Automotive Reviews

Honda Element, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The small sport utility vehicle with its unique box-like style was an immediate hit. Its initial marketing gimmick was two-fold. With its “suicide” doors and second seat configuration, cycling enthusiasts could transport a bike or two width-wise in the cabin. Likewise, when bikes and other cargo were removed from the Element, the base model’s interior could easily be cleaned — with a garden hose. All of the indoor was plastic or rubber and thus easily washed. The base model is still “washable.” But most of the Element’s seven trims now have upgraded cloth seats and other standard features are not the best for garden-hose applications. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance,

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Chevrolet Camaro, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

More than 40 years after it debuted as a muscle car competitor to the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro re-emerged in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model after a several-year hiatus from the manufacturer’s lineup. The Camaro is available with V6 or V8 engines and in five trims, all of which attract immediate attention. The rejuvenated, fifth-generation Camaro resembles the Mustang in design. But it simultaneously brings the long-standing coupe a new, modern identity and retains the good and bad traits from its now middle-aged history and reputation. The Weekly Driver Test Drive East Coast folks laugh at us when we say “winter weather’s arrived.” In Sacramento, that usually means mid-30s, rain and sometimes fog. But there was

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Toyota Prius, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The standard and optional changes are substantial — the redesigned exterior, better gas mileage (the first legitimate 50 mpg EPA estimate) and Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA). The Prius is now among the top-20 best-selling cars in the country. Yet, it’s still a work in progress. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) For 2010, Toyota has added 24 additional horsepower, increasing the total to 134. That gives the Prius some confidence in freeway passing situations it previously couldn’t quite handle. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) The V series, one of five available, includes 17-inch wheels. That helps with sharper turns and better road firmness. Braking is satisfactory, but a few times, I had to abruptly hit the brakes hard and it felt like stepping

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BMW, 335d, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The 2009 version I drove six months ago attracted a lot of attention. Some onlookers didn’t know a BMW diesel was available in the United States. Other car enthusiasts wondered what the odd exterior promotional decals were all about. Little has changed with the 2010 model, the second year of car in this country. Officially, there’s only one change. The 2010 model has HD radio. But the promotional decals are long gone, replaced by a BMW strong point, exterior paint colors and a well-coordinated interior. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Most of the major car publications have selected the vehicle on best-of-the-year lists, and what’s to argue? Is

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Looking for a Ferrari? Tour de France rider George Hincapie may have a Ferrari F430 for you

About nine months ago, Hincapie purchased a 2006 Ferrari F430. But he’s now likely to sell the car because he just doesn’t have the opportunity to drive it much. During a recent trip to California to ride in a cancer awareness event for his work with Breakaway From Cancer and to help launch to new location of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, Hincapie discussed his 4.3-liter, 490-horsepower V8 (Red) Ferrari. Hincapie, 36, lives part-time in Greenville, S.C. He will compete May 16-23 in the Tour of California and then participate in the Tour de France for the 15th time, beginning July 3 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. During a wide-ranging, exclusive interview, Hincapie was asked about his Ferrari. The Weekly

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GM unveils new hybrid, a 'taller, roomy' Volt sibling, MPV5

And unlike the Volt the MPV5 concept is bigger and certainly heavier so GM says it will only go 32 miles on all electric mode. The Volt has a claimed 40-mile, all-electric range. Stylistically, the Chevy MPV5 concept is very similar to the Volt with a lot of features that look like they came straight out of the Volt including the MPV5 concept’s dashboard. The Volt is scheduled to go on sale toward the end of this year, and according to GM it will go about 40 miles on electricity only using a large lithium-ion battery before the car’s small gas engine kicks in to charge the battery and extend the car’s range. To read more about the Chevy MPV5

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Bugatti Veyron tops top-10 list of world’s most expensive cars

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is only four years old, but its reputation has quickly spread around the globe among elite automobile enthusiasts. It tops the list of the world’s top-10 most expensive cars. Here’s the list: Bugatti Veyron,  $1,700,000 The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407 km/h or 253 mph). It reached full production in September 2005. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS and is sold under the legendary Bugatti marque. It is named after racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original

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Suzuki Kizashi, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

The most important part of the car is the door handle. Why? It’s the first part of the car you touch. In my case, it was love at first touch with the all new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS. What Suzuki has managed to build is a $20,000 car that looks and feels like a $30,000 car. For me, the mark of a good car, make that a great car, is its ability to make you feel special when you drive it. And I felt like a C list movie star in the Kizashi. The Kizashi GTS isn’t a great car but it’s a very good car. Let’s start with what keeps it from being a great car. The 2.4L engine

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Hyundai Tucson, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

But just like many of the most fashionable shoes in the world, you have to sacrifice comfort to look so good. Don’t get me wrong. My tester had all of the latest toy and technology you’d expect from a small, modern crossover including: All-wheel drive, Navigation (6.5 inch screen0, Enormous/Panoramic duel sunroofs, Satellite radio, Premium Audio (with external amp and Sub-woofer) . . . and the list goes on. In fact, my tester’s grand total of goodies came to a segment-topping sticker price of $29,590.00. That’s a lot of money and a lot goodies for a small CUV. But that wasn’t why I struggled with the Tucson. The biggest issue: I could not get comfortable in the car. I’m 6’2

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Ford Fiesta, 2011: Roman Mica's rambling video review

“The Michigan-based carmaker is about to introduce the diminutive Ford Fiesta this summer to American car buyers. The American Fiesta, while made in Mexico, is almost identical to the European version now the best-selling car in Europe. “In the United States, we get basically the same car as the Europeans, as well as a sedan version of the 5-door hatch not a for sale in the ‘old world.’ Ford thinks young urban types will take to the car which gets 30/40 mpg with a dual clutch automatic Ford calls a PowerShift. Prices start at $15,795. Mica’s assessment of the 2011 Ford Fiesta is below: To read more of Roman Mica’s reviews, visit: www.tflcar.com. Facts & Figures: 2011 Ford Fiesta Specification

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Ferrari announces six new models, including hypercar, to debut before 2013

According to the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, a new variety of the entry-level 458 Spider will be debut the new offerings and is scheduled for 2011. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars A new generation of the 612 Scaglietti will follow and likely provide the base for Ferrari’s first hybrid model. Codenamed F151, the 612 Scaglietti successor’s name is still unknown. In 2012, the next hypercar Ferrari will debut, based on the small production mystique of the Enzo. A new version of the 599 GTB Fiorano, currently known as F152, will also debut in 2012. The Ferrari California will receive a major facelift in 2013 and

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Ford Transit Connect, 2010: The Weekly Driver Review

Named “North American Truck of the Year 2010” at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the 2010 Ford Transit Connect can seat five, but can also be configured to seat two. Ford‘s official web site features several examples of small businesses customizing the Transit Connect with various signage and with several interior modifications. The examples all provide ideal reasons why 600,000 Transits have sold in 58 countries and on four continents since the “leisure activity vehicle” debuted in 2003. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It didn’t take more than a few minutes on my first drive in the Transit Connect to generate comments. One relative (my wife) and one acquaintance (the woman in the local drive-thru coffee kiosk) suggested

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Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans with corrosion problem

Toyota is recalling about 600,000 certain Sienna minivans from 1998 to 2010 models years sold in the United States to address potential corrosion on spare tire cables. The Japanese manufacturer reported “prolonged exposure” to road salts may lead to corrosion of the carrier cable in these vehicles. As a result, the spare tire to fall from the car. “In the worst case, the carrier cable may fail and the spare tire could become separated from the vehicle, a road hazard for following vehicles that increases the likelihood of a crash,” Toyota said. Toyota, plagued by several recalls in the past year, said it is “working to develop” a solution to the problem. Until a fix is found, customers will receive

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Audi A5, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But other than a much-needed catchy acronym (how about A5?), nothing else should be forgotten about the new Audi. It’s proven so popular, it’s now available in 14 configurations, with a vast range of prices. My test drive for the week, for example, had a base price of more than $15,000 less than the out-the-door price. The major culprit was the $8,300 “Prestige Model” that adds 13 features to the car — a Bang & Olufsen sound system to keyless start and Xenon headlights and a navigation system with a rear detection camera. Six other options catapulted the price into the $60,000 plateau. That’s luxury car status in a sports car. Likes: Convertible top’s ease of use. Push a button,

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Volkswagen Golf, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Thirty-seven years later, the sixth edition in 2010 continues the car’s legacy without missing an RPM. Through 2007, more than 25 million of the cars had been built. According to the manufacturer, it’s the best-selling Volkswagen in history and the third best-selling vehicle of all-time. The sixth generation Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit model features a more spacious interior and slight changes to the grille, headlights and air intake. It’s also now called the Golf again after four years as the Rabbit. Golf is the more global name for the car. Beyond the name switch and design changes, the Golf remains an easy-to-like, sturdy and handsome hatchback — inside and out. Equipped with a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower, inline 5-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission,

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Subaru Forester, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Additionally, the Forester, like all Subaru models, features an all-wheel drive drivetrain. It’s the standard in the industry that nicely complements another keen Forester features. The Forester’s low center of gravity allows the vehicle to meet the U.S. federal standards for passenger vehicles, and thus it does not require a risk of rollover warning label. The name Forester was used to convey the vehicle is “of the forest.” The name has always worked. The Forester’s characters are shared with siblings Legacy and Outback and the manufacturer’s versatility was a primary reason why it was chosen by the U.S. ski team years ago as one of the first “official vehicles” involved in sponsorship. The 2010 Forester has only slight updates following

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