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Most Recent Articles
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- 2006 Honda Element: Unique Freak?
I admit it. When I saw my first Honda Element a few years back I thought it was one of the most hideous looking vehicles on the planet. Then I saw the Scion xA and Scion xB, so I quickly relegated the Element to third place. I confess that my earlier feelings about the Element have changed, possibly because I see so many of them on the road these days and perhaps because I see its usefulness. No matter, the Honda Element is a unique looking vehicle and it is a lot less freakish than what you or I may think.
Freedom from convention. That is the saying on Honda’s web site when it comes to labeling the Element. In many ways, this marketing slogan is true. Who says that any vehicle has to conform to what you expect? True, past radical models failed miserably. The Ford Edsel and VW Thing are two that come to mind. Yet, the times are different and a truly “rad” look is in. Real in, if you know what I mean. - 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca: Ugly Or Not?
Okay, Subaru fans…listen up! Do you think that the all new B9 Tribeca is a beautiful vehicle or is it an ugly duckling? As for me, I have mixed feelings. This particular SUV certainly doesn’t look like any other Subaru, nor does it easily get confused with any other SUV on the market. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; let’s take a look at what sets the B9 Tribeca apart from the pack.
The first time I saw Subaru’s new entry up close I first thought it was Porsche’s Cayenne. No, the vehicles don’t look alike, but the B9 Tribeca evoked a similar response for me: like the Cayenne, it represents a major departure from all other models. For example, the B9 Tribeca offers the following: - 2006 Acura Mdx: Luxury With A View
You have to love the marketing guys. After all of the work of the design team, a new vehicle must pass through several rigorous channels including engineering, safety, performance, quality, durability, craftsmanship, government inspections, and management clearance, before even the first rivet is drilled or body panel painted. After all is said and done, the marketers get their chance to pitch the final product. In one word the MDX has been defined by these very same marketers: benchmark. Does the MDX live up to this all important designation? Acura would like for you to think so. Let’s take a look at Acura’s 7 passenger luxury SUV to see if it truly does rise to the level of category leader.
The marketplace is flooded with SUVs. Despite high gas prices, the demand for high profile vehicles continues to remain strong, particularly in the sub-behemoth category which is anything smaller than an Expedition or a Tahoe. Still, some of these less imposing models are fuel eaters too, equipped with V8 engines and all the latest gadgetry. If you want to realize fuel savings in an SUV a compact Ford Escape Hybrid is just
about your only choice, plus a new Lexus model just now hitting showrooms. - 2006 Jeep Commander: 7 Passenger Trail Trekker
Jeep has finally done it. A 7 passenger trail rated Jeep is now available at a dealer near you. Long a maker of manly SUVs, the Commander holds true to form as it can easily be taken off road as well as down the highway. Unlike more pedestrian models, the Commander looks every bit the rugged vehicle that it is. For Jeep fans who need the extra room the Commander offers space not available in any Jeep since the Wagoneer was retired a generation ago. Let’s take a look at the 2006 Jeep Commander, the focus of this review.
So, why build a seven passenger Jeep? To give customers a choice, that’s why. With existing models able to carry only five passengers or less, the Commander meets the demand for a larger model. Instead of losing sales to GM or Ford, Jeep is now able to offer a vehicle that will keep customers from leaving for bigger and roomier models. - 2007 Gmc Yukon: Still Too Much?
I realize I may be stepping on some toes, but please hear me out. The upcoming, new from the ground up, GMC Yukon is certain to be perceived by some as being too much…in size, that is. With fuel prices at an all time high and consumer sentiment shifting to smaller vehicles will the GMC Yukon be considered outdated even before it hits showroom floors in Spring 2006? Let’s take a look at many of the changes planned for the all new Yukon and then you can decide for yourself.
General Motors has been itching to release the Yukon and a host of other full sized GMC/Chevrolet models to the public as soon as possible. Some find this odd, particularly since fuel prices are high and demand for large vehicles is on the decline. Still, there is good reason why GM wants you to take a closer look at upcoming offerings including the 2007 GMC Yukon, their big SUV: - Truck Covers For A Snug Fit
Much like car covers, a high quality custom fitted truck cover can protect your pick up truck from a whole cluster of nasty insults to your truck’s body. Even if you park your truck in a garage and give it regular washes and polishes, your finish can soon diminish and your truck quickly show its age without the added benefit of using a truck cover. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of owning a truck cover and what you need to look for when considering purchasing a high quality product.
When you choose your truck cover, you will soon discover that even just one manufacturer can make several assorted covers for the same truck model. Simple covers offer partial protection from the elements while first-rate truck covers offer far-reaching protection. - Exhaust Systems For The Hobbyist
There are exhaust systems and then there are exhaust systems. Your vehicle’s exhaust system does everything that it needs to do to keep your car performing properly as well as to protect the environment safe from harmful pollutants. When it is working properly, that is. Not every owner is satisfied with stock exhaust systems, particularly the hobbyist or recreationalist who uses his or her vehicle for leisurely pursuits. If you are a hobbyist and you want a system that performs well beyond what a stock exhaust system has to offer, then please read on for some important information.
So, what is your sound preference? Say, what?! Yes, one of the attributes of a high quality performance exhaust system is finding one that brings out the sound that you want it to make. Generally, there are three types of exhaust systems sounds you can choose from. Gibson Exhaust, a popular manufacturer of performance exhaust systems breaks it down as follows: - How To Install Truck Running Boards
If you are a pick up truck or SUV owner, one of the most popular accessories for these types of vehicles are running boards. Running boards are particularly useful as they allow easier access to your truck’s cabin in addition to simply “lookin’ good”. You can outfit your vehicle yourself with running boards by following three simple steps. Depending on the brand of running board you purchase, the procedures involved may vary somewhat.
Lund running boards are industry hot sellers and the company helps make installation a breeze by outlining how to get the job done: - Chevy Equinox And Land Rover Freelander
The sport utility market continues to expand despite higher than normal gas prices. The reason? Because, these do-almost-everything-vehicles provide just what consumers want. Sure, sales are down right now, but they will recover as more economical vehicles enter the mix. SUVs carry people, haul stuff, pull stuff, can go off-roading [okay, maybe not the Equinox], provide superior handling than many cars, etc. Fortunately, not all are gas guzzlers either. Chevrolet’s Equinox and the Land Rover Freelander are two that come to mind. Let’s take a look at these two compact SUVs.
Chevrolet Equinox – I like the looks of the Equinox, Chevy’s car-based SUV that is only slightly smaller than the mid-size TrailBlazer. By car-based I mean a vehicle that handles and drives more like a car and is actually built on a car platform [like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, for example]. This means that the Equinox is built chiefly for the road, so if you want an off road experience you would need to opt for the TrailBlazer or get the Freelander. Okay, I digress. - Selecting Your Tonneau Truck Cover
You’ve seen them on pick up trucks everywhere: specially designed truck covers that are all the rage. In times past sporting a custom fitted cap over your truck’s bed was where it was the thing to do. Today, a truck tonneau cover is the way to go for many truck owners. The choices of covers are varied, the retailers who sell them are many. Selecting your tonneau truck cover isn’t rocket science but it pays to “go with what you know” when selecting yours. Let’s take a look at the different types of truck tonneau covers on the market.
The most popular selling trucks in the USA for nearly three straight decades are Ford’s “F” series line of full size pick up trucks. Selling twice as many trucks as the nearest car, which is the Toyota Camry, this sales level clearly shows us that pick up trucks remain an important and vital part of the automotive landscape. Indeed, trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and many other manufacturers have filled our roads. Unlike trucks in the past which exclusively emphasized their towing and hauling attributes, trucks of today incorporate a third factor, passenger comfort, in the mix. Still, if you ask mostly anyone exactly what they do with their truck bed you are likely to gain a variety of answers. Most truck beds are used expressly for hauling stuff and depending on what is being hauled that typically determines how the bed is protected and or covered. - Gmc To Launch All New Pick Ups Early
Published reports are indicating that General Motors will move up the production of their updated line of GMC and Chevrolet pick up trucks by three months with the new models making their debut in October 2006. Some are calling this move an act of desperation on the part of GM which has been socked by extensive criticism over its product line, while others are hailing it as a bold, strategic initiative. Regardless, this is an unusual move for the world’s number one automaker, one that could help the company get back on its feet. Let’s take a look at the new trucks and what they will offer to you, the consumer.
High gas prices, quality problems, and a perception that the company offers products that no one wants has been plaguing General Motors for much of the past year. With plant closures coming, layoffs pending, and market share decreasing, little good news has been focused on “the general” by the automobile press. Fortunately, GM is battling back with fresh models set to be released including SUVs and trucks, which are the “bread and butter” vehicles of the company. Here is what you can expect to see when the new trucks enter the market in Autumn 2006: - 2009 Buick Enclave: From Concept To Reality
General Motors has been taking a beating for over a year now due to sales dips, make/model image problems, and labor and legacy issues. Truly, if there was a better time to jumpstart the company, I don’t know what it would be. Fortunately, someone in GM’s walnut-trimmed boardroom is getting the message: build what we want and we will buy it. The Buick Enclave, a luxury SUV making the rounds of the U.S. auto shows, appears to be one such winner.
I realize that I am in the minority of car critics, but I think that Buick is on the right track. The Lucerne, a full sized car based on the Cadillac DTS, is a beauty and Buick’s next newest model, the mid sized Lacrosse, is another attractive looking car. Still, Buick’s remaining fleet has been scaled back with only two SUVs and one crossover vehicle, the Terraza, left. At times it isn’t clear what plans GM has for its “near luxury” division, but if the Enclave is one example, then Buick has a promising future. - Ford To Exit The Minivan Market?
All the car blogs lately have been speculating on the direction that the Ford Motor Company is going to take in the wake of declining sales and stiff competition. We know that Ford has too much capacity and we know that the company will be closing some key plants and laying off an as yet to be determined number of employees. What hadn’t been clear is which models would be cut from the line up. Now, it appears that Ford will exit the lucrative minivan market. That’s right, Ford apparently will stick with building cars, trucks, and SUVs, and leave the minivan market to the other players.
Ever since the Chrysler Corporation invented the minivan market back in the early 1980s with its line of “K-car” derived minivans – the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, and the Chrysler Town & Country – Ford has been playing catch up. Indeed, a series of forgettable “star” named minivans were served up by Ford and summarily rejected by consumers: the Aerostar, Windstar, and the Freestar. Later, both Honda and Toyota brought out their own entries and Ford, along with Chevrolet found themselves trailing badly in an overcrowded segment. Indeed, several GM divisions sell minivans, as does Kia and Nissan, making the market especially tight. - 2007 Hyundai Entourage: The Minivan Wars Heat Up
It was only a matter of time before they entered the minivan fray and after several false starts the on again and off again Hyundai minivan appears to be on once again. Hyundai is targeting a market it has long sidestepped and it appears that a long wheelbase version of the Kia Sedona will soon be sold in the US as a Hyundai Entourage. The minivan wars are heating up again even as one competitor exits the market and another also gives serious consideration to abandoning the minivan segment. Is there an Entourage in your future? Read on for all the details and then decide.
Two decades ago, Hyundai entered the North American market with its $3600 Excel Pony. This cheaply priced, cheaply built model set the tone for the new importer and it wasn’t a good one at that. Low quality went arm and arm with the low price, but consumers still bought Hyundais anyway as a new Excel compared favorably with prices for late model used cars of that era. Many owners shrugged off the cheap plastics and quality problems, citing that the Pony gave them something they never had before: a brand new car. - 2007 Chevy Tahoe: Selling Like Gangbusters
The jury is in regarding the recently released big SUVs from General Motors: they are an overwhelming success story. The Chevy Tahoe along with its GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade siblings are bringing in big gains for GM. Just in time too as the automaker pares excess capacity, closes plants, and lays off tens of thousands of workers. So, what is it about the Tahoe that is stimulating sales? Everything!
Just what is it about the new Tahoe that is bringing in the customers? With sales up nearly 50% over the previous year’s model there has to be something that sets the big SUV apart from its predecessor. In fact, everything has changed with the Tahoe as it is an all new model: - The Highly Refined And Capable Bmw X5 Sav
The Highly Refined And Capable Bmw X5 Sav
Sport utility vehicle sales continue to plummet in the face of surging gasoline prices now topping the three dollar per gallon mark. Indeed, this segment of the vehicle market has produced some of the largest profits for automakers globally and this loss of sales is impacting manufacturer bottom lines the world over. Yet, demand hasn’t dried up altogether and a rebound is possible once gas prices stabilize. For BMW owners, a larger vehicle such as the BMW X5 SAV is almost a necessity no matter what gas prices may be. Yes, the BMW X5 SAV is big topping out at just over 5,000 lbs. Are you in the market for a luxury sport utility vehicle? If so, BMW’s largest model may just have something to offer to you.
For the record, BMW calls their SUVs an SAV: a sport activity vehicle. BMW’s marketing arm felt that customers should know that beyond it’s off road prowess, the BMW X5 SAV can tow as much as 6,000 pounds; carry bicycles with an optional bike rack; hold a canoe on top of its roof; and stow camping or other activity gear in its generous sized rear quarter. - The Toyota Fj Cruiser: Breaking The Styling Mold
Toyota’s growing popularity hasn’t been without controversy. No, the automaker doesn’t have much of a quality issue to contend with and, no Toyota isn’t likely to begin losing market share anytime soon. Yet, there is one area where the Japanese automaker has a bit of a perception problem and that has to do with styling. Of course Toyota vehicles aren’t ugly but there are few models being built today that are truly exciting. All that is now beginning to change as Toyota releases several head turning models including the latest rendition of its popular Camry sedan and one of its newest models, the FJ Cruiser. Keep reading and we’ll take a glance at just how Toyota is breaking one mold by breaking new ground.
Maybe it was the success of the Nissan Xterra or perhaps it was the desire to recapture past glory [or something in between] but Toyota’s decision to build the FJ Cruiser may not have been an easy one. With a line up filled with various trucks and SUVs, the proposed FJ Cruiser would not only be competing against the Jeeps and Land Rovers of the world, but with some of its own models including the car based Highlander and the versatile, truck based 4Runner. Still, the model was thought to stand a chance for two reasons: the FJ Cruiser is a retro-styled vehicle taking its design cues from the FJ40 of the 1960s/1970s and for its 5 passenger seating capacity: just the right sized vehicle that consumers would want to take off roading. - Tricking Out Your Dodge Ram Srt-10
There are pick up trucks on the road and then there is the Dodge Ram SRT-10. Take one already powerful truck and add in a Viper engine and you come away with a vehicle that is truly the king of its class. DaimlerChrysler got it right when they decided to morph its popular Ram into a true road warrior able to haul people, stuff, and beat just about any car on the road. If you own a Ram SRT-10 you already know what I mean as you spend your time tricking out your truck for even more performance and enhanced looks. Before we go on, please note that there are two versions of the Ram SRT-10: one is the “standard” two door cab and the other is the quad cab. For argument’s sake, we’ll look at both Ram SRT-10 models as one.
Without exception the 510 horsepower 8.3L V10 is one powerful engine. For the faint of heart, the Ram SRT-10 just isn’t for you, but for the Dodge aficionado this steroid enhanced Ram more than meets your every fantasy. Or does it? - Dodge SRT8 Charger: Not Just Another Family Sedan
When the smart folks at DaimlerChrysler were looking to beef up the Dodge line, they had to look no further than the Chrysler 300C, the Mercedes derived sedan that was turning heads from the moment it was introduced. What surprised many Mopar fans was that the vaunted Charger name would be affixed not to a coupe, but to a sedan. To this day, purists grumble at that decision but one look at the Charger tells you that this is not some ordinary family sedan. Thanks to the original Chrysler Group design team the Charger received plenty of notice, even better with the later involvement of the SRT group, Dodge has turned everything up a notch yet again.
Street and Racing Technology {SRT} is the name of the performance group within Chrysler that is tasked with taking already potent vehicles and turning them into class leading, road dominating muscle cars. In its earlier day the team transformed the Dodge Neon and most recently this same team did its work on the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. When the 2006 Charger was given its opportunity to shine, the SRT team immediately decided to plant a 6.1L V8 Hemi-powered engine underneath the car’s hood producing an amazing 425 horses along with 420 lbs-feet of torque peaking at 4800 rpm. Clearly, no car in its class matches the Charger’s competence with the exception of the 300C. - Land Rover's Resilient, But Absent Defender
Tracing its routes back to postwar Britain, Land Rover has been one of the most recognized names on the Australian outback, the African savannah, and in many other far flung places around the world. Since 1948, Land Rover has rivaled Jeep and Toyota in providing the most versatile 4x4 vehicles on the planet. Today, the Defender model continues to trudge on with important updates scheduled for the 2007 model year. Please read on to capture the essence of a brand that has admirably served driver and passenger for nearly six full decades.
Straight from the rubble of the Second World War, Britain was in need of a vehicle that could serve farmers, the military, government officials, and the like. Particularly in the hilly midlands of central England, not just any car would do in a bid to carry doctors, veterinarians, and military personnel on their rounds. If a road became impassable, no motorcar could be trusted to do the job. Enter Land Rover.
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