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2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Review - a standout amongst the sea of midsize SUVs

June 30th, 2009 by Derek

2009 Toyota 4Runner

Pros

  • Better fuel economy than most V6 engines in its class
  • Comfortable ride and responsive handling makes you forget that you’re driving a truck
  • Intelligent shift patterns from the 5-speed gearbox account for smooth performance

Cons

  • Interior is overdue for a makeover
  • Third rowing seating suitable only for munchkins, yoga masters, or inflicting torture upon backseat drivers who need a timeout

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Toyota |Tags:, , |197 visits| No Comments »


2009 Ford F-150 Review - New and Improved! But you probably didn’t notice.

June 23rd, 2009 by Kurt Gensheimer

2009 Ford F-150 XLT
By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

  • Luxo interior and ride quality
  • Microsoft Sync - the only endearing Microsoft product in existence
  • Gutsy and fuel efficient Triton V8

Dings:

  • Mundane exterior styling…
  • …except for the obnoxiously large faux chrome grille
  • Cargo loops in bed smaller than a needle hole

Ruling: Although you might not notice at first glance, Ford’s F-150 really is new and improved.

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Ford |Tags:, , |708 visits| No Comments »


2009 Audi A3 Review - Compact, but capable sport wagon

June 16th, 2009 by peter

2009 Audi A3
>> Review by Peter Newton | >> Photos by Derek Mau

Pros

  • Taut and controlled handling
  • Roomy cargo for a compact car
  • Cool-looking LED DRLs
  • Just above average Bose sound system

Cons

  • Too few controls available on steering wheel
  • Sunroof cover did not fully block light
  • Trip/car computer non-intuitive
  • No iPod integration

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Posted in Audi, Expert Reviews |Tags:, |1418 visits| No Comments »


2009 Nissan 370Z Review - Z be nimble, Z be quick…

June 12th, 2009 by hollyrrr

2009 Nissan 370Z
>> Review by Holly R. | >> Photographs by Derek Mau

Pros:

  • Stiff, sports-car suspension
  • Blazing acceleration
  • Seriously comfortable seats
  • Excellent handling ability
  • Simple, clean interior (not a lot of bells and whistles)

Cons:

  • Stiff, sports-car suspension (seemed to have been tuned for the track, because it barely budged)
  • Blind spots that you could miss a bus in
  • Not much more room inside for anything but an extra passenger, a purse and a briefcase in the back

Ruling: Z can spin doughnuts around a candlestick!  Heck, who needs a candlestick, let’s DRIVE!!!!

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Nissan |Tags:, |2522 visits| No Comments »


2009 Ford Edge Sport AWD Review – 22” chrome rims on a crossover? You bet!

June 2nd, 2009 by sirkrameroy

2009 Ford Edge Sport
>> Review by Alex Kramer >> Photographs by Derek Mau

Pros:

  • High-output V6 engine
  • Well-balanced suspension
  • Solid build quality
  • User-friendly SYNC system
  • Head-turning 22” wheels

Cons:

  • Hefty 4,300 pound curb weight hampers handling, acceleration, and fuel efficiency
  • Huge wheels = lots of unsprung weight and road noise
  • Transmission lacks manual shift option
  • Edgy exterior styling

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Ford |Tags:, |1391 visits| No Comments »


2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Review - not your average compact rental car

May 29th, 2009 by Derek

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
>> By Anson Tse | >> Photos by Derek Mau

Pros

  • Zero lag turbocharged engine that goes
  • Well balanced chassis that pushes front wheel drive handling to the limit
  • “No lift” shift algorithm
  • Incognito appearance

Cons

  • Cheap plastic interior panels
  • Sub par craftsmanship
  • Incognito appearance

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Posted in Chevrolet, Expert Reviews |Tags:, |2591 visits| No Comments »


2009 Dodge Charger SRT8 Review - Fast and the Furious… American Style

May 22nd, 2009 by gmchan_66

2009 Dodge Charger SRT8

By Gary Chan

Pros

  • HEMI power and acceleration
  • Navigation system accuracy and ease of use
  • Autostick® 5-speed transmission that matches perfectly with the engine

Cons

  • Thirst for gasoline
  • “Am I speaking English?” voice command system
  • Uncomfortable front seats

As one of most powerful cars I’ve ever tested, I was eager to see what an American car could do compared to the high-ticket, high-powered imports I’ve driven. Not nearly as refined as the hi-po imports, the fun-factor of the SRT8 kept me grinning while accelerating effortlessly mile after mile.

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Posted in Dodge, Expert Reviews |Tags:, , |3496 visits| 2 Comments »



2009 Audi A3 2.0T S-tronic Quattro - First Impressions

May 15th, 2009 by twain

2009 Audi A3
Review by Twain Mein

Pros

  • Zippy and economical 2.0T
  • Smooth shifting S-tronic gearbox (a.k.a. DSG)
  • Audi’s über-cool LED daytime running lights
  • Magnificent suspension setup and Audi ride quality

Cons

  • Pricey with options
  • Back seat legroom worse than flying Economy Class on Southwest

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Posted in Audi, Expert Reviews |Tags:, |894 visits| No Comments »



2009 Toyota Yaris 5-door Liftback Review - The True Smart Car

May 5th, 2009 by Derek

2009 Toyota Yaris
By Derek Mau

Pros

  • Passengers get their own door and ample leg room
  • Versatile split rear folding seats
  • Spirited cornering
  • Excellent value

Cons

  • Engine is tuned for economy, not performance
  • Thin sheetmetal designed to save weight

The Toyota 5-door Yaris looks and feels about right as the utility vehicle for the new economy. It is cheap, roomy, economical and versatile. And it accomplishes all of this with a bit of style and flare. Its EPA numbers of 29 City/35 Highway is not quite at the level of the tiny Smart Fortwo’s mpg of 33/41. But we believe the Yaris is a better car in every respect and it is the smarter choice.

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Toyota |Tags:, |1491 visits| No Comments »


2009 Kia Rondo Review - Androgyny meets Practicality

May 1st, 2009 by Kurt Gensheimer

2009 Kia Rondo

By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

  • Seven passenger seating
  • Outstanding value
  • Super practical

Dings:

  • Hit with the ugly stick ten too many times
  • Gutless V6
  • Low-hanging tailgate devours foreheads

Ruling: Comfortable and practical, but as sexy as a pair of orthopedic shoes.

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Kia |Tags:, , |2402 visits| 1 Comment »


2009 Audi A6 3.0T Review - The other German mid-size luxury sedan

April 15th, 2009 by sirkrameroy

2009 Audi A6
Review by Alex Kramer | Photographs by Derek Mau

Pros:

  • Versatile supercharged engine w/direct injection delivers performance and efficiency
  • Excellent balance between handling and ride quality
  • Quattro all-wheel drive provides unflappable traction
  • Top notch interior materials
  • Good overall value in its class

Cons:

  • Multi Media Interface controls are awkwardly placed
  • Rear seating could use a bit more room
  • Exterior styling is still a bit conservative

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Posted in Audi, Expert Reviews |Tags:, |3094 visits| 1 Comment »


Face-Off: Lexus IS-F versus BMW M3

April 14th, 2009 by Derek

Lexus IS-F vs. BMW M3

Dinan BMW M3
Lexus IS-F
Pros:

  • Smooth, high-revving V-8
  • Comfortable interior suited for spirited driving
  • Great handling
Pros:

  • Ripping V-8 power
  • Comfortable and well appointed interior
  • Good handling
Cons:

  • You have to pay extra to get the Dinan goodies
  • The “Powerdome” in the hood
  • A twin turbo would have been so cool
Cons:

  • Automatic transmission with too many gears
  • Jarring ride characteristics
  • Fast and Furious styling cues on the outside, bland on the inside

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Posted in BMW, Expert Reviews, Feature Articles, Lexus |Tags:, , , , |5513 visits| 3 Comments »


2009 Nissan Altima Review - A young attitude with a mature demeanor

April 8th, 2009 by mash

2009 Nissan Altima Coupe

Review by Mary-Ellen Ash | Photos by Derek Mau

Pros:

  • Good suspension and steering = smooth handling
  • Very spacious interior for driver and passengers
  • Well insulated cabin keeps out the engine and road noise
  • Convenient cup and bottle holders
  • Nissan Intelligent Key system
  • Good fuel economy with the 4-cylinder engine

Cons:

  • Small trunk space
  • Slow acceleration with 4-cylinder engine
  • Hard to drop rear seats
  • Nasty blind spots

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Posted in Expert Reviews, Nissan |Tags:, |4557 visits| No Comments »


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