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Upgraded Lexus RX 330 is luxury made better
By Lary Coppola |
| When Lexus debuted the RX 300 — its second SUV — at the 1998 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit as a pioneer “crossover” vehicle — a sport-utility vehicle (SUV) built on a modified Lexus car platform, it became the first luxury nameplate offering two very distinct, yet different, SUVs... (Full Article) |
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Honda CR-V is practical, fun, entry level SUV
By Lary Coppola |
| Although the Honda CR-V was introduced 1997 — a year later than its main rival, the popular Toyota RAV4 — the car-based CR-V has been making up for lost time ever since and has become one of the most popular crossover Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) for those who want fuel-efficiency, utility, value, and just plain fun... (Full Article) |
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Lincoln Aviator is a
super-luxurious, mid-size SUV
By Lary Coppola |
| Lincoln added a second luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) to its lineup last year and has refined it slightly for 2004. The mid-size Lincoln Aviator could easily be mistaken for the big, full-size Navigator at a distance, they’re that close in appearance. In fact, a number of people I ran into during my test drive period with the Aviator did just that, naturally assuming the chrome grille-laden SUV was a Navigator... (Full Article) |
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Explaining the whole car thing
By Lary Coppola |
I’ve been writing the car reviews that appear here in the Business Journal as well as a number of city and lifestyle-type magazines around the country for more than a dozen years.
I also just finished two terms as president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association, a non-profit trade group of professional automotive writers based in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and northern California. We also have members from other places that are published here, and we put on what has grown to become the premier off-road SUV competition in the nation, Mudfest... (Full Article) |
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American-made muscle car
that’s truly King of the Road
By Lary Coppola |
| King of the Road is how I’d describe the 2004 Mercury Marauder. This is one mean machine. Black on black, and just plain vicious looking, it’s a true American-made, 21st Century muscle car. The minute I saw it I fell in love with it. Not bad for a car morphed from something your Dad might drive... (Full Article) |
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New Volvo S60 R is one very hot performer
By Lary Coppola |
| One evening recently, while sipping some excellent Cabernet, and enjoying the view of the Rose City from the 30th floor Portland City Grill, I had a conversation with Volvo’s west coast brand manager Soren Johansson. He casually mentioned that he was about to introduce an “R” version of Volvo’s popular S60 sedan. I told him I wanted to be among the first to drive it, and true to his word, Soren got me into one of the first test models available here in the Northwest... (Full Article) |
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Volvo XC90 shows why it’s
the best of the new SUVs
By Lary Coppola |
| There is lots of reasons the Volvo XC90 was selected hands down by automotive journalists from all over the nation as the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) SUV of the Year for the second year in a row. Volvo’s attractive sport-utility earned the title, beating out the highly capable Hummer H2 last year and the highly touted VW Tourag and Porsche Cayenne this year among others at Mudfest... (Full Article) |
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Tundra Double Cab fills out Toyota’s truck line
By Lary Coppola |
| With the introduction of the new Tundra Double Cab, a crew cab version of its successful full-size pickup, Toyota is officially positioned to challenge the big three in all segments of the full size, half-ton truck market. The 2004 Tundra Double Cab joins the regular and access cab to become the first import-brand to offer buyers all three standard domestic configuration choices across its complete model line... (Full Article) |
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New Porsche Cayenne SUV is both
very fast on road and very capable off it
By Lary Coppola |
| I’ve always believed Porsche to build one of, if not the finest high performance automobiles on the planet. When people ask my opinion on the best overall performance car on the market, I never hesitate to answer, “Porsche 911 Carerra 4S.” That’s why I was somewhat mystified when Porsche decided to build an SUV... (Full Article) |
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Subaru Forester an unpretentious,
sensible SUV value
By Lary Coppola |
I have to admit, every time I drive the Subaru Forester, I like it a little more. It’s just a great little car that’s more like a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and less of the station wagon it appears to be, than you might imagine.
Redesigned for 2003, with new standard features including an upgraded interior and a new Hill Holder clutch, the second-generation Forester doesn’t generate a lot of attention from other drivers, but it certainly got mine... (Full Article) |
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XC90 takes top honors at Mudfest
for second year
By Lary Coppola |
| In keeping with tradition, the Winners of the Mudfest X, the 2003 version of the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year competition, were announced at a special awards luncheon held on the opening day of the Seattle Auto Show. The event took place at the Pyramid Ale House, which is located across the street from the show’s venue, the Seahawks Exhibition Hall... (Full Article) |
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Hummer H2 —
more civilized than you might expect
By Lary Coppola |
To understate the case, the Hummer H2 is a unique vehicle. Not at all what you might expect, but offering much more in terms of comfort.
Introduced late last year, the menacing looking H2 is actually shorter than the Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, and Cadillac Escalade. However, at 81.2 inches, it’s the widest full size SUV and among the tallest at 77.8 inches... (Full Article) |
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New Nissan Maxima is the best ever
By Lary Coppola |
| When I drove the new Nissan Altima at a press introduction event in Carmel a couple of years ago, the big questions were... (Full Article) |
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Corvette an American icon
that’s improved with age
By Lary Coppola |
| Let’s face it; the Chevrolet Corvette is an American icon. It’s hard to believe it’s 50 years old — just like the boomers who coveted it before marriage, homes, career, kids, etc. Sports cars — mostly British nameplates like the wildly popular MG, as well as Jaguar, Austin-Healy and Triumph — were new to the automotive scene in this country in the early 1950s... (Full Article) |
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Mustang turns 40. Three special editions
debut, including new Mach 1
By Lary Coppola |
| April 17, 1964, the day Ford unveiled the original Mustang at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, NY., was a day that made automotive history. The brainchild of Lee Iacocca, it was the first of a genre that came to be known as the “pony car... (Full Article) |
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Redesigned Grand Prix offers
real value for the buck
By Lary Coppola |
Pontiac’s Grand Prix has been redesigned for 2004, and the first immediately noticeable change is that gaudy plastic body cladding is finally history.
The new Grand Prix has numerous other positive changes as well. Although they may not be as readily apparent as the disappearance of the cladding, Pontiac says 80 percent of the 2004 Grand Prix’s parts are new... (Full Article) |
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Ford’s hard working F-250 Super Duty
now more civilized than ever.
By Lary Coppola |
| There’s more than one reason Ford Super Duty trucks out-sell the heavy-duty pickups from Chevy and Dodge combined. But it boils down to the fact that the marketplace believes they’re just better trucks... (Full Article) |
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Volvo XC90 could be the best of the new SUVs
By Lary Coppola |
| There is a reason that the 2003 Volvo XC90 was selected by Motor Trend and hands down by automotive journalists from all over the nation as the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) SUV of the Year. Volvo’s first-ever sport-utility vehicle is worthy of the title, surprisingly beating out the highly capable Hummer H2 among the other 24 vehicles in the nationally recognized event... (Full Article) |
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2004 Jaguar XJ is one hot, luxurious,
totally awesome machine
By Lary Coppola |
| Jaguar’s flagship XJ series is all new for 2004, and this crop of luxury sedans from the Ford-owned British automaker is bigger, roomier, and more comfortable than ever. The XJ8, Vanden Plas, and the very hot XJR are faster, safer, and also more fuel-efficient than any previous Jag... (Full Article) |
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Mercedes-Benz upgrades M-Class |
| Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the popular ML320 sport utility vehicle by replacing it with an ML350, offering more horsepower for little extra cost. The new ML350 has a suggested price of $37,670 – $350 more than the outgoing ML320. Exclusive for this model year, Mercedes-Benz also introduces the unique “Inspiration Edition,” offering a sportier interior, six-spoke 17-inch wheels and a silver-painted chrome grille. |
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2003 Chevrolet Impala:
Back to the future — again
By Lary Coppola |
| Everyone who came of age in the 60’s knew what a Chevrolet Impala was. From 1958-65, the Impala was the sportiest, flashiest full-size Chevy made — sort of a working-man’s Cadillac... (Full Article) |
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New Nissan Murano one hot SUV
By Lary Coppola |
| Every time I drive a new Nissan product, I continue to be more impressed. The new midsize Murano sport-utility vehicle (SUV) is a prime example of just far Nissan has come in the last few years... (Full Article) |
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Nissan 350Z: A very worthy successor
to the original Z-car
By Lary Coppola |
| The original 240Z was the breakthrough car that opened the American floodgates for Japanese automakers because it was their first car that earned any respect here. At the time — late 1969 — its only real competitors were old-style British sports cars like the aging MG-A, the MG-B, Austin-Healy 3000 and Sprite, not to mention the Italian Alfa Romeo... (Full Article) |
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2003 Infiniti Q45: A unique alternative
to BMW, Lexus or Mercedes
By Lary Coppola |
| If you’re in the market for a serious personal luxury sedan that isn’t your run of the mill Mercedes, Jaguar, Lexus, BMW or Audi (is there such a thing?) the new Infiniti Q45 just might be just the ticket... (Full Article) |
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All new Toyota 4Runner is the real deal
By Lary Coppola |
| It started life in 1985 basically as a pickup truck and camper shell with the back window wall removed, a seat bolted in the bed. It evolved from there, being revamped in 1990 and 1996. But as this rugged machine progressed, it got nicer and nicer, and now, evolving once more, the 2003 Toyota 4Runner is again completely new from the ground up... (Full Article) |
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2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor: A great new SUV
By Lary Coppola |
| Mitsubishi is building great vehicles that people have finally begun taking serious notice of. Sales across all its model lines are growing steadily and they have captured an unusually large segment of the prized youth market. The new Mitsubishi Endeavor, an above average midsize sport-utility vehicle (SUV) should shortly be giving the likes of Honda, Toyota, Ford and GM another run for their money... (Full Article) |
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New Navigator is best ever
By Lary Coppola |
They may be politically incorrect, but neither that or gas prices have slowed sales any, so if you’re in the market for a big, luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), the updated 2003 Lincoln Navigator has to be on your radar screen.
Lincoln virtually invented the big luxury SUV market back in 1998, but the 2003 offering is a far cry from the blatantly upscale Ford Expedition it started out as. Even though it’s still based on the Expedition platform, this is the largest, most prestigious, and absolutely poshest Navigator yet... (Full Article) |
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Honda Element: Funky, plenty of utility
and surprisingly fun to drive
By Lary Coppola |
When I first saw the advance photos of the Honda Element a year and half or so ago, I thought to myself, “They must be kidding. That thing is butt ugly.”
But judging from the thumbs up reaction of the younger set to the boxy shape of my test Element EX, it seems like Honda has another winner on its hands. It’s based on Honda’s Model X concept vehicle displayed at last year’s major auto shows and is built in Ohio... (Full Article) |
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Understated elegance marks return
of Audi A4 Cabriolet
By Lary Coppola |
| After a four-year absence, the stylish Audi A4 Cabriolet has returned. While the nouveu riche bought BMW 3-Series ragtops as fast as they could make them, the more sophisticated among us opted for the more exclusive, limited-volume Audi Cabriolet... (Full Article) |
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Restyled Accord smoother, more mainstream
By Lary Coppola |
| One of things I liked best about the Honda Accord was that it was one of the few Japanese cars with a genuine European car feel. With the long awaited restyling of the Accord for 2003, that’s gone. It’s now smoother and more mainstream — designed to compete with the likes of its main rivals, the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima — both of which underwent major styling changes last year... (Full Article) |
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Nissan Frontier:
One seriously underrated macho truck
By Lary Coppola |
| Although the Nissan Frontier has become more popular, showing growth in sales for the past two years, it puzzles me why it trails the Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma at all. This is a seriously hot truck that offers bold styling, a macho image, some interesting technological options and a large number of configuration choices. Not to mention a supercharged V6 engine that makes it a genuine hot rod as well... (Full Article) |
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New Jaguar S-Type as nice —
and hot — as they get
S-Type R boasts a 400 horse V8 that ROCKS!
By Lary Coppola |
| Having owned a couple in my youth, I’ve had an admitted bias towards Jags my entire life. That said, I’ve had a couple of different opportunities to drive the 2003 Jaguar S-Type and the S-Type R, and honestly, have just fallen in love with this car... (Full Article) |
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Should you buy or lease company vehicles?
By William H. Schenck, Regional Vice President
Wells Fargo/Tacoma Commercial Banking |
| In the market for cars for your sales force? Delivery vans? Executive vehicles? Whatever the need — and whether your business uses a few cars or hundreds — you should know how leasing and fleet management can affect your company’s bottom line... (Full Article) |
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States settle with Ford
over Explorer/Firestone deaths |
| Attorney General Christine Gregoire helped ink a national $51.5 million settlement with Ford Motor Company, manufacturer of the popular Explorer SUVs that have been linked to rollover accident and 271 deaths and 700 injuries nationwide... (Full Article) |
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Mercedes debuts new E-Class wagon,
upgrades C230 |
| The 2004 E-Class wagon makes its world premiere in January at the Detroit Auto Show. The new E-Class wagon delivers the same level of stylish design and exclusive technology found on the E-Class sedan with a standard equipment list for the wagon that reads like a list of automotive technology, including electronic braking, adaptive front airbags, two-stage belt force limiters, curtain airbags and a load-adaptive self-leveling rear suspension... (Full Article) |
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Bainbridge classic auto repair business,
25 years old |
| Ray’s Automotive Services has been in operation 25 years, since May 1978 when Ray Adams bought a garage at the head of Eagle Harbor to become the fifth owner of a business that has served Bainbridge Island since the 1930s... (Full Article) |
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GMC Sierra Denali most advanced pickup ever
By Lary Coppola |
| From an engineering standpoint, the 2003 GMC Sierra Denali is quite simply the best and most advanced pickup ever built. It rides and handles more like a car than a truck while doing everything pickups always do — just doing them better... (Full Article) |
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2003 Kia Sorento is simply
an outstanding SUV Value
By Lary Coppola |
| There’s a reason 26 professional automotive journalists from all over the nation almost unanimously named the 2003 Kia Sorento the Best in Class under $25,000 and the Best SUV Value of the Year... (Full Article) |
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GM invests in fourth auto plant in China |
| General Motors Corp (GM) recently signed an agreement to invest in a fourth auto plant in China, doubling its car production capacity in the world's fastest growing auto market... (Full Article) |
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Los Angeles takes delivery of first fuel cell car |
| Early last month The City of Los Angeles took delivery of the nation’s first certified fuel cell car, the Honda FCX. The Honda FCX will be used in normal, everyday use... (Full Article) |
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