|
|
|
|
Volvo AWD S60 is excellent combination
of comfort, style and functionality
By Lary Coppola |
| Since being acquired by Ford, Volvo has successfully shed its stodgy image by redesigning its entire line of cars both visually and mechanically. In doing so, it has emerged as a very serious competitor to the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes, as well as Ford’s own Jaguar line. And no vehicle showcases that in-your-face competition like the new All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Volvo S60... (Full Article) |
|
|
New Mercedes SL500 hits the showroom |
| A new-generation Mercedes-Benz SL coupe/roadster – the first in over 12 years – went on sale March 1 at Mercedes-Benz dealerships around the country. Perhaps the best-known Mercedes model ever, the new SL500 convertible will mark the fifth generation of highly successful series, which began in 1954 with the legendary “Gullwing” 300SL... (Full Article) |
|
|
2003 Subaru Forester to debut in May |
| Coming off 2001 as its most successful year ever, the Subaru Forester has been completely redesigned and re-engineered for the 2003 model year. It will be in Subaru showrooms next month... (Full Article) |
|
|
Ford dealers want new products faster |
| Ford dealers are pressing top management at Ford Motor Co. to deliver more new products and deliver them faster... (Full Article) |
|
Redesigned Dodge Ram one hot truck
By Lary Coppola |
| When the redesigned Dodge Ram first came out a few years back, my review was headlined, “There’s a new Sheriff in town — Dodge Ram.” Seemingly, I could rewrite that review using Dodge’s current advertising tagline, “The Mayor of Truckville.” In short, if you liked the last Dodge Ram pickup you’ll love the 2002 version... (Full Article) |
|
Pontiac Grand Prix celebrates 40 years
By Lary Coppola |
| Was it really 40 years ago the Pontiac Grand Prix made its entrance on to the automotive scene? Starting life as a tricked out Catalina with a big, powerful V-8 you could get with tri-power (three, two barrel carburetors) and bucket seats, this car has evolved into something that tries to keep that memory alive... (Full Article) |
|
Mercedes creates virtual garage for online customers
New private site enables users to customize
vehicles needs and information |
| Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has launched a private, owners-only area of the company’s corporate Web site, MBUSA.com, to provide customers with a single convenient area for them to manage their vehicle’s needs and information. The new secure portal provides Mercedes-Benz customers with a valuable timesaving application to manage their vehicle’s service, maintenance and financial information... (Full Article) |
|
New location, economy pay off for Parr Ford
By Betsy Model |
| Generally when you hear the punch line “location, location, location” it has to do with the three most important criteria for choosing residential real estate. What Rod Parr, owner of Bremerton’s Parr Ford-Parr Mazda and Parr Imports, discovered is that the same issues concerning quality of location held true for his business as well... (Full Article) |
|
GMC Sierra Crew Cab offers power, utility and comfort
By Lary Coppola |
| For the first time in about as long as anyone can remember, General Motors (GM) has passed Ford in utility vehicle sales. Considering all the other problems the America’s second largest auto maker is having, why is this not a surprise... (Full Article) |
|
Lexus SC 430 lives up to its advance billing
By Lary Coppola |
| It was only a matter of time. As Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Honda et. al. grabbed hunks of the upscale sports car market, it was only a matter of time before Toyota — in the form of its Lexus division — was forced to respond... (Full Article) |
|
Subaru Outback wagon – the best of two worlds
By Lary Coppola |
| The Subaru Outback wagon has long been a perennial favorite of practical Northwest car buyers. It offers the two things they look for, usefulness and value. In recent years, a third component has been added to the mix — style... (Full Article) |
|
Volvo named 2002 Concept Car of the Year
Automotive News awards top honor to company’s Safety Concept Car |
| Volvo, a car whose name is synonymous with safety, has been awarded the 2002 Concept Car of the Year for its Safety Concept Car (SCC). The SCC was selected from among dozens of leading concept styles and vehicles unveiled during the past year at auto shows around the world... (Full Article) |
|
|
Sneak Peek — New 2003 Range Rover |
| Land Rover has released the first photographs of the new Range Rover, which goes on sale in Europe this monthand North America in May... (Full Article) |
|
Courtesy Auto Group employees
make written commitment to customers |
| At a recent company-wide meeting, held at a local hotel, the employees of the Poulsbo-based Courtesy Auto Group signed a written commitment to provide the best customer service possible... (Full Article) |
|
Bullitt Mustang is an American icon revisited
By Lary Coppola |
| Although the Mustang was revamped for 1999 to add more power and some refined styling, there have been few changes since. However, the 2002 limited-production Bullitt and SVT Cobra models should help keep interest in the car at a high level until an all-new Mustang is unveiled in 2004... (Full Article) |
|
2002 Cadillac Escalade improves on a great SUV
By Lary Coppola |
| When I got behind the wheel of the 2002 Cadillac Escalade at this year’s Mudfest — the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s annual Sport Utility Vehicle competition — I felt almost guilty taking such a beautiful piece of machinery through the mud from which the event derived its well-deserved name. “Almost,” is the operative word here... (Full Article) |
|
|
Dodge returns to law enforcement |
| After a 16-year hiatus from NASCAR Winston Cup racing, Dodge returned to the race track and the winner’s circle in 2001 with Intrepid. And after a 12-year hiatus from hot pursuits, Dodge returns to patrolling the streets with its 2002 Dodge Intrepid police car package... (Full Article) |
|
|
Ken’s Auto Body becomes an EnviroStar |
| Ken’s Auto Body, Inc. in Port Orchard recently became a 3-star EnviroStars certified business. Ken’s qualified under the combined hazardous waste/air quality requirements of the EnviroStars-Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Autobody Pilot Project. As a benefit, starting next year, owner Ken Davis will be receiving a $200 rebate on his annual permit fee from the Clean Air Agency... (Full Article) |
|
Sporty, fun to drive Pontiac Grand Am gets it right
By Lary Coppola |
| There’s a reason the Grand Am comes into the new model year as Pontiac’s top-selling car and the best-selling domestic compact. It’s a nice reasonably priced, well-equipped, fun to drive car that’s offered in a variety of models. Sounds like a formula for success... (Full Article) |
|
One of the world’s great sports cars gets even better
By Lary Coppola |
| I have a long-admitted bias for German cars. However, that aside, there is no denying that Porsche makes one of the world’s greatest sports cars. The last time I reviewed the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 was in 1996 — the first year it had all wheel drive (AWD). Totally redesigned for the 1999 model year, all that has happened is that this great machine has just gotten better... (Full Article) |
|
|
Chrysler Crossfire concept to be built |
| Continuing its industry-leading track record of taking breakthrough vehicle concepts to reality, the Chrysler Group has announced its intention to build a production version of the Chrysler Crossfire concept car... (Full Article) |
|
|
Two join Modern Collision Rebuild |
| Modern Collision Rebuild recently welcomed two new staffers. Tate Wade, who began his professional career as a commercial fisherman and later worked in telecommunications setting up computer systems, has joined the staff of the Bainbridge Island body shop... (Full Article) |
|
|
Automotive Alternatives reopens with new owner |
Automotive Alternatives, which was a fixture on Wheaton Way in Bremerton for years before it suddenly closed earlier this year, is open again under new ownership.
The dealership, run by Bill Tabor, is located at 3246 Wheaton Way and may be reached at (360) 479-1900 or www.automotivealternatives.com. |
|
New Jeep Liberty a top entry-level SUV contender
By Lary Coppola |
| As Jeep’s old warhorse, the Cherokee, got long in the tooth and the entry-level SUV market exploded, it was apparent something new was needed. After all, the Cherokee goes back to the American Motors era and Jeep had no entry-level SUV... (Full Article) |
|
New Z06 fastest Corvette ever
By Lary Coppola |
| Imagine my surprise when I found out I wouldn’t be getting some bland Japanese sedan because of a mechanical problem. Instead, a shiny new, bright yellow Corvette Z06 was substituted... (Full Article) |
|
|
Parr Ford to open new dealership Nov. 12 |
| If you’re in one of those 68,000 cars a day driving on Highway 3 between Auto Center Way and Navy Yard Highway, for the past several months you’ve undoubtedly been watching the new Parr Ford dealership take shape. Anticipation began in earnest when the huge electronic readerboard sign went up several months ago... (Full Article) |
|
Mudfest spawns first repeat winner
By Lary Coppola |
| Mudfest, the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) annual Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) competition, which took place Oct. 12 and 13, saw the first repeat winner in the event’s history... (Full Article) |
|
Nostalgia and no-dicker sticker formula
for success at Liberty Bay
By Bruce Bordenick |
| When you step inside Liberty Bay Auto Center, you immediately notice the vintage 1961 Corvette roadster with “RARE JWL” on the license plates. This shiny blue car, restored by part owner and General Manger Doug Haughton, runs like a top – just like Liberty Bay... (Full Article) |
|
|
|
| |
|
