Chevrolet Malibu (Hybrid), 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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The promotion began in earnest during the 2007 World Series and it hasn’t waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that’s a hefty task. With its hybrid version, new for 2008, the Malibu features GMC‘s “mild hybrid system” rather than its dual mode full hybrid system. The hybrid’s configuration is a 36-volt electric motor coupled with a 2.4 liter Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual transmission. Using an integrated starter-generator, mild hybrid approach the gasoline engine shuts off at stoplights or other stopping situations. With its well-touted exterior redesign, the

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Dodge Avenger RT, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Shopping for a Dodge Stratus and can’t find the 2008 model? Call off the search, the Stratus is no longer part of the Dodge lineup. After selling nearly 100,000 units in 2005, sales of the Status dropped nearly in half in 2006. That was enough to convince parent company Chrysler it was time to pull the plug on the modest, mid-size sedan. It was a necessary if Dodge wanted to stay competitive in the mid-size sedan classification. Dodge filled the opening with the Avenger. It’s a catchier name and Chrysler hopes the vehicle will also attract more buyers. The larger

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Subaru Legacy, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

When discussing the Subaru lineup the first thing often mentioned is the all-wheel drive capability, because a foul-weather vehicle is always desirable in many regions of the country. Every Subaru is equipped with a traction-grabbing advantage that makes many drivers like me anxious to take a journey into the high country. However, this review of the Subaru Legacy Limited will be restricted to uninspired trips around South Placer County in Northern California. Sound dull? Some weeks are like that, especially the days following Christmas this year when the weather was damp, dreary and staying indoors seemed like a pretty enticing

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It's Fast, It's Light, It's A Car & It's Made With Wood

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The 4.6 meter-long, two-seater “Splinter” car, is made from maple, plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF). It has a 4.6-liter V8 petrol engine and a six-speed gearbox. According to designer, Joe Harmon, age 27, his new vehicle weighs 1,134 kilograms — 240 kilograms less than the lightweight Porsche 911 GT3. Despite its power, it will achieve 20 mpg. “Wood is a truly amazing material to work with,” Harmon said. “It has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than aluminum or steel, and it possesses a versatility that makes many different types of construction techniques possible.” The car is due is expected to

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Keep On Truckin': Americans keeping cars (and trucks) longer

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In 2007, 41.3 percent of all cars were 11 years or older, compared with 40.9 percent the year before. The median age for trucks and sport utility vehicles rose 4 percent to 7.1 years. Dave Goebel, a consultant for Polk’s aftermarket team, said those numbers are starting to reflect a surge in truck and SUV purchases in the mid-to late 1990s. Purchases of new cars fell 3 percent in the U.S. in 2007 as a combination of factors, including high gas prices and the housing crisis, weighed on consumers and led many to put off buying new cars. The Service

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Consumer Reports Selects Its Top-10 Cars For 2008

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Small sedan: Hyundai Elantra, Cost: $18,000 — “The Elantra is a well-rounded small car that provides good fuel economy, a comfortable ride and an interior that’s quiet, roomy and well-equipped.” (TheWeekly Driver.com comment: I drove a 2007 Elantra about 1,000 miles from San Jose to Los Angeles to Sacramento. It performed surprisingly well, particularly over the ominous Grapevine on Interstate 5.) Midsize SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe, Cost: $22,000-$31,000 — The recently redesigned Santa Fe performed better than the Honda Pilot in Consumer Reports’ testing. “It provides a quiet and roomy interior, excellent fit and finish, a refined powertrain, a relatively

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Chevy Malibu, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that’s a hefty task. With its hybrid, new for 2008, the Malibu features GMC’s “mild hybrid system” rather than its dual mode full hybrid system. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars And when compared to other hybrid offerings, the Malibu goes in reverse before it finds forward gears. The reason: Early mileage reports for the hybrid are about two percent higher than to 22 to 27 mph for the gas engine Malibu. That’s

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VW Beetle To Ford Model T: The Top-5 Best-Selling Cars In History

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Personally, I liked to see more Model-Ts. But according to the automotive news web site, Automoportal.com, the Model T and the Corolla have a lot in common. Both are among the top-five best-selling cars in history. Here’s the list of the top-five best-selling cars in history and a comment on each vehicle: AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars 1. Toyota Corolla. It’s now more than 40 years and it’s been manufactured in nine generations and more than 35 million have sold.  It’s topped the all-time bestseller list

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Today's Cars: Bench Seats Benched, Ashtrays Extinquished?

In a recent piece Printz details traditional car features and gadgets no longer offered or rarely offered. It’s the equipment he writes that’s “about to join vinyl LPs, shag carpet and typewriters in the dustbin of history.” Bench seats: “The popularity of minivans and SUVs, many with seven passenger seating, have killed the front bench seat, which allows sedans to carry six passengers.” Ashtrays: “Once commonly found in all cars, the space once reserved for ashtrays is becoming a slot to hold an MP3 player and a power point. Some cars, such as those from Chrysler, offer an optional smokers

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Dodge Dakota, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

When regularly faced with full-sized chores, a full-size pickup is ideal. Small trucks later came along for those who still enjoyed the versatility provided by a pickup, yet preferred a vehicle that wasn’t a headache to maneuver and park. What has changed gradually is the emergence of mid-size trucks. And in the mid-1980s, Dodge was the first to design — a a new brand of pickup — the Dakota. It was introduced to admirably fill the gap between big and small. It could still carry a decent-size load, while also providing more refined ride than its heftier, older relative, the

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Ford Edge, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A crossover is an automobile with a sports utility vehicle appearance but built upon a more economical and fuel-efficient unibody construction. But what is the Edge — a mini mini-van, a newfangled wagon or a SUV? Like other crossover SUVs, the Edge is hard to pinpoint. The Edge is categorized as a mid-sized crossover SUV and it shares the same platform with the Lincoln MKX and Mazda CX-9 crossovers, the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans. And the Edge bridges the gap between minivans like the now discontinued Freestar, and truck-based sport utility vehicles such as the Explorer.

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General Motors' latest shocker: $38 million loss in 2007

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How’s it possible to loss $38.7 million in a year? Not even General Motors is like sure exactly how it happened. But the world’s largest automaker has annnounced that’s the amount it lost in 2007. As a result, GM will again offer a new round of buyback offers to 74,000 hourly workers, all of whom are represented by the United Auto Workers. GM said the loss largely was due to a third-quarter charge related to unused tax credits. The 2007 loss topped GM’s previous record in 1992, when the company lost $23.4 billion because of a change in health care

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Ford Edge, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Looking for answers, Ford did a couple of things right last year, introducing a two solid crossover sport utility vehicles that were well received. Neither the Ford Edge or its Lincoln cousin, the MKX, could halt the overall slide, but they made a difference at a time when a success story or two were desperately needed. And I must admit, a first glance at the 2008 Edge drew an appealing nod of approval and driving this car-like SUV was a pleasure as well. Keep in mind my week was spent with the all-wheel drive Edge Limited. Unveiled as a 2008

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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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Recall Woes Continue For Sweden's Volvo

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A Volvo spokesperson the issue is could occur 82,000 cars worldwide. The modules can be exposed to water (from rain) and sale (from snow) which can cause corrosion. The recall is in “corrosive markets,” where inclement weather is more prevalent, including the United States, Sweden, Germany, Japan, Canada, Netherlands, Russia, China and France. Last November, Volvo, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co., recalled 56,000 cars due to two separate problems linked to airbags and engines. And in December, Volvo said it had recalled 125,000 trucks in North America due to the danger of short circuits in the lighting system that

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Pontiac, Citroen Get Dubious Honors In Top-10 All-Ugly Car List

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Car lists are subjective. There are best sports cars, best luxury car lists and even an extreme list like the Top-10 Ugly Cars. And since everyone is entitled to an opinion, the “All-Ugly” list is a lot of fun. Thomas Bey, writing for the web site, www.Bankrate.com, has compiled the latest Top-10 Ugly Car list. The criteria for Bey’s new list is two-fold” 1. “The ugly cars are production vehicles sold in the U.S. at one time or another; 2. “No more than one car from a manufacturer will be on the list.” Here’s Bey’s list in reverse order and

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