--CarJunkie's Car Review--

First Drive: 2017 Subaru Impreza WRX

2017-08-17T21:08:00.003-05:00

At the 2017 Houston Auto Show, I got to test drive a 2017 Subaru Impreza. It comes with a 2.0L H4 engine that produces 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Subaru has a turbocharged version of the Impreza, the Impreza WRX. Subaru had one available to test drive at the 2017 Houston Auto Show. The version that I test drove came with the optional CVT transmission. A six speed manual transmission is standard for the WRX. The WRX comes with an all-wheel drive system. Subaru is known for its flat boxer engines and its all-wheel drive system.

The WRX has a sporty look it. The hood scoop adds to the aggressive styling. The version I drove was the WRX Premium, which comes with foglamps, 18 x 8.5-inch aluminum alloy wheels. It also came with cloth seats. The WRX Premium also comes with manually adjusted driver and passenger seats. I had plenty of head room and leg room behind the wheel.

The WRX is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L H4 engine that produces 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds withe CVT and 5.4 seconds with the 6 speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 155 mph. Like the Impreza, the WRX has a smooth ride. The extra 104 hp is very noticable. This car is very fun to drive. The WRX starts at $26,695, The WRX Premium starts at $28,995. The WRX Limited starts at $30,995. You do get a lot of bang for your buck with the WRX.

Overall, this is a fun sports sedan to drive. It has a smooth ride, plenty of room for a compact sedan, and is reasonably priced. The WRX solves the Impreza's lack of power. For those who need more power, there is the WRX STi, which comes with a 2.5L turbocharged H4 engine that produces 305 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. The STi starts at $35,195. There are vehicles with V6 engine that do not have power of the WRX or the STi engine. With the WRX, you can get a fun compact sports sedan for under $30,000.

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First Drive: 2017 Subaru Impreza Sedan

2017-04-23T16:44:00.002-05:00

My favorite thing about the Houston Auto Show is the ride and drive. I should have done it in 2011. My first experience doing the ride and drive at the Houston Auto Show was in 2012, when I test drove four cars. One of those was the 2012 Subaru Impreza Sedan. At the 2017 Houston Auto Show, I got behind of the wheel of a 2017 Subaru Impreza Sedan. I version I drove has the Impreza 2.0i Sport Sedan. It also came with the optional CVT transmission. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Impreza sport sedan.

The Impreza Sport Sedan looks like a proper sports sedan compared to the other two Impreza trims. The black trim across the grill and the 18" aluminum wheels gives it an aggressive look. It has a more aggressive appearance compared to the 2012 Impreza I drove. The Impreza Sport comes with cloth seats. The center console is simplistic and the touchscreen was easy to use, especially for someone not familiar with Subaru's infotainment system. I had plenty of leg room and head room behind the wheel.

The Subaru Impreza is powered by a 2.0L H4 engine that produces 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. That is an increase of 4 hp from the Impreza I drove in 2012 although torque remained the same. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, It did not have much acceleration and I did not feel that much power. But while the Impreza lacks in acceleration in power, it makes up for with a quiet and smooth ride. Prices for the Subaru Impreza start at $18,395. The Impreza 2.0i sport sedan starts at $21,995. That is not much for an all-wheel drive compact sedan.

Overall, the Impreza sedan does its job. It is a good vehicle of choice for new drivers and first time buyers with its starting price point and practicality. The sport trim has much better exterior styling compared to the other Impreza trims. It is lacking in the power and performance department. For those who want power and performance, there is the Subaru WRX and STi versions.

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First Drive: 2017 Maserati Levante/Levante S

2017-03-17T22:42:00.002-05:00

Maserati has been making cars since 1914. In over 100 years, Maserati has never made a SUV. The luxury SUV is a growing market. Porsche has the Cayenne. In 2016, Bentley came out with the Bentayga, Jaguar released the F-Pace, and Tesla released the Model S. In 2016, Maserati came out with the Levante, a mid-size luxury SUV. The Levante comes in two powertrains, both are 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Levante gets 346 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque from its engine. The Levante S get 424 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. But is the Levante worthy of the trident?

The Levante is a luxurious, yet sporty SUV. The headlight design and the front fascia give the Levante an aggressive styling. It also has sleek lines going along the sides. It comes standard with 19" wheels with 20" and 21" wheels available. You have a few color options for the brake calipers. One difference between the Levante and Levante S is that the Levante S has vented brake rotors and larger brake calibers compare to the Levante. The Levante S comes standard with a dual pane sunroof, remote start and blindspot monitoring system, all which are options on the standard Levante. Navigation, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, and power liftgate are standard on the Levante and Levante S. Heated steering wheel and heated leather seats are standard with available ventilated seats. Also to add more luxury and style, Zegna silk accents are available on the seats and door panels.

The Levante and Levante S are both powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Levante and Levante S are both AWD and come with adjustable ride height. Both come with Skyhook system, which allows the driver to choose between comfort or sport-handling dynamics. The Levante can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 156 mph. The Levante S goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and has a top speed of 164 mph. I have driven both in normal and sport mode and there is a difference. In normal mode, the Levante and Levante S have a smooth, comfortable ride. Put them into sport mode and you get increased throttle response, increased steering response, and a louder, sportier exhaust note. With sport suspension mode active, the ride is stiff but not harsh. I felt the bumps in the road, but I was still comfortable behind the wheel. I felt a difference in power and performance between the Levante S and the Levante. You can feel the added power and breaking power of the Levante S. Prices for the Levante start at $72,600. Prices for the Levante S start at $85,050. If you want luxury with a some thrills, go with the Levante. If you want luxury with performance, go with the Levante S.

Overall, the Levante and Levante S are both worthy of the Maserati trident. They have luxury, style and performance. The main competitor for the Levante is the Porsche Cayenne. The Cayenne has more engine options, including a couple with more power and torque, and has been around longer, but the Levante has better exterior styling, a more economical interior layout, and a better exhaust note. For around the same price as the base Levante, there is the 485 hp Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. However, the Levante handles better than the Grand Cherokee SRT. In terms of exterior styling, the Levante has the advantage over other luxury mid-size SUVs including the Jaguar F-Pace and Bentley Bentayga. The price tag for the Levante and Levante S is high, but you are getting great value for the money.

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First Drive: 2016 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

2016-11-25T22:43:00.000-06:00

My personal car is a 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Plus. It is powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 that produces 372 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. There is also the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack and the Dodge Challenger SRT 392 that are powered by a 6.4L V8 that produces 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. When Dodge came out with a refresh for the Challenger for the 2015 model year, Dodge and SRT decided to up the horsepower and torque even more. Dodge put its first ever supercharged Hemi V8 engine in the Challenger, calling it the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. The car comes with two different key fobs for two power outputs. When the red key fob is used, the Hellcat engine puts out 707 hp. When the black key fob is used, the Hellcat engine puts out 500 hp. I got to get behind the wheel of the Challenger SRT Hellcat, but with the black key fob. I have been in the passenger seat when the red key was in use.

The SRT Hellcat looks like most Challengers, but there are a few things that make the Hellcat stand out. First, the hood has two side openings in addition to the opening in the middle of the hood. The Challenger SRT 392 has only the opening in the middle of the hood. The Hellcat I drove had the optional black satin hood. The Hellcat front inner light bulb on the driver side has been removed and replaced with an air intake. The Hellcat also does not have fog lights. It does have a unique front diffuser. The Hellcat does come with 20" matte black forged wheels as standard. The one I drove has 20" brass monkey forged wheels. The Hellcat comes with a black spoiler in the rear. This car looks fast. The Hellcat I drove comes with black leather seats that are heated and ventilated in the front. It has an 8.4 inch touchscreen with navigation.

The Challenger SRT Hellcat is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 707 hp with the red key fob and 500 hp with the black key fob. There is also a valet mode that limits the hp to 350. The Challenger SRT Hellcat also get 650 lb-ft of torque from its engine. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but the one I drove came with the eight-speed automatic transmission. 0 to 60 mph time for the Hellcat is 3.6 seconds and has a top speed between 199 mph. I was only able to drive the Hellcat with the black key fob, but I have been in the passenger seat when the red key fob was active. This car is fast. It is the most powerful car I have ever been in. Even with all that power, it is quite comfortable to drive. It is smooth on the roads. It is hard to hear anything with the high performance engine and exhaust. This is a car you need to be careful with this car because the rear likes to get out from under you. The car will fishtail if you floor the gas pedal from a dead stop. I have been in the Hellcat when it has fishtailed. But once it took off, I was pinned to the back of my seat. Prices for the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat start at $65,290 which includes a $1,700 gas guzzler tax. The version I drove has a listed price of $73,765. Compare to other vehicles with over 600 hp, the Challenger SRT Hellcat is a bargain.

Overall, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is one fast muscle car. It is scary fast. It gets up and goes. Its performance rivals many supercars, but at a fraction of the price. It is a bargain compared to Ferraris, McLarens, and Lamborghinis. I have driven supercharged vehicles and non of them were as powerful as the Hellcat. One problem the Hellcat has is getting all that power to the ground. The rear tires are not wide enough to handle all the power and it will fishtail if the power is not managed properly.

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First Drive: 2017 Fiat 124 Spider

2016-08-28T21:47:00.000-05:00

The original Fiat 124 Spider was built between 1966 and 1980. It was a two door, front engine, rear-wheel drive convertible. In 2016, Fiat released a two door, front engine, rear-wheel drive roadster, the Fiat 124 Spider. It is produced in Horishima, Japan along with the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Fiat 124 Spider shares a platform with the MX-5 Miata. However, the 124 Spider is five inches longer, has a different engine, and shares no body panels with the MX-5 Miata. I was able to test drive the 124 Spider at a local dealership in Houston. The version I drove was the 124 Spider Classica, which came with cloth seats, a seven inch display, and a reverse camera. The version I drove came with the six-speed AISIN automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available as well.

Even though Fiat 124 Spider is built in the same facility as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, it has original body panels. It has sleeker lines compared to the MX-5 Miata. The 124 Spider is a fun little roadster to drive. It has good acceleration. It responds well when I turned the wheel. Ride was smooth and it was quiet when the top was up. My one issue is the interior room. I could not push the driver seat back. My right leg kept hitting the center console. Headroom was decent with the top up. The version I drove was the Classica with optional bluetooth, reverse camera, and a seven inch infotainment display.

The 124 Spider is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L engine that produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph is 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. Starting price for 124 is $25,990, which is just a little bit more than the Mazda MX-5 Miata ($25,750 starting price). The price for the one I test drove is $28,635. Even though 160 hp does not seem powerful, the 124 Spider weighs around 2,400 pounds. It is quick and handles corners quite well.

Overall, the Fiat 124 Spider is a fun vehicle to drive. It has a smooth ride, responsive, and can handle corners. It is quick. It is more stylish than the MX-5 Miata. I am glad to see the 124 Spider come to the United States. I just wish it had more leg room. If you want a sporty two-seater convertible but do not want to spend over $30,000, then give the Fiat 124 Spider a try.

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First Drive: 2016 Nissan Titan XD Diesel

2016-05-15T20:41:00.000-05:00

Cummins has been building engines since 1919, focusing on diesel engines. The Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks have been using I6 Cummins diesel engines since 1989. Cummins developed a 5.0L V8 diesel engine to be used for light duty trucks. FCA already uses a 3.0L turbo charged V6 diesel engines in its Ram 1500s and passed on the new Cummins V8 diesel engine. Cummins needed to find a truck for the new diesel engine. Cummins found a partner with Nissan. Nissan has been producing the Titan light duty truck since 2003. It has always came with a 5.6L V8 gas engine. At the 2015 North American Auto Show, Nissan revealed its second generation Titan. The second generation will have two forms, the regular Titan and the Titan XD. The Titan XD uses a heavy duty frame that came from Nissan commercial vehicles. Powering the Titan XD is Cummin's 5.0L V8 diesel engine.

There was a 2016 Nissan Titan XD available for test drives at the 2016 Houston Auto Show. The version available was the Platinum Reserve. It comes with chrome grill, chrome bumpers, 20" dark chrome-clad aluminum alloy wheels, and LED lights. It has an aggressive, yet high end luxury look to it. The inside has a black/brown leather interior. It is also comes with a 7" touchscreen with navigation. It felt luxurious inside. There was not much plastic parts to make the inside feel cheap.

The Nissan Titan XD Diesel is powered by a Cummins 5.0L V8 diesel engine that produces 310 hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 106 mph. It has a max payload of 2,091 pounds and a max towing capacity of 12,314 pounds. For a truck with leaf springs, it has a quiet and smooth ride. Prices for the Nissan Titan XD Diesel start at $41,485. The version I drove was the 4x4 Platinum Reserve, which has a pricetag of $61,715. It is an expensive truck but it is one of two trucks to offer a diesel engine in its class.

Overall, the diesel engine brings new life into the Nissan Titan. Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram have made huge strides. It has better capability compared to the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. It has about the same capability as a Ford F-150 with the 3.5L V6 Ecoboost engine and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L V8 engine. The Titan XD Diesel is more expensive compared to its competition. Then again, the Titan XD is the only 5/8 ton truck in the market. It is more than a half-ton truck, but does not have the capability of a 3/4 ton diesel truck. Still you get a lot of truck for the price. If you are in the market for a diesel truck, but do not need a heavy duty truck, give the Nissan Titan XD diesel a try.

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First Impression: Ferrari LaFerrari

2016-05-01T22:30:00.002-05:00

In the 2010s, we have seen the rise of hybrid supercars. Porsche came out with the 918 and McLaren came out with the P1. Ferrari debuted a hybrid version of the 599, called the Ferrari 599 HY-KERS at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari revealed a hybrid supercar based on test results of the Ferrari FXX, calling it the LaFerrari. From 2013 to 2015, a total of 499 LaFerraris were produced.

I first saw the LaFerrari at the 2015 Houston Ferrari Festival. There were two at the event and both roped off. Ferrari did not use legendary automotive design company Pininfarina, using its own design team instead. The LaFerrari is designed using F1 inspired aerodynamics. It is not the best looking Ferrari, but it still looks amazing. Ferrari designed the LaFerrari to be functional and show what you can do with a hybrid, especially with a drag coefficient of 0.3. Afterall, the LaFerrari is the first hybrid from Ferrari.

The LaFerrari uses a HY-KERS system that combines a 6.3L V12 engine rated at 800 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque and two electric motors give the LaFerrari a combined output of 963 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. It uses a dual-clutch seven-speed automated manual transmission. It has a 0-60 mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. It has a starting price of $1,416,000. That is a steep price, but you will get a lot of performance from a hybrid.

The LaFerrari has been featured on Motorweek and Top Gear. The LaFerrari is playable in Racing Race, CSR 2, Project IGNITION, Dr. Driving, Extreem Car Driving Simulator, Adrenaline Racing: Hypercars, Madallin Stunt, CSR Racing, The Crew, Forza Motorsport 5, Car Town, Forza Horizon 2, Forza Motorsport 6, Real Racing 3, Asphalt: Nitro, Driveclub, Grand Theft Auto V, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Assetto Corza, Need For Speed: No Limites, and Top Speed.

Final Thoughts: The LaFerrari is an incerdible vehicle. Along with the Porsche 918 and the McLaren P1, the LaFerrari pushes not only the limits of what a hybrid can do, but what a supercar can do. The LaFerrari has a steep price tag and is very rare. While it is quicker than its predecessor the Ferrari Enzo, it has the same top speed as the Enzo. Overall, it is a great car, but it is hurt by the name. It should have been called the F70.

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First Impression: McLaren P1

2015-05-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

McLaren set the standard for performance vehicles with the McLaren F1 in the 1990s with a top speed of 240 mph. It was the first hypercar. Now, McLaren has produced a plug-in hybrid supercar. At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, McLaren debuted the pre-production concept of the P1. McLaren unveiled the production version of the F1 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. 375 P1s would be made with production starting in October 2013. The McLaren P1 is a rear-mid engine, rear-wheel drive two-door supercar powered by a hybrid drivetrain.

I have seen the P1 at a few car events in the greater Houston area. The P1 does not look like anything on the road. It has a more aggressive look than the McLaren MP4-12C. Like its predecessors, it does have the scissor doors. It also has retractable rear spoiler. The P1 has a very aggressive exterior and an interior that is a big improvement over the MP4-12C. But the selling point of the P1 is its drivetrain and performance.

The McLaren P1 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8 that produces 727 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. The McLaren developed electric motor that produces 176 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. The total output is 903 hp and 722 lb-ft of torque. The P1 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and has a top speed of 217 mph. But it can also go up to an EPA estimated 19 miles in EV mode. Prices for the P1 start at $1.15 million, but all 375 are spoken for. That is supercar performance from a hybrid drivetrain.

The P1 has been featured on Top Gear, where it was compared to the Porsche 918 and the LaFerrari. It has also made a stop at Jay Leno's Garage. It has also been featured in the Need For Speed, Fifth Gear, and Motorweek. The P1 is playable in Need More Speed, Driveclub, Forza Motorsport 5, Project CARS, Forza Horizon 2, Grid: Autosport, Race Team Manager, Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast and Furious, Need For Speed: Rivals, Real Racing 3, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Assetto Corsa, Asphalt Nitro, and CSR Racing.

Final Thoughts; Electric cars have the Tesla Roadster and Tesla Model S to set the standard for what an electric car can do. Hybrids had the Toyota Prius as its standard, which got impressive gas mileage at the cost of excitement. It is great to see McLaren make a hybrid, one that is has styling and performance. McLaren pushed the performance limits with the F1 and now McLaren pushes the limits of what one can do with a hybrid drivetrain.

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First Impression: Porsche 918 Spyder

2014-12-14T21:51:00.000-06:00

Ferdinand Porsche developed the first hybrid vehicle, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, in 1898, The car was produced from 1900 to 1905. He founded his own automotive company, Porsche AG in 1931. The Porsche Panamera and the Porsche Cayenne both have hybrid drivetrain options. It is only fitting that Porsche would come out with a supercar powered by a hybrid drivetrain. At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche revealed a concept hybrid powered supercar, the 918 Spyder. The production version of the 918 Spyder was revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 918 is a two door, rear-mid engine, all wheel drive supercar. The Porsche 918 Spyder will be a limited edition car, with 918 units being built for the 2014 model year.

The Porsche 918 Spyder was present at the December 2014 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The 918 shares some styling with the Porsche Carrera GT. Both the Carrera GT and the 918 have the retractable rear wing, targa tops, and similar engine bay covers. The Plus the front fascia reminds me of the Ferrari 458 Speciale. It looks aggressive and fast.

The 918 is powered by a 608 hp 4.6L V8 gas engine and two electric motors that produce an additional 279 hp. The total power outcome is 887 hp and 940 lb-ft of torque. The 6.8 kW-h lithium ion battery pack allows the 918 to have an all-electric range on 12 miles. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission. The 918 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 211 mph. This is one high performing hybrid, but it comes at a steep starting price tag of $845,000. That is a lot of car for a lot of money.

The 918 Spyder has been featured on Top Gear, Jay Leno's Garage, RTL Autowereld, and Auto Esporte. The 918 Spider is playable in Need For Speed: The Run, Real Racing 3, Shift 2: Unleashed, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Need For Speed: Rivals, and Gangster: Vegas.

Final Thoughts: This is the hybrid we need along with the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari. When people think of hybrids, they first think of the Toyota Prius. When people think of full electric cars, they think of Tesla Model S, not the Nissan Leaf. The 918 Spyder is a great car. It has supercar looks, supercar power, supercar performance, but it has a hybrid drivetrain. Cars like the 918 Spider, the P1, and the LaFerrari shows what potential performance hybrid vehicles can have. The 918 Spyder was worth the four year wait. For those who have one are truly lucky.

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First Drive: 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T

2014-09-07T18:26:00.000-05:00

The Dodge Challenger first went into production in 1969 as a mid-size pony car. It was designed to compete against the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. Production run of the original Challenger ended in 1974. The Challenger name came back in 1978 as a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. Its production run ended in 1983. On February 6, 2008, Chrysler debuted the Dodge Challenger SRT8, which was powered by a 6.1L Hemi V8 engine. For the 2009 model year, the Challenger lineup was expanded to include a V6 engine and a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. One thing lacking for the Challenger was technology. At the 2014 New York International Auto Show, Dodge unveiled the 2015 Dodge Challenger and the 2015 Dodge Charger. On September 1, 2014, I was able to get behind the wheel of a 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T. The one I drove came with the all new eight-speed automatic transmission. A six-speed manual transmission is available on all Hemi powered Challengers.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger got a styling update from the previous model year. The 2015 Challenger features a new grille with design cues from 1970-1974 model, quad LED "Halo Ring" head lights, LED tail lights, and a functional hood intake on all Hemi models. The interior is redesigned as well. Available is an 8.4" touchscreen, retro styled gauge cluster, ventilated seats, and a 7" TFT display. Also available for the Challenger is blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and a reverse camera. The Challenger I drove was the Challenger R/T that had a 5.0" touchscreen, a reverse camera, projector fog lamps, high performance brakes, performance steering, 20" hyper black aluminum wheels, rear body-color spoiler, and steering wheel paddle shifters.

The 2015 Dodge Challenger is powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 that produces 372 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Challenger R/T is a quick vehicle. It also has good steering response, braking response, and throttle response. Turning on sport mode improves the overall driving experience. Compared to the previous model year, the 2015 Challenger is more comfortable to drive. Dodge improved the seat comfort. The addition of the eight-speed transmission greatly improves the ride quality. The shifts are smoother, which help give the 2015 Challenger R/T a smoother ride. Prices for the 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T start at $32,490. Adding the eight-speed automatic transmission increases the price by $1,400. The version I drove has an MSRP of $34,585. The Challenger is reasonably priced. It has performance and comfort.

Overall, the 2015 Dodge Challenger is a huge step up for the previous Challengers. Changing the lights to LEDs helps with the styling. The interior is greatly improved. Going with the Uconnect 5.0/Uconnect 8.4AN instead of the 130/430N/730N infotainment systems helps with user friendliness. Plus the eight-speed automatic transmission greatly improves the ride quality. I love how smoothly the transmission shifts. The 2015 Challenger is also available with a reverse camera and blind spot monitoring system, which is needed in a sports car. The one issue with the Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger is blind spots. Adding the blind spot monitoring system will help make the Challenger safer on the roads and freeways. If you need more performance, there is still the Challenger R/T Scat Pack and the Challenger SRT, both with a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine that produces 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. Available in 2015 will be the Challenger SRT Hellcat, which gets 707 hp for a supercharged 6.2L Hemi V8 engine.

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Auto Countdown: Top 10 Cars I drove in 2013

2014-06-22T22:57:00.000-05:00

In 2012, I did sixteen test drives. In 2013, I test drove over 100 vehicles, including 70 during the 2013 Houston Auto Show. I have already covered the worst and the pleasant surprises. Now it is time to cover the best. To prevent this list by a particular brand, the one vehicle per brand rule is in effect.

10. Toyota Avalon

I have not been impressed with Toyota lately, especially with the new Toyota RAV4. The Toyota Camry maybe one of the best selling car in America, but it is so boring. I was not impressed with the Tundra. But there is one Toyota I was impressed with, the Avalon. I just love the styling of the Avalon. Plus it has a smooth, comfortable ride. The Avalon is easily the best Toyota I drove in 2013 and earns a spot on this list.

9. Hyundai Equus

The Hyundai Equus makes this list for one reason, its very comfortable ride. It is so soft. It is like driving a cloud it is so soft. It ends up at the 9 spot because the very soft ride takes you out of the driving experience. The very luxury quality of the Equus puts it on the list. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe was in contention, but there were better sports cars I drove in 2013.

8. Nissan 370Z

The Nissan 370Z continues the Nissan lineage of affordable sports car. The 370Z has a stiff ride, but handles nicely. It is a two-door sports car, so it is not that practical compared to other sport coupes. But it does handle nicely plus it gets good power from its 3.7L V6. But it is too uncomfortable to be any higher than the eighth spot on this list. It has better driver interactive than the Avalon and the Equus.

7. Chevrolet Camaro SS

Nothing says American muscle like the Chevrolet Camaro SS. Powering this brute is a 6.2L V8 that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, topping the Mustang 5.0 and Challenger R/T is power. This is a fun car to drive, but it does have a few issues. The design of the windshield makes it hard to see, plus it is plagued with blind spots. It is hard to enjoy driving this car with the visibility issues.

6. Ford Mustang 5.0

The Camaro may have more power, but the Ford Mustang 5.0 provides a better driving experience. The Mustang has a great sporty styling to it. While it does have some blind spots, it has better visibility than the Camaro. Plus the interior of the Mustang is nicer than the Camaro. The Mustang is an American icon and the modern Mustangs hold true to the Mustang lineage. While the live axle setup is very outdated, it adds to the experience of driving a Mustang. This is a fun car to drive. Since it is a sports coupe, it is not that practical, so it misses the top five.

5. Dodge Charger R/T Max

I could have easily put the Dodge Challenger SRT or the Dodge Charger SRT, but both of those vehicles cost over $50,000 when nicely equipped. The Charger R/T Max may not get the performance, but it has great features to it. To start off, heated and cooled front seats plus heated and cooled front cup holders. Not to mention available blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning to aid in safety. Powering the Charger R/T Max is a 5.7L Hemi V8 that gets 375 hp. Plus it has a good ride quality. All this for around $40,000. For the price and the features, the Charger R/T Max makes its way into the top five.

4. Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited

With all the sports cars I drove this year, none of them do what the Subaru Legacy can do. Subaru greatly improved the styling of the Legacy compared to previous generations. Plus, it has Subaru's AWD system. Add in a 3.6L H6 engine and you got a vehicle that has very good handling. It also have a very comfortable ride. Add in leather seats, reverse camera, safety features like lane departure warning and Subaru's Eyesight system, navigation, and a moonroof for around $30,000, and it is hard to beat that value. The Legacy is the best mid-size vehicle I drove in 2013. And for its value alone, it ends up at the four spot on this list.

3. Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Right of the bat, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the best SUV I drove in 2013. Helping with the drive quality is an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Uconnect system is very user-friendly. Now to take the Grand Cherokee to the extreme, the SRT version. Powering this SUV is a 6.4L Hemi V8 that produces 470 hp. Add in launch control and you get a one of a kind experience with the Grand Cherokee SRT. This may look like an SUV, but it is a muscle car.

2. Chrysler 300 SRT

If there is any company that has greatly improved its quality lately, it is Chrysler. The Chrysler 300 has a very smooth ride and luxury feel to it. Plus it uses Chrysler's Uconnect system, which is very easy to use. Now add a 6.4L Hemi V8 engine that produces 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and you got something special. This was a very fun car to drive. This was so close to topping to list, but there is one car that outperforms the 300 SRT.

1. Cadillac CTS-V Family

This should come to no surprise. The Cadillac CTS-V line is the best line of cars I have drive in 2013. The CTS-Vs are the fastest, most powerful cars I drove in 2013. Powering these cars is a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. Plus, these will go from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.0 seconds. On top of the power and performance, the CTS-Vs have an exceptional drive/ride quality. I was very comfortable sitting in the Recaro racing seats that adjust 14 ways. Cadillac and General Motors did an excellent job making a quiet interior. I could not hear the engine when inside the CTS-Vs. Driving a Cadillac CTS-V is an experience everyone should do. If you can afford to spend between $65,000 and $75,000, here is a great line of cars.

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Auto Countdown: Cars That Were A Pleasant Surprise To Drive 2013 Edition

2014-04-13T20:48:00.001-05:00

In 2013, I test drove over 100 cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVS. I have already covered the ten worst I test drove in 2013. It is time to cover those that were better than expected. There is no order. I am going by alphabetical order by brand.

2013 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave is not the best looking vehicle. It is a big three-row SUV. This is a family vehicle, something that I normally do not cover. But it made the list for one reason. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I outran a Ford Mustang 5.0. That should not happen, but I outran a modern muscle car in a large SUV.

2013 Chevrolet Spark

The Chevrolet Spark is a vehicle I should hate. It is small, underpowered, and slow. It only gets 84 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque from a 1.2L I4 engine. The one I drove at the 2013 Houston Auto Show was pink. But it does have some things going for it. First, it may be a city car, but it has plenty of room for four adult passengers. It has good legroom for rear passengers, compared to other city cars like the Scion iQ. I also like the gauge cluster styling. Plus it has a good infotainment system with MyLink. Also, it is not as boring to drive as some of the other cars in its class. I actually had some fun behind the wheel of the Spark, and that is always a plus.

2014 Fiat 500L

Fiat needed to bring a second vehicle over to the United States, preferably one with four doors and larger than the Fiat 500. What we got is the Fiat 500L, a four door vehicle. One thing I feared when I first saw this at the 2013 Houston Auto Show was that Fiat would use the 1.4L I4 engine found in the Fiat 500 that produces 101 hp. Luckily, the 500L has the Abarth engine, a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 160 hp. That is enough power to get this vehicle going. The 500L has a stylish interior with plenty of legroom and headroom. Plus it is just fun to drive.

2013 Ford C-Max

I really should hate this car. It is a hybrid after all. If you have read some of my previous year end Auto Countdowns, you would know that I despise the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius, both hybrids. Plus, the C-Max has a minivan feel with the gear select lever on the dashboard and not on either the steering wheel column nor the center console. Yet, I felt that the C-Max has decent acceleration when I test drove it. Something I cannot say about the Volt, the Prius, or the Honda Insight. Also going in the C-Max's favor is space. I felt cramped in the Prius, but not in the C-Max. This is one hybrid that avoids my wrath.

2013 Nissan Altima V6

The Nissan Altima is a great example of why mid-size sedans need a V6 option. Many manufacturers are replacing V6 engines with turbocharged 4-cylinder engines or just eliminate the V6 option altogether. Thankfully, Nissan kept the V6 option in the Altima. I was impressed with the Altima I drove at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. It was very responsive when I turned the steering wheel. It may be just a mid-size sedan from Japan, but I had some behind the wheel.

2013 RAM 1500

I maybe from Texas, but I am not a big truck guy. I never grew up around them. My parents never owned trucks. Yet, there is one truck I actually like, the RAM 1500. Compared to the other trucks, it has the best steering response. Plus it got good power throughout the entire RPM spectrum with the 5.7L Hemi V8. Plus it also has a very smooth ride. This was a contender for the best cars I drove list, but it just missed out. The RAM 1500 is a very good truck and deserved being named MotorTrend's 2013 Truck of the Year. It won that distinction again in 2014.

2013 Volkswagen Eos

If there is one brand that I was not impressed with, it would be Volkswagen. I found most of the VWs I drove to be lackluster. But there is one that I had some fun in, the VW Eos. This a hard top convertible gets 210 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine. Plus, the Eos does not look that bad with the top down. The Eos is my favorite VW I drove in 2013, that includes the VW Golf GTi.

2013 Volvo C30

Talk about a fun car to drive. The Volvo C30 just goes when I press the accelerator. This three door hatchback is powered by a turbocharged 2.5L I5 engine that produces 227 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. This car has great pickup plus it is just a blast to drive. It is a shame that Volvo discontinued this vehicle. This was another vehicle that came close to making the best cars I drove in 2013 list.

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Auto Countdown: Worst Cars I Drove In 2013

2014-03-16T22:29:00.000-05:00

In 2011, I focused on the cars I saw at the various Houston auto events. In 2012, I started test driving cars, 16 test drives in all. In 2013, I test drove over 100 cars, most of them coming during the five days of the Houston Auto Show. So, why not start off with the worst cars that I drove. So here are the worst cars I drove in 2013. Also, one car per brand.

Dishonorable mentions: Buick Encore, Honda Insight, Lexus IS 250, Scion xB, Toyota Prius V, Toyota RAV4, Volvo XC60

10. Cadillac CTS

Out of all eight Cadillacs I drove, this one was the worst. This was the only Cadillac that was uncomfortable to sit in. It is not bad in the performance category with its 3.6L V6 that puts out 318 hp. But if I am not comfortable in a car, then what is the point. The Cadillac CTS has been redesigned for 2014. It is on my list of cars to test drive along with Alfa Romeo 4C and 2015 Chrsyler 200, which is based on an Alfa Romeo.

9. GMC Sierra

Let me get this out of the way, this car has a great interior. It is comfortable and roomy. It does come with a 6.2L V8 that gets over 400 hp. Here is why it is on this list. One, I could notice that there is low power output at low RPMs. You have to get into the higher RPMs to feel the power of the V8. Also, the steering could be much better. I had to work the steering wheel just to get the vehicle to turn left or right. If I were to spend the money on a high end truck, I would want responsive steering and good power throughout the entire RPM range.

8. Volkswagen Tiguan

This was a hard one to pick. I also was not impressed with the Passat, Beetle Turbo, or the CC. But I limited myself to one car per brand and I felt that the Tiguan was the least impressive vehicle out of all the Volkswagen I have driven. First, I felt there was some lag from the 2.0L turbocharged engine. Also, the Tiguan has a rough ride quality. And for a SUV, I did not feel like I had a lot of space. I was disappointed with the Tiguan after I drove it. But at least it was quiet inside while I was driving it, keeping it from being in the bottom seven (this is a worst of list, not a best of list.)

7. Kia Soul

The Kia Soul was one of the first test drives I did at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. Now, the box shape styling gives it some popularity with younger drivers. The interior does feature some interesting items. The version I drove came with a 2.0L I4 engine that produces 164 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. That is impressive compared to later entries on this list. What hurts this vehicle is ride quality. It is not the most responsive when it comes to handling. The big issue I had with this vehicle is the rough ride. I could feel every bump on the road when I was behind the wheel. If it were not for poor ride quality, the Soul would not have even been considered for this list.

6. Mini Cooper Countryman

I was not impressed when I sat in a Mini Cooper Countryman at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. I did not like having the speedometer on the center console. And after test driving it, I was really not impressed. Remember, this is not the Countryman S, this is the standard Countryman with a 1.6L I4 engine that produces 121 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine found on the Mini Cooper Hardtop, but the added weight hurts this vehicle's performance. Plus I felt cramped and uncomfortable behind the wheel. On the plus side, at least it competent when it comes to handling.

5. Scion iQ

Scion markets the iQ as the smallest four seater. That is nothing to brag about because I felt cramped behind the wheel. Unless you have short people in the driver and passenger seats, there is no legroom for rear passengers. Also, the iQ gets 94 hp and 89 lb-ft of torque from its 1.3L I4 engine. And I felt there was a delay in shifting with the CVT transmission. Plus, it is noisy behind the wheel. But I will give it this, it has a smoother ride and handles better than some of the later entries on this list. Plus, the interior does not feel as cheap as the next vehicle on this list.

4. Nissan Versa

One word to describe this vehicle is cheap. The Versa is the least expensive cars you can bay in the United States. The interior just feels cheap. There is nothing special or interesting about the interior of the Versa. Powering this cheap car is a 1.6L I4 engine that produces 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. That is just underpowered. You do not get much for $11,999. Plus there are much better looking cars on the road today than the Versa. It is cheap, underpowered, and ugly.

3. Smart ForTwo

I have seen less Smart ForTwos on the road, and for good reasons. This is the smallest car you can buy in the United States. It also has small wheels and a very short wheelbase. I could feel the wind push this car around while on the freeway. Not to mention it only gets 70 hp from a 1.0L I3 engine, the smallest and least powerful engine you can get in any new car in the United States. But even with those flaws, it was not as noisy or as unresponsive as the two worst cars I drove in 2013.

2. Hyundai Veloster

The only good thing about the Veloster is the design. It does have a sleek coupe design, but I also like how the single rear door has been integrated into the design. Now for where it fails. It only gets 138 hp from a 1.6L I4 engine. There is a turbo version of the Veloster, but I consider that a different car. The Veloster Turbo gets power and performance from its turbocharged 1.6L I4 engine and has decent handling. The Veloster has horrible steering wheel response. I really had to turn the wheel just for the car to slightly turn. That is bad, especially for a small sports car. This is just a failed attempt at a sports car. It is underpowered and has unresponsive steering. Two things that should not be on a sports car. At least Hyundai got it right with the Genesis Coupe. Just avoid the standard Veloster and go with the Veloster Turbo.

1. Toyota Prius C

The Prius C is just bad. If you know me, you know that I dislike the Prius. I found it slow, boring, and just ugly. But one thing the Prius had was a quiet ride. The Toyota Prius C is just bad. It only gets 99 hp from its hybrid drivetrain. That is just low, especially when this car has a curb weight of 2,500 lbs. It has poor acceleration. But the worst part of all, why is it so noisy inside. There is no need for this car to be so noisy, especially with a 1.5L I4 engine as part of the hybrid drive train. Also, I find this car to be ugly. The standard Prius is better looking than this car. It is very underpowered, noisy, cramped, and is just ugly. And for those reasons, this is the worst car I drove in 2013.

CarJunkie
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First Impression: Ferrari F12berlinetta

2014-02-09T19:54:00.000-06:00

On February 29, 2012, Ferrari announced that its fastest street car ever. This new Ferrari replaced the outgoing 599 GTB Fiorano. Ferrari was originally going to call this vehicle the 620 GT, but it became the F12berlinetta. The F12 made is first public appearance at the 2012 International Geneva Motor Show, which was held from March 8 to March 18 of 2012. The F12 was named Top Gear's 2012 Supercar of the Year. The F12 is front engine, rear-wheel drive, two door grand tourer.

The F12 is a step up from the 599 in the design category. The F12 has a more aggressive front fascia, side profile, headlights, hood, and rear. It is another work of art done by Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina. The design of the F12 is to generate downforce and have a drag coefficient of under 0.3. At 120 mph, the F12 generates 271 pounds of downforce and has a drag coefficient 0.299. Aerodynamics as a major factor in its design with the aero bridge that runs from the hood, through the flanks, and along the side of the F12, which helps with the downforce creation.

The F12 is powered by a 6.3L V12 engine, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, that produces 730 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. That is the most powerful engine ever put in a Ferrari at the time. Since then, the LaFerrari has topped it with 950 hp coming from its hybrid powerplant. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 211 mph. That is quick and fast, but it does not top the Enzo's top speed of 217 mph, which only gets 651 hp from its V12 engine. Prices for the F12 start at $330,000. That is quite a bit of money, but you do get power and performance for your money. The F12 is not the fastest nor the most powerful road vehicle with the prancing horse badge.

The F12 has been featured on Top Gear, Fifth Gear, Top Gear-The Perfect Road Trip, Jay Leno's Garage, and Motorweek. The F12 is playable in Forza Horizon, Car Town, Need For Speed: Rivals, Forza Motorsport 5, Asphalt 8: Airborne, and Real Racing 3.

Final Thoughts: What a beauty. It is definitely a work of art. Still, it is not the fastest as Ferrari advertised. The Enzo, which came out from 2002 to 2004, reached a top speed of 218 mph. Even the Lamborghini Aventador is faster with a top speed of 217 mph. To be fair, the LaFerrari, which gets 789 hp from its 6.3L V12, was revealed one year after the F12 was revealed. So when Ferrari said that the F12 was the most powerful Ferrari, they were not lying. The F12 gets 730 hp from its V12, which was the most powerful engine at the time of its release. Also, the F12 is a major step up from its predecessor, the 599 GTB. Ferrari has been good about making improvements going from one vehicle to the next. The 458 Italia is a major step up from its predecessor, the F430. The F12 is a good grand tourer and another fine example of Ferrari craftmanship and engineering.

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First Impression: Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray

2014-01-19T21:37:00.000-06:00

The Chevrolet Corvette is an American icon. It has been around since 1953. The Corvette is a two door, front engine, rear wheel drive vehicle that came either as a coupe or convertible. The Corvette C6 has been around since 2004. Now, Chevrolet has been planning the next generation in 2007. Chevrolet planned to release the next generation Corvette in 2011, but delayed it. The plan is to bring back the Corvette Stingray. A Corvette Stingray concept was shown in the Transformers live action movies. I even saw the concept car at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. However, the concept car was not the C7 Chevrolet ended up releasing. On January 13, 2013, at approximately 6:00 PM CST in Detroit, General Motors revealed the all new Chevrolet Corvette C7. The C7 is the third Corvette to be called "Stingray." The other Stingrays were the C2 Corvette and the C3 Corvette. The Chevrolet Corvette was available for purchase during the fall of 2013. While the C7 has been released, the C6 will still be made in Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR-1 versions.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept at 2011 Houston Auto Show

While the Corvette Stingray Concept was at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, it was absent at the 2013 Houston Auto Show (BOO!). I had to wait until the October 2013 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee to see the C7 Corvette. There were five group together, three coupes and two convertibles. The C7 Corvette looks amazing. I love that Chevrolet pays homage to the original C1 Corvette with the Mako Shark grill that was present on the original C1 Corvette. The C7 has a peak hood, whereas the C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes had flat hoods. I also love how the headlights are designed. The C7 aslo has a nice side profile. I just love the design of the rear end. There are four exhaust tips below the center of the rear bumper. I just love the design of the taillights. This is the best looking vehicle that Chevrolet has ever made, let alone the best looking Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine, paired with either a seven-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 195 mph. Prices for the C7 Corvette Coupe start at $51,995, including a $995 destination charge. The MSRP for a Corvette 3LT with Z51 Performance Package starts at $62,995. Prices for a base C7 Corvette Stingray Convertible start at $56,995. The MSRP for a Corvette Stingray Convertible 3LT with the Z51 Performance Package starts at $67,800. Compared to its competion, the C7 Corvette is a bargain. A base Porsche 911 Carrera starts at $84,300.

The C7 Corvette has been featured on Motorweek, Top Gear US, Jay Leno's Garage, Turbo, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The C7 Corvette is playable in Grand Theft Auto V (Invetero Coquette' C7), GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience, Gran Turismo 5, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Need For Speed; Rivals, and Gran Turismo 6.

Final Thoughts: While it would have been cool to see the Corvette Stingray Concept as the actual C7 would have been nice, the C7 Corvette we got instead is even better. The C7 Corvette is the best looking vehicle made for the Chevrolet brand. The C7 Corvette is a bargain with a starting price of $51,995. This car has near supercar performance at a fraction of the cost of a Ferrari or Lamborghini. The C7 Corvette has been named Automobile of the Year 2014 by Automobile Magazine and Performance Car of the Year 2013 by Road and Track. It is also a finalist for Motortrend's Car of the Year. Chevrolet has announced a Z06 version of the C7 Corvette starting in 2015. This version will have supercharged 6.2L V8 that produces 625 hp. I am hoping somewhere in the next few years that Chevrolet comes out with a ZR-1 version of the C7 Corvette. So far, I have been impressed by the C7 Corvette.

CarJunkie
C7 Corvette photos were taken by a digital camera. Corvette Stingray photo was taken by a camera phone.

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First Impression: Chevrolet Camaro Breast Cancer Awareness Pace Car

2013-10-30T22:57:00.000-05:00

During the month of October, it is all about Halloween. It is all about costumes, candy, horror, and the macabre during the month October. But, Halloween is just one day in the month. October is known for something else besides Halloween, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I watch my beloved Houston Texans and I see players with pink gloves and pink cleats. I watch WWE and see a pink middle rope in the ring as well as wrestlers wearing pink wrestling merchandise. As someone who has lost female family members to cancer, including an aunt to breast cancer, I admire when car companies donate money to the American Cancer Society. A pink Chevrolet Camaro SS was used as the pace car for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Advocare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Chevrolet would donate $200 to the American Cancer Society for every caution lap, which there were 64 caution laps during that race. Chevrolet ended up donating $12,800 to the ACS. Chevrolet has made several pink Camaros for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also, this is my 250th article, so what better way than to celebrate with a car dedicated to a cause I support, especially with my family history.

I saw a Breast Cancer Awareness Camaro at the 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This Camaro has pink with white in the middle. There is a big pink ribbon on the hood. Also, the Chevrolet emblem is pink. There is "CHEVROLET" going across the top of the windshield. There are even pink ribbons in on the rear sides of the vehicle. I applaud Chevrolet for making this type of custom car for Breast Cancer Awareness..

The powertrain for the Breast Cancer Camaro is the same as a Camaro SS. The Camaro SS is powered by a 6.2L V8 that produces 426 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 159 mph. Even with the pink and white paint job that includes pink ribbons, this vehicle still has power and performance. A SS Camaro coupe normally starts at $32,750 for the 1SS and $36,350 for the 2SS. I have not seen one of these pink Camaros go on sale at an auction.

Final thoughts: I admire Chevrolet for building these pink Camaros for a great cause. My family has been affected by cancer. I have lost two grandmothers and an aunt to cancer. I am all for any company that does something special and donates the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. These pink Camaros would make a great addition for Chevrolet car collections and pace car collections. I wish Chevrolet would auction a few of these pink Camaros and donate the money to cancer research. Still, I applaud Chevrolet for making this car and donating money to the American Cancer Society. As for me personally, I could see myself with a Camaro at some point, just not pink.

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First Drive: 2013 Dodge Dart GT

2013-10-20T21:21:00.000-05:00

The Dodge Dart made its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. The new Dart is based on a slightly enlarged Fiat Compact platform. The Fiat Compact platform is used in the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, but is enlarged by 1.5 inches in width and with a 3.7 inch longer wheelbase. The Dodge Dart is a front-engine, front-wheel drive four door compact sedan. The last Dodge compact sedan was the Dodge Neon and Dodge Neon SRT-4, which were discontinued in 2005. I have driven the Dodge Dart back in 2012, one with a 2.0L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The Dart is also available with a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Dart GT comes with a 2.4L I4 engine. I recently went down to Helfman Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM (professional new car sales team and great service) and took a 2013 Dodge Dart GT for a test drive. The Dodge Dart GT comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The version I drove came with a six-speed automatic transmission with Chrysler's Autostick that allows for clutchless manual shifting.

As far as the compact sedans go, the Dodge Dart has the most aggressive styling to it. The dart has sleek body lines and a beautifully shaped hood. The Dart GT has LED racetrack tailamps, black headlamp bezels, day light opening moldings, body color door handles, hyper black crosshair with black surround on the grill, and 18 inch aluminum wheels. These additions help enhance the Dart's exterior. The Dart is well equipped on the interior. The Dart GT includes a reverse camera, a 7 inch thin film transfer instrument cluster display, Chrysler's 8.4 inch Uconnect touch media center that includes AM/FM/Sirius XM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, and customized settings. The Dart GT also 10 airbags and the version I drove has blind spot and rear cross path detection. The version I drove also had Nappa leather seats with heated front seats and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Dart is spacious on the inside. The Dart boasts best-in-class shoulder and hip room plus more rear seat legroom and overall interior room than some mid-size cars. The Dart has a great interior and a roomy interior.

The Dart GT is powered by a 2.4L I4 engine that produces 184 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 mph. With the 2.4L engine, the Dart feels faster and has better throttle response than the 2.0L version. It has better performance than most compact sedans. On the roads and highways, the Dart GT has a quiet, smooth ride. The Dart GT responds well when I turn the steering wheel. Prices for the Dart GT starts at $20,995, not including the $995 destination charge. The version I test drove cost $25,520, which includes a $995 destination charge.

Overall, the Dodge Dart GT is a great value. It has good power and performance, especially for a compact sedan. The Dart GT also has a roomy interior with a great infotainment system. The Uconnect system is AOL Autos' 2012 Technology of the Year. The Dart GT benefits greatly from the Uconnect 8.4 system. Compared to other cars in its class, the Dart GT has one of the most power engines in its class and has best-in-class shoulder and hip room. Also, the Dart GT benefits from an aggressive styling. The leather seats and leather steering wheel give the Dart GT a luxurious feel. All this for starting at just under $22,000. The Dart GT is a great car at a great value.

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First Drive: 2014 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback 1.8L

2013-09-30T21:01:00.002-05:00

From 2002 until 2011, Chevrolet produces the Chevrolet Aveo, a subcompact car that was available as either a sedan or hatchback. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet debuted a car using its Gamma II global subcompact platform. The new car would be sold as the Holden Barina in Australia and New Zealand. In Korea, the new car is called the Aveo. In all other markets, the car would be known as the Chevrolet Sonic. The Sonic is a front-engine, front-wheel drive subcompact car that is available as either a four door sedan or a five door hatchback (the version I took on a test drive). The Sonic is available with a six-speed manual transmission, but the version I drove came with a six-speed automatic transmission (which costs an additional $1,285). The Sonic is available with a turbocharged 1.4L engine (a $700 option) that produces 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, but I drove a none turbocharged Sonic. The version I drove came in a color called deep magenta metallic, which is only available with the LT trim level. The magenta color replaces the inferno orange color that was available for the 2012 to 2013. The deep magenta metallic color will be replaced by cool blue, a grayish, dirty blue color. The cool blue color will be available from November 2013 until March 2014. Dragon Green will become a permanent color starting in the first quarter of 2014.

As far as styling goes for a subcompact hatchback goes, the Sonic is very above average. The headlights and the split grill give the car an aggressive look. The Sonic also has a good side profile and the rear hatch is integrated nicely, unlike some other subcompact hatchbacks. The version I drove also included a moon roof and fog lights located on the bottom of the front bumper. The interior is good, especially for a subcompact costing under $20,000. The Sonic features a motorcycle like gauge with an analog tachometer on the left and a digital gauge which shows the fuel gauge and the speedometer. This set up works in the Chevrolet Spark, and it works in the Sonic. This set up helps give the cars a unique feel. The Sonic I drove also features a seven inch touch screen with Chevrolet's MyLink system, which is also present int the Spark. The Sonic has a comfortable seat. I had good headroom and great legroom behind the wheel.

The Sonic I drove is powered by a 1.8L I4 engine that produces 138 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 124 mph. The Sonic felt slow when accelerating. The 1.8L does lack power, but there is a 1.4L turbocharged engine that boosts torque output to 148 lb-ft of torque. That is an increase of 23 lb-ft. But the Sonic's ride quality is impressive. The car is smooth and quiet, even at highway speeds. The Sonic responds very well when I turn the wheel. Prices for the Sonic Hatchback start at $15,595, including a $825 destination fee. The car I test drove goes for $19,540. For that money, you do get a some great features and a good car.

The Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback is featured in Vrum, Motorweek, The Client List, The Call, Awkward, and The Last Stand. The Sonic Hatchback is playable in Game Stock Car, Car Town, Car Town EX, and 2K Drive.

Overall, the Chevrolet Sonic is a great subcompact car and for a reasonable price. It can use a little bit more power, but the ride quality is tough to beat. It is very comfortable behind the wheel. The car responds well while traveling quietly and smoothly along roads and highways. For around $20,000, you get a car with a quietly smooth ride quality, a moon roof, a touchscreen infotainment system that works with most smartphones, and plenty of headroom and legroom behind the wheel. If you are in the market for a subcompact car, give the Chevrolet Sonic a test drive. This is one of the better subcompacts on the road. As far as the magenta color goes, it is a unique color that works for the Sonic. I did not mind driving a Pink Chevrolet Spark and I had no problems driving a magenta Sonic. Just keep these colors away from the Corvette. A Corvette should never be painted with any shade of pink.

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First Drive: 2013 Buick Encore

2013-09-20T18:00:00.000-05:00

At the 2012 North American International Auto Show, General Motors debuted a subcompact SUV, called the Buick Encore. At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, General Motors unveiled the Opel Mokka, which the Buick Encore is based on. In the United Kingdom, the Mokka is marketed as a Vauxhall. Opel, a German subsidiary of General Motors, engineered the vehicle. Yet the Encore is built in South Korea. Since the Opel brand is not sold in the United States, Canada, or China. General Motors rebrands Opel cars as Buicks in these markets. The fifth generation Buick Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Encore is a front-engine subcompact SUV that comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. I first saw the Buick Encore at the 2013 Houston Encore. During a Wednesday in August 2013, I stopped by the local Buick delearship and took one for a test drive. The Encore is available with one transmission, a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode. The version I drove came with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option.

The Buick Encore is very small. It is one of the smallest SUV sold in the United States. It has a wheelbase of 100.6 inches and an overall length of 168.5 inches. It has an exterior styling that I can only describe as unique. It is not pretty, but it is not ugly either. It does not look like any other car on the road and will stand out. It lacks that the extended wheel arches found on the Nissan Juke, which hurts the Juke's styling. The Encore comes with 18 inch wheels. The version I drove came with 18 inch chromed aluminum wheels, a $995 option. The Encore I drove came with the premium trim level and came with saddle leather seats. It also came with a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, a remote vehicle starter system, heated front and passenger seats, front and rear park assist, forward collision alert, and lane departure warning. The screen in the middle of the dashboard serves as both a screen for the backup camera and the navigation. The leather and wood trim gives the Encore a luxurious feel, even in a vehicle as small as the Encore. The seats are comfortable. I had good headroom and legroom behind the wheel. The premium trim level cost $3,900 more than the base trim level.

The Buick Encore is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 110 mph. The Encore feels slow. I notice a little bit of turbo lag coming from the engine. Despite the subpar performance, the Encore has a smooth and quiet ride. The vehicle responds well when I turn the wheel. Prices for the Buick Encore starts at $24,950, including a $750 destination fee. The version I test drove costs $31,475. A full loaded all-wheel drive Encore goes for over $33,000. For the size of the car, it is a little bit pricey.

Overall, the Encore is average. It has a luxurious feel when equipped with the leather and premium trims. But with the base and convenience trims, you do not get a lot, especially for a vehicle starting around $25,000. The Encore is small and underpowered. The Encore could have benefited from either a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine available in the Buick Regal and Cadillac ATS. Hopefully, General Motors will offer more engine options with the Encore. The turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine ruins the driving experience for the Encore. That engine provides 4 more hp than a Toyota Prius. The engine is not powerful enough for a vehicle that weighs 2,850 pounds. The Encore needs a more powerful engine. It is just too slow and small to cost $25,000. If the Encore started at $20,000, then I could recommend it. But there are much better cars and SUVs out there than the Encore that cost around $25,000.

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First Drive: 2013 Buick Enclave

2013-09-02T18:33:00.000-05:00

At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, General Motors debuted a concept SUV that utilized GM Lambda platform. This car became the Buick Enclave. The Lambda platform is utilized by the Saturn Outlook, GMC Arcadia, and the Chevrolet Traaverse. The Buick Enclave went on sale in 2007 as a 2008 model. The Enclave replaces the Buick Rendezvous (a mid-size crossover SUV), the Buick Rainier (mid-size SUV), and the Buick Terraza (minivan). The Buick Enclave is a front engine full-size luxury crossover SUV that comes with either front-wheel drive (standard option) or four-wheel drive (a $2,000 option). The Enclave comes with three rows of seats. The Enclave can come with either seven seats or eight seats. At the 2013 Houston Auto Show, I took a Buick Enclave for a test drive. A six-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission available for the Enclave.

The Buick Enclave has below average styling for a crossover SUV. It has some characteristic lines that start from the grill to the back of the vehicle. I am not a big fan of the Buick grill. It is just parts that go vertical, nothing special. This is suppose to be a luxury crossover, it is suppose to be easy on the eyes, but the Enclave is not a pretty car to look at. It shares the same body style as the Chevrolet Traverse. The GMC Arcadia has some characteristics to its styling and GM should have added some uniqueness to the Enclave's styling. While I do not like the exterior, the interior is a different story. While the base cloth seats, it does come with a rear power liftgate and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. But for $4,015 extra, you can go with the Enclave leather group. This package includes leather and wood trim, which gives the Enclave a luxurious feel. The driver and front passenger seats are heated. The driver seat has power recline with memory presets for two drivers. The seats are comfortable. I have good legroom and headroom behind the wheel. If you want more features, there is a premium group trim level. The version I drove came with the premium trim and it had a luxurious feel to it.

The Buick Enclave is powered by a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 288 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 112 mph. The Enclave is a big vehicle and has that big vehicle feel. Yet it feels quick for a full-size crossover SUV. During my test drive, I outran and Ford Mustang 5.0 GT. The Enclave has a good drive quality. It is quiet inside the vehicle. The Enclave has a smooth ride and it responds nicely when I turn the steering wheel. This gives a good driving experience for a full-size crossover SUV, even if it is not the most exciting vehicle to drive. Prices for the Buick Enclave start at $39,665, that includes a $925 destination fee. The version I drove, a FWD Enclave with the premium trim level starts at $47,240, which includes a $925 destination fee.

Overall, the Buick Enclave is a good family vehicle. It has three rows of seats. This is very suitable for a family with two to five children. It makes a good road trip vehicle. Even though there are other vehicles in its class with more powerful engines, the 3.6L V6 engine still provides good power. I outran a V8 Mustang in the Enclave. In addition to solid power and performance, the Enclave has a good ride quality. It is quiet, smooth, and comfortable to drive. But it is not worth the $40,000+ price tag, especially when the base trim level comes with cloth seats. I think that the base trim should start around $33,000. The leather trim Enclave should start at $37,000 with the premium trim going for around $41,000. Other than it being a few thousand dollars overpriced, it is still a good family vehicle. I have driven the Buick Verano, Buick LaCrosse, and Buick Regal. Buick has improved in terms of luxury. The overall Buick styling can improve, but the overall ride quality and comfort for the LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave are very good. Buick needs to soften the ride for the Regal. It was too rough and uncomfortable to sit in.

Next time, I review the 2013 Buick Encore.

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First Drive: 2013 Scion xD

2013-08-20T21:09:00.000-05:00

In 2002, Toyota created the Scion brand. The Scion brand consists of vehicles targeted towards young buyers in the United States. In 2004, two Scions made their debuts, the Scion xA, a rebadged Toyota ist, and the Scion xB, a rebadged Toyota bB. Both the xA and the xB are five-door hatchbacks.In 2007, the production runs of the xA and the first generation xB ended. In 2007, the second generation Scion xB went into production. The xA was replaced by the xD. The Scion xD is a rebadged second generation Toyota ist. The Scion xD is a subcompact front engine, front-wheel drive, five door hatchback. I have seen several xDs on the road. They have made appearances at the Houston Auto Show. While Scion did have a Ride and Drive booth at the 2013 Houston Auto Show, the xD was not available for test drives. During one Saturday in August, I took a Scion xD out for a test drive when my car was having its state inspection and oil change at the local Toyota/Scion dealership. The version I drove came with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Scion xD comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard.

The Scion xD has a above average styling for a subcompact hatchbac The styling is bold and aggressive when compared to other subcompact hatchbacks.The front facial extends beyond the hood. This gives it an bold look. The rear hatch has a slight curve to it. The version I drove came with a rear spoiler. What hurts the appearance is the five-spoke wheel cover. I do not like wheel covers. They look cheap. I prefer actual wheels, which give cars a more appealing look. The xD is available with 16" five-spoke wheels as a $795 option. For a brand that focuses on younger drivers, the interior is nothing special. The standard pioneer radio system is nothing special. The driver seat was comfortable. I had good head room, but the legroom was barely adequate.

The Scion xD is powered by a 1.8L I4 engine that produces 128 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 118 mph. The xD felt slower than the 0-60 mph time suggests. The ride quality of the subpar. The xD blocks out all noises except for the engine. The engine is quite loud. Also the xD is rough when traveling along bumpy roads. The xD is boring to drive. Not much excitement behind the wheel. Steering is responsive if a little bit numb. Prices for the Scion xD start at $16,550, including an $805 destination fee. The version I drove with the automatic transmission starts at $17,350, including an $805 destination fee. For that price, you do not get a lot of car. Scions come with lttle standard, but Scion buyers are encouraged to customize their vehicles with aftermarket parts.

Overall, I was not impressed with the Scion xD. I found the car to be lacking. I know Scion encourages customization, but the xD should come with more toys as standard. The standard interior for the xD is just bland. The four-speed automatic transmission feels outdated. The xD comes with a five-speed manual transmission and is the preferred transmission. The 0-60 mph times are under 8.0 seconds for the manual. The automatic version I drove felt sluggish in the acceleration department. The xD also has a boring driving experience and an unnecessarily noisy engine. It is hard for me to recommend this car. There are better subcompact hatchbacks available. As far as the Scion brand goes, only the Scion FR-S has impressed me.

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First Drive: 2013 Honda Fit

2013-08-09T16:11:00.000-05:00

In 2001, Honda released a five-door subcompact hatchback. In the European, Oceanic, Middle East, Austrailian, and most of the Asian markets, the hatchback is known as the Honda Jazz. For the Chinese, Japanese, and the American markets, the hatchback is known as the Honda Fit. The Honda Fit comes with a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. The first generation Honda Fit was in production from 2011 to 2008. At the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda debuted the second generation Honda Fit. The second generation Fit is longer and wider than the previous generation Fit. The American version of the Fit is slightly longer due to the longer front fascia. Production of the second generation started in 2007 and is currently still in production. The Honda Fit is a very common site on the Houston Roads and Highways. During one Saturday in March 2013, I made a visit to the local Honda dealership and took one out for a test drive. I drove the Honda Fit with the sport trim level. I drove one with a five-speed automatic transmission with manual paddle shifters, a $850 option. The Fit comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard. The Japanese can get a Honda Fit with a CVT automatic transmission.

On the exterior, it is just a standard hatchback design. There is nothing special about its design. As part of the sport trim package, the Honda Fit comes with a rear spoiler, a body kit, and chrome exhaust tips.1. The interior is nothing special. It comes with cruise control, power windows, power locks, a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The interior for the Honda Fit with the sport trim comes only in black with cloth seats. The base trim level comes with a grey interior. But there is one feature that saves the Honda Fit from having a bland interior. The rear seats not only fold down, but the seat bottoms fold up, allowing for better access and more storage space for items behind the front passenger and driver seats. Behind the wheel, I had good headroom and legroom. The driver seat was comfortable to be in. But the interior is just so bland and boring.

The Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5L I4 engine that produces 117 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 113 mph. The Honda Fit is a slow car. Also, the performance of the engine is underwhelming. For a car with a sport trim level, it did not feel sporty. But without the power and performance, the Honda Fit was smooth and and quiet. But there is not much excitement behind the wheel of the Honda Fit. Prices for the Honda Fit start at $16,215, including a $790 destination fee. The automatic Honda Fit Sport starts at $18,800, including a $790 destination fee. That is reasonable for what you get with the Honda Fit.

Overall, the Honda Fit is a boring, yet practical car. It lacks in the power and performance departments. It has a few redeeming qualities. The bottom of the rear seats fold up to allow for more storage space behind the driver and front passenger seats. The Fit has a smooth ride. It is comfortable behind the wheel. The one issue I really have is that the Fit does not give a fun driving experience. The problem with the Honda Fit is that there is not a lot of options with the Honda Fit. There are two trim levels, basic and sport. Honda has a few engine options with the Civic. For those who want a high performance version of the Civic, there is the Honda Civic Si. What Honda should have done is make a high performance of the Honda Fit. This could give consumers a chance to buy a Honda Fit with some performance, maybe a Honda Fit Si. The exterior is nothing special. Other than the rear seats that fold up, there is nothing special about the interior. But there is a market for the Honda Fit. If you want excitement, look elsewhere. But if you want a small, practical hatchback for under$20,000 and do not care for excitement, then give the Honda Fit a test drive.

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First Drive: 2014 Fiat 500L

2013-08-03T19:08:00.000-05:00

When the Fiat 500 went on sail in mid-2011 in the United States and Canada, it marked the return of the Fiat brand to these markets. A Fiat has not been sold in these markets since 1984. In addition to the Fiat 500, the US and Canada markets would also get the 500C, 500 Abarth, 500C Abarth, and 500 Turbo. Starting in 2012, a Fiat subcompact/MPV started its production run. This new Fiat became the Fiat 500L. The Fiat 500L would be available internationally during late 2012. The UK and US markets started selling the 500L in Spring 2013. The Fiat 500L is a front engine, five-door hatchback. I got my first look at the Fiat 500L at the 2013 Houston Auto Show. During one Friday in June 2013, I took one out for a test drive. I drove one with the easy trim level and came with a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters (a $1,350 option). The Fiat 500L is also available in pop (the basic trim level), trekking, and the top of the line lounge trim levels. The 500L comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

On the outside, the Fiat 500L has a good exterior for a subcompact/MPV. The 500L shares some front facial features with the standard Fiat 500 grill and headlights on the bumper. The front bumper for the Fiat 500L extends out, past the grill. The 500L also features some nice lines going along the side of the car. It is not sporty, but the 500L is not a sports car. The 500L has a nice interior to it. I drove one with the easy package. That includes navigation, an excess speed alert, back-up camera, bluetooth functions, and media hub that includes a USB port. It is also very open and roomy. I was sitting in the back of one on a showroom floor and I had plenty of headroom and legroom in the rear. I was very comfortable behind the seat. The driver seat was comfortable. I had very good headroom and good legroom behind the wheel. What I like about the 500L is the visibility inside the car. It just feels open and not much is blocking your view when you are seeing nearby cars on the road.

The Fiat 500L is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L I4 engine that produces 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 120 mph. The Fiat 500L has adequate acceleration and good top speed, especially for a subcompact car. The 500L has a smooth ride quality. It drove nicely on the Houston roads and freeways. It was also very quiet inside the car. But most of all, this is a fun car to drive. Prices for the Fiat 500L starts at $19,990, which also includes a $800 destination charge. The price of the 500L I test drove was $22,345, including a $800 destination charge.

Overall, this is a good car. It gets adequate power from the turbocharged 1.4L engine that came fromt he Fiat 500 Abarth. It has adequate acceleration. It also has a good top speed, especially for a subcompact/MPV. It has a smooth, quiet ride. The car is very roomy. It has great visibility. For the price, you get comfort, a good interior, good styling for a subcompact/MPV, a good ride, and adequate performance. Most of all, this car is fun to drive. At first I was skeptical about this car. When I first saw it, I was not impressed. I feared that Fiat would use the 101 hp engine found in the standard Fiat 500. But that fear was gone when I found that this has the Fiat 500 Abarth engine. I am glad that Fiat went with the Abarth engine. It is a perfect match for the 500L. Fiat did not make the same mistake Mini/BMW made with the Countryman. The Mini Cooper Countryman used the same engine found in the standard Mini Cooper Hardtop, which really hurt the Mini Cooper. When you make a larger version of a car and keep the same engine, the performance of the larger vehicle suffers. Good job for Fiat for not making that mistake with the 500L. After driving both the Fiat 500C and Fiat 500L, I hope to see more Fiat models make it to the United States.

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First Drive: 2013 Volkswagen Golf GTI

2013-07-24T21:40:00.000-05:00

In 1974, Volkswagen released the Golf, a subcompact hatchback. In June1976, a high performance version of the Golf came out, the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Golf GTI Mk1 popularized a category of vehicles known as hot hatches. Hot hatches are hatchbacks that are small, practical cars that had a sporty feel and solid performance. The Volkswagen Golf is currently on its seventh generation, the Golf Mk6, which has been production from 2008 and was available starting with the 2010 model year. Proudction of a seventh generation Golf has started for the European market. For every generation of the Volkswagen Golf, there has been a Volkswagen Golf GTI. The Golf GTI is available as either a three-door or five-door hatchback. The Golf GTI has a front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. I have seen several versions of the Golf GTI spanning all generations at various Houston auto events. During one Friday in April 2013, I stopped by a local Volkswagen dealership and took a Golf GTI out for a test drive. The version I drove was the five-door hatchback variant can came with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters (an $1,100 option). The Golf GTI comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

The Volkswagen Golf was never really that good of a styling. The sixth generation is no exception. It looks bland when compared to its competition. Then again, Volkswagen is not known for its exterior styling. The GTI has a a few minor exterior changes compared to the standard Golf. The Golf GTI has 18" wheels, red trim around the grill, a wider grill on the front bumper, and lights on the front bumper. The GTI also features a GTI badge on the front grill and on the rear hatch. The interior is nothing special. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Upper trim levels include a touchscreen and a sunroof. I drove the base Golf GTI. The seat was firm, but not too firm that it is uncomfortable. The GTI is sports tune, so a firm seat is expected. I had decent amount of legroom and headroom behind the wheel.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine that produces 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 149 mph. The Golf GTI has solid performance. Anything with a 0 to 60 mph in under 7.0 seconds has good acceleration. It was quiet inside the car plus it has a smooth ride to it. But there is not much excitement with the driving experience. Prices for a three-door Golf GTI starts at $24,995, including a $795 destination charge. The five-door Golf GTI I drove with the automatic transmission costs $26,690. This is a bit of money for what get with the Golf GTI. There are hot hatches out there that cost less than the Golf GTI.

The Golf GTI Mk6 has been featured on Top Gear, Top Gear Korea, Natale in Sud Africa, Fifth Gear, RTL Autowereld, Broom, Turkisch fur Anfanger, Um Himmels willen, Motorweek, and Tatort-Es ist bose. The Golf GTI Mk6 is playable in StreetRally, Rumble Town Racing 2, The GTI Project, GT Racing: Motor Academy, GTI Edition 35, Forza Motorsport 3, Car Town, Nitto 1320 Legends, Real Racing 2, Forza Motorsports 4, Real Racing GTI, and Test Drive Unlimited 2.

Overall, This is an above solid car. It has good performance, especially for a subcompact. The Golf GTI has a great top speed for a hot hatch, maxing out at 149 mph. It has a higher top speed than some six-cylinder sports car. It can outrun a Ford Mustang V6 (top speed 114 mph). This is not a bad car, but it is overpriced. $25,000 is a bit much for a subcompact car, even if it is a hot hatch. For the price of a Golf GTI, you can get a Scion FR-S/Subaru BR-Z or a Subaru Impreza WRX. The Ford Fiesta ST, another hot hatch, starts at $22,195, but it only comes with a six-speed manual transmission. The Mazda Speed3 starts at $24,995 and it is a compact hot hatch, although it only comes with a six-speed manual transmission. The Golf GTI has a good drive quality. It is pricey for what you get. But it is also one of the very few hot hatches you can get in the United States that comes with an automatic transmission. I drove four other cars on the same day I drove the Golf GTI. One of those cars is the Volvo C30. It is another hot hatch. It is very fun to drive and also comes with an automatic transmission. It only comes as a three-door hatchback. I would easily recommend the C30 over a thee-door Golf GTI. But if you want a five-door hatchback, then you will have to pass on the C30. So, if you want five-door hatchback with a minimum of 200 hp with an automatic transmission, you best option is the Golf GTI. It would be a great buy if it cost $5,000 less. In summary, it is a good car, just overpriced.

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First Drive: 2013 Hyundai Veloster

2013-07-10T14:42:00.000-05:00

At the 2007 Seoul Auto Show, Kia revealed a concept car codenamed HND-3. The final production version was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show on January 11, 2011 and became the Hyundai Veloster. The Veloster went into production in 2011 and sales started in Korea on The Veloster is a four-door hatchback/sports coupe with a front engine, front-wheel drive layout. The Veloster was released to the Korean market on March 10, 2011. Sales of the Veloster in the United States started in fall of 2011. I have seen the Veloster at various Houston car events and on the Houston Roads. I drove the Veloster Turbo at the 2013 Houston Auto Show, but that is not what I will be focusing on. During one Friday in May 2013, I decided to stop by the local Hyundai dealership and took a Veloster out for a test drive. The version I drove came with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which is a $1,250 option. The Veloster comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The version I drove came with the standard package, but for an additional $2,000 dollars, you can get the style package. For another $2,000, you can get the tech package, which requires the purchase of the style package.

The Veloster is quite stylish. It has a sporty styling to it. What is unique about the Veloster is that it has a rear door on the passenger side. It has a coupe profile with a sloping rear that leads to the rear hatch. The Veloster comes with dual chrome tip exhaust outlets as standard. With the style package, you get a sunroof and fog lights at the bottom of the front bumper. But the version I drove came with the standard package and lacked the features. The Veloster comes with 17 inch wheels with optional wheel locks ($55). The interior was nothing special since I got the basic package. But the metallic interior accents do add a nice touch to the interior. The seat was slightly comfortable. It was not firm at all. I had good head room and leg room behind the wheel.

The Veloster is powered by a 1.6L I4 engine that produces 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 118 mph. I felt that the Veloster suffered in the drive quality department. It felt like the Veloster took a while to get to 60 mph. The ride quality was decent. It was a little on the smooth side. But the Veloster is not that responsive. I had to really turn the wheel just for the Veloster to corner. With most cars I drive, the car will turn instantly in the direction I turn the steering wheel. With the Veloster, it felt like a delay from the time I turn the wheel to the time the car turned. At least it was quiet inside the Veloster during the test drive. Prices for the Veloster start at $18,395. With the included options of the six speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, wheel locks, carpeted floor mats, and the cargo tray, the price of the Veloster as tested is $$19,905. For a sports coupe, the price is reasonable.

The Hyundai Veloster is featured in Siti Hyunteo (City Hunter), Auto Esporte, Motorweek, and Robot & Frank. The Hyundai Veloster is playable in Veloster HD, Drift City, Car Town, and Car Town EX.

Overall, the Veloster is all style and no substance. Hyundai should have put more power into the base engine. 160 hp to 170 hp would be more ideal, especially in a sports coupe. The standard Veloster has 4 more hp than a Toyota Prius, and the Prius is designed to get very high gas mileage, not to be a sports coupe.Not to mention that the steering of the Veloster is not that responsive. At least with the Veloster, there is a turbocharged version that provides a much better driving experience. Now if you want a Veloster, go with the Veloster Turbo. That has style and substance. Pass on the standard Veloster. The standard Veloster fails to give a proper driving experience, something that is a must for all sports coupes.

CarJunkie
Photo was taken by a camera phone.

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