2007

, ,

Hyundai, Kia recalling nearly 2 million cars dating to 2007 via faulty brakes, air bags

Despite experiencing record sales and infiltrating many car-buying segments with innovation and value, Hyundai and Kia are facing major growing pains with a massive recall of nearly two million cars. The switch recall covers almost 1.7 million vehicles — most of the automakers’ model lineups from the 2007 through 2011 model years — to fix problems with air bags a brake light switches. In addition, Hyundai is recalling about 194,000 Elantra compacts from 2011 to 2013 to fix an air bag problem. A faulty switch can stop the brake lights from illuminating when drivers press on the pedal, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported its website. The cruise control also may not turn off when a driver

Read more

Colorado 2007 Prius owner: Toyota recall overblown, car safe

Crosser’s Prius is scheduled to be recalled due to the possibility of the floormat becoming entrapped under the accelerator possibly causing the car to accelerate out of control. Nevertheless, Crosser believes the recall dilemma is overblown. For more unique car reviews, videos and other automotive content, visit: www.tflcar.com James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to

Read more
,

BMW Z4 Coupe, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review (Video)

According to Consumer Guide, the 2007 BMW Z4 convertible and coupe are Best Buys in the premium/sporty car category. The car is racetrack able, yet also reasonably practical as a daily driver. The American-built two seaters have incline 6-cylinder engines. The base 3.0i convertible has 215 horsepower, 3.0i model has 255 horsepower and the high-performance M version has 330 horsepower. The Z4 gets a perfect 10 score from Consumer Guide in steering and handling and 9 marks in acceleration. On the contrary, the BMW gets scores of 0, 2 and 3 respectively in rear seat comfort, cargo room and ride quality. Its total score is 50. The average for the class, which includes the Honda S2000, Porsche Boxster and Porsche

Read more
, ,

Safety Institute Determines 2007 Buick Rendezvous Most Dangerous Car In Crashes

The IIHS evaluates automobile safety via front and side-impact protection, stability control and rollover risk. The four-door Rendezvous had an abysmal three-star (out of five) NHTSA frontal impact rating. The 2008 Buick Enclave, a crossover SUV with a full roster of standard safety equipment, replaced it. Here’s the list of the most dangerous cars to be in during a car crash in 2007, according to IIHS. It’s an organization that represents the interests of the insurance industry. 1. Buick Rendezvous SUV 2. Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series 3. Nissan Frontier 4. Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner 5. Toyota Yaris 6. Hyundai Accent 7. Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe 8. Kia Rio 9. Chevrolet Aveo 10. Suzuki Reno/Forenza 11. Ford Focus 12. Jeep Liberty 13. Dodge Dakota

Read more
, ,

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

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 accounting, according to Standard & Poor’s Compustat. Excluding the tax charge and other special items, GM lost $23 million, or

Read more

Total Recall: 2007's Surprising Most Recalled Car List

Last August, for example, Ford Motor Co., announced it was recalling 3.6 million vehicles, mostly trucks from the 1990s, to fix a speed control deactivation switch. And last spring, Volkswagen began recalling 1 million new Beetles from the model years 2001 to 2007 to repair a brake light problem. “Now almost any time you pick up a newspaper, there is a recall,” said Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at J.D. Power & Associates in Troy, Mich. According to Libby, overall car quality has improved. However, since automakers are using more shared platforms and parts, the chances the sample bad component resulting in recalls for the same reason in multiple manufacturers has also increased. Conversely, the increase amount of

Read more

Volkswagen Convertible, 2007: Weidel on Wheels

Even though the Beetle is still loved by women, the luster has worn off over the past decade even for the fairer sex. The Beetle has become commonplace and there is no big fuss or heads turning when the little “bug” is cruising down the road. When Volkswagen came back with the Beetle after a near 20-year departure in 1997, no hype was required for the unveiling. It seemed like every woman I knew was enamored with the endearing little Beetle, which became part of a successful retro campaign that drifted through the auto industry. Even my then 7-year-old daughter made it clear this was the car she wanted. Yet when I was driving the VW convertible last month, my

Read more

Ford Explorer, 2007: Weidel on Wheels

Consumer’s loved the look of the Explorer, enjoyed its solid cargo space, its versatility and considered it a wonderful family vehicle. However, the bubble burst on Ford’s most esteemed vehicle when the Explorer was experiencing rollover issues in 2001. For the past several years, no one was walking on a Ford lot looking to drive away in an Explorer. Sadly for this American auto manufacturer, the Explorer has never fully recovered. With that said, the Explorer has made a comeback by offering buyer incentives and positive word of mouth.  The rollover issue, which Ford explained was largely due to over-inflated tires, has gradually eroded. Yet with its reputation now heading upward again, the Explorer has seen the competition grow in

Read more
,

Volvo S80, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The adaptive cruise control, one of several new safety features for Volvo, determined the driver of the vehicle now perhaps 50 yards in front of me had changed lanes without the proper minimum distance. As such, my cruise control automatically disengaged. It’s an alarming feeling at first, but it’s one more reason why Volvo owners think they’re getting among the safest cars on the road. The Swedish manufacturer offers some of the more popular vehicles in areas where inclement weather rules, like Sweden. But for drivers in non-mountainous areas or when the weather’s often ideal, the new Volvo safety features only further complement the already hard-to-rattle Volvo reputation. Further, the S80 4-door sedan is offered at a competitive price as

Read more
,

BMW X3, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

I’ve driven the eastbound and westbound road more than 100 times en route to or departing the Monterey Peninsula. Maybe it’s the tight cement restraining barriers or what feels like an odd road camber. It’s just a winding downhill (or uphill) highway section that drives more difficultly than it should. Of course, that makes it a perfect place to test drive a vehicle. And that’s exactly what I did recently in both directions in a BMW X3. The 2007 version of the compact sport utility vehicle was restyled and its six-cylinder 3.0-liter engine features an updated transmission, increased horsepower and all-wheel drive. As stated in the car review publication, Consumer Guide, the BMW ’07 offering has been “rebadged.” It’s now

Read more

Saturn Sky 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

If there’s one sure thing about the Saturn Sky, it’s the new sports car’s attention-grabbing appearance. Passersby stopped me at traffic signals and asked questions. Restaurant patrons came to my table and inquired. Neighbors wanted to know about the Sky, and even friends who care little about cars were interested. The Sky was introduced as the manufacturer’s first “high-performance” convertible sports car as a 2007 model although it was first available in the spring of 2006. The two-seater, which shares its basic design with the Pontiac Solstice, is available in two options, the 177-horsepower base model and the 260-horsepower, turbocharged Red Line. Both models, like the Solstice, are rear-wheel drive and have 5-speed manual transmissions as standard equipment. (A 5-speed

Read more
,

Mitsubishi Eclipse, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Driving a nicely performing convertible with the top down on a sun-baked day is about as good as it gets. But the varying functionality and quality of convertible tops can easily diminish the experience. With the 2007 Eclipse Spyder, Mitsubishi is attempting to squelch the concerns of convertible buyers who may constantly wonder just how long their vehicle’s ragtop will work properly. After restyling and adding improved safety features to the Eclipse coupe for 2006, the convertible version became available for the first time this month (March, 2006). And it’s impressive. With the flick of two side easy-to-maneuver latches and then the pressing and holding a button just above the transmission box, the convertible function works fast. The entire up

Read more
,

Honda CR-V, 2007: The Weekly Driver

There wasn’t much to complain about with the previous Honda CR-V. It provided a keen balance of versatility, comfort and utility vehicle refinement. But with the 2007 redesign, the manufacturer has done what Honda always seems to do. It took something good and made it better. For starters, the new CR-V has a restyled exterior. Its previous boxy appearance has been streamlined with elements of BMW and Audi. The new CR-V is also three inches shorter than its predecessor, but the wheelbase and interior dimensions are nearly the same as previous models. Honda further upgraded the vehicle by removing the exterior tire from the the tailgate, thus eliminating some slight rear window vision issues. Gone also is the swing out

Read more
,

Subaru Legacy, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

What that means is that handling and steering throughout the Subaru line is superior. Subarus confidentially entertain any driving situation, and that’s why the brand is particularly popular in mountain areas where obstacles can be presented without warning. Despite its reputation, however, the Legacy —the oldest name in the Subaru lineup — is far from the first choice for midsize sedan buyers. But with the 2007 models, the manufacturer has made a concerted effort to join the category’s top echelon. Of particularly note is the new GT turbocharged model. First available in a limited release in late 2006, it’s now in full production, and it’s quite a change. The 2007 GT legacy has a six-speed manual transmission, upgraded from the

Read more
,

Suzuki Forenza Wagon, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

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 forward or reverse gear or into the park position. As an economy vehicle, the Forenza isn’t particularly economical with ratings

Read more
,

Ford Escape (Hybrid), 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

With its hybrid model, the Escape and its close hybrid sibling easily overcome the the SUV stigma — poor gas mileage. The Escape features a “full” hybrid electric system. It works in three different ways — as pure electric power, pure gasoline power or a combination of the two systems. While braking or decelerating, the Escape’s hybrid system relies on regenerative braking. The electric motor operates as a generator and coverts the vehicle’s momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. The system may sound complicated, but it all worked well in my weekly driver, one of four available 2007 Escapes.Like other hybrid vehicles, the Escape has a better city driving mph average than its freeway rating. It’s the

Read more
Next