Honda S2000, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

On a warm, spring day and with a convertible top down, anyone who enjoys the combination of shifting gears, fresh air and the open road will thrive on the route. It’s a drivers’ nirvana tucked among forests of Redwood trees and rolling hills. And so it was recently when my wife and I spent a getaway weekend. We drove the segment twice en route and returning from the Mendocino/Ft. Bragg coastline to Sacramento in the Honda S2000, the 2005 edition. The two-seat convertible, unchanged from its 2004 debut, is Honda‘s only sports car, and it adds a pure-fun component to

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Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2005: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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As an entry level wagon, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza offers budget-minded buyers a spacious wagon with a good supply of standard features. But as a debut vehicle, it’s also unproven in the resale market and has shortcomings that ideally define its position in the marketplace. My weekly test drive was the LX wagon, one of 10 available Forenza models in 2005. The 2.0-liter, 16-value, 126-horsepower engine has a four-speed automatic transmission, the only option. The vehicle has gas good mileage estimates for its class, and the wagon accelerates adequately in city scenarios. But it’s sluggish and needs a full-throttle jolt

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Nissan Maxima, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Yet the Maxima shows itself well in the midsize crowd with a superior interior and exterior design, comfort and myriad individualized features. My test drive for the week was SE edition, one of three Maximas available. Largely unchanged since 2004, the SE offers a powerful ride with a 3.5-liter, 24-value, 265-horsepower V6 engine. The four-door sedan has a five-speed manual transmission and more-than-adequate power. The Weekly Driver test showcased the vehicle at its finest — with one brief exception — during a weekend getaway that included myriad driving circumstances. The three-day, two-night jaunt from Sacramento to Santa Cruz, Calif., included

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Hyundai Accent, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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With its new design for 2006, the Hyundai Accent is a formidable player in the compact class. It’s bigger, it has more power and it has additional safety features than its predecessor. Add Hyundai‘s industry-leading warranty and the new Accent is hard to beat as an entry level vehicle that when equipped with every available option costs less than $15,000. My weekly driver was the GLS 4-door model with a  four-speed automatic transmission. The Accent is also available with a five-speed manual transmission, and that’s good news for RVers since Hyundai has approved its flat-towing capabilities Both automatic and manual

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Honda Odyssey, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Since its 1999 debut, the Honda Odyssey has been at the front of the minivan ranks. It combines superior styling, functionality and versatility. And it performs like a sedan masquerading as an eight-passenger van. The 2006 edition only further solidifies the vehicle’s pedigree. Much of the Odyssey’s current styling and improvements were added in 2005. And there was no reason to mess with a good thing. In short, the Odyssey’s cavernous interior space, its well-designed seat configuration and overall comfort are hard to beat. My test vehicle for the week was the Touring Edition, one of seven available Odysseys, and

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Chrysler 300, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Among the most discussed and highly praised new vehicles on the road, the Chrysler 300 offers sedan fanciers sophistication, power and a lot of luxury — all packaged about as nicely as feasible. It’s as if the heavy-duty tankers of yesteryear have been given a modern-day makeover. Gone is the sluggish, gas-guzzling reputation of cruiser sedans. Instead, the new Chrysler has gone upscale and elegant as if the terms sleek and sturdy and dutiful and cruising family sedan are no longer mutually exclusive. My test drive for the week was the 300C. It featured a a 340-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V8

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Saturn Aura, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

With 16 manufacturers offering midsize cars and another 10 manufacturers in the premium midsize market, newcomers in the exceedingly popular category often face rough sales roads. Saturn didn't fare well with its midsize L-Series, which was discontinued in 2004. But the General Motors division is trying again with the 2007 Aura.

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Audi A4, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But not everything is quite right with the A4 and its price point, particularly considering several option packages, provides more than one reason to consider other manufacturers’ offerings. My weekly test drive was the 2007 A4 sedan 2.0 T quattro AT6. It featured a 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower, DOHC turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The A4 is a handsomely designed sedan and its attractive body style and exterior color (ocean blue pearl) combined to attract a good share of attention. Add the platinum-colored interior to the mix, and the Audi is among the nicest-looking sedans on the road. Audi‘s

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Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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But the Forenza falls short in too many key areas, most notably craftsmanship and performance. As such, it isn’t a prudent choice in the economical wagon category. My weekly drive, like all Forenza and Reno (the hatchback) models included a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, 127-horsepower engine. It also featured a four-speed automatic transmission (a five-speed manual transmission is also available). The automatic transmission is the vehicle’s key disappointment. Acceleration is adequate from a stopped start, but it’s nowhere near as efficient in mid-range speed acceleration or in freeway situations. Likewise, the automatic shifting takes a concerted effort whether maneuvering into a

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Nissan Altima, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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The two-door features unique body panels that share only the hood. Additionally, the wheelbase and overall length has been shortened and it the coupe has an upgraded suspension. The result is a Euro-styled machine that garners further attention from passersby and deserves even more consideration after its driven. The 2008 Altima sedan will be available in four trims, but only the coupe is currently available in the new year’s model, and it has two options. My test vehicle was the 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower and a six-speed manual transmission. There’s also a 3.5-liter V6 option with 270 horsepower.

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Cadillac CTS, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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After its debut at the North American International Auto Show, success arrived quickly for the CTS after its public debut last August. Motor Trend magazine selected the CTS as its 2008 car of the year. After five years of the first generation CTS, it was redesigned for 2008, and it’s easy to see and feel why the car has generated glowing reviews. The base model features a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 with 258 hp. My weekly drive was the more powerful option, a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with 304 horsepower. It has a six-speed automatic transmission, which is

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Mazda RX-8, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Sports cars are rarely known for comfort or convenience. But Mazda does a good job of overcoming the stigma with the RX-8. It’s a coupe with four doors (sort of) and it’s about as comfortable as sports cars get. Mazda further differentiates itself in the sports car class via its signature rotary engine. It’s the system that replaces pistons pumping in cylinders with triangular rotors spinning in oval chambers. My weekly driver was the 2008 Grand Touring model, the most expensive of the three options, including the Sport and Touring. Each has a 1.3-liter, 232-horsepower engine with a six-speed manual

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Mazda 3, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Although I was unaware of its popularity among women, I was about to find out as the two of them gushed over the subcompact vehicle. I’ve learned through some subsequent research that women do indeed think highly of the Mazda 3. It possesses the cute factor, which means females universally like the look of the Mazda 3, especially the bright red one driven here for a week. And though I don’t have the research to back up this statement, my guess is that men find the Mazda 3 appealing as well. Perhaps you’ve heard of the term “zoom-zoom? Well it’s

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Audi A4, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Not many vehicles in the same class are offered as a sedan, convertible and wagon, and that’s another strong trait for the vehicle often credited with jettisoning Audi out of its sales slump and image problems in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The ’08 Audi remains largely unchanged from 2007. The minor alterations include new bumpers and a new lower side door trim. The A4 is available with one of two engines. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder produces 200 horsepower and the 3.1-liter V6 has 255 horsepower. My weekly test drive is the 2.0-liter, turbocharged Quattro, Audi’s all-wheel drive

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Jaguar Super V8, 2008: Bill Belew's Car Buzz

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Life before and after the Jaguar Super V8 in no particular order. Before — I used to worry about fuel prices. After — If I can afford this car, ($95K) I don’t need to worry about another $1-2/gallon increase. Besides 22 mpg on the highway and the Jaguar will get me from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Cincinnati to Nashville, the New Orleans to Miami. Before — I used to hate getting stuck in traffic. After — I just love sitting in the Jaguar. Who needs to get anywhere in a hurry when you are sitting in a moving living

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BMW, 128i, 2008: The Weekly Driver (Video Review)

After much anticipation, earlier this year BMW introduced to the United States its 128 series. It’s the German manufacturer’s reasonably priced coupe and convertible, and it couldn’t have been introduced at a better time. From my weekly drive with the 128i convertible and its 3.0-liter, 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, the car is an unqualified success. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I present another of in the continuing series of new car video reviews. Facts & Figures: 2008 BMW 128i Specification Details Engine 6-cylinder, 3.0L Transmission Automatic (S6) Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy 19 city / 28 hwy / 22 combined mpg

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