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SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Lary’s picks for the best
new 2008-2009 vehicles
By Lary Coppola |
| Although I’m sure there’s plenty of brand-loyalty disagreements, based on what I’ve personally driven, here’s my choices for the best vehicles going into the 2008-2009 model year... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Nissan Titan: A great truck
keeps getting better
By Lary Coppola |
| Until recently, the one market segment American auto manufacturers continued to dominate in spite of the Japanese quality invasion that began in the 1970s, was the full-size pickup market. While the Ford F-150 remains the all time vehicle sales leader, and brand loyalty for Chevy, GMC, and Dodge Ram trucks remain strong, Nissan and Toyota have steadily built their own cadre of loyal owners by building tough, dependable, V8-powered full-size American-style, pickups... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Resurrected Ford Taurus a winner
By Lary and Dee Coppola |
| The Ford Taurus was the most successful nameplate in the company’s history — eclipsing even the Mustang. It was also the granddaddy of what I call “jellybean” styling, that rounded look, which has dominated sedan design ever since the Taurus originally debuted in 1985... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Honda Accord EX: Bigger and better
By Bruce Caldwell |
| The Honda Accord has been in the U.S. for thirty-two years and it’s now in its eighth iteration. The all-new 2008 Accord has come a very long ways since the little hatchback coupe was introduced in 1976... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Ford Fusion SEL:
The right car for Ford’s financial future
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Ford’s Fusion is exactly the kind of car Ford needs to build if it wants to regain financial health. The 2008 Ford Fusion is a car that does everything well, but it’s more than just a competent appliance, it’s pleasurable to drive. Note, we said pleasurable, not fun... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 GMC Envoy Denali:
Upscale luxury in a right-size SUV
By Bruce Caldwell |
| We liked the GMC Denali concept the first time we drove a Yukon Denali in the nineties. We went on a long family vacation to central Oregon. The blend of luxury and function made the Denali a pleasure whether cruising at 80-plus on U.S. 97, trekking along silt Forest Service roads or plowing through deep snow on the way to Mt. Bachelor... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Kia debuts all-new Borrego SUV |
| On the heels of record 2007 sales, Kia Motors America (KMA) debuted the all-new Borrego midsize SUV at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit earlier this year. Inspired by Kia’s “less is more” design philosophy, Borrego was intended to convey a pure and functional look. Set to go on sale this summer as a 2009 model, Borrego features Kia’s first-ever V8 engine, making it the most powerful Kia vehicle to date... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Chevrolet Silverado:
The best of both car and truck worlds
By Bruce Caldwell |
| The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and its twin, the GMC Sierra, were redesigned for 2007, so changes for 2008 are minimal. That’s fine because the 2007 package was good enough to win Motor Trend Magazine’s coveted Truck of the Year award. The 2008 models get a revised gauge cluster, standard XM Satellite Radio and improved seats. There’s an optional integrated trailer brake controller... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
John Dionas: ‘Better to exceed than achieve’
By Rodika Tollefson |
| John Dionas’ rise to success has been once compared to a “Cinderella story.” The owner of Peninsula in Subaru and Peninsula Suzuki in Gorst started out in the automotive industry more than 20 years ago as a car washer (his first job was at Parr Ford in Bremerton), rising through the ranks at various dealerships to eventually become a general manager in Tacoma before buying his own store... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Subaru Tribeca limited:
A more mainstream appearance for a unique SUV
By Bruce Caldwell |
| It doesn’t matter how great a vehicle is if buyers don’t like the way it looks. We think that could have been a factor in the slow sales for the Subaru B9 Tribeca, because in only its third year Subaru gave the crossover SUV a substantial makeover... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8:
Max Sport SUV
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Our friend, Mike, drives a Corvette Z06 when he isn’t riding his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. Mike loves both modes of transportation, but he needed something roomier and more practical to accommodate his grandsons. Mike wanted an SUV, but he didn’t want to give up performance. He may be a grandfather, but he’s a long ways from driving something “sensible... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Jaguar XJR/Super V8 is one hot, luxurious,
totally awesome machine
By Lary Coppola |
| Jaguar’s flagship XJ series remains the classic definition of an elegant and stylish luxury sedan. The Ford-owned British automaker’s best selling model since its debut in the late 1960s, the current XJ8, Vanden Plas, and the very hot 400-horsepower XJR/Super V8. are bigger, roomier, and more comfortable, yet faster, safer, and more fuel-efficient than any previous Jag ever built... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Infiniti M35x: A super sedan
at a sensible price
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Considering where Nissan/Infiniti was financially not too long ago, the company’s turnaround is amazing. Nissan accomplished this reversal of fortunes by delivering first class, innovative, exciting products that consumers were eager to buy. Any auto manufacturer that moans about how long it takes to get new products into the pipeline should study the product planners at Nissan/Infiniti... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Kia Spectra 5:
Fun to drive, easy to own
By Bruce Caldwell |
| The sharp folks at Kia Motors America have done much to upgrade the quality and image of “econo-cars.” Kia and Hyundai might not have started out strong in the U.S. market, but they were incredibly quick students as their current cars prove... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Corvette: The most practical
impractical car around
By Bruce Caldwell |
| No one needs a Corvette, but lots of people want one. If you’re having a little trouble convincing either yourself or the other name on your checking account, try the practicality premise... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Volvo XC70: A Pacific NW favorite
made even better
By Bruce Caldwell |
| To say that Volvos are popular in the Pacific Northwest is like saying Gortex should be the official state fabric. Volvos, especially Volvo wagons, are a natural fit for the climate, driving conditions, active lifestyles, and sensibilities of area consumers... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
2008 Honda Civic Ex-L: Reliability, quality,
and value in a new leather wrapper
By Bruce Caldwell |
| Trying to find something negative about the Honda Civic is like trying to criticize the American flag. Unless you’re some kind of Yugo-loving commie there’s nothing but praise to offer... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
New Jaguar XF wins ‘Car Of The Year’ at
What Car? Awards 2008 |
| Jaguar’s new XF has claimed top prize — the highly respected ‘Car of the Year’ award — at the 2008 What Car? awards in London. The XF also took top place in the ‘Best Executive Car’ category, ahead of the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes CLS... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
All-new 2009 Acura TSX larger,
more agile and powerful |
| Designed and engineered to reaffirm its place as a desirable and affordable entry point for entry-premium buyers, the all-new second-generation 2009 Acura TSX is larger, more agile, and more performance minded. The new TSX has evolved to offer more comfort, convenience, driving performance and safety. It does so with expanded luxury and electronic features, a wider stance for more agile performance, and advanced safety systems... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Volvo reveals first photos of the new XC60
Safest and most sensual Volvo ever |
| Volvo has released the first photos of one of this year’s most anticipated new car launches — the all-new 2009 Volvo XC60. “This is not only the safest Volvo ever — it’s also the most stunning,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Fredrik Arp. The new XC60 makes its world premier at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4. The first cars will reach dealers in Europe in fall 2008 with the U.S. launch following shortly thereafter; the first quarter of 2009... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Maserati to debut GranTurismo S in Geneva |
| A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé’s sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Crash test ranks Murano
as safest midsize SUV
Stability control standard on Nissan; Hummer’s H3 finishes near bottom |
| How safe is your midsize SUV? Crash test results for midsize SUVs put the 2009 Nissan Murano out in front, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Murano was the best performer in new crash tests of midsize sport utility vehicles, while the Hummer H3 had one of the poorest showings, according to a report by MSNBC... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Jaguar launches first broadband
multimedia magazine for Apple iPhone |
| Jaguar continues its trend of being a leader in innovative media technology as it launches the industry’s first broadband multimedia magazine specifically for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
All-new 2009 Honda Fit to make world debut at New York International Auto Show
Pilot prototype and FCX Clarity also set to make New York debut |
| American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has announced that its all-new Honda Fit will debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
The new Audi A4 Avant:
Driving in a new dimension |
| Audi has unveiled its new, 2009 A4 Avant, which will be exclusively offered in the United States with 100 percent quattro all-wheel drive. It will go on-sale simultaneously with the new 2009 A4 sedan in the fall... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Selwa leaves the helm at Maserati |
| In an announcement made on Feb. 22, Maserati North America, Inc., stated that James Selwa, President and CEO, would leave the company, effective immediately. Maserati CEO Roberto Ronchi will continue to directly oversee the market in coordination with the Maserati North America team... (Full Article) |
SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Briefly... |
| Nissan Will Build Suzuki Pickup: Production of a new Suzuki midsize pickup truck, based upon Nissan’s Frontier, will begin at the Nissan factory in Smyrna, Tennessee, this year. In 2006, Nissan and Suzuki signed an agreement to expand their business collaboration.
Hybrid Popularity Sagging: According to the 2007 Alternative Powertrain Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, fewer shoppers are considering a hybrid as their next vehicle. Half of new-vehicles are considering a hybrid-powertrain model, but that’s down from 57 percent in 2006. Younger drivers, in particular, appear to less interested in hybrid technology, though 60 percent of those in the 16-25 still are considering one. Respondents expressed willingness to pay $2,396 extra for a hybrid vehicle, and expected to see an 18.5 mpg fuel-economy improvement over a comparable traditional model.
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SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
Peninsula Fleet Services now
offering in-house wheel alignment |
| Peninsula Fleet Services (PFS) in Bremerton is now offering the commercial trucking community access to the area’s first and only, local, in-house wheel alignment service available on the Kitsap Peninsula.
For over 16 years Peninsula Fleet Services (PFS) has delivered first-class quality service and repair to commercial truck owners. Now with the introduction of the Hunter wheel alignment system, PFS offers this state-of-the-art technology to all trucks from class 3 to series 8 up to 105GVW. The service is also available as well to owners of motor-homes, fifth wheel trailers and buses of all sizes.
Fleet managers and RV owners are now able to have their vehicles serviced on the Kitsap side of Puget Sound, thus eliminating the timely and costly disruption of service using shops miles away.
For more information, call (360) 478-2063 or visit www.peninsulafleetservices.com.
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SPECIAL REPORT - AUTOMOTIVE
In Detroit, houses are cheaper than cars |
| Job losses, a moribund real estate market and rising home-financing costs have made the Motor City the national leader in foreclosures. With bidding stalled on some of the least desirable residences in Detroit’s collapsing housing market, even fast-talking auctioneers are feeling the stress. House after house in the Motor City has sold for less than the $29,000 it costs to buy the average new car. As Detroit reels from job losses in the auto industry, the depressed city has emerged as a boomtown in one area: foreclosed property.
It also stands as a case study in the economic pain from a housing bust as analysts consider whether a developing crisis in mortgages to high-risk borrowers will trigger a slowdown in the broader economy
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