Reader Reviews
Test drive something recently? This is the place to post your impressions.
414 topics in this forum
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DRIVEN: 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport AWD; (around 50k) HIGHS: -Sexy, sporty, attractive as a crossover these days can be. Love how you can get different colored brake calipers on this thing. -Very comfortable front row seating; lots of room and girth, bolstered seats hug you just right.......disclaimer: I would not get the bolstered seats, I am wider than the bolsters! and I hate climbing over them. The non-bolstered seats are just as comfortable and supportive. I will go so far to say that the seats are VERY GOOD, regardless if you choose bolstered or not. -Love the interior dash layout, and the gauges. The steering wheel is a rockstar, great …
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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, -
This rental experience, lasting one week, was a surprise all the way around. The first thing that comes to mind is how helpful the agents were upon renting and returning the vehicle. I got my assigned category of vehicle, plus a small upward bump, assuming this sedan could be considered midsized. The current Mazda 3 sedan (2024 model year rental) appears to have grown up and, with its thicker pillars and haunches, looked like it was going to be a nicer car for an entire week than the only other time I’ve rented a Mazda 3, about 5 years ago, and for which that rental lasted only 1 day. Do I like the way the current Mazda 3 looks? Mostly yes, and some no. I li…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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, -
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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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 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD 1.5t 9 speed auto, MSRP like around 30k. Front wheel drive version only. Cloth interior. HIGHS Ok, with the higher hp and torque, and the 9 speed auto, the engine performance did --- ok ---. And its smooth most of the time, particularly when just 40-70 mph cruising. Tranny seemed well matched, the higher tune 1.5t and 9 speed is exclusive here I think. Why isn't this the powertrain in the Malibu? Terrain interior is unique from the Equinox and Envision and feels sufficiently trucky. Nice layout and shapes on the dash. I like the GMC steering wheel. And the screen display and climate controls are done the best of…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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, -
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As part 1 of my vacation this week, I was in N. California for 4 days driving a rental '12 Cadillac CTS 3.0. I thoroughly enjoyed it in a variety of driving situations--Bay Area freeway traffic, beautiful winding Sonoma and Napa county country roads, driving around town in Sonoma and Napa, etc. My only previous CTS driving experience was a couple short local trips in a black 3.6 a couple of months ago. All in all, it drove quite nicely...this appeared to be a base model w/ small wheels and standard suspension, but the road feel, steering, etc was excellent. Not too many nit-picks to point out..I couldn't find an aux input jack, and the cup holders seem to be too cl…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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So my parents just got a new Fusion SE. They were longtime GM owners who were very dissapointed when GM got rid of Olds. They sucked it up and moved onto Saturn, leasing an Aura 3.6 XR. The had mixed feelings about the car and not wanting to buy a Malibu since it was virtually the same car as the aura but still wanting to drive a Domestic they ended up giving the Fusion a shot. I bombed around it in giving my Mustang the night off last weekend and here's what I took away. (keep in mind i drive an 05 Mustang GT and owned an 06 Malibu SS before that. Also I have extended driving experience in The Aura XR) Specs: Fusion SE - 2.5 I4 175 hp 172 torque 6 speed auto. Sil…
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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---to fill in later tonight--- overall, nicely improved. good value.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Instead of the Impala (I've had 3 as rentals this year), I moved up a class at the counter and chose a 300 over the LaCrosse. Had a silver 2012 Chrysler 300 with 795 miles on it when I picked it up Friday night in San Jose. Drove to Monterey and got to drive on a mix of freeway, two lane roads, and city streets around the Monterey Bay area over the weekend. Impressions: Smooth, quiet, solid and hefty. Even w/ the V6, it moves out at a reasonable pace...sticks to the road well for its size. Outward visiblity is pretty good, better than the similarly sized Taurus I drove last year IIRC. Great lights at night (xenon, I believe) Comfortable, adjustable seats. Lots…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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DRIVEN: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL 2.4 AWD and 2.0t Limited AWD HIGHS: -Pleasant new shape, and a new larger size. Not a tweener anymore. -Value for the dollar. Sticker prices comparable to Equinox / Terrain in a much larger package. Lots of standard safety equipment that is not yet standard in even near lux or lux makes. -Nice space inside, both rows, Nice cabin width, ample leg room, nice driving position with really comfortable seats, even the back seats comfortable. Super hot heated seats. -Not a luxury interior but nice fresh design, and some interesting new materials for non-luxury. Dash plastic is nice, door plastic decent, even the fak…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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I picked up my weekend rental this morning..my neighborhood Enterprise was out of luxury cars, so I ended up w/ a silver w/ tan leather interior Yukon. It's the first GMT-900 SUV I've driven. So far, so good. Smooth, comfortable, quiet. About the only nitpick is I haven't found an ideal seat/wheel/pedal position..the steering wheel goes up/down, but no telescoping. Even w/ the seat all the way back (long legs), the pedals seem too close and the wheel too far away...got to fiddle w/ it some this afternoon after work before I hit the road. The various controls are familiar late model GM, quite similar to the Impalas I've driven. Will post more after I get back …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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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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OK Quick clarification to anyone listening. Using BLUETOOTH and your existing DATA connection on your cell phone (Tested with ANDROID Samsung Galaxy III and IV and LG Viper) will allow you car to connect to (tested with my 2014 Impala LTZ, 2014 Corvette Stingray Z51, 2015 GMC Yukon SLT, ex's 2014 Buick Verano Turbo, and my assistant's 2014 Chevy Cruze LTZ) Apps: iHeartRadio Tune-in Milk Pandora and from what I speculate any other like those. I use iHeart, Pandora, and Milk all the time due to them allowing the "Create Your Own Station" features. I love listening to Prince, Doug Stanhope, Greg Gilrado, Robert Schimmel, Jim Gaffigan, Hendrix, Led Zep, Motown…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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This was the last of 3 rental at different locations in Portugal and a vehicle I never thought I’d be writing a review about. Again, I rented an automatic vehicle with one of the major agencies and the description indicated a Toyota Corolla Hybrid automatic or similar. Anymore, you go up to a kiosk, as if ordering at McDonald’s, to kick off your rental at major European airports. It’s important to have one’s data for the transaction ready. If there are questions or hiccups, agency personnel are on hand. I was doing this and then, at a certain part of the screen, a car description, including specifics like the license plate, appeared. I asked the agent what this was …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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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should have it up tomorrow.
Last reply by Soku47, -
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By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 26, 2013 What happens when you take the fastest and meanest Jaguar XK, the XKR-S and turn it up to eleven? You get the brand new 2014 Jaguar XKR-S GT which is a track-ready weapon that is road legal. The XKR-S GT features a new aerodynamic package that includes a carbon fiber front splitter, dive planes, extended wheel arch spats, a rear diffuser, and a large fixed rear wing. This allows the XKR-S GT to achieve a maximum downforce of 320 lbs when traveling at the vehicle’s top speed of 186 MPH. The GT also features a set of carbon ceramic brake discs (a first for Jaguar) and a race-derived, height-adjustable tw…
Last reply by Intrepidation, -
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Picked up my rental Sat. morning at Oakland airport, a gold Malibu LT w/ black and gray cloth interior. Put 100 or so miles on it around the Bay area, driving from Oakland airport up to the hotel in Vallejo and over to the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma for Indy Car race yesterday, and up to Sonoma and Napa for some sight-seeing. I had wanted a Charger, but for a free rental, I wasn't going to complain. It was a pleasant and quiet car to drive, the interior materials pretty nice overall (soft touch on some parts of the dash), controls worked well and were intuitive, dash layout easy on the eyes and easy to use, car felt solid and well put together..doors shut w/ a nice sol…
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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Tested - blue 2010 Suzuki Kizashi AWD SE 23,800 MSRP +/- HIGHS 'very good' driving dynamics CVT! 'more power than you can expect' 'right size' packaging big trunk soft touch interior surfaces quality touch points MEMORY SEATS at 24k? syling including interesting exhaust features comfortable seats cabin audio (SE system is good, adding the rockford fosgate sub allows for mirror shaking bass) dual zone climate paddle shifters on the SES, responsive manual shifting price, warranty nice trunk back seat is surprisingly accomodating unique in the crowd steering tightens up nicely at speed engine has unexpected grunt! (will put you in your seat if you work th…
Last reply by regfootball, -
Tesla Model Y ... for about 7 hours instead of 7 days ... definitely a unique experience
by trinacriabob- 2 replies
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I have come to believe that you shouldn’t opt for the manager’s special or wild card to save some money on a rental car. If you order a specific type of car, it is usually set aside for you or an upgrade is possible. In this case, the agency's manager’s special indicated that it could include EVs. I called several days ahead and was told that getting a gasoline powered vehicle was likely if that’s what the customer wanted. When I got to the airport location, that wasn’t the way it was going to be. I was given the keys to a Tesla SUV, a twin motor Model Y. I was told that getting a gasoline powered car would cost me a fairly hefty sum, for which it seemed they ma…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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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I was in So Cal the last few days for the Toyota Long Beach Grand Prix Indy Car race weekend, so it was only appropriate my rental car was a Camry. Had a white Camry w/ a black & gray two tone cloth interior. Drove about 150 miles around Long Beach and Orange County over the last few days. I had a choice of a Camry or Altima Friday night at Hertz, and I realized I'd never driven one so what the heck... Impressions: Nothing memorable. The car was perfectly functional, comfortable, smooth, quiet but really didn't leave much of an impression. Big trunk. Power seemed adequate for accelerating up the notoriously short So Cal on-ramps to the various freeways I …
Last reply by Robert Hall, -
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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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DRIVEN: 2017 Cadillac CT6 Luxury 2.0E Plug in hybrid RWD (Used vehicle review) HIGHS: Always love driving the CT6, it's a nice size for me, nice ride height, car rides and handles lighter than it is. My other CT6 that I have reviewed you will see I really think its a great package. Quiet interior, once again. So quiet, that I couldn't discern electric operation vs gas, most of the time. Both modes very quiet. Comfortable seats as I have noted before. Some minor bolstering but wider and well padded cushion. Not many cars have this anymore! I have always liked how well layout the gauge cluster is on the CT6, it seems like it crowds the dr…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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(edit, 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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I was in the Sunshine State for Easter and the car had to go one way out of the state for a really good rate, so I returned it to Atlanta. I arrived in Florida and the selection of cars was really dismal, for what I like, that I almost just took a Focus from the pick your car line. However, I took a Camry. I didn't really like that car. With 29,000 miles on it, it idled roughly with the air conditioner on. Worse yet, there was no fob on the key ring. I figured that out when I tried to pull my stuff out of the trunk. I had to use the key for the front door and then use the inside release just to open the trunk. However, I was tired and went to sleep. The next …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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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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, -
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I don't know if many people know of these events but its an awesome thing. They let you take a car around a predefined course with a sales person in the car. Generally its like a test drive with out that nasty dealership taste. I believe it is open to the public. Usually 18 and older only and you have to pass a sobriety check. It will be located at the Kettering University campus in Flint, MI. Although that area has no open roads so I wonder if the course will be lame... There will be at least the Cruze there and the CTS Coupe there. And you will be able to get a ride in the Volt not drive it. I bet there will be a media booth there as well to hand out brochures and su…
Last reply by @dmin, -
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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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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, -
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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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Tested..... 2009 Routan SEL I think. White / tan cloth. Used.....11k on the odo. 3.8 litre motor. Lightly optioned. Highs- Room and Space - cargo and passengers Front row seating comfort. For those that like to sit high, this is nice. Seat can be adjusted for perfect driving position unless you like it low. Engine does well at highway speeds. Excellent frontal visibility and decent out the sides and back. Excellent gauges, convenient radio location, nice climate controls. Steering wheel feels nice. Sliding door windows can roll down and have built in sunshades. Good steering and handling. 3.8 has a decent snarl at certain speeds. Engine turns only 2000 rp…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Tested, base 9-5 sedan...MSRP roughly 40k (closeout price roughly 30k), 2.0 turbo 4, 220hp, 6 speed man.... HIGHS Smooth engine and powertrain Nice shifter and clutch, nice knob to grab and hold. Good cabin room front and back Borderline sexy exterior style Lots of equipment Saab starter button now between the legs....er, seats......! That Eurocar smell inside..... Big trunk that is nicely appointed. Drivers seat is widely adjustable and generally comfortable. Other seats are pleasing firm. Decent visibility out the front and sides, under the premise of a car with not very large side glass. Dash layout, which differs from the Regal, is not too bad of a layout…
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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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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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com November 24, 2012 (Note: The weekend edition is back from its long vacation, mostly due to me being busy with other things. Sorry about that. Anyways, enjoy. -WM) Everyday, I go through a number of stories that I will post on Cheers & Gears. However, a good number of stories that I have picked out don’t make it onto the page during the week and either get posted next week or never. That’s where the the Cheers & Gears’ Weekend Edition comes in. Its where the stories that gotten forgotten about during the week get their due. In this third edition, we’ll be covering, Buick Considers A Big Change The Least Stole…
Last reply by William Maley, -
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 26, 2013 The Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition has ridden into the sunset. “We don’t have plans for one at the moment. We’ve got 10 models including a brand-new Limited Model, which was new for 2013. We feel like we’ve got the market really well covered,” said Doug Scott, Ford Motor Co.’s truck marketing manager. The F-150 Harley-Davidson was introduced back in 1999 and was the flagship model for the F-150 lineup for a time. Scott said the Harley-Davidson only accounted for one to two percent of F-150 sales. Add in the fact that Ford has added such models like the F-150 Platinum, Limited and Raptor, and there isn…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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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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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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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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Had a chance to drive both the auto and stick CX-5 a couple weeks ago. There is a lot that is really cool about this vehicle. There is a couple things Mazda really effed. Overall don't believe the hype about this feeling like a sports car or anything. It's height and such still make it feel like an SUV. Actually that is the impressive thing about the vehicle. They shaved a lot of pounds from the design but yet when you sit in it and drive it, it feels like a larger, heavier crossover / SUV. It just has better steering and responsiveness from pretty much the rest. It's still not a sedan though. You will not get the sporty feel of a sedan in this vehicle. The majo…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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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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Infiniti Q50 - Nissan Altima’s richer cousin who went the Ivy League route – via rental
by trinacriabob- 3 replies
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I had never driven an Infiniti Q50 before, let alone ever really looked at them. I also didn’t know much about these cars. I was supposed to be assigned a medium sized SUV, but remarked I wanted the luggage area to be hidden. The rental agent told me they could not guarantee the presence of a retractable cover. (Why would they order a car without one or why would someone take one? eBay?) They didn’t have any SUVs anyway, and I got put into an Infiniti Q50. I checked my phone to verify the cost would be covered by my insurance and the credit card parameters. It came in at around $43,000. That’s if new. That said: “no worries.” However, this unit would b…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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I 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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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 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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G. David Felt Staff Writer Alternative Energy - CheersandGears.com Nov 30th 2012 Friday Night from 5pm to 9pm Dougs Cadillac of Seattle had their anual Customer Appreciation party with Wine, Woman and Cars! We were entertained by the local Seattle Big Band and Ball Room Dancing while enjoying excellent seafood, Cold cut meats, rice dishes, cheeses to go with the Wine and Beer. The only requirement was to bring a bag of non perishable food to donate to Food LifeLine of Seattle. The night started for me at 5pm and a test drive in the ATS AWD. This was an amazing car for me. At 6'6" tall I was still able to find a comfy seat position that allowed me to drive and realize …
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com July 22, 2013 For the past year or so, we've been hearing murmurs on a new Lexus IS coupe since Lexus showed off the LF-CC concept at the Paris Motor Show. Now, the Lexus coupe is real and is coming to this year's Toyko Motor Show. A source tells Automotive News that Lexus will unveil the production coupe in November and it will wear the RC nameplate. The base RC will use a 3.5L V6 with 306 horsepower. Follow that will be the RC-F which is reported to pack a 460 horsepower V8 engine. The RC is expected to go on sale late next year. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) William Maley is a staff writer for Chee…
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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Driven: 2014 Buick Regal FWD (base) MSRP 30,615 sale price 24,995 Note: truncated review. I've reviewed Regals previously, so this is merely an update on whatever refinements over time that have been had. past reviews http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/75027-2011-buick-regal-cxl-and-cxl-turbo-updated-with-turbo-manual/?hl=%2Bbuick+%2Bregal
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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I have a number of new features planned for CheersandGears.com for 2015. The first new feature comes to us from long time member Balthazar. He has cued up trivia questions for us to answer each week. Some weeks, we will be offering prizes to the first to answer all 5 questions correctly. We will reveal the answers to this week's questions in next week's post. In the long-running TV series "Married with Children", what brand/model car was Al Bundy always bemoaning? Name 3 makes of American automobiles that have had special 'Hurst' Editions. In which state was the 'Springfield' Rolls Royce auto built? What was the first model year of the Chevy Bel Air? Which …
Last reply by smk4565, -
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no drive, but touched em at two separate dealers. Hatchbacks. Car looks good mostly but to me the proportions are out of whack with the seemingly long hood and not so long passenger cabin. Some of this is likely trickery as the side swoop and the hood basically going over the bumper still doesn't keep some of the windshield from encroaching on the front axle line. But overall, the side profile looks very uncomfortable for a front drive car. You could say they are trying to emulate a rear drive BMW in its proportions. The shape is nice mostly but I think it lacks definition. Looks a bit blobbish. Or European, take your pick. What I could see through the glass abou…
Last reply by PONTIAC06, -
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Lately, I've been getting the category of car that I selected during the on-line rental process. That means I haven't been upgraded in a while. For a rental while away in May, and for a very good price in these crazy times, I was given a new Toyota Corolla base model. Pros: - the legendary reliability - the engine was a 2.0 L 4 cylinder, but there is a base 1.8 L 4 cylinder; also, Toyota has really cleaned up its engine bays and everything is easy to identify and reach - the fuel economy, with the CVT (also in cons) delivering better fuel mileage, per the EPA ratings, than the 6 speed manual option - it's a car that a driver becomes familiar wit…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Attended the Ford sponsored EcoBoost Challenge today (merely a couple miles from home). These canned track / test drive events are usually pretty cheesy, and this was no exception, ST cars not withstanding. Since all you get either way in these cars is about a minute of time, there is not much to expound upon, but some things stick in your head. Hybrid Challenge- The trick was either take the Fusion Hybird or CMax hybrid and see what your best average mpg would be. Sort of a dumb concept, its a short loop course which you can't get up to speed to really put to use hypermile techniques. I ended up in a Fusion and I like the car. From what I could tell, it seemed smo…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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, -
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Managed to capture a couple pics of the all new 2022 Acura MDX today. Interior looks wider than before, the dash is interesting. Not sure if I dig the console or not. Side flanks of vehicle quite boring and doesn't really give away what brand of vehicle it is. Should appeal to someone who wants a sporty Honda type vehicle and not a blah Pilot or Passport. I wonder if drivers will like the touchpad and weird console and lack of touchscreen.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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DRIVEN: 2017 Buick LaCrosse Essence 3.6 FWD ; Driver confidence, Sun and Shade, Sights and Sounds. HIGHS: Car looked good in good color combination and 20" wheels Pretty good interior space front and rear... deceiving when you look at it but the leg room in back is nice. Acceptable pull from generally smooth v6 Nice gauge cluster, GM making progress Seats more comfy than I am used to in GM vehicles lately Not wholly serene, but not noisy inside. Nice view in and out of the car. And large panel sunroof helps relieve the cabin of claustrophobia that can be present in many of the smashed roof sedans today. I was ok with most of t…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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Can’t drive anything these days. And that’s ok. Here’s some Mach E pics from today.
Last reply by regfootball, -
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So my family got 2 new cars which I got to sample when I went to visit recently. My parents traded in their 2010 Fusion SE on an Escape XLT (FWD and 2.5 liter 4 banger.) They loved their fusion but my dad has MS and needs something that can transport a scooter. They got the escape on clearance for 19k (25k msrp.) Its a solid little truck and they got the 17 inch chrome wheels which really look good on it. No other options besides that. You can tell the platform's a little long in the tooth, it has a solid ride but at the occasional expense of ride quality. It won't win any drag races with the 4 cylinder but it's well geared and reasonably peppy. My brot…
Last reply by hyperv6, -
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So the Former Stang Drives the newest stang.... Overalll.... Pluses. The fit and finish of the car I drove was fantastic....as good as anything I've seen sold today. The trunk had flawless finish inside of the trunk lid, the door jambs were flawless, the paint inside the motor bay was flawless. Interior fit together perfectly also. It also had plenty of power. However, the car felt really heavy and not terribly playful, the shifter wasn't as clean of good as a GTI, Volvo C30, or any of the other cars we drove and liked better. Seats were comfortable enough but lacked the support of the GTI seats or the better seats of several other cars I've driven. Overall, an 8…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 18, 2012 Shelby has been synonymous with the Mustang since the late sixties with the GT350 and GT500. Since the two got back together in 2007 with GT500, Shelby has been reestablishing itself as the halo car producer for Ford. But Shelby is looking to expand. Autoblog talked with Shelby president John Luft about what the future holds for the company. Luft said the company is looking at whether to branch out to other vehicles in the Ford stable. "Our plans include everything from the Mustang to looking at future development of the EcoBoost motor. There could be a Focus or Fusion development in our future." Luft…
Last reply by G. David Felt, -
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Just wanted to post a few thoughts on the local auto show....what's the best forum to do that in these days?
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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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, -
I like to rent cars with automatic transmissions in Europe when I do rent a car because it eliminates one stressor and allows better focusing on traffic, signage, and defensive driving. Sadly, they milk tourist for this, with rates often being double. Stateside, your base Fiesta or Spark is implicitly automatic. So, it’s “funny” overseas because the purchase cost of that vehicle for the agencies is not twice as much because of the gearbox. That said, in the not so populated Algarve, the south facing coast of Portugal where it’s a collection of beach towns spread across some 150 miles, I decided to go with an econobox with a manual transmission and save some money.…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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, -
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Recent got to ride along on family member's rental. A new Hyundai Elantra impressions from the passenger seat: -clean sensible interior layout, with good room and space for a compact. room for 2 big guys and drink holders in between -styling is a bit bland but grows on you a bit. Not offensive or unattractive -did not feel overwhelmingly noisy or uncomfortable on the ride -seat cloth a bit too spartan. a nicer design would upgrade the whole interior -clean and simple dash layout.. not overstyled. -would be an attractive option to an overstyled Civic. A more open feeling than the Mazda3. Much nicer than a Corolla. -overall, goo…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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short spin.... handles really sweet. 7 speed auto, fairly responsive....still not a manual though. all in all, not really detracting from the drive much. the gimmicky nature of the shift lever is distracting though. Paddles make up for it. Size of the car is nice for anyone who doesn't carry people. Seats were comfy. Interior simple, and tasteful. I'd go for a couple inches wider and some more rear leg room. Interior not plush but in the front enough room to be sorta comfy in the excellent seats. Love the visibility out of the car. Partially this is due to the 2 door nature and lack of obtrusive pillars aplenty. Have to admit though.....the car did not feel ba…
Last reply by A Horse With No Name, -
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I won't write this as long as my other reviews. At the auto show a few weeks ago, they had a way for people to test drive (a few city blocks) some of the new vehicles. I managed a little time in a new Chevrolet Bolt EV!! I had been wanting to try out the new Bolt. I'm a fan of the Volt, but could leaving out the gas engine in fact be the way to go? The Volt is small outside, but it's skateboard platform allows for tremendous packaging efficiency. It doesn't seem at first to be much more than something the size of a Sonic or Encore, but it manages to be big enough inside to feel generally spacious. The unique dash and console design returns much space to the…
Last reply by ocnblu, -
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I had just finished up with a doctor's appointment and there was a Cadillac dealership right across the street. I don't usually look at Cadillacs but, since it was right across the street, I thought I'd look at their entry-level vehicle, the CT4. There was one in the showroom and it made for sticker shock. That's because it was the Blackwing edition, the top of the line. I was told that they are having trouble getting cars in general and that there was one slightly used or demo of the more basic CT4 on the lot. I told the lady there was no sense in opening it up since I was just looking. I'll do this review in pro and con style, like @regfootball does, to be…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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Have had some test drives and lot pics recently I just haven't had time to write or post about. It seems like car shopping is even harder than ever. There should be demo test drive locations where you can simply sample the car and not have to waste so much time. Reserve a few demos of the most popular configs of a car model and most reasonable people can get the first feel of if they like something or not from a self directed test drive at their leisure and not just a canned 4 minute route without a high speed road. Post covid also, a seeming drop in attitudes of the collective sales force. I say that, having done the car sales thing and knowing what sucks about the …
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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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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on its way bear with me DRIVEN slightly used 2014 Chevy Traverse LS FWD, not sure the MSRP HIGHS Snappy powertrain. Transmission shifts quick and finds the right gear, engine doesn't really have too much of a flat spot and revs nicely in this rig. Good passing power. Good driving position, passenger too. Good view out the front and not much hood to look over. Comfortable front row seats. Nice and wide for AMURCHAN butts. Feels decently carlike, for its size. Definitely not trucky like a Trailblazer. Steering that is neither too slow or too fast. And feels not too bad. Ride and bumps are nicely absorbed yet there is still a little feel. Not nois…
Last reply by regfootball, -
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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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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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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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I'll do this minor update with pros and cons, since it's just an update and it's easier. I had a white 2019 Malibu sedan that I drove for about a week from Michigan's U.P. to the Twin Cities. I've probably had a handful of this generation of Malibu as rentals. Pros: - familiar and popular - the 1.5 liter engine is up to the task, but that's probably because of the assist from the turbocharger - roomy interior and trunk - sensible dash layout and cluster arrangements that are easy to learn - respectable fuel mileage, especially on the highway - fairly comfortable seating - nimble and connected handling ... seems to be at its…
Last reply by Drew Dowdell, -
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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, -
- 2 followers
- 1 reply
- 925 views
Friend texted me; said he spotted a Maverick! I was actually close by where he was at, so I went to check it out. more pics later; just a few for now.
Last reply by balthazar, -
- 2 followers
- 1 reply
- 918 views
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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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, -
- 1 follower
- 1 reply
- 885 views
Spotted and touched a new Enclave a week or so back. Couldn't get inside Very impressed at how it continues the look of the outgoing model. Very tidy, and body gaps are much tighter. Not as bombastic in overall design as the old one. But the market will like the shape in the flesh. The size of the vehicle is literally spot on for the market. Perfect size. Buick's bling reduction I think is setting itself up to bring back the bling in mid cycle refresh..... The interior through the windows looks very well done. With lighter shades of materials, its not a dark tomb like most of the Traverses. The new dashboard is quite different than the outgoing one, a…
Last reply by trinacriabob, -
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- 875 views
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- 1 follower
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- 868 views
Here's some pics and thoughts on the Acuras I checked out in the showroom today.
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 1 follower
- 0 replies
- 857 views
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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- 835 views
I won't write this as long as my other reviews. At the auto show a few weeks ago, they had a way for people to test drive (a few city blocks) some of the new vehicles. I managed a little time in a new leather optioned Equinox diesel. I had been wanting to try out the new GM diesel. I'm not a huge fan of the new Equinox, but could the diesel engine in fact be the way to go? It helped that this Equinox was trimmed out nicely. Even had the BAMR (big ass moon roof). As a contrast to my quite loathed test drive of a 1.5 LS equinox not too long ago, the impression of the vehicle was very different. What had felt cheap and shitty in many ways with the anemic 1.5 …
Last reply by regfootball, -
- 0 replies
- 833 views
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, -
- 3 followers
- 4 replies
- 817 views
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,
