Brad's Auto Reviews

Remembering Mosport International Raceway

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 00:01:00 +0000

When I was I child like so many of us who grew up just outside of Toronto, Ontario - Mosport International Raceway played a huge role in our love for motorsports. I was lucky enough to be able to get up close with the drivers and their cars since my father was involved in the sponsorship of races and was even involved in Swiss Chalet's sponsorship of Canadian racing legend Eppie Wietzes. Like many of us I really miss the days of watching Eppie race the Swiss Chalet sponsored Chevrolet Corvette and the famous yellow #7 Cook Woods Lola race car. I can still remember walking through the paddock area which at times could be a very busy place. The first thing you learn as a child is that it is best to move out of the way of race cars making their way to the track. Looking back I am so happy that I was able to get up close with everything going on at the track. This allowed me to have a connection with racing that most people never get. I was even lucky enough one year to meet Hurley Haywood who gave me the opportunity to take an up-close look at the Ferrari F40 he was racing at that point in his career.

Mosport International Raceway

Since my father was involved in the sponsorship of many racing events and drivers most of my childhood memories revolve around attending races at Mosport International Raceway. As a Child and all the way into my teens going to races at Mosport was a yearly summer tradition. I even remember watching Jeremy Dale and Steve Millen race the #76 and #75 IMSA GTO Nissan 300ZX race cars. Thinking back I really believe that I was lucky to grow up at a time when racing was fully supported by vehicle manufactures. I grew up watching Ron Fellows race in the Porsche 944 Rothmans Turbo Cup and the racing in that series was intense. It was amazing to watch as drivers pushed their cars to the limit each and every lap. I am also sure that everyone remembers the Player's Challenge Series and watching Chevrolet Camaro's and Pontiac Trans Am's race hard for the win. Some might call these the good old day of racing and I would agree. Thankfully racing is still alive and well and after all these years Mosport International Raceway is still going strong. With new ownership and plenty of improvements on the way the future is bright for this historic Canadian raceway which played a major role in my life and my love for Motorsports.

Pictures from Mosport International Raceway

Joey McColm supports Laps for Muscular Dystrophy,

Shelby Mills supports Laps for Muscular Dystrophy,

Matt Garwood supports Laps for Muscular Dystrophy,

What is Laps for Muscular Dystrophy? &

Autofest rolls into town

Why you should think twice before engaging in Road Rage

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 23:58:00 +0000

When it comes to our daily commutes driving to work of for some dropping their kids off at school, every once in a while you will run into an overly aggressive driver. I am sure we have all been there before when another driver does something that upsets us. Let's be honest some people make you wonder how they are even allowed to drive. Some of us at times can become enraged over the smallest things such a a driver not using their indicator or just driving too slowly in the fast lane. When this happens some drivers first thoughts are to pay them back. This is when things can get out of hand leading to road rage. Thankfully some of us can just let these types of things go, while others tend to take it to the next level. As we have all seen at times on the evening news this can result in some unfortunate consequences for everyone involved.

We all know that some drivers are quick to engaging in road rage tactics the second some one does them wrong. The most popular way of showing your displeasure with another driver is tailgating which is a tactic that can back fire on you. Next thing you know the driver ahead of you slams on their brakes and ends up upsetting you even more. Then you might react by quickly passing them simply to cut them off in an effort to show you displeasure with their poor driving habits. Once this happens the situation will escalate and quite possibly might result in you being the next road rage driver featured on the evening news. What most drivers don't take into consideration in the heat of the moment is the fact that many drivers now have easy access to their cell phones. These days it is all too simple for other drivers to record your actions on video. Then the next thing you know a few days later the police are knocking on your door.

It really shouldn't come as a surprise that we are now living in a time when your actions can be quickly caught on camera. Those with in the automotive industry already know that the sales of personal use dash cams are on the rise. A very useful device for the many situations that can occur at anytime on the road. This is why everyone needs to think twice before engaging in road rage. So next time someone does something as simple as not indicating or accidentally cutting you off, it might be best to just let it go. If you need to simply take another route home, as the best way to defuse the situation is to end it as soon as it begins. Why not consider pulling into the closest parking lot and if you need to take a few deep breathes to calm yourself down. As any law enforcement officer would tell you it is always in your best interest to never engage in Road Rage.

Tips for recording other drivers actions:

-When it comes to shooting video of another driver you do have to be careful, in some situations it can make things worse. This is why at times you may want to hide the fact that you are recording their actions.

-If you are involved in Road Rage and notice you are being recorded simply back off, let the other driver go. In most situations they just want you to leave them alone, if you do this they are less likely to post online or contact the police.

-If you are a witness of road rage instead of shooting video it might be best to simply call the local police.

See Better This Winter with SYLVANIA SilverStar® ULTRA Headlights

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 15:36:00 +0000

2013 Hyundai Accent with SYLVANIA SilverStar® ULTRA Headlight bulbs

When it comes to vehicle safety during the winter there are those out there who might not even consider brightening their path by upgrading their headlight bulbs. Over the weekend I switched out my factory installed bulbs with a new set of SilverStar® Ultra headlight bulbs from Sylvania. I was actually amazed that the second I made the switch I noticed a difference right away. Even with just the day time running light on. Once I turned my headlights on it was obvious that they were much brighter than the ones that originally came with my car. The first thing I noticed was that they covered a much wider area providing me with improved vision for night time driving. I was impressed at how the street signs stood out more clearly and pedestrians were much easier to see. A definite safety advantage as nighttime driving has its challenges especially if you are driving with a dimly lit headlights. The advantages of much brighter headlights like the Sylvania SilverStar® Ultra bulbs is that there is an obvious difference when compared to the one's that originally came with my car. They definitely improve clarity and make a major difference when driving on dimly lit and even wet snow covered road ways. Best of all upgrading your vehicles bulbs with much brighter one's like the Sylvania SilverStar® Ultra bulbs will not only give you a better view of the road this winter season but of pedestrians and emergency workers as well.

Before I upgraded to the Sylvania SilverStar® Ultra bulbs at times my headlights appeared to be so dim that I could easily make the mistake of driving at night with just my daytime running lights on. I am sure we all have seen others driving down the road at night with just their daytime running lights on. This happens all too often and this is mainly due to the fact that some people can barely notice the difference between the two when it come to brightness. Thankfully with the new Sylvania SilverStar® Ultra headlight bulbs you will definitely be able to tell the difference between your daytime running lights and your regular headlights right away. So with much brighter headlights the days of mistakenly driving with your daytime running lights on will be a thing of the past making the roads much safer for all of us. So if the headlight bulbs in your car supplied by your vehicle manufacture are not providing you with the best vision possible at night you should definitely consider replacing those bulbs right away. So with with winter driving conditions fast approaching why not make the commitment to seeing better this winter with Sylvania SilverStar® Ultra headlight bulbs. Available at Canadian Tire.

For more information please visit http://bit.ly/ctcULTRA today!

Top 5 Tips for buying a Used Car,
Top 10 vehicles for those with disabilities,
Remembering Mosport International Raceway &
Canadian Race Drivers support Laps for Muscular Dystrophy

Winter Driving Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 17:31:00 +0000

When it comes to winter driving sometimes it takes a few people a bit more time than others to properly adjust their driving style to match weather conditions. These are usually the people you see on our roads during the winter months who speed, tailgate and simply don't take the time to properly clear snow and ice from their vehicles. Some make the mistake of believing that just because their vehicle is equipped with snow tires that they can drive how ever the please this isn't the case.

In an effort to help make the roads safer for all of us this winter season I have compiled a short list of tips that will hopefully help other drivers to start taking winter driving more seriously.

Top Safe Winter Driving Tips:

1 - Consider purchasing a good set of winter tires as they provide greater traction than all-season tires on snow and ice. If you can't afford winter tires make sure the ones that are on your vehicle are fully capable of getting you through the winter season safely.

2 - Purchase a good set of winter wiper blades as they help to reduce ice accumulation which usually occurs on your regular all-season wiper blades. Doing this will help to ensure that no matter the weather conditions you will always be able to see clearly out of your windshield. You will also want to make sure that your windshield washer fluid reservoir is always topped up - this is something that can be a real life safer especially when your windshield becomes dirty through out the winter months.

3 - Keep a snow brush/scraper in your car at all times so you can properly clear your vehicles exterior of ice and snow. Most importantly you will always want to make sure that your exterior lights, mirrors and the top of your vehicle is cleared of ice and snow not only for your safety but the safety of others as well.

4 - Keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle at all times and make sure to include a flashlight, small blanket and even a lightweight collapsible shovel. Each one of these items can become a real life saver if you ever run into trouble.

5 - Drive according to weather conditions, in most situation it is best to reduce your speed on snow and ice covered roads. The facts are that one of the main causes of most winter related accidents is speeding. So slow down.

6 - In winter conditions it is always best to drive slowly and very smoothly. You will always want to avoid making abrupt moves such as quick lane changes as this can cause your vehicle to lose control.

7 - Don't tailgate - As winter weather approaches road condition can deteriorate quickly, as roadways become covered in snow and ice your vehicles ability to stop quickly is greatly reduced. Even if your vehicle is equipped with ABS or traction control if you are tailgating in most circumstances you will not be able to come to a stop in time.

8 - You may also want to consider upgrading your headlight bulbs so you can have a clearer view of the road this winter season.

Please stay safe this winter season

Opinion: Is it time for a return to photo radar in the Province of Ontario?

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 15:42:00 +0000

When it comes to driving on city streets and highways I am always amazed with what I see. Now the one thing I see most frequently is people driving at high rates of speed down city streets. It seems as if they don’t understand the dangers that are involved with driving this way. Just the other day a young man in a red Honda Prelude flew past me like I was standing still weaving in and out of traffic as if the roadway was his own personal race track. All it takes is one mistake a person crossing the street or another driver changing lanes without indicating and the outcome would have been tragic. In recent weeks here in the Province of Ontario local news casts have been filled with stories of drivers and passengers who have been killed in accidents where speed was a contributing factor. Just last week a story about a motorcyclist weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed in a YouTube video gained the attention of the media and eventually the police. It seems as if some drivers just don’t get it. When it comes down to it this kind of driving needs to brought to an end and a reintroduction of photo radar in the Province of Ontario might just be the key.

In recent months my whole attitude towards speeding on city streets has changed. This occurred late last year after my friends and I witnessed a fatal accident which ended up taking the life of a young man only 18 years of age. To make a long story short two young drivers were street racing when one of them lost control hitting a cement barrier. Many of us already know at high speeds even the littlest mistake can result in tragedy as our city streets and highways leave no room for mistakes. If you are a motor sports fan you know even on the race track tragedy can’t always be avoided. When it comes to race tracks they have many safety features including safer barriers and run off sections while our city streets aren’t always so forgiving. As we all know our city streets were created to be driven on a certain speeds and once we exceed those set limits the risk of being involved in an accident goes way up. Sure these days vehicle manufactures are producing some of the safest cars we’ve ever seen but that doesn’t always guarantee that we will be able survive a wreck at high speeds. There is really one solution to the problem and that’s for everyone to start driving responsibly by obeying posted speed limits. But the reality is that no matter what we do there will always be those who aim to push the limits of their vehicles putting us all at risk. I wonder how many more lives need to be lost before these drivers realize what they are doing is putting innocent people at risk. How many more stories do we need to hear about someone’s daughter, son or family member getting killed on our city streets? The time is now for more people to take driving a little bit more seriously but the facts are there will always be a few people who have to ruin it for everyone. So for the safety of everyone on our roads and after recent events I believe it might just be a time for a return to photo radar in the Province of Ontario.

Brad's Car Reviews:

Review: 2012 Nissan Juke,

Review of the Chevrolet Equinox,
Review of the Buick Verano,
Review of the Mazda 5 &
Review of the Scion xB

Top 5 tips to follow before purchasing a used car

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 20:40:00 +0000

1) Don’t rush, take the time to research the vehicle you are considering purchasing

1- Research - The first thing you want to do is research the vehicle you are planning to purchase.

2 - Go online - Search for the vehicle you are interested in, this will lead you to pages where people discuss the problems they are having with the vehicle.

3 - Avoid Vehicles with issues -Some vehicles have certain issues and if they are serious enough you will want to avoid purchasing that vehicle. No one wants to buy a car and then have to spend thousands of dollars fixing it.

4 -Search for Recalls - You can also search for recalls and always make sure those recalls have been completed before you purchase the vehicle.

5 - Search for quality vehicles – the 2007-2009 Toyota Yaris is a great car to consider it is cheap to operate and maintain plus very reliable. Plus it comes in a 2 and 4 door hatch back and as a sedan.

2) Make sure the vehicle suits your needs

1 - If you plan to travel – If you take a lot of trips either over a weekend or for just a day you will want to purchase a very reliable car, many used Toyota’s or even Honda’s are a great choice but just to be safe everyone should have some type of road side assistance service.

2 - If you have a lot of friends – You will want to avoid purchasing a 2 door car and focus your search on a 4 door vehicle which many times are cheaper to insure than a 2 door car.

3 - Is it capable of handling the winter season – If you live in an area that receives a lot of snow during the winter months you will want to avoid rear wheel drive car as they can be quite a challenge to drive on snow covered road, focus your search on front wheel drive cars only, and a good set of snow tires would be great to have, if you can find someone selling a car with a set of winter tire that would be best.

4 - Does it suit your future needs? – You have to make sure if you plan to own the car for a long period of time that if you get married or have children that it would still suit your needs.

3) RED Flags - advertisements and the things to look out for.

1 - No price, No Mileage - If an ad doesn’t include the price or the mileage of the vehicle don’t even bother, when the price is not listed treat it as a red flag this usually means the vehicle is overpriced.

If the Mileage is also not listed it simply means that the vehicle has high mileage it’s just better to avoid these vehicles all together.

2 - As is – Unless you have a lot of money saved up or are good friends with a mechanic you will want to avoid any car listed as is, this means there may be many issues with that vehicle so you may just want to avoid them all together.

3 - Former daily renters – This is not necessarily a bad thing but you need to remember you never know how these car were treated, now some people have no problems with former rental car, but I have heard of a few horror stories so if you want to be safe you may avoid them or only purchase former daily renters from trusted dealership.

4 - What to look for while on a test drive – walk around the entire vehicle, first you want to look for rust and that’s everywhere on the vehicle, get on your hands and knees if necessary, if you see any signs of rust walk away. While driving the vehicle if the transmission doesn’t shift smoothly again walk away. At one point in the test drive stop a check this oil, bring paper towel with you in your pocket or purse, there has been many times when I have done this and the vehicle has been running with no oil. This is a sign that it hasn’t been well maintained and that would be a car to avoid. And no matter how much you love the car even if it is perfect have it inspected.

4) The benefits of a “Car Proof” or “CARFAX” report

1 - Car proof/Carfax report provides you with a brief history of the vehicle you are planning to purchase, insurance claims or any vehicle accident that were reported to the police will be found within this report, along with other useful information which can help you avoid making a bad purchase.

2 - Buying a “Car Proof” or “Carfax” report on your own – if the car you are interested doesn’t come with a Car Proof report you can purchase one online all you need is the vin number of the vehicle and it can cost you anywhere from $30 to $50.

3 - The Vehicle Information Package (Ontario, Canada) – This package is to be provided to you by the seller, it is only required during private sales, it provides you with vital vehicle information such as outstanding debts such as liens, the proper odometer reading and Ontario vehicle registration history. It costs the seller $20 to purchase and you should review it before purchasing the vehicle.

5) Know what it costs to insure

Know what it costs to insure – Before you purchase any vehicle no matter how much you may love it always find out how much it will cost you to insure it before buying it. You will be surprised at how much it can cost to insure some vehicles. So before you buy it is always best to find out. Because once you sign the papers and the financing is approved the vehicle is yours.

More Tips

A easy way to get free information on a used car – write down the vin number of the vehicle you are looking at, call the local brands dealership, speak with the service department tell them you have this car an you wanted to see if there are any recalls on the vehicle that need to be completed. Ask them if it shows it was a former daily renter, some dealership will actually give you a few details on the car, especially if they have serviced that vehicle before.

Autofest Downtown Kickoff Party - Picture Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:52:00 +0000

Corvette Stingray

Chevrolet Impala

Ford Mustang

Volvo

Pontiac Firebird

Brad's Car Reviews:

Review: 2012 Nissan Juke,

Review of the Chevrolet Equinox,
Review of the Buick Verano,
Review of the Mazda 5 &
Review of the Scion xB

Review of the 2012 Mazda5

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:49:00 +0000

2012 Mazda5

In early 2011 Mazda introduced the all new 2012 Mazda 5 though the side profile hasn’t changed that much the new Mazda 5 will still impress those looking for a unique and sporty drive. For the 2012 model year the Mazda 5 has seen some major changes when it comes to front and rear styling. For 2012 the new front end of Mazda 5 now resembles the Mazda 3 and this isn’t a bad thing as I believe it pulls off this look very well. In the rear gone are the (to continue reading click here)

Other Posts:

Review: 2012 Buick Verano ,
Review: 2012 Nissan Juke ,
Picture Gallery - 2012 Canadian International Auto Show &
Review of the Chevrolet Equinox

Review of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Chevrolet Equinox

Today I would like to take a look at the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, sure it's an SUV but it might surprise you how great of a vehicle this is for those of us with mobility issues. Recently I visited my local Chevrolet Dealership and took sometime to look at the all new Equinox, I was very impressed. I only have great things to say about the interior, first off the way the dashboard has been set up to surround you putting everything at your finger tips making it very easy to access the radio, cruise control, and climate control buttons. (To continue reading click here)

Other posts:

Review: 2012 Buick Verano ,
Review: 2012 Nissan Juke ,
Review: 2012 Mazda 5 &
Review: 2011 Scion xB

Review of the 2012 Buick Verano

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:36:00 +0000

2012 Buick Verano

When you think about Buick the truth is the last time they appealed to a younger audience was back when they were making the now legendary Buick Grand National. Now over 20 years later Buick is making an attempt to again attract younger buyers and they have actually been somewhat successful at it with the introduction of the all-new Buick Regal GS. Their latest step in the right direction has to be the 2012 Buick Verano an entry level sedan from GM which actually looks quite impressive. So you can understand why I was so excited (To continuing reading click here)

Other Posts:
Review: 2012 Nissan Juke ,
Review: 2012 Mazda 5 &
Review: 2011 Scion xB

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:49:00 +0000

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept

This is the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept, which was originally introduced at SEMA in 2011. This custom Camaro was designed to replicate what Hot Wheels is all about. It even features an amazing green chrome style paint scheme. Something alot of us are used to seeing on many of their smaller scale models. I could only imagine how difficult it must have been pulling it off on a full sized Chevrolet Camaro. From the one off custom rims to the uniquely designed air intakes found on the hood this car screams Hot Wheels from every angle. What they have done here is create a Hot Wheels car for grown-ups.

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept

Concept tail lights

When you take a closer look at the rear of the Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept you find an updated version of the current Camaro's tail lights. What you might not know is that these tail lights were actually created for the re-fresh of the current production Camaro. Who knows maybe there's still a chance they will end up on the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro. If you would like to see a few pics of these tail lights on the production version of the Camaro please (click here)

Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept

Other Posts:

Review: 2012 Buick Verano ,

Review: 2012 Nissan Juke ,

Picture Gallery - 2012 Canadian International Auto Show &

Review of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

Picture Gallery - 2012 Canadian International Auto Show

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Lexus LFA

Mazda CX-5

Subaru BRZ

2012 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept

Mercedes-Benz SL500

BMW Vision Concept

Jauguar C-X16

Nissan GT-R Hyundai Race Car

Acura NSX Concept

Mazda Shinari Concept

Scion FR-S

Scion iQ

To read the complete story about my time at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show please (Click Here)

Other Posts:
2012 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels Concept ,
Review: 2012 Buick Verano ,
Review: 2012 Nissan Juke &
Review of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

Review of the 2012 Nissan Juke

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Nissan Juke

The first thing you don’t want to do is let the unique looks of the 2012 Nissan Juke fool you - this is a great vehicle. When it come to the exterior of the Juke it seems like Nissan set out with the goal of creating a vehicle that stands out and I am sure we can all agree they have exceeded their goal. The front end design is what stands out the most giving the Juke a very unique look. The rest of the Jukes exterior design is typical Nissan styling some may view it as (to continue reading click here)

Other Posts:

Review: 2012 Mazda 5 ,
Review: 2011 Scion xB ,
Review: 2012 Buick Verano &
Review: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

My thoughts of the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:19:00 +0000

2012 Chevrolet Orlando

The first time I was introduced to the Chevrolet Orlando was when GM released the concept version of this vehicle. At the time I was quite impressed I thought it was a very unique looking vehicle and when I heard GM had approved the Orlando for production I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing that impressed me about the Orlando was its exterior styling the rear of the vehicle featured some very nice touches. The one part of the Orlando concept I liked the most was the design of the rear tail lights there placement and look suited the rear styling of the vehicle. The front end featured uniquely designed head lights which went a long way in helping to give the Orlando a sporty look something were not use to seeing from GM. It seemed like the Chevrolet Orlando would be the next vehicle to represent a new direction for GM and I was quite optimistic about the future of this vehicle thinking it may be a great success for a company who had recently fallen on hard times. Part of the problem with GM in the past was the fact that they built cars that simply couldn’t compete against their competition. When I was much younger I actually use to refer to them as the auto maker who followed their own path, only making the cars they wanted to make a car company that didn’t take the competition very seriously. Eventually this led to declining sales since other auto makers where doing a better job of providing customers with vehicles they actually wanted to drive.

Chevrolet Orlando Concept

To me the success of a company such as GM is very important to me since I live in a town where their vehicles are manufactured. And when I first saw the Orlando concept I believed it represented a new direction for GM I thought this vehicle could be a great success, I was just hoping that the production version of the Orlando turned out as well as the concept did. Eventually GM did release a few shots of the production version and like many people I was actually surprised and disappointed that GM took what was a great looking vehicle and turned it into something so dull and boring. In my opinion it looks like GM is still not willing to take any chances when it comes to the design of its vehicles. I really don’t think it makes any sense for a car company to bring a vehicle to market that already looks aged. In recent years other companies such as Hyundai and even Kia have been doing an amazing job of bringing to market unique car designs that attract younger buyers. When you look at the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando and compare it to the competition you will see that other manufactures offer buyers some very unique looking vehicles to choose from. Take a look at the Orlando’s closest competition the 2012 Mazda 5 and you will see a much better looking vehicle that is very sporty and much more enjoyable to drive. In my opinion the Chevrolet Orlando doesn’t have much character at all and its rental car looks don’t make me want to rush out and purchase one. I really wonder what GM was thinking and why they made the decision to take what was an amazing concept and then turn it into something so uninteresting and boring. They had a great opportunity here to bring to market a vehicle that would appeal to a younger audience but just like in the past they tend to only create vehicles that are geared toward the older crowd. With so many new and more interesting vehicles being released by it's competitors the Orlando could suffer from poor sales. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

2012 Mazda 5 Ford C-Max

I am sure many people will agree that the 2012 Chevrolet Orlando is a step in the right direction for GM they just need to be more willing to take some chance and create interesting vehicles that can compete against companies like Kia and Hyundai. It seems like when it comes to GM their designs are very basic and plain when the majority of car buyers are looking to purchase a vehicle that stands out that makes them feel good when their behind the wheel. And sure GM`s interiors have come a long way and I am actually impressed with the fit and finish found inside their current vehicles. To me the most useful feature found inside the 2012 Orlando is the unique in dash flip up storage compartment which was mainly created for you to store your smart phone or other devices. But that`s really the only feature found in the Orlando that impresses me, my main issue with this vehicle is its design which I believe

can still be improved. If the Orlando is actually a success that means with-in the next 3-4 years it will be due for a refresh which means many of the issues I have with the looks of the new Orlando can be addressed. Now I am sure the Orlando is a decent vehicle but I do have a few suggestions for GM when it comes time to for a few updates. The first thing I would do is apply the rear design from the concept to the production version of the Orlando which would help to create a vehicle that is much more visually appealing. Next I would rework the front end to include a front head light design similar to the ones found on the Orlando concept. Now the last thing I would suggest for GM to do is stop being so afraid of the word “mini-van” and to just add side sliding doors to the Chevrolet Orlando so it can compete against offerings from other car makers. To me it looks like GM has the capabilities of releasing vehicles that appeal to the masses and it seems like their concept design department is doing a great job of creating interesting designs but sadly many of their ideas are not making it into production. As you can see I haven`t totally given up on GM just yet I just hope the next time they show us a concept vehicle that they do a better job when it comes time to putting that vehicle into production.

Below you will find examples of concept cars that GM did a great job of coverting into production vehicles:

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

Related Posts:

Review: 2012 Nissan Juke,

Review of the Chevrolet Equinox,
Review of the Buick Verano,
Review of the Mazda 5 &
Review of the Scion xB

Review of the 2011 Toyota Sienna

noreply@blogger.com (Brad) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:31:00 +0000

When it comes to great vehicles for those with disabilities many of us would agree that a minivan like the 2011 Toyota Sienna would be a great choice. It was in late 2010 when Toyota released the completely redesigned 2011 Toyota Sienna and and like me many people were very impressed by the new exterior styling. The first time I saw the 2011 Sienna I couldn't (to continue reading please click here)

Other Posts:

Review: 2012 Buick Verano ,
Review: 2012 Nissan Juke ,
Picture Gallery - 2012 Canadian International Auto Show &
Review of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox