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Lexus LS 460 — The Lexus that parks itself
By Lary Coppola |
| I’ve been a sharp critic of manufacturers that have reached the point of not being able to mechanically engineer their cars much better than they already have, but restyle and overload them with questionably useful technology to keep them “fresh.” While I detest any car that requires reading a 200-page manual to figure out how turn on the radio, or even start it for that matter. But a car with the technology to parallel park itself certainly got my attention... (Full Article) |
Toyota finally gets serious about trucks
By Lary Coppola |
| Toyota vehicles have always been what I term, “bulletproof,” meaning you can’t kill them. While absolutely dependable, they’re just not very exciting in terms of styling or performance. Being a truck guy, I’ve asked Toyota Tundra owners, how they liked their truck. The most common response is a passive, “It’s OK.” Ask a Ford, Chevy, Dodge or Nissan owner that same question and their eyes light up. But with the totally redesigned 2007 Tundra, it appears Toyota has finally decided to get serious about trucks, building a true, full-size, half-ton pickup that raises not only eyebrows, but the competitive bar as well... (Full Article) |
Our picks for the best “Daily Drivers”
of the 2007-2008 model year
By Lary Coppola |
| Although I’m sure there’s plenty of brand-loyalty disagreements, based on what I’ve personally driven over the past 12 months, here’s my choices for the best of what I call, “Daily Drivers,” going into the 2007-2008 model year... (Full Article) |
2007 Kia Rondo:
The right size at the right time
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Kia Motors is on a roll — rolling out one new car after the other. Kia sales have been on a steady upswing — rising each of the past thirteen years. Much of that success can be attributed to increasingly high quality, high value products. Kia’s outstanding warranty program reinforces product quality and adds greatly to the price/value equation... (Full Article) |
2007 Honda Odyssey:
The benchmark for minivans
By Bruce Caldwell |
| I bought one of the first Chevy Astro minivans in the Pacific Northwest — what a colossal mistake. I followed the Astro with a first generation Dodge Caravan. I loathed that rolling repair bill even more than the awful Astro. Except for all the times they stranded her; my wife liked mini vans. Our polarized viewpoints were often fractious... (Full Article) |
Maximizing fuel economy for your fleet
By Maura Hallam Sweley |
| Fluctuating gas prices affect everyone. But for companies that manage large fleets of vehicles, this expense can become a budget buster. Fortunately there are a number of steps that businesses can take, from the common sense to the complex, to help them squeeze the most mileage out of every drop of fuel, and, ultimately, using less fuel to accomplish the same tasks... (Full Article) |
2007 Chevy Silverado:
All-new and better than ever
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Chevrolet’s always-popular Silverado pickup line stands to be more popular than ever with the introduction of the all-new 2007 models. Pickup truck sales are hotly contested and now Chevrolet and GMC have the ammunition to fight off any and all contenders... (Full Article) |
2007 Volvo S60:
The just-right size Volvo
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Volvo continues to expand its model line numerically with current models ranging from S40 to XC90 (a C30 is coming soon). The numbers are relative to vehicle size and while we enjoy the full lineup the mid-size S60 and V70 are favorites. The focus of this review is the S60... (Full Article) |
2007 Audi S4 Avant:
A real SUV
By Bruce Caldwell |
| The first letter in SUV supposedly stands for sport, but I don’t find much sport in driving an off-road capable vehicle solely on paved roads. It seems that SUVs are as much about style as function. If you’re not using all that off-road ruggedness, why not drive something that’s almost as utilitarian and tons more fun... (Full Article) |
Mercedes ML500:
Luxury, class and utility
By Bruce Caldwell |
| The Mercedes M-Class consists of the ML320 CDI (diesel), ML350, ML500 and AMG ML63, but all four engines are mated to the same luxury SUV body. The M-Class Mercedes were totally redesigned in 2006, so changes for 2007 are minimal. That’s OK because Mercedes did an excellent job on the redesign... (Full Article) |
Infiniti M35X: The AWD luxury hot rod
By Lary Coppola |
| Infiniti had an instant hit with its M sports-luxury sedan when it debuted in early 2006. I drove a pre-production version at a press introduction before then and came away impressed enough to rethink my longtime lust for a Jaguar XJR. My recent experience with the 2007 M35X simply reinforced my first impression... (Full Article) |
Redesigned Jaguar XK
screams, “Jag is back”
By Lary Coppola |
| I have to admit a personal passion for Jaguar cars. That said, the 2007 built-in-Britain Jaguar XK — the first new XK in a decade — is such a major upgrade from its predecessor it just screams, “Jag is back,” and positioned to be formidable competition in the upscale sports car market... (Full Article) |
2007 Saturn Sky: Blue sky beauty
By Bruce Caldwell |
| When the weather is nice there’s no better place to be than the Pacific Northwest. That perfect sunny, but mild weather is exactly the kind of conditions the Saturn Sky roadster was built for. We haven’t had a lot of that weather lately, but it’s only a matter of time before it returns, which is great for Sky owners and owners of similar roadsters such as Sky’s sibling, the Pontiac Solstice and its chief competitor, the Mazda MX 5 Miata... (Full Article) |
Legislators hear reasons NASCAR
makes good economic sense |
| A refreshing, open minded and knowledgeable Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee heard Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen, ISC Vice President Grant Lynch, track supporters and opponents discuss SB 6040, the speedway authority bill... (Full Article) |
Are your vehicle’s tires ready
for the challenge of winter? |
| From wet to icy, flat and dry to a deep embankment, tires can keep you on the pavement or send you to the ditch... (Full Article) |
2007 Grand Cherokee SRT8:
The Hot Rod Jeep
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Jeep isn’t a brand usually associated with high performance, at least not the highway type. When most people think of the Jeep Grand Cherokee they probably think of a rugged, but luxurious SUV. That’s an accurate assumption unless the magic suffix SRT8 is present... (Full Article) |
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Top 10 “Green” vehicles on the market |
| Ten mainstream vehicles earned the best "green" scores from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). It’s interesting to note there are no domestic-branded cars on the list for 2007. "We've seen a lot of advertising this past year about efficient and eco-friendly vehicles being offered by domestic manufacturers. But when you look at the specs that matter [to the environment], it's fair to say the imports have Detroit's number," said author and principal vehicle analyst James Kliesch, a Research Associate at the ACEEE.
Greenest Vehicles of 2007, with Green Score:
- Honda Civic GX — 57
- Toyota Prius — 55
- Honda Civic Hybrid — 53
- Nissan Altima Hybrid — 48
- Toyota Yaris — 47
- Toyota Corolla — 46
- Toyota Camry Hybrid — 46
- Honda Fit — 45
- Kia Rio/Rio5 — 45
- Hyundai Accent — 45
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Raceway promoter joins
LeMay Museum steering committee |
| Gill Campbell, an experience auto event promoter, has been named to the steering committee of The Harold E. LeMay Museum.
The LeMay Museum, south of Tacoma, features the LeMay collection of American cars and memorabilia. Plans are underway to build a museum in Tacoma to permanently showcase 1,200 cars and related items.
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New Ford Edge crossover
both sporty and functional
By Lary Coppola |
| Ford’s new Edge crossover vehicle has seemingly arrived at just the right time for the troubled automaker, offering style, roominess and strong performance. The crossover market continues to expand as consumers switch from gas-guzzling SUVs to car-based crossover vehicles that are easier to drive and deliver better fuel economy... (Full Article) |
Saturn moves to the mainstream
By Lary Coppola |
| After squandering what had been an almost cult-like following, Saturn has moved into the mainstream, midsize sedan market — and in a decidedly appealing manner — with it’s new, 5-passenger, 2007 Aura sedan... (Full Article) |
IRS tax credit for Honda Hybrid
and natural gas vehicles |
| Buyers who purchase a new 2007 Honda hybrid or natural gas vehicle may be eligible for federal tax credits ranging from $1,300 to $4,000 on their tax returns for the year in which it was purchased, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced recently. The announcement is the result of a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which calculated the tax credits based on the Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed by Congress last year. The federal tax credits are as follows: 2007 Civic Hybrid — $2,100; 2007 Accord Hybrid — $1,300; 2007 Civic GX — $4,000.
2005 and 2006 model year hybrids and natural gas vehicles purchased during 2006.
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2007 Range Rover:
World’s most sophisticated, refined,
and luxurious SUV
By Lary Coppola |
| There’s only three global SUVs with any serious longevity record — Toyota’s Land Cruiser, Jeep, and Land Rover. In spite of being perhaps the most capable SUV on the planet, I’ve always been lukewarm towards the British-built Land Rover. However, driving the 2007 Range Rover changed that. Quite simply, it’s the most sophisticated, refined, prestigious, and luxurious SUV I’ve ever driven... (Full Article) |
Available February 1
All-new 2007 Volvo S80 offers V8 power,
all-wheel drive, and more
By Lary Coppola |
| Volvo, the legendary Swedish automaker known more for safety than performance, has outdone itself with the debut of its all-new, first ever, V8-powered, top of the line, S80 sedan... (Full Article) |
Infiniti M35X: A luxurious, all-wheel drive,
hot rod sports sedan
By Lary Coppola |
| Infiniti had an instant hit with its M sports-luxury sedan when it debuted in early 2006. I drove it at a press introduction in Scottsdale back then and came away impressed enough to rethink my longtime lust for a Jaguar XJR. My recent experience with the 2007 M35X simply reinforced my first impression... (Full Article) |
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser:
Hip, rugged, capable, and refined
By Lary Coppola |
| It’s strange looking — in a very cool way… However, the all-new, 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is actually the reincarnation of a Toyota icon, the FJ40 — the original Land Cruiser. It was a rugged, 24/7 go-anywhere vehicle, built long before some marketing wizard ever dreamed up the term “Sport Utility Vehicle... (Full Article) |
2007 Kia Optima: More than just a great deal
By Bruce Caldwell |
| The rationale for buying a Kia Optima used to be that it made good financial sense, but that’s no longer the case. The new 2007 Kia Optima sedan is a great car and a great deal... (Full Article) |
2007 Dodge Ram Mega Cab:
A super sized pickup
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Truck manufacturers tend toward hyperbole when it comes to describing the size and macho nature of their products, but Dodge wasn’t exaggerating when it named its extended crew cab pickup the Mega Cab. It’s one gigantic truck... (Full Article) |
Audi A3 – A blast to drive
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Bigger is better seems to be the prevailing thinking of many Americans, but when it comes Audis I favor a reverse philosophy. I think smaller is better. Don’t get me wrong — I think the Audi A8 is a magnificent automobile. I’m particularly fond of the A8L and its limo-like back seat. If I was unable to drive and relegated to back seat only status, the A8L is where I’d like to be... (Full Article) |
Mercedes debuts restyled 2007 E-Class
By Lary Coppola |
| The highly successful, full-size Mercedes-Benz E-Class line of sedans and wagons recently made its 2007 debut. The bread and butter car of the Mercedes line, the E-Class has been restyled for the ‘07 model year, with three new models featuring an impressive array of technologies, including the world’s cleanest-burning diesel... (Full Article) |
Chevy Avalanche:
Restyled, much improved for 2007
By Lary Coppola |
| The Chevrolet Avalanche pickup shares its platform with the full-size Chevy Tahoe SUV, and although it’s arguably the most flexible vehicle on the market thanks to the fold-down Midgate between the bed and passenger compartments, it was also perhaps one of the most unsightly — second only to the late Pontiac Aztec... (Full Article) |
Compass: New crossover from Jeep
By Lary Coppola |
| In business, there are only a few brand names with the recognition of say, Coca-Cola. So if you have one, why not leverage it? That thinking spawned the car-like 2007 Jeep Compass. After all, there are few more recognizable names on four wheels than Jeep, and DaimlerChrysler understood that in spite of Jeep’s go-anywhere, off-road reputation, expanding the brand’s market share would require building some car-like crossovers... (Full Article) |
IS 350 — The Hot Rod Lexus
By Lary Coppola |
| Lexus is known for building quiet, refined automobiles that bathe you in comfort and luxury — not aggressive, in your face, high-performance sports sedans. Neither is its parent company, Toyota, which has a well-deserved reputation for producing, tough, long-lasting, ultra-dependable — but essentially boring — cars. So pardon my skepticism before getting behind the wheel of the Lexus IS 350, which Lexus marketeers swore was taking direct aim at BMW’s iconic 3-series sedan... (Full Article) |
Posh Nissan Pathfinder among the best
on and off-road
By Lary Coppola |
| Nissan was on the cutting edge of a new vehicle phenomenon — the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) — back in 1986, with its first Pathfinder. Like most original SUVs, the Pathfinder was truck-based, evolving from Nissan’s compact pickup, and for the next decade it was the sole SUV in Nissan’s lineup... (Full Article) |
Saleen S281 Supercharged Mustang:
Hot Rodding at its absolute best.
By Lary Coppola |
| Saleen Inc. is a company that creates high performance vehicles for the street and the racetrack, and is the only third party company sanctioned by Ford to manufacture its vehicles. The company, founded in 1983 by legendary race driver Steve Saleen, pioneered the concept of “before market” manufacturing, and specializes in building vehicles that include technology developed from the championship Saleen/Allen Speedlab racing team... (Full Article) |
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