Volvo V70, 2006: The Weekly Driver Car Review

If a buyer’s purchase priorities are comfort, performance and safety, Volvo is a fine choice. The 2006 Volvo V70 R (station wagon) further adds to the already nice Volvo overall package with its substantial cargo room. Still, the V70 finds itself in a tough crowd among the industry’s fastest growing sales segment, the premium midsized class. It includes the Mercedes Benz E-Class, the Audi all-road Quattro, Cadillac CTS and Infiniti G35, among others. My test drive for the week was the Volvo V70 R (all-wheel drive), one of four model options including the XC70 (raised suspension). The six-speed automatic features

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Jaguar XF, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

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Facts & Figures: 2010 Jaguar XF Specification Details Engine 8-cylinder, 4.2L Transmission Automatic (S6) Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy 16 city / 25 hwy / 19 combined mpg Fuel Type Premium Gasoline

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Scion xB, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s a subjective call whether any Scion qualifies as royalty. Regardless of its lineage, the Scion xB is a viable SUV alternative. It’s marketed as a urban utility vehicle and often described as a box on wheels. Its appearance prompts attention, and it should gather further notice via its value as a versatile, moderately price family alternative. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) It’s a 2.4-liter, 158 horsepower, 4-cylinder upsized wagon with a four-speed automatic transmission. It’s not slow, but don’t expect much when trying to pass slower traffic on even the slightest incline. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) For its style (OK,

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Ferrari 430: An iconic sports car nearing its final production (with video)

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Its replacement, the Ferrari 458 Italia was unveiled on the 28th July 2009, and is expected to go on sale in Spring 2010. The F430’s all-aluminum chassis was produced in partnership with Alcoa and is virtually identical to that of the previous model, the Ferrari 360. In the F430 it has been slightly re-worked and improved with extra stiffening beams around the floor pan. The car shares parts with the 360, including the roof, doors, front windshield, and passenger compartment-to-engine glass. Internally, both cars are referred to with the same model number (F131), although the F430 has the Evoluzione tag

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Toyota recall: 3.8 millon Lexus, Toyota vehicles could have faulty floormats prompting stuck accelerators

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The recall will cover recent versions of the Camry and Avalon sedans, the Prius hybrid, the Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks and luxury Lexus models, the IS250 and the IS350 as well as the ES350. The U.S. safety recall would be the largest in Toyota‘s history. Toyota and U.S. safety regulators warned owners to remove all driver-side floor mats from eight Toyota and Lexus models sold in the United States, including its Prius hybrid, as an immediate safety precaution. The U.S. safety recall would be the largest in Toyota‘s history. A cost estimate for the company’s still-developing recall was not

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The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering still planned for 2010 despite hotel closure

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For 2010, a few of the celebrated marks will be: Featured Milestone Cars of 1934, 45 Years of the Shelby Mustang and Alfa Romeo Special Coachbuilders. As in past years, the event will also feature the tradition of The Great Ferraris along with Pre and Post-War Sport, Pre and Post-War Racing, Sport and Racing Motorcycles and Super Cars. “We are proud to be recognized as one of the most sought after events during Monterey’s Classic Cars Week,” said Sarah Cruse, General Manager of Quail Lodge. “Our team has excelled in creating an exclusive day-long celebration where automotive collectors and connoisseurs

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General Motors News: Massive production increase, rehiring for 2010

GM also expects another 600 jobs will be restored at affiliated locations across the United States. U.S. auto dealer inventories were trimmed sharply after the federal government’s “cash for clunkers” program lifted sales in July and August with incentives of up to $4,500 to turn in gas-guzzling vehicles and buy new more fuel-efficient models. GM will draw from its pool of laid off workers first to fill restored positions and expects virtually all of jobs to be filled by workers now on layoff or who would be subject to layoff once other plants are idled. In September, GM said it

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Chevrolet Malibu, Volvo S60 get largest depreciation, appreciation honors

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But the Malibu still can’t find its true identity. It’s been selected as among the country’s most improved vehicles. But it’s also now near the top the list for largest depreciation value. In the most recent statistics released in August by Kelley Blue Book, the Chevrolet Malibu has the second-worst depreciation The Malibu, a midsize, lost 5.5 percent of its value for the month despite being one of General Motors’ most highly touted cars. On the contrary, Volvo (two models), Porsche and Kia were the vehicles with best appreciation. Here are the Kelley Blue Book statistics: Top 10 Depreciating Cars

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Cars.com selects Smart ForTwo, Chevrolet Malibu as worst, most improved cars of the decade

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But approaching the end of the first decade of the 21st century, editors at Cars.com have decided publish lists of the top-10 most improved and top-10 worst cars of the decade. The much-maligned Pontiac Aztec is on the list of the top-10 worst cars of the decade, but it isn’t worst. And the Chevrolet Malibu is the most improved car of the last decade? Really. Suffice is to say the lists are surprising. In reserve order, here are the top-10 worst cars of the decade and the top-10 most improved with a comments on the No. 1 worst and No.

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Old Cars Weekly: Global database for vintage, race cars

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With a foundation of facts on 5,000-plus makes and 15,000 models, Old Cars Report makes available the massive databases accumulated over the past four decades by the publishers of Old Cars Weekly and Old Cars Price Guide. Current market pricing, market trends, historic values, recent auction prices realized, historic data on your make and model car, condition rating scales, photos. Old Cars Report has got it all on a scale that has never been attempted. To get started, visit oldcarsweekly.com and click on the Old Cars Report. Select the make, model and year of the car you want to learn

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Ferrari Red will also be "Green" says company president

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Ferrari, according to company president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, is also developing hybrid vehicles. Ferrari is currently developing a vehicle that will use alternative energy sources and which will be based on its Formula 1 vehicle. In Formula 1, Ferrari uses a Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS), designed to draw extra power from the brakes. Ferrari said its hybrid will be available to the general public in 2015. Montezemolo said he believes the public will embrace a hybrid or electric Ferrari since “It’s the best sports car in the world and it will still fundamentally be a Ferrari.”

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Safest Cars For Pets? Dodge Journey to Mazda 5 to Volvo XC70

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As part of its Pet Safety Program, Bark Buckle UP and Edmunds.com have collaborated to determine the top 10 vehicles whose features make them best suited for safe pet travel. Here are the top-10 choices with a brief comment, about the first listing, the Dodge Journey: Dodge Journey Ford Flex GMC Acadia Hyundai Tucson Jeep Liberty Kia Borrego Mazda 5 Mitsubishi Outlander Subaru Tribeca Volvo XC70 The complete story is available on www.edmunds.com. The synopsis of the Dodge Journey “To ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pets, all gear must be secure when driving, and the Journey offers in-floor

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Volkswagen recall: Faulty transmission sensor possibly affects 13,500 recent models

Volkswagen of America has announced a voluntary recall on 13,500 VW models equipped with DSG transmissions which could have faulty temperatures sensors. If problematic, a phantom warning lamp could illuminate and possibly cause the transmission to shift into neutral. Models affected include the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009, which includes primarily 2009 MY and a small percentage of 2010 MY vehicles. Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Volkswagen of America to schedule an appointment at a local dealer to have their vehicle inspected, and if necessary, conduct repairs. Contact

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Volvo Cross Country (XC 70) T6, 2009: Roman Mica's Ramblimg Review (Video)

Three-minute speed review: Can you see yourself falling in love with the 2009 Volvo XC 70 T6 wagon. You’ve heard of speed dating. Yes? Today I’m happy to introduce speed reviewing. Give me three minutes and I’ll give you all the important stuff you needabout a car in my three-minute speed review.

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Maserati Clunker? How about Maserati Biturbo junker?

While the 25-year Italian sports car can be categorized as rare, it’s certainly not in high demand. In fact, the 1984 Maserati Bitiurbo has a dubious distinction. It’s listed as No. 37 on the Time Magazine list of Worst Cars in History. The same Maserati is also made the dubious list called “Crap Cars” compiled by the BBC. It’s also cited on some lists as the worst car made in 1984. The 1985 Maserati Biturbo is, however, unique. Among the thousands of old largely American pick-up trucks and SUVs turned in across the country in the “Cash For Clunkers” program,

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Tour de France revisited: Daily caravan of buses, cars and motorhomes

This year’s race began in Monaco and advanced into Andorra, Spain, Switzerland and Italy and France. I drove a 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso min-MPV. It’s a boxy crossover with a five-speed manual transmission, decent acceleration and a lot of storage room. It used diesel fuel, which in France (and other European countries) is more than $1 cheaper gallon than standard grade unleaded gas. It’s sold in liters, with 3.8 liters equaling a gallon. Prices varied from .88 to 1.15 euros per liter, or $3.34 to $4.37 per gallon. During my 23 days at the Tour de France, I drove the

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