Automotive Reviews Archives - Page 83 of 121

Ferrari formerly owned by Charlie Sheen 'winning' on eBay

Charlie Sheen apparently took better care of the Ferrari he once owned than he has other possessions in his volatile life of fame, fortune and misfortune. The controversial actor purchased new a 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello. But Sheen sold the car, according to Internet reports, to pay for his wedding to former wife Denise Richards. Now the current owner of the car has placed it for sale on eBay. Sheen’s former Ferrari, according to the eBay listing, has been driven 25,725 miles and features, among other options: leather seats, CD player, anti-lock brakes, driver airbag, passenger airbag, air conditioning, power lock, power windows and power seats. The images of the car portray it as in pristine condition. One images appears

Sport Utility Vehicles

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2011 car review

The 2011 Mitsubishi compact Outlander Sport SUV/crossover isn’t as racy as it looks with its so-so four-cylinder engine. But it has decent prices, handy size, many features and good fuel economy. The five-passenger Outlander Sport is more of a crossover vehicle than an SUV. It’s based on Mitsubishi’s larger seven-passenger Outlander SUV. But it doesn’t have its big brother’s third-row seat and is more than a foot shorter with chopped front and rear overhangs, although it’s much closer in width and height. Wheelbase is the same at 105.1 inches, but the Outlander Sport is lighter feels sportier. The base version with an automatic transmission only weighs 3,098 pounds, which makes the Outlander Sport among the lightest in its class. This

Economy cars

New design for 2012 Nissan Versa, 2nd-cheapest U.S. Car

The 2012 Nissan Versa, the second generation of the entry level sub-compact, will have its North American debut April 20-21 at the New York Auto Show. The recent increases in gas prices will likely add to what is already expected to be substantial attention for the Versa. The sub-compact segment is among the most competitive with Versa’s challengers including the Chevrolet Sonic, redesigned Hyundai Accent and Ford Fiesta as well as the updated Toyota Yaris and Mazda2. With the exception of “spy shots,” few details of the 2012 Versa are available, but the design has been described as “edgier.” The Versa was introduced in the United States and in Canada in July 2006 as a 2007 model. The hatchback model

Specialty cars

Elizabeth Taylor: movies, philanthropy and fast cars

One of the more unique, often overlooked components of the long, varied career of Elizabeth Taylor was her sex appeal in cars. The actress, AIDS activist and philanthropist who died March 23, spent a fair amount of time in movies driving cars. Affairs of the heart, money, intrigue and the politics of romance were all usually part of Taylor’s scenes that also included automobiles. Of course, Taylor’s driving was the creation of Hollywood. Nevertheless, some of her car scenes, including a high speed chase from more than 50 years ago, remain part of “cars in movies” lore. In BUtterfield 8, made in 1960, Taylor, age 28, starred as a call girl. The uppercase “U” in the film’s title is deliberate.

Electric and Hybrid

Fisker Karma production begins in Finland, April U.S. debut

Production of the Fisker Karma extended-range electric vehicle has begun in Finland and delivery of cars is expected in the United States in April, according to several automotive web sites. The Karma will reportedly travel 50 miles on a full charge and will have a beginning price at $88,000. “We’re going to be ramping up very slowly, very carefully to ensure quality. This year we want to get over 7,000 deliveries,” Roger Ormisher, Fisker spokesman said in a press release. A report by AutoWeek detailed Fisker’s plans to offer an a stock IPO this year, and the Anaheim, California-based company recently secured an additional $150 million in funding. The new funding will help develop other models, including the Nina sedan,

Specialty cars

Ferrari expert picks 15 most beautiful models in history

Marcel Massini is editor of two Ferrari magazines and is a renowned historian on the iconic Italian manufacturer. Correspondingly, the CNBC web site is fond of lists on all kinds of topics, including a topic presented to Massini — selecting the 15 most beautiful Ferrari models of all time. In no particular order, here’s the list. For each listing, Massini briefly describes the car, lists the number made and an estimated value. For one of the 15 Ferrari models on the list, Massini commented: “One-off for King Leopold of Belgium and has a huge motor. Estimated Value: $10 million. Units Built: 1.” The Top-15 Most Beautiful Ferrari in History: 375 Plus Cabriolet (1954) 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta (1967) 250 Testa Rossa

Specialty cars

Cheap, used Bugatti Veyron at auction a salty risk?

It’s unlikely the purchase of a Bugatti Veyron, among the mot revered cars in the world, is ever classified as a bargain. But someone may be about to get a deal on a five-year-old Veyron — if they’re an automotive gambler. There’s less than one day left on an auction site to bid on a 2006 Bugatti Veyron. The car is the infamous vehicle that was driven into a Texas lagoon two years ago. A 25-second video of the car’s high-speed lake entrance was a You Tube sensation. The auction web site lists the car with a cash value of $1.5 million. Among the other statistics listed: coupe, gray, no key and the most relevant — salt water damage and

Luxury cars

Acura TSX 2011 car review

The Acura TSX (Touring Sportscar eXperimental) debuted in April 2003 as a 2004 model. It remains the smallest and entry level sedan of the luxury brand. As the replacement for the Integra, the TSX and its new sibling wagon edition are built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It seems fewer sedans are readily available with manual transmissions, which is the dominating reason my weekly test drive of the Acura TSX was so enjoyable. The standard engine remains the 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder with 201 horsepower. But with the six-speed manual transmission rather than the 5-speed automatic, the TSX moves into the unique category of sports car sedan. With the smooth-shifting manual transmission, it’s hard to categorize the vehicle

Economy cars

Toyota Corolla, 2011: World's best-selling car 'refreshed'

Not very excited by cars? Just looking for a comfortable, economical sedan with long-term durability? The 2011 compact Toyota Corolla might be for you. It’s hard to go wrong with the front-drive Corolla, which in various forms over the years has outsold the Ford Model T and rear-engine Volkswagen Beetle. The Corolla arrived as a $1,700 two-door rear-drive model with 60 horsepower in 1968. More than 30 million have been sold worldwide. The 2009 Corolla was slightly revised, and the 2011 model has freshened front and rear styling, along with interior design updates. Changes were made to the front and rear bumpers, grille, headlights, trunk lid and taillights. But the Corolla still looks rather chunky and not as elegant as

Electric and Hybrid

Chinese Zotye leads Chevy, Telsa in first all-electric SUV race

All electric sport utility vehicles are on the near horizon, but which company will debut its offering first remains a race among the Green Automotive and its imported Zotye, AMP/GM’s revised, all-electric Chevy Equinox and a Tesla powered Toyota RAV4 EV. Green Automotive appears to be in the race lead. A fleet of nine Zotye electric SUVs has been shipped to the United States The SUV is powered by a lithium-ion battery which sends the power to an electric motor. It has a top speed of up to 70 mph and can provide an electric range of up to 150 miles. According to Green Automotive’s recent announcement, Roush Industries has been retained to provide testing and engineering feedback on how

Economy cars

Honda Fit gets Consumer Reports' overall best value honor

In addition to its varied category and overall best and worst category lists, Consumer Reports has a best value list and the 2011 Honda Fit has emerged as a double winner — best small car value and best overall value in 2011 among more than 200 different vehicles analyzed. “A low price doesn’t necessarily make a car a good value,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports. “At a time when people need to make every dollar count, our best value list highlights the models that give you a lot for your money.” Consumer Reports uses performance, reliability, and ownership cost data to calculate value scores, with all cars in the same category — the entry level Honda Fit

Electric and Hybrid

Chevrolet Volt 2011 review: kudos, warts, puzzlement

As senior editor for High Gear Media, John Voelcker has written what The Weekly Driver believes is the definitive review of the 2011 Chevy Volt. He praises and criticizes it. And he finds the Volt puzzling. Voelcker, whose work has appeared in many print and online publications, is a commentator on National Public Radio and for other broadcast outlets. He was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the International Motor Press Association. Voeckler has reviewed about a dozen hybrid vehicles. He recently evaluated the Volt for five days, driving it more than 700 miles. Here’s a capsule of what he liked, disliked and was puzzled by with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt: Likes: 1. The lit blue power button.

Specialty cars

Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac Eldorado, Honda Accord iconic 'antiques' at age 25

Twenty-five years ago, “Top Gun,” and “Platoon,” were among the year’s top movies, while “Cheers” and “Murder, She Wrote” were favorites among television audiences. And it also 1986 when the Chevrolet Corvette convertible, Honda Accord and Mercedez-Benz 300D all began new chapters of their enduring legacies. Cars 25 years old are eligible for the Antique Automobile Club of America car show. As such, here’s a list of key eligible cars from 1986: Acura Integra, Acura Legend, Cadillac Eldorado, Chevrolet Corvette (convertible), Ford Aerostar, Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, Honda Accord, Mazda RX-7, Mercedes-Benz 300E/300D, Toyota Celica. Some of the best-known cars from 1986 are more significant than others. The Chevrolet Corvette convertible, for example, was important because the famed sports car

Sport Utility Vehicles

Scion xB, 2011 car review

The original Scion from Toyota’s youth division arrived here in the summer of 2003 as a rebadged version of a Japanese-market Toyota. It was at home on Japan’s narrow, crowded roads, but too small and slow on highways for America. Still, the four-door hatchback Scion was a hit with younger drivers here who liked its quirky boxy look and drew a surprising (to Toyota) number of older drivers who took to it for its low price, practicality, economy and roominess for its handy size. The 2008 version retained the old model’s slab-sided design, front-wheel drive and five-occupant capacity. But, catering more to American tastes, Scion increased the wheelbase by 4 inches, overall length by a foot and width by nearly

Economy cars

Honda Civic 2011 car review

For several years, the Honda Civic has likely held a unique distinction throughout the automotive industry — most available trims. The 2011 Civic is available as a sedan or coupe and it’s offered in five main trim levels: DX, LX, EX, EX-L and Si. As a sedan-only, Honda also offers the DX Value package, the LX-S, the Hybrid and the GX. The likely reason for all choices is that the Civic is perennially among the top-selling cars in the United States. That makes for an easy equation — more is better. Since its 1972 debut the Civic has evolved through eight generations. The much-anticipated ninth generation Civic redesign is set for the 2012. Early examples are currently making auto show

Luxury cars

Has famed digital artist created World's Ugliest Ferrari?

There’s no more iconic color in the automotive world than Ferrari Red. Yellow, blue, white or any other color Ferrari is perfectly fine, too. Unless, it’s a Ferrari 430 Scuderia and it’s been turned into a canvas for one of Laurence Gartel’s wild creations. Gartel, known as the “Father of Digital Art,” has had his work exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, among other museums, in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American History. But Gartel, who has created artwork for many musicians, including Debbie Harry (Blondie), Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols) Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, has taken the pure beauty of a Ferrari and turned it into a nightmare. The over-the-top video below is ripe

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