to select a car from the specified category at the rental car agency in SoCal. Take a pale gold one (a color that does NOT draw attention) with Florida plates (far away!) ... or take a red one (a color that DOES draw attention) with local plates?…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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As you all know I recently purchased a 2012 Beetle Turbo. The reasons i went with the Beetle is because I needed something with decent fuel mileage and got a great deal. It helps that it is somewhat unique and is a really good driver. Basics: 2012 Beetle Turbo 2.0T/6 speed manual Base turbo (18 inch instead of 19 inch rims, no fender audio or sunroof, etc, etc) 53k miles when purchased, now a little over 55k Dealership had to replace all brake rotors and pads because they were shot Price $10,900 Exterior: It is a Beetle and unabashedly so. I really like this generation. I was never a big fan of the New Beetle, but I…
Last reply by Stew, -
Ford Fusion rental review, and in a great place, too!
by Guest trinacriabob- 7 replies
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So, I'm going through some rentals and the latest rendition of the Ford Fusion is included in the list. This rental also occurred in New England during peak color. I had a full size booked at one of the secondary airports. I didn't have a specific car in mind. Actually, I had spotted a Dodge Charger and wanted it, but I was told, 'Sorry, too late, we just rented it.' A Fusion was available. I was somewhat interested in driving one, given that it had changed so much from the previous and very popular more "notchback" design. At the same time, I was a little concerned about navigating Boston, which was included in the trip, in one of these more rakish Fusions wit…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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So I was bored yesterday, and being potentially genuinely interested in this car, I took a trip to the Ford store down the road from me. Magnetic Grey Sport sitting under the awning up by the showroom. Looks pretty slow, so I go check it out. Nobody comes out. I walk inside and find a sales guy. He doesn't introduce himself. Doesn't ask me my name. Doesn't as how he can help me. Awkward. I ask for the keys to the Sport. He proceeds to walk me out to it, let me in, and tells me precisely 0 about the car. Asks me exactly 0 questions. Is this this guy's first day? I ask for a drive, he goes and scans my DL, comes back with a D-tag and says, "There you go, see you when you ge…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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So, my brother finally found the perfect replacement for his A5 and we went and picked it up last night. it is a completely loaded 2015 ATS Premium with the performance package and every option available. Only 4900 miles. It has the 3.6 V6/6 speed auto, AWD, full suite of safety tech and luxury features. has the full performance package too, complete with Brembo brakes and Magnetic ride control. Anyway, here we go. My brother picked me up when i got off work at 6. We got in the Audi and headed off for one last journey. I just took the passenger seat this time since i need to rest some and I figured since it is his car \he should have the last hurrah.…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Well, it is coming time to purchase a newer vehicle. The trucks are rough on fuel and starting to show their age and miles. My goals are something room, AWD, and fuel efficient. I had an 07 Patriot with the 5 speed manual that I loved, so i figured, why not give the updated versions a tr? it also gave me a chance to tr the only transmission choice i hadn't yet, the 6 speed auto. Anyway, here we go! 2015 Jeep patriot Sport AWD. Options: AC, AUTO, power windows/locks, all weather package (tow hooks, 17 inch rims with Goodyear Wrangler SRA tires, tow package, all weather floormats). 30k miles. The overall condition was excellent, no scratches …
Last reply by Stew, -
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Persistence pays off. I wanted to "test drive" of these units. The day I picked up my rental car, they didn't have any Malibus on hand. Instead, I was "upgraded" within the full-size category to the new Impala. I believe it was the LTZ, and even had a V6 and a sunroof. Within a day or so, I took it back. I didn't like it much, largely because I couldn't see out of it all that well. Well, the morning that I took it back to Dollar-Thrifty, they had a Malibu there and I asked them for it. I've found that, of the majors, Dollar-Thrifty has morphed into one of the worst in terms of customer service and attitude. So, in the end, I got my Malibu. I don't know if I'…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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Reviewing the Altima was on my bucket list. I then saw another member did a very thorough job of reviewing it and wondered if I should review it. My spin on the car is somewhat the same, yet different, so I will review the typical base model Nissan Altima found in rental fleets. Japanese iron has made serious inroads into rental fleets. If you call ahead to find out what the full size car might be, you are likely to hear a list of Camry and Company. After a very slushy and unremarkable but absurdly cheap 2009-ish rental of a Camry in Canada, I vowed to avoid renting the larger Japanese cars in the future. It turned out that I had a weird flight connection in M…
Last reply by Paolino, -
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I thought I'd do a cluster of reviews of cars I've rented and what I thought of them. I've rented Buick Veranos a total of 3 times - twice here locally and once, of all places, for a strange and long layover at DTW. For an extra $10, I thought, "WTH, I'll take the Verano." One of the things I have to accept is that the days of the cast iron block and cast iron head are gone. I've got one now. The next time around, it won't be an option. I'm now at the point where I sort of know that this technology has been improved and that these all-aluminum 4 cylinder engines can go the distance. Of the 3 Buick sedans in the current line-up - LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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DRIVEN: thanks to an egift card incentive, 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (not even sure what trim) Quick spin, and even less time to write here. Here i can legimately make comparison to the Town and Country in our garage HIGHS -eye catching looks inside and out, minvans now have style -all the positive assets of the minivan are maintained....and enhanced -updated Pentastar v6 remains strong and feels faster, and promises improved mpg (if possible) -update to the 9 speed vs the 6 speed means much better and quicker shifting (note: my short spin exhibited none of the 9 speed foibles written about in the buff books). It bangs off shifts smoother and quicker and theref…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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So this has been a long time coming, especially since I never really did a review thread after buying it initially. Well, without further delay, here we are. I'm just going to cut straight to the chase here and come out the gate with a lofty declaration- this is one of the greatest cars on the road today. Now, I'll tell you why in the next few paragraphs. There's countless reviews out there that no doubt sing this car's praises, but they're not as in-depth as what I will provide here. First the car itself. I bought a 2016 4DR GTI SE w/ DSG trans and Performance Pkg. The PP adds Golf R brakes, an E-LSD, and (supposedly) a 10hp power bump. I didn't care so much about…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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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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I travel a lot for work and rent cars 40+ times per year. After several years of dealing with substandard rentals (calling most of them mediocre would be a complement….and a lie), I realized that reserving a “Premium” car was the only way to be guaranteed a decent vehicle. The ‘Premium’ class can be anything from a Taurus Limited, Impala LTZ or Toyota Avalon to a Volvo S60. Recently, I had to fly to Memphis (from Atlanta) for a few days and made my rental reservation the day before I was arriving. I booked a Premium, but when I got to the lot (where I could usually pick a car using my Fastbreak card and be gone in a few minutes) there was nothing that fit the bill.…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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This is a cheesy write up but i checked out an Envision in the flesh. (By the way, huge Verano incentives now). Was not fortunate enough to get into it, but I can comment on how it looks. Looks pretty good. Front end is a little bland and dated. Was parked next to a Terrain and it's noticeably shorter, less wide, and not as tall. But the size of it yes pretty much falls into line with the compact CUV competition, like the MKC. A look through the window, the interior looks good, particularly the seats, leather, soft surfaces, the center armrest / console / stack. Gazing in the window, it looks like there is good use of space, it looks efficient. Rear leg spa…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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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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I had a '16 Malibu LS in Ohio for a few days a couple of weeks ago. Black w/ black cloth interior. All in all, a pleasant drive. Seemed to have plenty enough power on Ohio freeways and around Columbus and some small towns Pros: Revised dash and center stack makes the cockpit seem more open, more spacious Looks like more rear leg room than the previous generation (longer wheelbase) Interior plastics are a mix of hard and soft touch, w/ some simulated stitching and fabric on the dash, which I thought was unusual. Ample trunk room Very quiet Start/stop feature was smooth and unobtrusive Good outward visibility even w/ fastback styling Cons: Couldn't figure…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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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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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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TESTED:2016 Cadillac ATS sedan 2.0t 8AT AWD Luxury, MSRP 45,000 and change Note: offered this test drive as an alternate / move up to the used Volt i went in to test drive. Offered as a sample due to a service loaner demo with a 'great lease deal'!! Disclaimer: i don't drive many luxury cars so my proper frame of reference is not great. I typically review vehicles as daily drivers. Prior similar test drive: http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/81073-2013-cadillac-ats-25l-rwd/?hl=%2Bcadillac+%2Bats Since i am not really in the luxury car market, than this test drive may seem a little odd. But I am a GM fan and since i hadn't driven the AWD turbo ATS, I sa…
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
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DETROIT -- General Motors' first-quarter pretax profit surged 28 percent -- even while its global sales slipped -- as the company aggressively cut costs in troubled regions and sold pricier vehicles across its key markets. GM said today its pretax operating income -- the figure the company considers most reflective of its underlying performance -- rose 28 percent, to $2.66 billion. That amounted to a pretax profit of $1.26 a share, hurdling the $1-a-share average forecast of analysts, compiled by Reuters. The improved results were broad-based: Each of GM’s four operating regions posted a stronger bottom line, even as economic headwinds made it tougher to do busine…
Last reply by smk4565, -
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--------- DRIVEN: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 1LT 1.4t automatic (all new model) MSRP around 24,700 Includes technology package and sun and sound package HIGHS: -Ride....PLUSH -QUIET inside...OMG quiet for this class of car -good OOMPH from the fairly smooth 1.4t, which really has some of the character of the current 1.4, that is to say no lag and a willingness to rev (just smoother and much less noisy / buzzy). -TRANSMISSION is nicely responsive to the turbo. It takes some gas pedal sometimes, but mostly on the spot. -HANDSOME interior. Comes off as tidy, handsome, classy, attractive. Dash, doors, console, etc.....no issues on any plastics, and the dash cloth eve…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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Kia has been trying to break into the premium sedan market with limited success since 2003, first with the Amanti and then with a new try in 2013 with the Kia Cadenza, neither of which sold well. In spite of being on sale for three years, Kia has only sold about 25,000 Cadenzas in the U.S. in total. The Cadenza is Kia's version of the Hyundai Azera. At the New York International Auto Show, Kia unveiled the second generation, 2017 Kia Cadenza. In the 2017 Cadenza is a new, stronger and lighter body structure that helps keep out sound and provides a quiet driving experience. Powering the Cadenza is a revised version of Kia's 3.3 liter V6 producing (a prelim…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I've been a fan of the current Fusion's slick styling since it came out, but I hadn't had an opportunity to drive one until this past week, Wed through Sunday, from Hertz at the Pittsburgh Airport. Dark red, gray 'cloth' interior (not a fuzzy/fabric-y cloth, but more artificial feeling). Got to drive it in city traffic in downtown Pittsburgh and Cleveland, suburbia, plenty of freeway driving on the I-70,77,79,90,271,376, 470, 480, etc.., winding twisty Ohio two lane roads, small towns, etc in a variety of weather (dry and sunny to wet w/ rain and light snow). Pros: Comfortable overall, soaks up the miles For a 2.5 4cyl, seems to have adequate power for freeway…
Last reply by Thed, -
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This is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and before you ask, it doesn't have the 707 horsepower Hellcat V8. Jalopnik's Truck Yeah was the first to report on these pictures that leaked out last night. Much like the Cherokee and Renegade Trailhawk, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk gets some improvements to make it more capable off road. There appears to be a suspension lift (we're guessing about an inch), a set of Goodyear off-road tires, skid plates, and tow hooks finished in red. We'll have more details when Chrysler unveils the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk next week at the New York Auto Show. Source: Truck Yeah! View full article
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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This has been a long time coming, but wife and I recently relocated to the St Louis, MO area after living about 2 hrs south of here for 4 years. With the relocation came a new job, and the opportunity to do a ton more reviews and whatnot. I am now at a VW dealership that also specializes in doing a lot of high-end pre-owned vehicles, so this is a whole new world for me. I've already driven 911's, AMG's, Bentleys, Astons, etc, etc, but I want to keep this piece focused on VW models. I'm going to keep this fairly basic with a 'good' and 'bad' type rating system for the vehicles. I will try to add and expand when possible as needed.
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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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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Well, we got our first 2.0T in, and after waiting for what seemed an eternity- it was actually two days- it got PDI'd and put on the lot. So, being the car junkie I am, I took it for a quick spin earlier. I kept the drive fairly short, as I was mainly concerned with the impact the 2.0T made on the driving experience. As you may remember, my initial thoughts on the 1.5T were extremely positive. I'm happy to say, a stint with the 'big block' hasn't changed that. I'm just going to come right out and say it- in 2.0T guise, it may be the most competent, best built and driving vehicle I have ever been in relative to it's price tag. I believe I read an article a few month…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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We'll make this 2 for 2 here, and just cut to the chase. The car was rather underwhelming. I might expand more on this one later, as I don't have a bunch of time right now. I've been wanting to drive a new gen WRX or STI pretty badly, as I was actually slightly considering one. No longer. I just don't see where Subaru gets off charging 35K base on these things. I'll summarize this one with a 'Highs' and 'Lows' break down. Highs- *Steering- Very nicely weighted, precise, lots of feel. It was VERY reminiscent of my E90's steering. *Sound- That trademark guttural Subaru growl and burble is present and accounted for. Love it. *Shifter- Very short, positive…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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Drew, feel free to merge this if you want. Anywho, I'll make this short and sweet, and drop the bomb right out of the gate. The new Malibu is the best mainstream midsize family sedan I've ever driven. There. TL;DR set, you can stop right here. For those of you want a little more detail, here goes. I drove our one and so far, only, new Malibu, a 1.5 LT. It had the optional 'Leather Pkg' for $2,140; 'Driver Confidence Pkg' for $1,195; 'Convenience & Tech Pkg' for $895, and pearl paint for $995. Grand total, after a $745 In-Sticker discount, was $30,375. Let's start with the things I like. It's a list that could be titled "Just About Everything". No, reall…
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
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Basically, I got to take my bother's A5 for a few hour highway jaunt to pick him up in Ashland last Wed. He had driven the rental Charger down and took the train back. So, I pick the car up at my parents and drop off my truck. I have my pre-trip pep talk with the A5 and slip into the driver's seat to get comfortable. After driving my pickups for so long I immediately notice that the footwell seems tight and the pedals far closer to each other than I remember. No problem though. I slide the seat into a comfortable position and adjust the tilt and telescoping wheel and adjust the the lower back lumbar. Seating position: Good to go. Next it is time or an MM…
Last reply by Stew, -
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NOTES / EDIT: 2.0 and hybrid test drives further down Driven: 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 1LT 1.5, MSRP= 26,790? HIGHS: -RIGHT SIZE interior for the class.....consider the interior space / leg room issues fixed, six footers fit in the back even. Head, leg, hip, shoulders, all the room you need. -Greatly changed center stack no longer is a leg intruder. Room to SPLAY. -NOT A BUNKER. Airy cabin with good views out the front, side, and back -Quiet cabin. Muffles the engine din reasonably well and keeps road and tire noise out, more than you'd expect in this class. -As an example, bumps of any kind do not transmit large 'thunks' into the cabin, even on railroad…
Last reply by cp-the-nerd, -
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Well, it was time for another business trip for my brother and another rental. To mine and his surprise his ride was a 2015 Charger with the Pentastar V6/8 speed auto. (He also had a choice of a base Cherokee or escape, but the charger was easily the winner). As a rental it was a base model with a few options. It had no foglamps, but did have some very nice looking LED accents on the front and the racetrack lights on the rear. For a base model he interior was very nice. It had the smaller 5 inch touch screen, but it is still VERY intuitive and easy to use. All touch points and the dash top were covered in high quality/soft touch materials The seats were very comfo…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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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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(edit, down further is an update with a spin in the EX-T 1.5 turbo) DRIVEN: 2016 Honda Civic 2.0 LX cvt, MSRP around 20,200 HIGHS: New style! That looks good and is bound to find favor with existing Hondaphiles and bring in new fas as well, sexy shape and not overboard. (Looks much better in the metal, than in the pictures) Larger size, the car pushes the limits of the compact class, and it's a perfect size. Spacious interior, the front seats are spacious and even my 6'1 girthy self fit into the back seat with without cramped legs and still with a bit of headroom to spare Vastly different interior layout is spot on for a semi sporty environment and everyd…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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My brother got his wife a new vehicle, a 2008 MKX. 102k miles One owner Dealership maintained 2 year warranty Immaculate condition. All options but touchscreen/navigation and possibly the THX sound system 20 inch rims Purchase price 11k OTD I am guessing the color is platinum. Looks silver in some light and Gold in others. Looks really good with the 20 inch chrome rims. Really nice gray interior. Signs of wear and tear: couple small nicks on the rear driver's door. Slight signs in the backseat area where a childseat was used, some on armrest, otherwise mint condition, Panoramic sunroof needs oiled or a spray of WD40. Features of note: Sync: D…
Last reply by Stew, -
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Picked up a gray Sonata w/ two tone gray interior at the San Jose airport Friday evening, drove through late rush hour traffic down the 101 to Salinas. Drove from the hotel to Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway on some twisty roads Saturday and Sunday, and then back to the San Jose airport Sunday afternoon. Impressions: Smooth, quiet, reasonably powerful, good on gas, well put together, good outward visibility. Kind of an anonymous midsize, pleasantly styled but not particularly memorable. I'd driven a rental Sonata 2 generations ago, this definitely felt bigger and more solid. Seemed to have more space inside than the Malibus I've driven in recent years. Dash design an…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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The LA Auto Show will be the home for the debut of the 2017 Buick LaCrosse next month. To mark the announcement, Buick has released a teaser of the next LaCrosse. The picture reveals a front end similar to the Avenir concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year with a new three-color tri-shield insignia set on a wing-shaped element. “The Avenir concept shattered expectations of what a Buick could be and the 2017 LaCrosse promises to do the same. Its expressive design represents a break from convention and highlights the progressiveness in all new Buick models,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. Buick goes on to say that the 2017 LaCrosse…
Last reply by SuperDuper, -
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Ok, this is going to be a little different. No, I did not drive it, but got to spend a decent amount of time riding in the backseat and it is pretty amazing the things you pick out about a vehicle vehicle from back there. Also, since these are the modern equivilent of a station wagon, I think this makes sense. First impression....... The materials are downright awful. Hard plastic on all rear ouch points and the seat fabric seemed overly cheap. Legroom was ok, but not great. Really, my 07 Patriot was on par with the materials found not only in the back, but most places in the vehicle. It was really pretty dreadful. he only interior high-spots were the gauges and …
Last reply by Suaviloquent, -
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Quick Drive: Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Cabriolet Shocker! Smart’s charged up cabrio is stupid fun! Moseying on down to the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association's 2015 ElectraFest last week, I had the opportunity to test drive an electric car. The July heat called for a convertible and the smart fourtwo electric drive cabriolet was ready to for a summer fling! This is based on a 20 minute test around town. Smart Aleck Smart Elec Fossil-fueled smart’s aren’t renowned for performance pedigree, and when it comes to acceleration, they’re absolute dogs. Thankfully, the electric powertrain jolts a little pep into the Smart’s step, making for a dri…
Last reply by El Kabong, -
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- 4 replies
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So as you all may know, I bought a 2014 4Runner Trail Edition Premium a few months ago. I gave some first impressions and thoughts on it when I got it, but this is going to be a look at what I've experienced over the last few months, what I like, and what I don't. Let me start by saying I'm still glad I bought it, and I'm still enjoying it. It really takes a lot of stress off me over keeping it clean and immaculate at all times like I did my BMW. That's not to say I trash it, but I got Weathertech mats, so I don't mind to get in with dirty shoes. I don't care if there's bugs splattered on the front, or water spots after it rains. I don't feel the urge to wash it every…
Last reply by Stew, -
- 2 followers
- 3 replies
- 1.5k views
DRIVEN 2015 Honda CR-v AWD LX HIGHS Engine plus CVT can deliver great scoot ........when you lean hard on the throttle CVT might actually be the best of such a breed, compared to earlier CVT's, responsive Sufficient cabin girth and front row room Rear seat space is alright for this class too Surprising cargo space with and without the rear seat down Innocuous, if that is your sort of thing Feminine, if that is your sort of thing Cheap and tinny, if that is your sort of thing EPA ratings are pretty good i guess Honda whores out the leases so you are ok there Some parts of the newly revised dash feel soft to the touch Rear cargo latches to dump the rear sea…
Last reply by JessiFox, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 1.2k views
DRIVEN: 2015 Ford Focus SE 1.0 Ecoboost 6MT hatch, msrp a tish over 20k (my fave colors for Ford, Tectonic and stone interior) HIGHS: Sleek hatchback shape New physical controls in center stack for climate, radio, etc, overall nice dash layout and gauges, driver oriented Nice plastics with the dark and light in most places, stone interior really lightens up the interior Nicely composed and quiet for an econocar at speed, feels solid and stable Finally gets a six speed! Very good shifter, snick, snick Feels exactly like the Fusion MT, same powerband, same road feel, just a smaller version NO vibration from the powertrain. Seems impossible, but almost entirely…
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 5 followers
- 12 replies
- 1.9k views
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, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 961 views
I went in to test drive a new HRV and then decided, nah. I can't do this. I am sitting here drinking their free coffee now and eating their free cookies though at least Hondaphiles are all over this place and are like stink on sh-- all over the HRV. This thing will sell like hot cakes.
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
- 5 followers
- 16 replies
- 1.8k views
Just a few quick reviews i have done over the last few months, originally shared on MT forums. 2015 Audi A3 2.0T Quattro So, my brother had this car as his loaner while his A5 was being worked on at the closest Audi dealership.............. which is around 200 miles away. He had to return it Saturday and pick his car up. I got to spend a good solid 2 hours driving it. Exterior: the A3 is a good looking car with nice detailing on the exterior. It does have a stubby butt and is kind of tall, but not bad at all. Interior: I have mixed emotions here. The quality was very good and I love the newest version of MMI (I prefer it over touchscreens). It was very e…
Last reply by Stew, -
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- 1 follower
- 2 replies
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DRIVEN: 2015 Ford Escape SE FWD 1.6t Ecoboost, MSRP about 26,200 HIGHS: Not at all like the older Escapes we probably rode in or drove at one time in the past Fluid shape that many will like compared to boxier offerings A crossover can feel somewhat athletic on the road? This does... Because of nicely weighted and quick steering coupled with composed suspension and handling The engine joins in the fun, the 1.6t has a nice little torque burst, revs out nicely, and is quite smooth The transmission is well mated to the engine and kicks in quickly to help the fun Most cars in this price range these days don't even feel connected as much as this ....SUV VERY quie…
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 0 replies
- 1.2k views
DRIVEN: 2015 Ford Edge AWD Titanium 2.0 msrp around 43,500 HIGHS: Retains the spot on take of the large crossover segment it invented and takes it to a grand new place Exterior styling not a big departure from the past recipe but its still fresh and new, its 'Crossover 2015' Front row is a great place to be, lots of comfort, space, girth, and a great view out the living room window Perfect, and I do mean that, perfect seat height and location for a vehicle like this..... Solid and stable ride, its a grand chariot and you sit back, enjoy the view, and eat up a whole bunch of miles Lots of toys in that big MSRP......huge moonro…
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 2 followers
- 7 replies
- 1.4k views
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, -
- 1 follower
- 2 replies
- 996 views
DRIVEN: 2015 Mazda Mazda3 Sport 2.0 MT, msrp 19,265 (no options) HIGHS: Attractive and intimate driver cockpit, simple, ergonomic, and somewhat reminiscent of a BMW or Audi design inside. Comfortable drivers chair, and more cabin girth than you'd expect. All controls well laid out. Touchscreen with secondary control wheel and pushbutton start included in sport trim 2.0 has pep and goes about its business with 'just enough' power for most, while not being offensive from the smoothness standpoint. Power delivery is VERY linear. Manual trans shifter, while not 'sublime', falls into line of 'very good' and with what you would expect from advance billing Despite not having a…
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 893 views
HIGHS: Sexy looks Price and value at this trim level Surprised that I liked the improved interior Six cylinders came standard GIRTHY wide cabin and comfortable seats Ride wasn't bonecrushing punishing at least Nice view out the front and good side mirror visibility (despite the squashed roof) Roof did feel squashed but not as severe as I feared Not quiet inside, but not excessively loud. Cupholders, nice setup LOWS Shifter a bit notchy. I would not get this car with a stick.....stick...with the automatic Hard to drive smoothly (unless you own the car for a few weeks first I imagine) Lots of business and effort to just get it to drive smoothly. Engine so…
Last reply by Frisky Dingo, -
- 4 followers
- 8 replies
- 1.7k views
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, -
- 3 followers
- 12 replies
- 1.5k views
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, -
- 4 followers
- 7 replies
- 1.5k views
Unfortunately not long enough to do a full on review of it, but enough to get some quick impressions. So I sold a customer a new Equinox the other day, and while waiting he told me he was awaiting his new Slingshot. I told him to bring by sometime, and lo and behold he did. He came by the dealer after having picked it up about an hour earlier, and let me take it for a quick spin. The thing really looks cool in person. It's wide and all edges and hard angles and just looks super aggressive. I thought we were going to cause a wreck driving it through town. Ergonomics are surprisingly good. It's fairly easy to get into, and decently comfortable once you do. You sit uprig…
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 5 followers
- 6 replies
- 1.3k views
So another member suggested I post some of the many reviews I did over at MT Forums here. Here's the first of them, with more to come- My dealer got a 2014 Z in with 1,300 miles. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do my usual spirited run for several obvious reasons, but I did take a quick little spin in it. It's really amazing the transformation from the standard car. It's buy far the biggest difference I've ever experienced between a base model and a higher variant. It doesn't even feel like the same car. It seems smaller, and lighter than the regular SS, and much smaller and lighter than it is. It's a worn out cliche, but with it's wide stance and huge meats, it…
Last reply by ccap41, -
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- Editor-in-Chief
- 2 followers
- 23 replies
- 3.1k views
Imagine if the Ford Taurus wasn't a mass-market full-size sedan, but a luxury sedan. Well imagine no more. Ford has pulled the covers off the new Chinese-Market 2016 Taurus which moves upscale to satisfy the demand for luxury vehicles and delivers on the automaker's commitment to bring 15 new world-class vehicles to China by 2015. The 2016 Chinese-spec Taurus looks like bigger Fusion - we'll let you decided whether or not that's a good thing. Up front is the trapezoidal grille and a set of slimmed down headlights. The side profile boasts a distinctive character line and a set 19-inch wheels. Towards the back are a set of LED taillights and chrome bar. Compared to the No…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
