Monday, December 21, 2009

Two for the Road USA top 10 cars of 2009 Coming Soon

Okay, a lot of outlets have selected their top 10 cars of 2009 and as of yet, we haven't seen a lot of agreement. We'll be revealing our top 10 cars on our January 8, 2010 radio show and I suppose we'll have people wondering how we came up with our selections too.

Well as we often say, for the most part our reviews are pretty subjective but there are criteria that cars must meet to make the top 10 and we'll share that with you then. That said, we're always interested in knowing what vehicles you think should be in the mix so tell us about them, and who know's, your choices may just make the cut.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Cathy talks with Pat McMahon from AZTV about the Jaguar XF R

Every now and again we get to test drive a really killer car. Cathy recently had the new Jaguar XF R to cruise in and cars like that have a tendancy to attract some attention. So Pat McMahon from AZTV where he is the host of the Pat McMahon show, took some time to talk with Cathy about the Jag. Here's the vide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2o18x41BV0

Monday, December 14, 2009

Two for the Road at the Phoenix Auto Show

November 27, 2009 - Bill and I made it to the Phoenix International Auto Show and had a great time. We understand that attendance was up from last year. That is a good thing. We took a ride at Camp Jeep where we received a personal tour from John Tulloch

of Chrysler/Jeep. You actually felt like you were off road, “look mom no hands.” After viewing the vehicles at the show, Bill and I talked about how fortunate we’ve been to have tested most of the cars at the event.

We previewed the Ford Fiesta in Detroit in November, but we actually drove one on the streets of Phoenix at the auto show. You must experience one; when they arrive at your local Ford dealership.

Bill will be at the LA Auto Show in December, I am sure he will have a lot to say about that event, including cool photos.

Russo and Steele’s 2010 Catalog Party

Celebrating Ten Years of Distinction in the Industry with class and ALL RESERVE


Bill and I went to the Catalog Party for Russo and Steele on December llth on The River Walk in downtown Scottsdale. The party was outside and the atmosphere was as electric as Drew’s personality and his auctioneers. The who’s who of exotics, vintage, muscle and just plain enthusiasts were all in attendance.

We met up with Brighton Motorsports owners Karen and Shane, as well as their team sales manager, Vince. They brought along for display one of their rare treasures; an Allard. that actually turned more heads than some of the women of Scottsdale in attendance.

Josephine, Stephanie and her staff did a fabulous job. Drew and his team are the same genuine people they were ten years ago when they started their business. It is nice to see that one triumph after another doesn’t change the man or the team!

DRIVE ONE 4 UR SCHOOL…

You Go Camelback Ford Lincoln Mercury !!!


When Sunnyslope High School needed to raise money for their Journalism class and trip to Washington DC, they figured they would be doing car washes, selling candy or begging their parents for the dollars needed.

Fortunately Melanie, who is the X of Boomer and X, is the journalism teacher at Sunnyslope High School. She received a call from Camelback Ford asking them if they wanted to participate in the Drive one 4 UR School. This program, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, paid the school $20.00 for each test drive that occurred during the selected hours on one chilly day in October.

Parents and students alike came out to drive a new Ford product. Bill and I did our share for the school, despite the fact we had been in the entire Ford lineup including the Mustang. The feedback to the vehicles was fantastic, and the staff at Camelback Ford was pressure free and lots of fun for the students and adults.

The Journalism class earned enough money to help with the conventions cost for the Washington Trip and keep our future journalists enthusiastic about their possible future profession.

Sunnyslope H.S. was grateful to Community Tire and Two for the Road USA radio show for helping with giveaways and publicity.

LINCOLN MKT at Bondurant

I don’t know what it is for me, but I am such a fan of the Lincoln brand.
I picked the MKX as my #1 car for 2008 and now I get in the MKT and I love it.

Bill tells me it’s the FLEX on sophisticated steroids and I guess I agree in some ways, but WOW…the grille, the interior luxury and the performance peeked my interest at first sight. I couldn’t bring myself to think of it as a wagon…

Ford put on a super showcase, and even though Bill couldn’t make this event due to another automotive commitment in California, he stayed close in touch as we did text back and forth.


The MKT is a vehicle for a family, with young children or long legged teenagers and me (the boomer). I liked it especially for travel with grandchildren. Check out the cooler in the second row of seating.

Bill and I will do a full review when we receive delivery to test for a week in Phoenix. In the meantime, I just can’t say enough about its beauty.


Here are some photos out at Bondurant where we did our press conference. They include Mike Hagerty from Channel l5, Larry Edsall, Nick Calderone and our other press association colleagues.


Our radio partner, Sanderson Lincoln Mercury on Bell Road, would be happy to give you a test drive.

THANK YOU GENERAL MOTORS

Thanks GM for the opportunity to drive your newest products. A great course, and
Professionally run, we thank you. Not only did the press have an opportunity to get behind the wheel of some very nice cars, so did the public.

Bill and I drove around Desert Ridge in Scottsdale, Arizona with an organization called P.A.P.A. (Phoenix Automotive Press Association.) Bill and I have been members for eight years and have experienced some of the most informative and exciting events.

We both picked Camaro’s for our photos… wonder why?


RUMBLE AT RAWHIDE

December 13, 2009

There were beautiful cars, motorcycles and vendors ranging from kettle corn to camshafts. The Rawhide venue was the perfect setting for the nostalgic cars and dressed up motorcycles. The new management team was out and about meeting and greeting and making sure everyone was happy.

I was there representing Silent Witness with Cindy Kjos and Neal Sheiner, Bill Z. was at the LA Auto show and unable to attend. He would have gone crazy taking photos for his Cool Car Corner site; for each vehicle was prettier than the next

No matter how hard we tried, at our Silent Witness table indoors, we couldn’t stop looking at the cars. When we did finally pack up to leave, we wandered around the polished and waxed beauties and stopped by a few unusual cars to get the scoop.

I picked my favorite; it was ’51 Mercury. Since it was the same year I was born I felt like both the Merc and I had held up okay. The Merc however had an obvious advantage, a face lift and some new softer leather inside. Oh! And my rear has gotten larger, the Mercury’s looked the same.


Thanks to Jim Mayor and Ethan Schwartz of Rawhide http://www.rawhide.com/ for a free booth for Silent Witness

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Brighton Motorsports Second Annual Road Rally

We joined Shane and Karen Mustoe last Sunday as they hosted their second annual rally that began at their facility in Scottsdale. They offered Two for the Road a pristine 65 MGB from their collection so we jumped at the chance so Cathy and I along with about 50 other couples in some of the most beautiful cars on the planet took advantage of a beautiful sunny Arizona afternoon and cruised the streets of Phoenix giving the public a rolling car show. There will be more to follow soon including some video we shot of some really fantastic cars on the road

Thursday, October 29, 2009

A Gala Event at Sanderson Lincoln/Mercury

We were on hand when Lincoln and Sanderson Lincoln/Mercury introduced the all-new Lincoln MKT along with MKS with EcoBoost and Lincoln MKZ by allowing the press and the public to test drive the new cars. It was one of the biggest one-night events ever put on by Lincoln with over 1,200 dealers across the country participating.

A big beneficiary was the Susan G. Komen foundation which received a $20.00 for each completed test drive taken by a customer during the event. Along with getting some wheel time, visitors also had an opportunity to enter a sweepstakes at the dealership to win a 65-inch plasma TV, a home theater and installation.

The MKT is Lincoln’s entry in the mid-size CUV market was a big success with people showing a lot of interest in it. The event allowed people to get an up close look at the vehicles and experience some very cool technical innovations like the Active Park Assist and the latest SYNC with new turn-by-turn voice activated driving directions.

There is a lot of buzz about the 355 horsepower EcoBoost engine and rightfully so as it received The Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards, now in its fifth year, of recognizing products and celebrate innovations poised to change the world. Ford is the only automaker this year to receive a Breakthrough Award which says a lot about the EcoBoost engine.

I spent a week in the Ford Flex that was equipped with the EcoBoost and was very impressed with the performance so I am looking forward to driving the MKT for a week to experience it in that car.

As usual Sanderson Lincoln Mercury put on a great event and helped a lot a people learn more about Lincoln and help a great organization, The Susan G. Komen Foundation. Find out more by going to Sandersonlm.com.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Grand Re-Opening at Community Tire

Grand Re-opening as ASK Patty.com Certified Repair Center

The recent grand re-opening of Community Tire & Auto's Phoenix location has been highly touted throughout their local market! The store's rework was highly driven by Community Tire's involvement in the AskPatty.com for Tire Dealers and certification as a "Female Friendly Tire Retailer." Community Tire is a 2007 Tire Review Top Shop Award finalist, and was the first North American tire dealer to complete the AskPatty.com training and certification program. Read more about it at TireReview.com. You can also learn about how Community Tire is creating a healthier business environment in anticipation of the upcoming Swine Flu season. Find out more about the H1N1 virus, and how you can stay healthy this fall by watching this video at YouTube.


A Safety Hint from Community Tire -- At Home, Your Car Can Save Your Life....

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain....It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around.After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Two for the Road USA Radio Co-Host, Cathy Droz, attends Phoenix Citizens Police Academy.

October, 2009
Two for the Road USA
By: Cathy Droz
Questions by Bill Z.

I sit on the board of directors for Silent Witness, a non- profit organization that raises funds to financially reward those responsible citizens who report crimes leading to arrests. The monies come from private donations and fund raising, not from the city government’s budget. While rewards for information are offered, many are never collected. This is due to the civic responsibility of the citizens who are just looking to help and make a difference.

Originally from New York, I have many retired friends from the New York City Police and Fire Departments. I have always admired the work and sacrifice of these organizations, especially after 9/11, where one of those friends was affected by the loss of several of his colleagues. Since then I have wanted to communicate to the masses what our fire and police departments do to keep our communities safe, and to reinforce a sense of respect for these courageous individuals. I felt the more educated I was with what they do, how they do it, as well as the individuals themselves, the more effectively I could get the word out thru the media and word of mouth.

Being a member of The Board of Silent Witness has exposed me to the police force in many forms. I have been given insight as to why these men and women chose such a dangerous and demanding profession. The common thread I have found is they want to help other people in crisis, comforting the families of the victims and getting the bad guys off the street. As a whole, I have found the force to be compassionate, caring, dedicated and hard working.

So far, the six week Citizens Police Academy (designed to give key members of the community a first-hand look at our police at work) has been informative and eye opening. It has also been educational in learning how many departments are involved in handling everything from traffic tickets to human smuggling.

I am currently entering week four of a six week program, which includes the following topics:
Dynamics of Deadly Force Encounters
Officer involved shooting
Ethics
Gangs
Homeland Defense
S.W.A.T.
Communications 911
Vice
K-9
Crime Lab /CSI
Community based policing
Amber Alert/Missing Persons
Air Support
DUI
Motorists Assist
Firearms Unit/Range/Arrest Tactics and
a full shift ride along in a precinct unit

I leave class each week without knowing any police secrets or how to get out of a traffic ticket, but I do know that the Phoenix PD, as well as other law enforcement departments in Arizona, possesses state of the art equipment and technology to keep us safe. With potential budget cuts being considered, this is not an area we want to cut back on. While Hollywood glamorizes some police departments, such as CSI (CSI Miami), the bottom line is that these men and women risk their lives everyday for our community.

When Two for the Road co-host Bill Z. asked Cathy on the radio about her academy classes, here is what she had to say:

What surprised you the most? The number of educated, attractive, strong, caring, high ranking women that serve in all forms of law enforcement.

Myths? I’ve not seen one donut at headquarters or in a patrol car

Which session so far has been an eye opener? Amber Alert/Missing Persons

If you could turn back time, would you ever consider being a police officer or firefighter? No, I am not that brave. I could work in the office of headquarters or Public Relations but that is it.

What do you hope to accomplish by taking this course? Communicating to others what I have learned, with the hope that they pass it along to their friends and families. To instill respect for the police, helping your neighbors and being observant at all times; “if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t.”

Wildest Goal? We start thanking the police, fire and Sheriff’s officers the way we thank the men in the armed forces in an airport. Yes they are paid to do their job, but you couldn’t pay me enough.

Worst Part of the Course: The photos of violent crimes against other human beings and exploited children.

For more about the Citizen Police Academy go to www.phoenix.gov/police/citaca1.html

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

What do you get when you cross a twin turbo Benz with EVOMSit?

One very bad piece of machinery with over 700 lb/ft of torque. My son Rod works with Evolution Motor Sports in Tempe Arizona and they've built some incredible Porche's but check out the recent dyno testing on this SL65. http://evomsit.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-do-you-get-when-you-cross-twin.html This is a car I have to take a ride in.



Monday, July 27, 2009

2009 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV



All hail the rebirth of the Maxima. Okay, maybe that's just a bit over the top but with the 2009 iteration Nissan moves the Maxima back into the mainstream of mid-size sports sedans with a car that has pretty decent styling and is a whole lot more fun to drive than its predecessor. Redesigned with a new chassis and a much nicer interior, the Maxima definitely offers a good amount of bang for the buck. The Maxima-S bases at just a bit over $30,000 and the SV which is what my tester was bases at just a bit over $32,000 and with that you get a pretty well equipped vehicle.

Along with a host of safety equipment some niceties that are standard in the SV include leather appointed seats, a driver seat lumbar support and a thigh support extension, 8-way power driver seat and 4-way power passenger seating. You also get the leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, tilt and telescoping wheel and a multi-function trip computer. I like the Nissan Intelligent Key system with push button start and the Bose audio system. The tester also came with the $400.00 Cold Package which ironically includes heated front seats, steering wheel and outside mirrors. Just what I need at 115 degrees in Phoenix in the summer, but it is a nice feature for those that just love their winters. The tester also added Bluetooth and a rear spoiler which brought the final price including destination to $33,900.

The new Maxima features a 290-horsepower V6 engine mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, Continuously Variable Transmission which I’m not usually a big fan of but this wasn’t bad at all. The Maxima is built on Nissan’s new “D” platform which really helps with body rigidity and thankfully minimizes torque steer. The wheelbase is shorter than the previous generation but the new Maxima is wider therefore it sports a much more aggressive stance.

Part of what contributes to that more aggressive stance is a new grille and more muscular fender flares that gives the Maxima a much sportier look that will fill the bill for those Nissan buyers that liked the size of the Altima but wanted a bit more pizzazz.

Driving the Maxima was a lot more fun than I expected with a much tauter yet supple ride. Cornering was actually fun in this car and getting off the line was quick and quiet with less noise from the CVT than in other cars. There’s sufficient room in the back for adult passengers so all in all the Nissan Maxima has returned better than ever so if you’re in the market for a Sports Sedan with a little pop that will get you 19mpg in the city and 26 on the highway without setting you back a whole lot of money, perhaps you should put the 2009 Maxima on your short list. It surprised me and I’m betting it will surprise you too. For more the Maxima click here……

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Cars and Coffee Phoenix

When: Saturday – July 18, 2009

Where: Bondurant School of High Performance Driving

Who: Cathy D. -Cathy B. – Bill Z. - .
Two for the Road USA

Thanks to Scott Herberg from distinctive driving tours for putting this together.

Check out http://www.distinctivedrivingtours.com/

My dream car was there…. Cathy D.

2009 Chevy Silverado Hybrid 4WD Crew Cab

The Silverado Hybrid is Chevrolet’s gasoline-electric hybrid half-ton pickup that returns to the lineup for 2009 featuring General Motor’s two-mode hybrid system combining a 6.0-liter V8 gas engine with Active Fuel Management and late intake valve closing technology, with GM’s Electrically Variable Transmission (EVT) and a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System. This system is said to achieve 40-percent greater city fuel economy and a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy. The new hybrid system allows the Silverado Hybrid to drive at up to 30 mph on electricity alone and also allows the engine to operate in its more economical V4 mode for longer periods.

With 367 lb-ft of torque, this combination allows for a towing capacity of 6100lbs which is just a bit less than its gas only twin. The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid shares the same two-mode hybrid transmission, 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack and aluminum-block 6.0-liter pushrod V8 as the Tahoe. This transmission has four fixed gear ratios and two 60-kilowatt electric motors with planetary gear sets into the space of a conventional gearbox.

Inside, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid you’ll find a special tach with an “economy gauge” that has a green bar which represents a zone drivers can aim for to maximize fuel economy. The tachometer houses an auto stop reading to indicate when the gasoline engine is shut off although believe me, you’ll know when it does. An 8-inch touch screen features a screen to show if the power is coming from the electric motors, the gasoline engine, or both. It will also display real-time fuel economy and when regenerative braking is charging the batteries, as well as if the vehicle is in two- or 4-wheel drive mode. Oh by the way, applying the brakes in hybrids take just a bit of getting used to.

Under very light throttle, the electric motors can move the Silverado up to 30 miles an hour and moderate acceleration will start the gasoline engine. Like other systems, the gasoline engine turns off at stoplights and restarts when you tickle the throttle. Fuel economy estimates for the Silverado Hybrid are estimated at 20 mpg city/20 mpg highway, and while I didn’t spend much highway time in my tester, I got just under 19mpg which isn’t bad especially according to GM, the electric motors will allow the engine to operate in 4-cylinder mode more often. However, I have to admit that I don’t drive to maximize fuel economy..

As far as driving goes, I’m always amazed at how nice pickups are theses days and the Silverado was no exception. This is a very nice truck, comfortable and spacious inside with plenty of rear seat room for passengers. There is a large console with plenty of storage space and it comes with three cupholders for extra thirsty driver and passengers. The ride is smooth and the big trucks handles bumps well so whether you’re on the highway or off road, the Silverado makes the ride easy and comfortable. As far as performance goes, the 1500 hybrid has plenty of punch so no worries there for sure.

All this doesn’t come inexpensively though, as the tester based at $41,176 and with a few goodies and destination charges, the total came to $42,040. Basic warranty is 36 months and 36,000 miles with a 100,000 mile powertrain which is good news.

Bottom line, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid is a very nice truck so if you’re in the market for a full-size crew cab pick up, I’d suggest checking it out. I’m not saying that hybrids aren’t the be all and end all but they’re a good intermediate step so if you haven’t tried one lately, check Chevy’s Silverado Hybrid out, I think you’ll be pleased. For more on the Silverado Hybrid, click here……

Thursday, July 16, 2009

2010 Chevy Camaro RS

Just got out of a week in a yellow, 2010 Camaro RS...here's just a taste of what I thought about it.....

It was such a long time coming and there was so much hype that I thought there was a possibility of the reborn Camaro not being able to live up to expectations. Not so. First and foremost it is a killer looking car. Now I will qualify that by saying that like the other pony cars that have be retro-resurrected, there is a certain psychographic that gravitates to this market so when I say this car is beautiful, it’s with that group in mind.

While there’s no doubt that without a GTO, Road Runner, GTX, Firebird or the classic Hemi Cuda just to name a few of the incredible cars of the past, we’ll never experience the golden era of muscle cars that dominated the scene in the ‘60’s into the early ‘70’s, it’s nice the have the trio we have because I doubt very seriously that we’ll see any more go into production. The great thing about the Camaro is that the final production car is very close to the concept car and that speaks volumes about the commitment of Chevrolet to make this car an instant classic.

I say that because according to Al Oppenheiser, Chief Vehicle Engineer, the Camaro was one of the most challenging designs their die makers ever had to deal with. Oppenheiser said that it took 10 or 12 tries to get the stamping right on the rear quarter panels because the creasing is so aggressive. Boy did it ever pay off because it’s that aggressiveness that adds to the appeal of the car and puts it in a class by itself.

The 2010 Camaro has elements from the Zeta-I Holden platform but it has a shorter wheel base and is stiffer overall so it justifies the Zeta-II designation. It is bigger than its granddaddy the ’69, it’s bigger than the Mustang but, the Challenger is actually much bigger with the Camaro sitting some 3-inches lower and actually a bit wider than it’s MoPar counterpart. Combine that with 20-inch wheels like my tester had and you have one bad-ass looking muscle car.
More to come......

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

2009 BMW 328i

What can you say about the 3-series BMW other than it’s a very cool sports sedan, but I do have to confess that it’s just a tad tight for my “athletic” build but other then that, well I have to confess to being somewhat of a Beemer fan and the 3-series is a great way to get into a BMW without breaking the bank.

The 328i is BMW's entry-level model that comes as a sedan, coupe or convertible. The 3-Series designation first appeared in the US I believe in about 1977, but thankfully has evolved from a boxy shape to a fluid, aerodynamic design that for sometime now has been considered the benchmark of sport sedans.

The 3-Series was redesigned and updated for the 2006 model year, a change that brought it more in line with the 5 and 7-Series look. For 2009 BMW gives the 3-Series a rejuvenated exterior that includes a moderately restyled front end with new headlights the rear end gets new taillights. There is no doubt that BMW has a lock on the aggressive stance look for near luxury sedans

On the inside you’ll find upgraded materials and oh boy, a new-generation of BMW's iDrive with new direct-select keys and more programmable memory keys than before….just what I needed. Truth is though, we only get the cars for a week and that makes it pretty difficult to get a grip on a lot of the technology. Truth is, I don’t think that’s a problem for the 3-series demographic, and of course the 3-Series of course comes with a pretty complete compliment of safety features.

Whether it’s the Ultimate Driving Machine or not, with agile handling, a supple ride and a smooth, 230 horsepower six-cylinder engine, the 3-Series is a fun car to drive. Adding to the fun factor the tester came with the 6-speed standard transmission which was smooth and easy to use and fun, but I’d opt for the 6-speed automatic with overdrive. It is a sedan after all.

Drop into the form fitting bucket seats and strap in because driving the 328i is a blast. This car has great road hugging abilities going through twisties and the suspension handles any imperfections in the road with just enough feedback to inspire confidence. Braking is solid and sure adding to that confidence. However, if you really want the whole handling enchilada, go for the AWD 328ix.

Now for the reality check….this is a sports sedan which means it sits low and has a pretty swoopy roofline so if you have bad knee’s like me, or a bad back, getting in and out can be a bit challenging but, if it fit’s you, the 3-Series BMW is a winner and with prices starting in the mid-thirties for the base 328i, it’s not a bad deal at all, and don’t forget about the 4 year 50,000 mile warranty and maintenance that you get when you buy a BMW which makes it a pretty good value for the money.

If you haven’t driven one lately, you may just want to give one a test spin…it may be just what you’re looking for. Click here for more on BMW’s 328i…

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

2010 Kia Forte EX

When I heard that I was getting a Kia Forte to review my first thought once again turned to how manufacturers come up with names for cars. But that aside I was anxious to check out the new sedan because Kia has been making some pretty nice cost, effective vehicles lately so my curiosity was piqued to get behind the wheel of this all-new model.

Calling the Forte sporty is a bit of a stretch as this is pure an simple an economy sedan, albeit with some new design cues like a trapezoidal mesh grille, new swept-back headlights and a higher beltline, all of which are in vogue today. The Forte is a bit bigger than the Spectra it’s replacing, with a greater emphasis on styling and there’s no doubt that it’s a much better looking car than the Spectra.

One of Kia’s strengths in the market is the warranty offered. The base warranty is 5 years and 60,000 miles which is nearly double most manufacturers’ time table and the powertrain warranty is 10 years and 100,000 miles. Warranties are a very strong selling point especially in this market where people most likely keep their cars over 3 years.

The Forte also comes with some pretty nice safety features including include dual-stage front airbags, side curtain airbags, active front head restraints, ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, traction control, electronic stability control and tire-pressure monitoring system along with the LATCH tethering system for the kiddos. Also included is 3 months of SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Hand-free connectivity and USB + Aux inputs and six-way power driver’s seat. Extras in the $1800.00 EX package that my tester came with included leather seat trim, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, a power sun-roof and 16-inch wheels. Not bad for a total price of $19,290 including $695 in destination charges.

Inside the Forte there is plenty of room and its relatively nice with large easy to read gauges and ergonomics that are well laid out and easy to understand and use. The seats are comfortable enough for running around town but I’m not sure I’d like to spend 5 or 6 hours at a stretch behind the wheel, they’re not quite that comfy.

The week I spent with the Kia Forte, while not scintillating it was pleasant enough and certainly easy on the wallet. It came very close to matching its EPA rating of 25/34 and as I’m always quick to point out, my driving style doesn’t exactly squeeze the most mileage from a vehicle but I did average over 25mpg during the week, with most of my driving in town. Handling is solid and I certainly wouldn’t expect anything more then solid from this segment of the market which is pretty competitive with some relatively strong newcomers to the genre.

The usual suspects include the Civic, Nissan’s Sentra, and Mazda’s 3 series which are all good cars, but now you have to add the Chevy Cobalt, and the Ford Focus as strong contenders so we’ll have to wait and see if Kia is able to make a dent in the segment. That said, if you’re looking for a great, inexpensive little grocery getter for under $20,000, you should take a Kia Forte out for a spin. You may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

Click here for more on the Kia Forte….

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

2010 Buick LaCrosse press preview

Phoenix Az.
June 2009
By Bill Z & Cathy D

We attended a virtual press preview of the 2009 Buick LaCrosse in the comfort of our office and while traveling to these events can be fun, I have to say it was interesting and informative and much less stressful to attend the virtual event. The LaCrosse is the first vehicle to emerge from the new GM with Buicks new tagline, Take a look at me now, and I have to say from what I saw, the LaCrosse is a great vehicle to “take a look at now.”

According to Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president, “The new LaCrosse builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s renaissance and great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,” “It offers unique features such as all-wheel drive and a new, efficient four-cylinder engine that will attract new customers to Buick.”

The 2010 LaCrosse is offered in three models;
CX – equipped at the start of production with a new 3.0L direct injection V-6, premium cloth seats and 17-inch wheels and has a six-speed automatic transmission. Later this year, a new, 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder replaces the 3.0L as the standard engine.

CXL – also equipped with the new 3.0L direct injection V-6, adds leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, fog lamps, outside rearview mirror with LED turn indicators and puddle lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels. An advanced, intelligent AWD system is available.

CXS – equipped with a 3.6L direct injection V-6; real-time active-dampening suspension (optional); perforated, leather-appointed, heated and ventilated seats, and chrome-plated 18-inch alloy wheels with 19-inch wheels optional.

The LaCrosse design is beautifully sculpted with smooth flowing lines with the “sweep-spear” body side styling portholes that have been synonymous with Buicks for decades. But make no mistake; this is definitely not your father’s Buick. Inside is where the LaCrosse really shines though with a beautiful sweeping center console that swoops upwards to a instrument panel with ice-blue ambient lighting that you’ll find throughout the cabin.

In the video we could see how Buick’s QuietTuning keeps unwanted noise out of the cabin so one can enjoy the contemporary atmosphere of the LaCrosse’s cabin that’s highlighted with available digital connectivity and personal technologies that include in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. For rear-seat passengers, a DVD entertainment system is offered. It is a very plush interior.

EAST MEETS WEST: 2010 BUICK LACROSSE’S INTERIOR BLENDS EASTERN AESTHETICS WITH CLASSIC BUICK STYLE is how a press released I received was titled and because the interior design was a collaborative effort between Chinese and American designers, it makes sense.

So while attending the virtual press preview of the new Buick LaCrosse was much less stressful then traveling, we miss the up close and personal contact with the engineers, designers and the car itself, not to mention wheel time in the LaCrosse. That’s supposed to happen soon and when it does, we’ll look forward to telling you all about the 2010, Take a Look at Me Now, Buick LaCrosse. For more information on the LaCrosse go to: http://www.buick.com/vehicles/2009/lacrosse/overview.do

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

When Two for the Road faces the LAW

May 19, 2009
Scottsdale Arizona

Every once in a while one gets and opportunity to meet someone that is completely thrilled with what they do in life and Cathy and I met one of those very special people today at our May Phoenix Automotive Press Association meeting. His name is Darren Law and if you’re even remotely familiar with endurance racing, you know of whom I speak. Darren is one of those rare people that knew what he wanted to do from early childhood, and then set out paying his dues to become on of the top drivers in the world. Darren began racing karts at age 11 and after winning several championships he worked his way into full-fledged racing where he continued and continues his winning ways.

It’s important for me to point out here that while doing what Darren and other professional race car drivers do is thrilling and exciting and a serious adrenalin rush, it doesn’t come without years of paying dues to learn the skills required to handle unbelievably powerful machines running at speeds over 150 miles an hour, screaming in and out of hair pin turns during 6, 8 and 24 hour endurance races; races that many times, after all those hours at top speeds, are won by mere seconds.

I’ve had the immense pleasure of spending time behind the wheel of very fast cars on the track at Bondurant and what I learned was that after 20 or 25 laps at speeds that honestly, a professional would chuckle at, I was exhausted from the stress and focus required to try and hit apexes to get in and out of turns at just the right point to maximize speed. It’s impossible to explain just how much focus and concentration it takes to hit those points at just the right moments and at just the right speed. Learning the art of heel-toeing, down-shifting, trail braking and squeezing the accelerator and up-shifting at exactly the right moment takes thousands of miles worth of racing at top speeds to master. It is simply stated an amazing feat. After winning the 2008 American Le Mans series GT2 championship, Darren and the team are off to his first 24 hours of Le Mans which needless to say he’s just a tad excited about.

We also had an opportunity to spend some time with the man that helped give Darren his start in endurance racing and that would be racing legend Bob Bondurant. Bob is recognized internationally as the go to guy on advanced driver training. For over 40 years the Bondurant school has trained over 85,000 students ranging from little old me, to race car drivers throughout the world. He’s also trained celebrities the likes of Paul Newman and Tom Cruise as well as teenagers, police officers and professional drivers. The school is world renowned and I can testify to just how important the skills I learned are. I always considered myself a very good driver until... I took the highway safety course at Bondurant. The things I learned during the course without a doubt make me a better, safer driver and oh by the way, I’d been driving for well over 40 years before I took the course. So if you have a teenager driving, check out the courses offered for teens. You'll more than likely find that you'll want to take it with your teenager.


You can find out a whole lot more about Darren at; http://www.darrenlaw.com/.
Find out more about Bob Bondurant at; http://www.bondurant.com/