Drivernomics

2010 Porsche Panamera 4S

2010-11-09T04:13:00.000-08:00

A lot of noise has been made about the Porsche Panamera and naturally with all this fuss one is inclined to have a gander. Take a look I did. The Panamera has all the Porsche curves , but leaves one not sure, whether it is a sports car, or a luxury one. Hard to tell by just looking at it without the drive. I personally think there was some exaggeration on the aerodynamics and such. Not very good looking to be honest. But then again looks can be very deceiving, because this car is packing all the heat, if you follow. It looks a bit small to be compared to the likes of the LS 460, BMW 750 or the S Class even, but believe me this Porsche is up there too. Another German masterpiece. Hats off to this ingenuity. As I mentioned earlier the exterior of the Panamera does this car no justice at all, rather the inside tells a different story.

The interior of the Panamera looks like a miniature cockpit. Feels like you can take off at any time. Dials are all within reach and strategically placed. Impressed and surprised by how roomy the Panamera is.Enough leg room in the back and you could actually be chauffeured. And the leather interior which is standard blends in quite well with the whole interior. The seats feel like they are designed for you ,the way they feel and hug all your curves. I have to admit this is the first Porsche I have ever driven, with all their history and I did not go wrong to start with this particular model.

Very sturdy on the road, plus the Panamera has a very low Center of Gravity which makes it stable, and can take curves with ease at full pelt too. The sporty suspension is always a bonus and the way they combined the luxury feel and a solid sporty suspension is beyond me. All I can say is that the Panamera sits on the road and goes. I guess with a 400-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8 engine the Panamera can always give you that little bit extra. And if you want to kick it up a notch then there is the twin turbo and that will give you an additional 100 horsepower. All depends on how deep your pockets are. The Porsche Panamera is an all wheel drive with a seven speed, dual clutch transmission. 0 - 60 in 4.8seconds and thats the 4S for you. You can only love this. 24 miles per gallon Highway. Like I mentioned earlier, this cocoon feels like a cockpit and that goes for the safety features too.Standard curtain airbags which seem to be the norm these days, nothing out of the ordinary really.

But this car is not the norm with Posche , then again they pushed the boundaries with the Cayenne and that was a success so why not get in the Grand Turismo. Looking good from where I am standing.

Now for you to be ridding one of these bad boys your pockets have to be at least $80 000.00 deep. Well worth the price. I would charge more because this car awesome.

I think Porsche have the right people doing their bidding for them and should keep it up. I hear there is an even better Panamera coming in 2011.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/panamera/

Mercedes S550

2010-10-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

The Mercedes S550. How do you describe this car? Simply elegant. A performer with grace and class. Brilliant Motor indeed. One of the premium luxury cars about really, I mean not looking at the ridiculously luxurious Rolls Royce or Bentley. The S550 stands out quite a bit in its class.

The front grill is a noticable change, very pronounced and shaped more like an arrow. Then there is the bumper, real curvy with light catching contours and the chrome strip below the cooling air inlet. The back is a lot more solid and looks like the E and C class. A bit curvier with the lights more solid and representative of the Mercedes brand. Which is less than what I can say for the S Class predessesor. The backlights always put me off, looked like a cross between the Lexus and something hideous. This time the Mercedes S550 has come up trumps and has the right curves. Love the LEDs lights on the Mercedes that make it look like it has eyebrows.

The inside is very Spacious indeed. It feels like stepping into a different world. Now I see why all these Dictators from the Third World are stepping over each other to bag one of these bad boys. You would think Mercedes would say no to this ill gotten money ,but I guess all money is the same color in the bank

The S550 has a 482 horsepower V8 with 4matic all wheel drive as an option. This sweet baby has the get up and go you require and some after burners too. The fuel economy is not too impressive 14mpg City and 21 mpg Highway. A sweet 0 - 60 in 5.4seconds. Thats why the unfavorable fuel economy. I suppose if you want a big car like this to have such power, there is a price to pay. The drive was what I expected , only it was better. A cocoon of comfort, far removed from the outside world. Smooth control and a car this size usually runs away from you but this was solid. Loved the way the S550 hugged the road. In most cars there is the standard safety, like airbags and such, but the S class has a few little extras. There the camera, and radar based Driver Assistance which includes Adaptive High Beam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and the Pre Safe Braking System. This intervenes in case there is an impending rear end collision. Think the lane keeping assist is lame, because if you as a driver cant stay in your lane , seriously you ought not drive. How rubbish can you get? This is a really good one though, the Assist Driver Drowsiness Monitor and Active Body Control which stabilizes the climate in the cabin to keep the driver awake.With The Pre Safe Braking System, Mercedes S550 comes to a halt in 0.6 seconds. The Night View Assist has the unique function of detecting pedestrians a safe distance away.

Another quality product from Mercedes, Bravo again for a good products. Best in this class but with a Price tag of over a $91 000.00, I think I will stay with the Jaguar XJL and BMW 750Li , which offer equally as good quality, but for 11K less. Lovely looking backside though.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/explore/overview/class-S/model-S550V

VW Tiguan

2010-10-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

The VW Tiguan, what can I say about this car. Not too sure, You know what, I am still trying to find out why this car is one the road. Personally I see no advantage of having it, but guess the pony look is appealing to some. It looks very ill proportioned. It seems like BMW, Audi and VW missed the mark on this car, BMW with the X3, Audi Q5 and then VW the Tiguan. Ghastly looking cars. Some would say an abomination. A bit brutal , but I am just saying... I suppose one has to have an acquired taste to really appreciate these cars. My theory is " polish a turd, still a turd" to be honest. the look is not appealing at all on the VW Tiguan, but nonetheless VW were confident enough to put it out there, clearly they have something that will not do any damage to their reputation.

The inside is very deceitful, not at all like what you expect after seeing the horrible exterior of the Tiguan. Very spacious. You could have five big adults in this little shoe box with no problem. I am sure I mentioned this with the Touareg, that somehow the driver always finds it hard to get into the best driving position. steering seems a little too far forward still. Once you have done the right adjustments you are nearly there. Not there but nearly there, but thats all you can get, regards to driving comfort.Controls are in the right places so you are not reaching out for unreachable buttons or dials. Very impressive interior in the Tiguan.

The drive was pretty ordinary. Bearing in mind this is a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine and that's the base and all there is for the VW Tiguan. 200 horse power. This car does 18 mpg City and 24 Highway on average, varying of course, depending on how heavy your foot is on the accelerator. There are nifty little things that the Tiguan does which impressed me like the electronic hand brake, which you engage when you stop and as soon as you put your foot on the accelerator the hand brake disengages. You also look at the Tiguan and it looks like it can flip easily, but no, I managed to go through a round about at 40 mph and the drive never felt like it was mismatched on any of the wheels at all. On the freeway you still have that extra in the little Pony. Much more than I expected. Not sure I need to take it off road in the US though ,with all these monster trucks out there. Don't want to run risk some off roader running me over.

Safety is standard with airbags and such. Nothing too outstanding on this little match box. there is sufficient trunk space for a small family but thats about it. Will do well in Europe this car, not in the United States. Not the best small SUV out there like some reviewers are saying. Again its an acquired taste this VW Tiguan.

I really dont like this car truth be told and would not recomend it to anyone at all. Retails at just above $23 000.00 and not worth it at all.

http://www.vw.com/tiguan/completespecs/en/us/

2011 Chevy Camaro SS

2010-10-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hmmmmmm. What does one say when they are faced with such a monumental task. One asks themselves again and again, whether when the times comes, they will be able to take on the task at hand.Reviewing a muscle car that is in a class above all. Guess we will have to find out. They tried to make the Camaro look the part in Transformers, but I do not think they did this monster any justice at all. So something did come out of Motown that is worth talking about. The Chevy Camaro.This car does not just have muscle under the hood, but the curves on this one are muscle too. It stands menacingly in front of you. I guess thats why they made it get up and go in Transformers, literally, because it has that look. For a car with a menacing look they sure gave it a good character,not, Bumblebee, are you kidding me? Injustice at its worst. I particular like the 20-inch ,5 spoke rims, and if you want it looking the real deal it is , then ghosted stripes are not a bad idea at all.

The inside however simple, comes top for the muscle cars I have been in. Very appealing to the eye yet maintaining that sporty menacing look, which is so adorable if you ask me. The Ford Mustang was impressive don't get me wrong but this Camaro has an interior to rival luxury motors. make sure you do not try and put people in the back sit, because they are going to be very uncomfortable, so much that after the journey , they will not want to talk to you again. You have the necessary gizmos and controls you need in a sports car, I mean why would you need more right.Visibility is a cause for concern in the Camaro because the design makes the whole outlook too compact. There is trunk space but not sure what anyone would want to carry in this car except golf clubs. This car is for those smug Yuppies cruising around on the weekend and those older gentlemen who are finding it hard to let go of their youth.

This is the look of a 6.2L 426hp V8 engine. One thing to be considered about how effective American muscle cars can be, is where you are driving them. In a straight line Muscle cars can out perform any car but when there are turns involved, evolution is a bit slow on these monsters because you can easily find yourself parked in a tree. It takes reducing your acceleration immensely just to make a turn in the Camaro. But while the turning maybe a bit tricky, I found the Camaro very solid and good to go. Response to the acceleration was not disappointing at all, like the muscle car it is. As you have come to expect the fuel economy is not too great but 16mpg City and 24mpg Highway is not bad for a muscle car. 0 - 60 in 4.5 seconds. You can only understand this when you are sat behind the driver's seat. I am impressed by the Chevy Camaro. The Shelby GT500 is a lot more agile than the Camaro but I am quite taken by the design and look of the Camaro. This is the only reason I would probably want General motors to stay in business because clearly some thought was put into this car and the transition from the old Camaro to this one is spectacular. Safety is nothing outstanding, just the usual package , airbags and Electronic Stability Control System.

Now I want to find out what all this fuss about on the Hyundai Genesis coupe and Nissan 370Z , and if they can measure up to my beloved Camaro. I know at just over $30 000.00, a Chevy Camaro SS is a very good buy. And if you are having a midlife crisis chaps out there, this car will make you bounce back with a bang without putting too much of a dent after that Alimony check.

We are also on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=141009175930108

http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro/

2011 BMW M3

2010-10-01T02:59:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman, BMW is back. Please raise your glasses as we toast to this modern marvel. Please remain standing as we honor the BMW M3. Now BMW ( Bayerische Motoren Werke) which translates to Bavaria Motor Works in English know a thing or two about motors. I am not going to tell you how the company logo came to be, because you already know that BMW started off as an aircraft company in 1929 and the blue and white represent a propeller cutting through the blue sky. Catchy indeed.
Before this model there was the BMW M3 e46 and on this one I was convinced they could not do anything beyond this. It will be crazy right? Graceful and yet looked like a beast that is untouchable and cant be brought to heel. Very domineering indeed, ask the guys at Mercedes, Audi and Lexus in that order.

Now I am talking about the M3 e 46, the rest were pretty ordinary, disappointing actually.The model that came after the M3 e 46 was even worse, so bad I did not look at a BMW 3 series for a time. The designers had taken the BMW 3 series back to the stone age. I am hoping the designers and the whole team were put out of the equation. The New M3 speaks volumes for BMW. Personally I think this is the best car in the BMW kitty.

These guys had to come back to reality, and what a way to make another grand entrance. The curves show innovation on the part of the design team. A sports car on the streets. Not saying when behind the wheel, go crazy, be advised this car will get you carried away and serious bother with. Inside the M3 is a whole array of BMW really.

Tell me , is there ever going to be a time when BMW will change that ghastly steering wheel? Think this is the time to do it , does my box in Still, it blends in well with the new look interior. Now is you are looking forward to having too much room in this car, I am afraid you will have to look elsewhere.The seats are well cupped to take you all in and fit one's curves. Very small gear shift on the driver's side, changing up is literally pushing the gear knob forward and then down is backwards.Or you can go Formula 1 on the M3, and start changing gears on the wheel with both hands on the steering, tapping the silver gear shift on the right up to change the gears upward and then the gear shift on the left for down shift.Or just let the rpms to below 1000 and the gears go down automatically. I have to say , there is a bit of congestion on the steering wheel, because aside from the gearshifts, there is the indicators and the wipers. Too much clutter. Not good guys
The engine of course,4.0, V8 and 414 horsepower.

The M3 is a small car, so its not carrying too much power, this means there is a few horses just hanging around to give it the extra kick. This car does 0 - 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Blistering pace. Not out of the ordinary for a sports sedan but nonetheless impressive. Fuel economy, none at all, get ready to carry a gas station in the back of the car 13mpg City and 20mpg highway. I suppose you know what you are getting into when you purchasing this motor.
I drove the M3 hard top convertible. This one is a lot heavier than the coupe of course because structurally there has to be compensation for the lack of a solid top. Naturally one would assume sluggish driving, far from it. Nice and solid, suspension very firm. The driver and the car are one in this baby. Very sporty feeling. Sitting in the driver's seat all I could have was that Hamilton feeling, " I am ready, bring it on and I will give you some lemon." Now the old 3 series was very deceitful, you can put pedal to the metal and it response with a lot of noise, but that was not translated to distance traveled , if you follow my my drift. I was feeling in control and there was a soft purr under the hood. I felt content and put the car to the test. Respond it did, and in such fashion, I could not have imagined. I was satisfied with myself. Now bearing in mind the M3 engine has to be run in to 1200 miles before you can open it up, this baby had no problem making other drivers look like they had their reverse gear engaged. Handling was spectacular. Now I am not a BMW fan at all but, I have to give these guys their dues, because this car is out of this world. Handled like a true BMW darling, and people were serious when they put it out there. Just like the 750 Li and such the BMW has Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which continuously monitor such variables as speed, steering angle, brake pressure and traction , and corrects them immediately if they are not insinc. This really works and where else would this be more desirable than on a luxury sports car. BMW are the only manufacturer with a Head Protection System(HPS), which is an inflatable tubular structure that, on top of the airbags provides protection for severe side impact for the front occupants. Stops the occupants from hitting the side window and object penetrating from the sides.. Bravo BMW , Bravo.
Now if you want to have all this goodness, you can agree with me there is a price to pay and it is not a small one. The convertible is retails at just over $67000.00, the Coupe at $58 400.00 and the Sedan $55 400.00. Personally I think , when you get to such a range you should go all out. Maybe it might help during a mid life crisis. Now ladies and gentlemen again, please help me toast to this car of our time.You may take your seats.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2010/M/M3Sedan/Default.aspx

Nissan Altima

2010-10-01T00:54:00.000-07:00

Very modest Nissan, the Altima is. Not very outstanding but it will definitely do the job. Small sedan and very comparable to the Hyundai Sonata. Not too outstanding, but the Nissan Altima appeals to the young families and students as well, or just those starting up the car ladder.There is enough room on the inside as well as in the trunk, well thats when you are not moving the whole clan. This car has a purpose and it serves the market well. The Altima does not stand out like a sore thumb but is positioned just right. I like this little sedan, Well this car might just shoot to the top of the market especially after recent news that the Hyundai Sonata has been recalled due to a fault with the steering components.Pretty modest on the inside but comfortable. One thing to remember is that if one is going for a low end car, there is no need for all the gadgetry. Its convenient to get you from one point to another, and the Altima does just that.

One thing I really like about the Nissan Altima is the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). Best thing about this system is you cannot feel the gears changing , only the acceleration. Nissan are the only ones with this technology in automatic transmission, Which I am sure they will be selling in to the others soon, as you do. Engine sizes are the base 2.5liter and then the 3.5liter V6, the later of course there to fit in the gas guzzling American market. Again no need because the 2.5 is sufficient and very fuel economic. Does 23mpg city and 32 Highway. This is not bad at all. Love the unique back lights.

Now the drive is not bad at all. This sedan is good to go and this is the base model. Most cars I talk about on the high end of motors, usually have to have the emphasis on performance. I mean who wants to race the streets with an Altima. Do not even think of doing it because the Highway patrol will run you down, and you will be worrying about dropping the soap. But one thing that has to be appreciated on the Altima is the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). You would not know if the gear changing smacked you right across the face. Smooth as a baby's bottom. I enjoyed the drive in the Altima.It has just enough power to get you out of those sticky situations, namely behind or beside a rig. People when you are in those situations , you need to either pass the rig ,or give the rig enough space to maneuver. I am saying this because a truck driver does not have as much vision as when in a small car. I mean these guys can drag you for miles without noticing you. There is the standard airbags, six of them, front head restrains that move up and forward in rear-end collisions to help cushion the blow , thus less whiplash. Vehicle Dynamic Control( VDC) to help compensate for over and under steer. There is also Traction Control System(TCS) And this applies the brakes or reduces engine power in slippery conditions. Then there is Electronic Brake force Distribution(EBD).Now this monitors weight distribution in the whole system so the rear brake force can be adjusted for more balanced braking. Now all this sounds a bit like out of Formular 1 tech talk but really it is simply a system to keep the car well balanced and safe.

To be honest Nissan have produced a modest motor and put it out for just over $19000.00. Not bad at all. Bravo Nissan. Keep this up and you guys will be alright in these troubled times

http://www.nissanusa.com/altima/

Dodge Challenger

2010-09-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

When you see the Challenger straight away you think of the Dukes of Hazard, right. Well of course the Dukes of Hazard really did drive the Old school Dodge Challenger. Bit of a boys toy then, rough, rugged and raw. Yes it did look good then. Now I have a chance to look at the Challenger up close and personal. Forget what you saw on TV, this is the real deal in front of you. Not very appealing to the eye. I guess most people would say, ah well its a muscle car and Dodge have stuck to tradition and kept the look of the Challenger pretty much the same as its predecessor. Well thats true and thats not, at the same time true. Thing is, Dodge failed to infuse tradition and the future because with this design , no one can incorporate the modern aerodynamics. Basically this is a very ugly car. The back is not too appealing either. Shows lack of imagination on the part of the design team. The length of the Challanger does not do justice to the car's sporty feel. Kind of feels like, the people at Dodge came out with the Challenger without engaging their brains in gear. More like panic production, because Chevrolet and Ford had managed to transform their muscle cars from the classics to the morden day powers they are.

Of course the inside is that of a real muscle car. Not much is needed inside except perhaps a stool , gear stick and steering.Well bit brutal there but the inside is really basic. Whoever came up wit the notion of having muscle cars with automatic transmission? It defeats the purpose of having so much power in a motor. So the inside is pretty basic. not sure I care about the wing mirrors,too old fashioned and hard to see out of.

The Challenger has a a distinct sound to it. Sound a bit tame though compared to the Mustang. the Mustang sounds more aggressive even though it has a smaller engine. The purr is that of a NASCAR. The challenger boasts a 5.7l HEMI V8 357 Horsepower engine. Quite a powerful engine. You cannot exactly feel the power as the Challenger is carrying too much weight. Not as slim lined as the Camaro or the Mustang. Rather disappointing, but then again it is a Dodge, and they are not well known for their innovation are they? Had a tough time trying to adjust my view in the wing mirrors. On the road the Challenger was a bit slow for a muscle car. The get up and book is unimpressive. I would not recommend this car because there are better performers in the same class.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/DodgeChallenger

Chrysler Sebring

2010-09-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

This is the motor I drive. Not outstanding at all, very basic. Reliable in more ways than not. In some cases very unreliable. Its not too appealing to the eye but at the same time its not too bad looking. Then again this is a Chrysler, these guys are not known for their high end cars, are they? Big jump from the model before it really. I guess it was in the hope of being competitive but this was not the case. The market did not react favorably to this mid sized sedan so really, the price is rather low. This is a 2.7-liter V6 good for 189 hp.

The inside again is very plain. Chrysler did not go out of their way to design this interior.

Pretty ordinary ha, nothing worth writing home about. Its pretty roomy and you are very comfortable in it. One thing I can say about the Sebring is that, it is surprisingly comfortable. And when driving everything is within reach. Trunk space is not all that great though, does the job, but not too good.

The drive is very good, the Chrysler Sebring handles very well. Pretty different for a car that is very basic. The fuel economy is pretty ordinary in the Sebring. In fact its very horrible. So really what you are looking at is a very big gas bill which makes the Chrysler Sebring cost you more in the long run. Another thing thats true about the Chrysler Sebring, is the way it is so steady when you are driving on the freeway. Good for those long runs.

Certain details Chrysler always conveniently forgot to mention is the gearbox locking up in park mode. This happens in pretty much all the Chyslers. They know about this but they are willing to put a car out on the road. Who does that?

So what just because I paid $ 20000.00+, which is peanuts in car terms, Chrysler do not have to improve their cars at all. This is why this car should be on my wall of shame too.

2011 Toyota Tundra

2010-09-12T23:37:00.000-07:00

Toyota, known for their good cars, not. Very dangerous acceleration which resulted in many casualties. Even one guy from San Diego California tried to cash in and supposed his car was out of control. So naturally every time one looks at a Toyota, there is always an air of uncertainty, and rightly so. Too many Toyotas recalls. I was close enough to tiptoeing into the Toyota dealership , do not know why, but just know that I was nearly doing it.. I did walk in and looked at the Tundra. Now America is a land of SUVs and trucks. They stretch as far as the eye can see, everywhere you look really. Everyday you are bombarded with car commercials, especially during the American football season, every manufacturer claims to have the truck that does the job, and only driven by real men. With this Tundra I think the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and eat I did. Just the curves on the Tundra makes it a little more desirable than other trucks in the game Aerodynamics on a truck, not bad. Then you have the size of the truck that makes it a real American truck which has managed successfully to retain the Toyota look. Big with the double cab package. This is a step up from the Tacoma model. Now we could go into the whole Trapezoidal Frame, which allows the Leaf springs to be positioned toe-out. The advantage of this design is that, the Tundra delivers superior lateral control when turning especially under heavy loading, that is, towing a rather heavy load. Borish is it not. Basically, it means the Tundra was designed in such a fashion that it can take to corners well without straining the frame too much.

Trucks as usual are supposed to come standard, Winding windows, basic gear shift and no comfort taken into consideration. Basically is there room at the back to carry a workman's equipment and , can a truck tow big loads? While the truck does this, can the driver be protected from the elements? If these questions are answered then yes lets put the truck out there. What about safety, fuel efficiency and dare I dream, comfort. Well all this is encompassed in this truck. The seats can be adjusted to the needs of the driver and in the Limited model they are actually leather seats. No need for that though, because it is still a truck, and the basic function is work. The Tundra is the only truck with the slide and recline rear seats, 44.5 inches of legroom in the back. With the 60/40 split the rear seat fold flat and forms a hard work surface. Indeed the Toyota Tundra is big in all the rite places.

Now again the drive was a surprise., because thing is with most trucks its all about how much the truck can tow, and this truck 4 x 2, 5.7L, V8 can tow 9900 lb. and that is 1100 less than the Nissan Titan. I am surprised though that the Toyota Tundra is two wheel drive. Disappointing actually, because it is a very weak off road truck. It is never about how well it handles. This handles very well and with Traction control in slippery conditions, a driver does not worry too much about skids, This is also aided by VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) which monitors the steering angle and compares it to the direction in which the truck is traveling. Any discrepancies and the VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) corrects the anomaly. This is a smooth ride, sturdy and never sluggish. And of course its a truck, it will definitely have that roar and that is music to my ears. The safety which comes standard in any Tundra is the latest adopted system of side curtain and front seat mounted airbags. There is also front and outboard passenger knee airbags.

Fuel economy is what you have come to expect in a big gas guzzler like the Tundra, 14mpg City and 18 mpg Highway. Never disappoint, these big cars. Go on and destroy the environment, why don't you Toyota.

Starting at just over $26000.00, maybe people should start forgiving toyota and and maybe making an appearance inthe Toyota Showrooms.

For the Specification detail plese visit:

http://www.toyota.com/tundra/features.html

DRIVERNOMICS WALL OF SHAME

2010-09-06T03:45:00.000-07:00

I AM GOING TO UPDATE THIS AS WE GO ALONG.

LEXUS LS460

CHRYSLER SEBRING

2010 Lexus LS 460

2010-09-06T03:29:00.000-07:00

Looks good does it not? I agree. Toyota have done well to put the Lexus out there because this car is standing against the BMW 7 series, Mercedes S Class, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ. Doing a good job of it all too well, except the recalls of course. Apparently there was a malfunction in their electronics that can cause the steering wheel to fall out of alignment. Usually when stories like this start or do rounds in the papers, its been about for a while. Means Lexus would have been trying to do some damage control, but now they cannot contain the press onslaught. Hey I say, let them get slaughtered.

I have not heard that Lexus have sorted that problem, which means they are still in the doghouse. And to this site the Lexus LS 460 is the first car on the wall of shame. A few more cars will be joining the Lexus LS460 on there. I am sure you can all agree that People's safety is the foremost thing to be considered when designing and manufacturing a car. sadly lexus had other things on their minds. Hardly a sobering thought when paying such an amount for a car. Who pays $ 74 000.00 to go off the road? Unforgivable.

Luxury car which is a death trap. No go area.

2011 Ford Mustang GT

2010-09-06T02:47:00.000-07:00

Another Ford masterpiece. I am saying this because, Ford are usually about low end cars. Pure American Muscle this one. This is one thing Americans are known for, big engine cars with an extra bit of umpf. And I mean one of those, baby lets go cars. Kick Ass Ride. This is one of those bad boys. Very unassuming on the outside. It has this kind of rugged look about it. Very appealing to the petrol heads, but not to everyone is a gas junkie. One thing I like though, is the fact that the contours and feel can easily be transformed into an urban jungle dweller. The little horse emblem at the front has a mysterious look about it, what I do not know, Maybe this wild horse which is free to go. So whats the interior like. Bearing in mind its a sporting motor, not a lot of effort is put in the design of the interior, of these sort of cars. You might as well be sitting on a little rock, or the floor with the steering and long ugly gearshift for all we care. All you have to feel as the driver, is the muscle. But wait, these guys had another surprise.

Plain but not too plain. Matter of fact you can sit in the car feeling like you have the necessary tools to operate this machine. Nice fancy dials, a little gear shift. Diping seats that cup your assets as you sit comfortably. Caution though, cars with such rigid suspension are not for those marathon runs, your bum will go to sleep. Got the massive speakers for you to be banging as you race those streets, against those Nissan Skylines, Mitsubishi Evos and such. But all those other cars are twigged here and there, to give them the edge, but Mustang GT is straight off the line onto the street, ready to blitz. There is a back seat in some of the Mustangs but really you have no need for it. Built for the road. I just had to throw in that V8 GT engine for you to appreciate what I am talking about.

Only a beast carries such under the hood. As soon as I turned the engine , it felt like, it was about business. Revved up the engine a bit and you could feel the car shaking, and the purr was just overwhelming. Bearing in mind this is a 5.0L engine delivering 412 horsepower. Now I believe , because I was inside this machine.Any other day I would said,"What a load of waffle." As you cruise the street, it feels like you are stifling the car a little bit because, clearly you cant open her up. On the freeway it is another matter. The car just sat on the asphalt and started chewing it. I mean it just came into its own and just belted. You can get this in manual transmission or automatic. Drove the automatic one, but manual is more fun with six-speed gearbox. All the other drives could do, was watch as I sped past their cars. People I am talking acceleration to the maximum, and the Mustang GT seemed in no mood to slow down. only limiting factor was the police. When you read other publications, all you hear is this, 0 - 60 in however secs talk. Really all you are doing is imagining, but I was living the experience in the Mustang. Monster , now I know what people mean, when they say American Muscle, because it is muscle on the road indeed. Yes The Mustang GT does 0 - 60 in 4.3sec. Meaning if you are in any other car, then all you can see is dust or fumes even. So if you want to live a Quater mile at a time as the Americans so ably put it, then you can do this in 12.8 sec. This is fast , real fast. The price you pay in gallons is not bad though. 17mpg city and 26 mpg Highway

The Ford Mustang is well Sturdy to so that is a plus, and the center of gravity is really low. This means chances of this car flipping are very low, but this is not to mean go out there and act stupid especially this LABOR DAY WEEKEND. I just wonder how well the Mustang will compare with the Challenger or Camaro , to name a few. Looking really good so far. Even the BMW M3 , Audi S4, Mercedes C350, even with their price tags might not perform as well as this monster.

Very reasonably priced too, at just over $22 000.00. Petrol heads now is your chance to look at a car worth its weight in Speed and Performance.
For Specifications check: http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/mustang/

2010 BMW 750Li

2010-08-30T04:13:00.000-07:00

Driving pleasure.Big car. Very imposing and simply amazing. This car is way up there with the best and its can stand up and be counted and not just that, annihilate competition by a margin. A beast on the road. Built to perfection and with precision. BMW ,on this one wanted to show what they are capable of doing, and proved themselves they did. Just looking at the 750Li , you find it has its own swagga, One of those," I am here now, its time you paid attention to me and me alone", and all this because of monstrous power refined by the Germans.

The front still looks a bit ordinary, matter of fact at first glance you think it is the 5 series, but at close inspection you notice, the body is bigger and rather wide and more imposing. There is a silly grin on your face now, you realise this the BMW 750Li that they have been talking about. As you follow the trim to the back you notice the designers at BMW pulled all the stops on the 7 Series, that way it could compete with the Audi A8, Jaguar XJ, Mercedes S Class and Lexus LS.

The Backside on the 2010 BMW 750Li is a bit fuller and more curvier, unlike its predecessor. A step in the right direction. Unlike the Step back in the three series, that was taken a few years back. Stepping on the inside is like getting into another zone, different world.

The seats are heated and they can shift in all sorts of angles for comfort. Loads of room as well in this car, driver is very comfortable for a good drive. A power sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity and four-zone automatic climate control add to the luxury vehicle’s ambiance. Hardware includes a navigation system with voice activation.

This is a V8 4.4liter, 400 horsepower engine, so it has some kick in it. Just pulling out of the lot you can feel this machine is raring to go. Soon as there was an opening I stepped on it and boy, you wanna listen to the roar. And the control was amazing. Good job on the suspension because I could feel the road in my hands and best bit is this is a rear wheel drive so you can feel the car pushing from the back. Very sturdy and settles on the road so well. On the motorway all the other cars seemed to be going backwards. Went on the off ramp to come back on my self and this is when things got so interesting for me. So instead of the usual slow approach from a side road onto the freeway, the rep told me to put my foot down and I thought he was joking because the ramp curves onto the freeway almost like 180 degrees. Accelerating in these conditions in any other car is suicidal but not with the 750Li. Ah ah. I felt like I was being pushed against the driver's door and my head was spinning. The Seat belt was nice and tight and I was in a good position to enjoy the BMW 750Li taking that ramp as if on a straight road. I would like to see any car beat the X Drive “performance control,” a torque-vectoring system featured on the two-wheel-drive 750Li, that applies light braking to the inside rear wheel, while adding power to the outside rear wheel, correcting for under-steer without the driver ever knowing. Additionally, the 750Li is fitted with active front and rear anti-roll bars that adjust to keep the pitch of the big sedan going in its intended direction. Safety as well is paramount on the 750Li with dual deployment airbags and first-and second-row side curtain airbags. Nice little cocoon of comfort and safety.

All this said and done though the BMW 750Li is still a guzzler only getting 15mpg City and 22 highway. but one thing I know is for just around $80 000 one gets to enjoy the comforts that the Germans have put on this car.

One thing though that keeps niggling me at the back of my mind is how abundant the 750Li is on the street, and the characters driving it are rather look unsavory. The gangster type. This lowers the value of the car quite significantly, don't care what people say.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Vehicles/2011/7/750LixDriveSedan/Features_and_Specs/default.aspx?enc=/eiUrYOZAxtXbrazY6tfknvs2p4czl6fdqlc7VGB7GOyFaguGHnYLNxdUcG8jWx045Q4yRVwjuZzLlE/36H9YcncCRXErhKyMn8eUcbGRlwIJQzsVXG03whBNJBMNtdi+yEFMNw4g4EM/1etqMzz4/V+T+YRZOLk0uW3LuPdRyPkN39PoTM743afoH2qAP0VfTXA+pEAHHcSU/vj4Crddm9Ty4yKqqQ4XJL3evRI4qg=

Toyota Prius

2010-08-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

This is the Third generation of the Toyota Prius so it seems like these guys are here to stay. And with the increasing rhetoric about saving the environment, what better way to compete in the market than with a more advanced Prius. I mean we all know that the big engine cars and polluters are slowly going out of favor. Brilliant to drive but with changing times falling short of environmental expectations. Very short.

The Toyota Prius still looks very futuristic and it stands out. The slick design shows someone was awake at every turn to make sure they produce a likable motor. Good to look at too. Well you know there has been numerous recalls by Toyota and the press has not given them a break at all. Justified, the hammering they have been taking in a lot of cases . Considering there has been deaths which resulted from their negligence.
I am not trying to defend the Toyota people for their arrogance at all.
The other outstanding thing on the Prius is the Light Emitting Diodes (LED) headlamps with auto leveling, auto-off and headlamp washers plus the LED tailamps

As you can all see the inside of a Prius, while simple, looks very futuristic and Spacey. Looks small from the outside but surprisingly roomy. Ample room for strollers and shopping ladies. And when you sit in the driver's seat you felt like the Prius is made out of molded glass really, because from the look , there is no feel of metal, but the one thing I have against the whole Spacey look, is the that one cannot see through the back window using the rear view mirror.

The wind shield reduces glare however. First I have seen that on a car actually. Impressive indeed.

I found the get up and go real slow. Bit lethargic, but that can be expected because the gas engine only engages after the electrical motor has reached a certain number of revolutions. Sounds like a little golf cart to be honest, before the gas engine kicks in. The air only comes on when the gas engine is engaged and when you get to a traffic light, the electrical motor takes over because you are stationary then, the car heats up or gets cold inside because there is no air circulation. Now what kind of thinking was that to save even on air circulation? Not cool. Still felt a bit unsafe without the rear view mirror use. Although its roomy inside the drive feels a bit restricted in movement, because of the dipping seat.
Good drive though nonetheless. but if you are a petrol head then probably not a good idea at all. I did manage to get the Prius up to 76 mph without the accelerator getting stuck. Phew! what a relief.

Can't go wrong if you want to protect the environment, with the Toyota Prius. Starting at just over $22000.00, this is not a bad buy if you are brave. Remember the Prius can do 50miles to the gallon combined. that's both City and Highway

http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/specs.html

Mercedes Benz E Class

2010-08-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

This supposedly the ultimate driving experience, Mercedes.This was the case years ago, but not anymore. A lot of manufacturers have pulled their game up and are matching Mercedes toe to toe. Still looks slick and appealing but that Mercedes eye turning aura is slowing fading away. Maybe its because there is too many E classes on the road, I do not know,or maybe in the E Class Mercedes tried hard to make it look like the CLS, and that car is well ugly. No wonder it was not as successful. But wait, no there is not a lot of luxury sedans like this one. Still four eyed like its predecessors, and then that Mercedes grill which never goes wrong. This car has rims that are so good there is no need to chrome it up, unless you are some pimp who really believes you have to lower the standards of the Mercedes or some low brow rap star. The inside still has that feel of quality and attention to detail only Mercedes can deliver. Now they don't have the gear shift on the obvious spot. Its by the steering wheel and you might mistake it for the indicator switch , which I did and I put the car in reverse. Bit of an innovation but it could be dangerous. Old habits. Everything else is in the right place however like the indicator and wiper switch. Makes the Steering column a bit congested if you ask me and very untidy. In most of the new cars the driver's seat control are actually on the seat but Mercedes chose to put theirs on the door, again crowding the spot for the mirror controls, window controls and such. Stepping backwards into confusion times.

Safety has always been Mercedes priority and the E class is no exception, airbags all round, Night View Assist, Reads invisible infrared beams with a special camera, this innovation can be activated at nighttime when your low-beam headlamps are on and can detect objects nearly 500 feet ahead in near-total darkness. When activated, it displays the captured image on a black-and-white screen in the instrument cluster. Advanced software helps it detect human forms up to 300 feet ahead and then highlight them on the display. Unlike other systems that identify only warm objects like animals but not cold ones such as debris or parked cars, Night View Assist detects both. And with the image on a high-resolution screen and not the windshield, you get a clearer, sharper picture of what's ahead. This just touching the surface because Mercedes has tonnes to offer.There is decent room in the backseat especially if you have children and very comfortable too. There is trunk space in this motor but not as much as the Audi A6.

So when I drove the Mercedes I was expecting the usual comfort and flare that has for years been synonymous with what is Mercedes Benz. I expected this motor to outperform any car in its class namely the BMW 5 series , or Audi A6 perhaps but I have to say I was rather disappointed. No annihilation here. The get up and go was real good but not much better than the 5 series. The engine is 268-horsepower 3.5 liter V-6 so it packs a punch and good gas mileage. Only does 17mpg city and 26mpg Highway. Impressive. I made sure i drove the E class along the same route. I know there is people out there who swear by the Mercedes brand like the despots like Robert Mugabe and all the other egomaniacs out there, but gone are the days when the Mercedes brand was the only one doing the business. Take a look again and see whats out there. Handling was amazing and the car is real sturdy as well. Mercedes have always done a good job with the suspension. This is one quality I admire about Mercedes because you have the car in your hand and can feel it. Yes people noticed me and eyes were getting turned, but lately Mercedes are not the only head turner. Matter of fact people these days turn their heads and when they notice its Mercedes, they go back to what they were doing. No surprise there. Braking was exceptional as well so handy , what with the Anti-lock braking system and Brake assist.

Retailing at just under $50000, this is not a bad buy,for this goodness, I agree one has to pay a little bit more.

Take a look at the Specs on here.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/explore/safety/class-E/model-E350W

2011 Kia Sportage Review

2010-08-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

This is new from Kia Motors. Always thought they were ordinary in their car making. Guess I was wrong. Very futuristic in design. The curves show some seriousness on the part of the designer and the name Spor-taj. Maybe if you pronounce it like that, then this car should cost a couple of thousands dollars more. This a small car and when designing a car this size, there is not much you can do. But yes, the Kia Sportage has an Audi Q7 feel about it. Evident on the backside. That narrowing that goes from the middle all the way back and the feel of incompleteness. Rumor has it it was designed by a former Audi Designer

This makes a very good car for the work commute because it can take a few people and does very low gas mileage, Very good for carpooling. For the trendy mothers who are not keen on the Mini vans, this is the car to consider as it doubles up as a small SUV and a smaller version of the mini van only better looking. Very good for a small family. And there is a lot more room in the back if you have one child and want to carry a bit more stuff. This is because, one of the back seats can be folded.

Very basic on the inside, easy on the eye but nothing too outstanding. Very comfortable and the spacious inside. Has size limitations though. Not made for the average big American because there will be very little room to maneuver. With accessories this car can be a little performer but then again, this is not one car you want to buy for performance, rather for the convenience and affordability.

The drive was normal and nothing worth writing home about, and the car was very stiff. Yes the seats are very hard. One can imagine sitting on hard boards and feel more comfortable. One thing that annoyed me was that, it was loud inside this car. Like the silencer in the exhaust system was malfunctioning. A small engine perhaps, but too loud. You know when a car makes some noise, you expect it to be moving fast, unfortunately the Sportage covers very little ground as regards to the purr in the hood. Mind you the fuel economy is really good at 22 mpg city and 31mpg highway.The design and the performance do not match up at all. Good safety features like Brake assist system (BAS), airbags all round.

Decent package for just over $21000.00. Good to have a look at if times are hard or you just want to live modestly

http://www.kia.com/#/sportage/specifications/

Jaguar XJL

2010-08-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

What are the Brits known for, the worst weather, bad teeth and very bad food right? Yes all those without doubt, but surely they have to have something going for them, well apart from a very bad campaign at the Soccer World Cup, they have the Jaguar cars, precisely the new XJ model. Masters of design and quality. The XJ is a luxury sedan that was thought of carefully. TATA stepped in to finance this company and a very sound investment it was. I mean the British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and the British Premier all have one in their Fleet. That says a lot for the Jaguar XJ.

Looking at the Jaguar XJL,there is that quiet yet loud voice saying,"Oh Hello", and you can tell no stone was left unturned to come up with this one, completely divorced from the previous model.

Totally different look, but that one was a good Jaguar XJ as well. I mean you have to be an innovator to make such a bold transition.Very classy and hats off to the British for this one.This is a big motor. Long wheelbase too. Check the size of your garage before purchase. When you step inside your world changes. The lovely wooden panel that lights up your eyes is genuine wood and it goes all the way around the inside. The leather interior which comes in a variety of colours and my personal favourite being the cream, blends well with the other components inside.

Jaguar have taken it a step further and digitized the instrument panel . When the car is switched off the dash just looks black and when it comes to life the Virtual instruments light up. Nice HD Touch screen for the navigation above the climate control knobs. The gear shift is another innovation. Now instead of the usual stick these guys have come up with a dial, yes a dial And the call it the JAGUAR DRIVE SELECTOR. So when the car is off the dial retracts and there a flat surface by the gear shift, and soon as it comes to life the dial rises up into the driver's hands. Changing gears is now like changing the radio station. The steering will can be adjusted but not the usual lever, but with a button and and so its now electric. The seats are heated and cooled , plus they give you a back massage. I have not been in a car that does that yet.There is front and back climate control. Works well in the California weather. There is two panoramic roofs and a beam in the middle for strength and safety.

There is loads of room in the back for those who prefer to be chauffeur driven and conduct business at the back, a little table to set your laptop and browse the internet. Safety is a major feature here with airbags all around the car and if you are one of those high powered executives this car can be armored. Now the XJL carries an extra five inches of room in the back for there is plenty of leg room. trunk space is always a concern for the ladies and this bad boy has all the space. So not to worry because there is room for those very expensive big strollers you like.

The steering wheel has all the controls, so one cannot be distracted from driving by phone or volume control. This machine is made for your driving pleasure. The Jaguar XJ can pack a punch, because the supercharged 5.0/V8 does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and this is a big car. Looking at it you are likely to assume its big, so naturally its sluggish, but far from it.The ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS AND DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL continuously varies the suspension damping to suit the current driving conditions, plus the car is made from Aluminum, making it light and very light indeed, so much you can feel in control. Control is superb.THE JAGUAR DRIVE CONTROL HAS DYNAMIC AND WINTER MODE. Dynamic mode interacts with the car's electronic management system to give a quicker and more responsive acceleration and gear shift, while the winter mode dampens the accelerator response for more control in slippery conditions Suspension is well solid and makes the drive even more delightful. This car certainly turns heads more than an car I have driven so far. On the freeway I was ruling and I was just going past other cars without effort and all eyes were on me. Imagine how that felt. Plus Some idiot tried to come into my lane before I turned and naturally the XJL has a warning light that flashes on the wing mirror if there is someone in your blind spot, so that was warning enough and I stayed away. Terrible driving from this guy. He ought to be taken off the road really in his Toyota.

This is a car that was made with effort and care and I think at $80000.00 you get your money's worth. I want this car because it has class. The Jaguar XJL sets you apart and puts you up there where you belong, with the big boys.
For more on the specifications visit this jaguar link:
http://www.jaguar.com/us/en/#/new_xj/?campaignid=L0000726

VolksWagen Touerag

2010-08-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Germans, when it comes to the Volkswagen are known to be pretty ordinary. So looking at the Touareg its very easy to just dismiss it as another overpriced Volkswagen. In a lot of cases, that's not a bad call at all, but this one model is different. Impressive to the eye, very robust. Has that rugged swagger about it. The I am rough on the outside but so smooth on the inside look.

There is a lot of room inside, A little too much sometimes. For some bizarre reason I could not get comfortable in this car. The seat could not be adjusted enough nor the steering too.I moved forward as much, and backwards to but still something felt incomplete. Very odd. Only sits five people and that's it. Volkswagen have come to terms with that American dominance in the SUV class. Only the Americans and Japanese have mastered the art of sitting seven people comfortably in an SUV. The steering wheel is telescopic and moves up and down. This is coming standard in most cars these days. There is enough boot space because Volkswagen conceded that they cant sit "twenty people" in this car, so they thought , why not add more space for your baggage. Climate control is dual, the front passenger can control their own environment. The sound system again is top quality. Airbags all round plus there are roll bars which makes the cars real sturdy and able to absorb impact. The back door can be opened like many cars, by remote and the only difference with Volkswagen have is, the way the door adjusts to the height of your garage door. Only opens up that height, the door is adjustable to any height. Bravo Volkswagen. Paint job would be expensive if there is a scratch on the door. Plus the rear window can be opened independently so one can throw their groceries without opening the main door.

I felt domineering when I was on the freeway. The Touareg seems to come into its own here. The car, considering its a diesel and Turbo Direct Injection, performs just like a Gasoline engine. The get up and go is impressive, and one can look down on other cars, great feeling. When you get to 100mph the suspension is so sturdy and with this sturdiness comes the ease to take corners. The car seems to just settle on the road and take the bumps with Grace. Fuel economy is 18 - 25 miles to the gallon.

One car that people must look at . At just over $50000.00 this is a good buy considering there is all the nice gadgets and accessories. I would make this car part of the fleet. Look out for the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid coming soon too.
For complete Specifications go to:

http://www.vw.com/touareg/en/us/?sem=208416580;&gclid=CI-t45GbvaMCFRr6iAodEHVBcQ

2011 Hyundai Sonata

2010-08-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

One of South Korea's finest cars. Bit compact and small by American Standards but that is the beauty of it all. The interior of this car catches the eye, The one I drove had a cream interior, not leather but this new material which is resistant to dirt, basically, and the menace that is kids.Ideal for a small family. The sixth generation Sonata has serious technological upgrades and aerodynamics. Not sure if there was need to streamline the body in such fashion. And I am not sure how much safety they compromised here. Massive difference between this version and the fifth generation Sonata which I personally thought was steady. Now this cars looks like a hatchback and this is supposed to be a sedan.

What happened to that design, where the rear screen was smaller and the trunk made up for the rest of the space. Now I am not saying this car is rubbish, far from it, just pointing out the obvious flows. This is a 4 cylinder 2.4L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine which is generous to your wallet because it gives you up to 24 - 35mpg highway. Like I said the only thing in the interior that caught my attention was those dirt resistant seats and the compactness of the inside. There is your basic radio, CD changer and then one can upgrade navigation for a price of course. Personally I think Satellite navigation should come standard.

Again the drive was smooth and because this car is not carrying a lot of weight, maneuverability is really good, and for those moments when you are on the highway it feels like it has always got that little extra to move you on. This car is pretty standard and if one is looking for value for money then, this is the car to purchase. Starting at just over $22000.00

I would recommend small families or students because this will make a good comfortable runaround.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/

The Nissan Armada

2010-08-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well this is just a Nissan is it not? you would think, but imagine my surprise when I stepped into this cockpit. That is what I am going to call it, cockpit. I was blown away and this is a car that was stationary. The gadgetry and gizmos in this car is out of this world. I know it's their Platinum edition, quite literally, but its only a Nissan right? There is a lot to talk about in this one. Do not forget that i have driven a few SUVs so far, so a Japanese SUV is not a bad idea at all to throw into the mix. It will make interesting reading. Lets start with the exterior, basic Nissan grill which is all too familiar, and then it follows with the curves to match the simple look. The " I am simple to the eye, but I know you like my curves", look. Because if you Blink, you can easily pass the Armada up for another ordinary Japanese car. Look very carefully people, this is a real motor. Although the design suggests an end to the curves right at the second row but abruptly starts as quickly as they ended. feels like Nissan was still trying to figure out if they can stop there, but they changed their mind in the process. Not good, boys and girls of Nissan, not good. that little extension at the back did put me off a little bit. Nice skirts and if you get some smashing rims, this car can just as well stand out like the big American SUVs. Looking just as mean and domineering like it has stepped out of a Rap video. Enough said about the looks. Step inside with me and observe how interesting things get,

One thing that stand out, is the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). The only SUV I have driven so far with this nifty little program. Now what the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) does it to react to the way one is driving. Like transfer drive to the Wheels that need more power in slippery conditions for instance.Just like Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) I hear echos. No, No, No. Its better, way better in fact, because if one is on the road and the driver in front or beside is in a bit of a pickle, you would naturally react to try and avoid an accident, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) would react with you and control the car until stability is achieved. then there is The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This monitors the tire pressure and warns the driver if it goes below or above the recommended level. Handy for gas mileage. Seven people can sit in this car with loads of room and comfort, though there will be no space for anything else at the back. Airbag system with dual supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, now that is cool. there is zone body construction with rear and front crumple zones. now I understand why Nissan Armada looks the way it does. The Armada has the ability to tow about seven thousand pounds just two thousand shy of its cousin the Titan, and the rear suspension is independent,and has Auto Leveling, depending on what you are towing. Awesome. the usual different Climate control for the driver and the passengers. The DVD screens for the second row and another one for the third row.

The Satellite navigation it top of the range and has a few surprises of its own, where there is split screens for 3D view and bird's eye view, plus within the system places of interest can be incorporated in your journey so one knows exactly where they are. Skimming the surface on this one because the navigation is capable of a host of things. CDs are becoming obsolete as well because the car stereo which is a Bose can read a CD and the driver can select what tracks they want and save them onto the 9GHZ on board computer. this car, big as it is, can chew up the road.The get up and go is up there and not forgetting the purr as it books. Very imposing on the road so people will know when you are kicking the V8 up a notch. One thing is you have to be ready to pay for the gas because this car only does 12mpg city and 18mpg Highway. Independent suspension, both rear and front, well solid and one can feel the road at one with the car through the steering and of course the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) is able to retain a degree of stability to aid the drive.

usually when one slams on the brakes most cars throw you forward due to inertia, however with the Armada, I had my hands off the steering wheel doing 50mph,then slammed the emergency brakes.First the car remained in a straight line and get this i did not feel like I being thrown forward. Some anti lock braking system on the Armada, right? Now do not try this at home folks because while its a good feature on the Armada, its for emergencies and not child's play. All i can say is at least someone at Nissan put the consumers first on this one.

This SUVs comes highly recommended from Drivernomis. Out of all the SUVs tested this is my absolute favorite and its not even high end. Nissan are even giving rebates to get rid of their 2010 stock. This is going for just under $50000.00. this car has surpassed all my expectation and had i kept it longer i was not going to turn it in.

2011 Audi A6

2010-08-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Truth in Engineering...This is Audi's Global Truth. I mean there is commercials out there, but most of them leave you wondering what you are getting hoodwinked into. However in the new Audi A6, there is truth indeed. Not saying there is everything you want in this motor, but its up there with a few of the best. Audi has ESP (Electronic Stabilization Program). ESP has a number of safety features for greater handling and control in emergency situations or when the A6 is pushed to its limits of performance. The Side Assist helps the drive monitor blind spots and warn of rapidly approaching vehicles. Other cars will have to be real quick though because the acceleration in the A6 is phenomenal for a luxury sedan. Plus the eight airbags and strengthened door beams make the A6 feel like your own cocoon. All controls are within the driver's reach and the optional Satellite navigation is voice activated... now that is cool. Bluetooth is enabled too. This is achieved by the MMI system ( Multi Media Interface). This means that all the accessories can be controlled using a few knobs and buttons with one performing a whole host of functions.Saying this though, I personally found the A6 a bit roomy for me, while everything is in good proximity, there is an air of too much extra space. Now compared to the BMW 5 series, my right hand seemed to be out of place when I was not holding the steering wheel. The armrest seems out of place with the extra cigarette lighter and compartment between the armrest and the accessory knobs, so twigging the knobs next to the gear lever is a bit of a chore with the armrest distance. Not impressed I must say. Loved the LED ( Light Emitting Diodes) Tail lights though.

The drive on the A6, as expected a cut above the rest. this motor just sits on the road and starts to go like it is one with the road. I would not even try to bore you with the 0 - what acceleration because this is not a sports car, but I drove the 300hp Supercharged V6 (3.0T). Since it's a smooth ride you can get to a 100mph unawares. Overtaking was graceful and thought that was only in the Mercedes, but here we are an Audi with Grace. Those rigs looked like they were going backwards. In the Audi A6 you get fuel economy in a high performance engine. This V6 (3.0T) gets 26mpg highway. Not bad at all. I like the fact that you know where you are going as regards to the True North as this shows on the rear view mirror. this is one of Europe's Premium sedans. Mind you these guys have come up with an Audi A6 5.2 Liter FSI V10. Why, I have no idea considering they have R8 FSI V10 too. Guess Audi want to join the American gas guzzling club. OK so we know Audi can do big engined A6s too. Big wow. The 300-hp Supercharged V6 (3.0T) will set you back just over $ 54000.00, and I think its a fair price for a luxury sedan of this Caliber and for $6000.00 less than the BMW 535i, I will take this car any day.

It is seriously worth taking a look folks.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=708937208&ref=search#!/lewis.hamilton.maniacs?ref=ts

BMW 5 series 2011

2010-07-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

Question I am asking myself with this one is why did they get out of Formula 1? They had everything going for them. The look is very tempting, One of those when you take a look at, you feel like you are looking at a car that wants to be driven. This 5 series has surpassed the old 5 series because that car is still marketable to date. Driving the old 5 series still gets you noticed as you cruise the street, so one can imagine what strides had to be taken to come up with the new BMW 5 series.
Drove the 535, acceleration is really rapid so overtaking that annoying rig is no longer hard work. Braking on this car is very impressive. Not tested cornering at high speed but from the width of the car, the center of gravity is very low. Electronics have moved up a notch. No longer is it a standard BMW interior, but the handbrake is electronic. Ignition is now a button and the car only starts with the key in close proximity to the sensors, by this I mean in your pocket. The driver’s seater is made to follow the curves on your bottom plus the armrest is more accommodating for the elbow while you can still twig a few controls on the armrest. Automatic lever is such that to change gears you just push the lever forward or backwards after releasing the lock on the lever.
This new reverse camera thing is really catching on and it’s really convenient too.

All in all this is a good step forward for BMW and worth taking a look at. While you are at it, its the weekend, Lets be safe out there and not drink and drive please. Enjoy The Hungarian Formular 1 Grand Prix
http://www.formula1.com/default.html

Experiences at Dealerships

2010-07-26T01:56:00.000-07:00

Now this should be interesting and I wanna hear about your experiences as well. Going to a car dealer has become somewhat of an experience hasn't it? I wish they will be a bit more understanding and not too selfish about making the sale and making that elusive commission. I went to Honda in Lancaster California the other week and was received by some really good guys there. Had a very good time when I was looking at their cars but what ground my gears, was the fact that the senior sales people there were very rude, I mean I was with my son and wife so these guys are in a little office using profanity and very loud too. Now if that's not a deal breaker I don't know what is. This really does give people who you work with a bad name. Now I don't want to go back there. I hope whoever is in charge there gets to sort it out. Now I want what happens to vulnerable customers in these dealerships. The Toyota guys were very helpful and polite and never at any one point try and twist my hand into purchasing a car, now in this comfort zone you tend to want to buy the car.

Times are hard I know so maybe that's why car sales people are like the way they do. I went into the Chevy Dealer in Palmdale too. This is where I felt so small. I mean the guy who was helping me was pretty new, so he was honest enough to let me know that his knowledge on the cars was limited and I respected that, but then he referred me to the man who knew it all. Tell me folks when has anyone ever gone to the dealership not knowing what they want. This guy was talking to me like I have never looked at a car or seen a Tahoe even. I am a Mechanical Engineer for crying out loud. Very patronizing. I was going to test drive the Camaro as well so I thought to myself no, I will have to get it from another dealer and I am hoping they wont be as pushy.I could not wait to get out of that Dealership. I am sure I am not alone in saying all this. People we should not let them get away with it because that's "the way they do things." Well that is not the way we are as customers handle business, we dismiss and move one. I would hate to see my mother being treated with such contempt like that. Tell me people what your experiences have been like at Car Dealers, when these dealers decent on you and all they see is dollar signs. I am definitely having a Wall of Shame for Dealerships as well.

DEALERSHIPS WALL OF SHAME:

Rally Auto Group Palmdale California (Chevrolet Section)
Lancaster Honda.. California

Chevy Tahoe

2010-07-24T01:20:00.000-07:00

Chevy Tahoe, looks amazing doesn't it. Of course it does, look at it. All the movies we have watched and all those television shows, Chevy Tahoe always makes them all look good. Tahoe takes you to the movies.The black ones always look menacing. Guess in a way, this a real American symbol. This car is beautiful. From the Old school Tahoe to this car there has been some real work put in for you. Remember this car is the GMC Yukon and Denali, Cadillac Escalade. This is a beautiful car indeed but I am not sure the American people need to have the name of the car to be twigged a bit and then sold back to them for a higher price. I don't agree. Fitted with bucket sits inside to ensure comfort. Dashboard still looks a bit standard in this car. Very good navigation system plus the car radio is outstanding. The side mirrors have a little feature that's amazing. When the car is in the reverse mode they tilt downwards so the driver can see where he is going and not on some curb plus the rear view camera helps as well. The car has crumble zones at the front in the hood and get this the engine faces slightly upwards as well so in case of a collision it falls downward and not move horizontally into the car. First time I have seen this feature. The headlights are made from this flexible new material that is unbreakable so be my guest people take a baseball to this car's headlights. All stops were pulled on this car's safety. Good job Chevy. The side panel are designed in such fashion that in case of an unfortunate accidents the door does not have to be replaced but the panel act as the buffer and take most of the punishment and can be easily replaced. In case you walk into the mirrors and many will know what I am talking about the mirrors will not be damaged as the deflect both forward and backwards. Another small stride but very handy from Chevy. Looking Good fellows.

What happened to the drive then. A car like this should be the Ultimate driving experience. Sadly this was not to be. Guys people need to have that peace of mind when buying a car, and that the same car will take care of them for the next three years but I did not feel this. The most important aspect of driving was missed on this car. This just a sluggish nice looking car. Feels unsafe and I am sure its does not take much for it to overturn. Acceleration was good but when braking the car was running away from you. Suspension was not sturdy at all. This car is very unsafe. A car this size should have a rigid suspension. When the safety features were put in this car it was not for avoidable accidents but ones that cannot be avoided. Well of the Mark here gentlemen. Very disappointing because I had such expectations for the Tahoe. And fact that the salespeople at Chevy are rude and too pushy does not help. Very patronizing indeed. When someone comes looking for a car they more or less know what they want and your job is to point them in the right direction. Will be better if the car was worth the trouble but unfortunately no.

No one should pay too much for a car that's unsafe anyway. $ 54000.00 fully loaded. That is a lot to pay for a car you know is not safe. I could not wait to finish the test drive and just get out of this car. Very disappointed. But don't take my word for it. Have look for yourselves. The wall of shame will be coming soon. Have candidate number one already.

Watch this space people. Too much fairy tales in this commercials.

Ford Expedition

2010-07-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Like I said last week, the next thing we shall do is throw in American SUVs to see how well they do against those from Europe and I have not forgotten the Japanese as well. That's coming soon too. Where would I go but where it all started and that's at Ford. Don't forget I am going to showrooms like I am purchasing a car for myself so it matters greatly what the sales people will say and how they treat me. I always approach any showroom with the utmost respect and I think its always good to have that reciprocated. Now the guys at Ford Lancaster were very helpful and I enjoyed myself there.

As you can tell the Expedition looks good and the feel is that of a Master in the game. Remember these guys have been making cars from day one and know a thing or two. This is a big motor by any standards so getting it , one has to make sure their pockets are deep gas wise 14litres to the gallon City and 20litres Highway. Not a high end vehicle but made for the working class American this car serves that market very well. Eye candy if you ask me this car is. The way people like to "hook up their cars" as it were in America, perfect candidate.Seven seater and the seven will sit without feeling like they are going to federal prison especially the two at the back. Although I have to say that comfort is compromised a bit because you are sat right on top of the rear axle which takes some hammering during any journey. Saying that though there is room still in the back of the car to put some luggage for that day out or that holiday. Space and comfort in one SUV, now there is something you dont often see in a car with very good drivability.

The drive was much better than I had anticipated, after all every time Ford is mentioned there is a tendency to just dismiss them as lowbrow. I drove it out of the lot and the ride was quite smooth. Silent purr under me and I knew I was packing heat. Soon as I had a chance I was pedal to the metal and this beast came to life and just chewed the asphalt in front with ease. Impressive or what? The braking was really good for a big car too. Handling was pretty good too because the suspension is sturdy.Good job FORD because this in the most important aspect on any car. One must feel they have control of the machine they are running. Compared to the Audi Q7, you don't necessarily need the extra kick to get past those ghastly rigs who are unpredictable on the freeway. City driving was impressive too because the Expedition can hold its own amongst the City slickers. Like I mentioned earlier gas guzzler this one and not very friendly to the environment. Ford are still lagging in technology like the reverse camera accessory, folding mirrors and these hybrids that everyone is making these days. But I would say for just over $35000.00 one does not feel like they have had their pants pulled down like at BMW.

Not a bad family car to be honest. I would recommend people to have a look and see what they think.