2010 Nissan 370Z Touring

Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz

Two for the Road USA

The Nissan 370Z’s heritage dates all the way back into the ‘30’s although in truth the Z-car stems from a long line of two seat roadsters dating back to the 1960’s Datsun Fairlady roadster. That car evolved into the Datsun 2000 and in 1970 the wildly popular 240Z was born as a coupe. The Z-car morphed through several iterations that kept the same basic style all the way through into the 1980’s until the 300ZX was introduced in 1990. The 300ZX iteration didn’t remain extraordinarily popular and the last one rolled of the line in 1996. However, after a 7 year hiatus the 350Z debuted in 2003 with the Roadster joining the lineup in 2004.

For 2010 370Z Coupe maintains most of the design cues that were updated in 2009 while the 2010 Roadster receives some styling updates. The 370Z shares several mechanicals from the Infiniti G Coupe including the potent 332 horsepower CVTCS, or Continuously Variable Timing Control System V6, and some interior accoutrements. Some improvements include an enhanced navigation system, heated mirrors, and an in-cabin microfilter.

Our test car was come-and-get-me red so it was a stunner, and yes, I managed to stay out of trouble. The lines -of the new Z-car are very sleek and muscular with hefty haunches that add to the aggressive stance. Once inside you know you’re in a sports car as the seats are deep and pretty comfortable. Touring models look even more high-class thanks to their leather upholstery and upgraded faux suede door inserts. The ergonomics are easy to figure out, but I have to admit that the seat controls being squished between my right thigh and the console leaves a little to be desired.

Driving the 370Z is definitely a thrill. The ride while taut is not overly harsh and if one thinks it is, the someone is probably looking at the wrong type of vehicle. The 332 horsepower engine though a bit noisy in a raucous sort of way, is responsive and responsive to the right foot. The car handles well and when zipping into turns and downshifting with the paddle shifter; the rev-matching downshifts make the car even easier to handle in tight corners. If you have to stop in a hurry, no worries with the available 4-piston front calipers haul the Z-car to a swift and secure stop in just over 100 feet from 60 miles per hour.

Bottom line, at a base price on the Coupe in the low $30,000 dollar range and the Touring starting at just over $36,000, the 370Z is still one of the best sports coupes for the money out there. It’s sexy looking relatively comfortable even for big boys. It performs very well, numbers range from 5.1 to 5.5 0-60 and does so while getting an EPA rating of 19/26 with a combined average of 21 mpg with the automatic transmission. If you haven’t driven a Nissan Z-car lately, maybe you should check out the 2010 370Z. I think you’ll like it as much as I did.

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…

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….

Are U.S. Automakers really building cars no one wants to buy?

by Bill Zervakos
December 2008

There is a lot of hyperbole about how bad the vehicles coming out of Detroit are; ergo American automakers are in trouble. Are American automakers really building inferior products? Let’s look at the numbers from November of 2007 through November 2008 for a few of the key players:

Chrysler, down 47% Nissan, down 42.2% General Motors, down 41.3% Toyota, down 33.9%
Honda, down, 31.6% Ford, down 30.6%

You’ll notice that Ford is down less than anyone else and Nissan sales are even worse than General Motors.

No doubt labor costs for unionized shops are higher than those of non-union shops but are labor costs the reason for the collapse in sales? Leaving aside all the differences in compensation between the U.S. makers and importers, I don’t see how any manufacturer can exist for long with over 30% losses in sales.

We’ve clearly seen the incompetence of CEOs’ on Wall Street, seemingly without consequence or accountability and certainly without any oversight, given billions of dollars specifically, we were told, to loosen up credit for consumers. Instead they chose to use those billions to pay dividends and bonuses while buying other financial institutions, choosing to do nothing about making money available for loans. To then watch Congress address the CEOs’ of the U.S. automakers as though they’re inept seems a bit self serving.

It’s important to point out here that Ford President Alan Mulally has been with the company for just over 2 years, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli has been with them since 2007 and GM CEO Rick Wagoner took over the controls of General Motors in 2005. So while there were problems in the past, linking the ills the industry faces today exclusively to these executives performance is short sighted, and appointing a car czar is not the answer.

Rick Wagoner of GM has acknowledged that allowing the EV1 to be eliminated was not the right thing to do. But GM, Ford and Chrysler have made huge strides in developing electric vehicles, some that will be on the road by 2010. They’ve been doing this without government or a car czar telling them they had to. But here’s what we must remember: Detroit built what people were buying. It’s true that some gas guzzlers were incentivized but in a capitalistic society businesses are all about making money and big vehicles were money makers. Proof of that is the 22% increase in truck sales this November, with gas under $2.00 a gallon, over July sales when gas was $4.00 a gallon. The consumer drives the market and will continue to do so.

With legislators pontificating and blustering about how outraged they are with the big 3 CEOs’ and the media right there with them, talking about how irresponsible Detroit has been in product development, without laying out all the facts, it’s no wonder that people aren’t buying American cars. The facts are that there were several automakers, including some importers, that made some pretty bad cars in the past, but today everyone is building pretty solid vehicles. The prevailing perception is that American cars aren’t as good, yet in a Consumer Reports study as far back as 2006 provided results showing that the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan outperformed the Honda Accord V6 and the Toyota Camry V6 in reliability studies. Interestingly those same studies indicated that people will still buy the imports. Perception is true even if it isn’t fact and when a false perception is promulgated, change takes even longer.

So, are U.S. automakers really building bad cars? Not at all, and if people would do their homework and not buy into all the negative hype, they’d be very pleasantly surprised with what’s coming out of Detroit.Other countries are supporting their automakers and we should do no less. If we were in a normal economy and automakers weren’t manufacturing the right products, then the market should be allowed to correct itself. That isn’t the case today.

Generally speaking, I’m not for government intervention but this is a critical industry for America and the three CEOs’ weren’t the cause this financial crisis and they can’t fix it. But allowing any one of the heretofore big three to die could create a tragedy of epic proportions. The facts are, until the consumer starts buying again, all automakers are in peril.

2009 Mazda3 S 5-Door Grand Touring

Well with the entire world hearing about gas guzzlers, the timing couldn’t be much better for checking out this nifty little 5-door sport wagon. The Mazda3 styling is based off the MX-Sportif concept so while the little grocery getter is very practical it stays true to the zoom-zoom campaign that represents the promise of fun driving that Mazda touts.

The 2.3 liter engine produces 156 horsepower and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, it’s perky enough to make the 3 feel sporty, albeit at higher rpm, which is not too big a deal for most. That said, aficionados will no doubt opt for the very potent MazdaSpeed3 which pumps out 263 turbo-charged horses that propel the car from 0-60 in a mere 5.4 seconds with a top speed in excess of 150mph.

Truth is though this car was designed to be functional with a sufficient amount of form to offer drivers economy, with just a bit of panache, and to that end the Mazda3 S delivers. With 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights and foglamps, side sill extensions, sport styled front and rear fascias and the obligatory rear hatch spoiler; this is a very sharp looking little car.

In the S trim you’ll find leather trimmed seating areas, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 split fold-down rear seating, AM/FM/CD with controls in the steering wheel, cruise control and power windows standard. Heated front seats, electroluminescent gauges and a trip computer add a touch of luxury, okay; a very small touch, but nice none the less. Base price for the Mazda3 starts at just under $14,500 but with all the goodies on my tester, the price came to just a tad over $22,500 with shipping. Not bad but there are at least 15 models that compete with Mazda in this crowded segment of the market.

As far as driving the Mazda3 goes, I’m a pretty big boy and I have to say I was very comfortable in the driver’s seat and the car handled better then I expected in actuality. While the steering was quick the variable assist could get a bit heavy at times but overall it wasn’t a problem. The balance of the vehicle was surprisingly good despite the 60/40 weight distribution and the ride actually bordered on nimble.

All in all I have to say that overall I was very pleased with the Mazda3 S, but in the interest of full disclosure I have to acknowledge that I’ve been a Mazda fan for quite a while, having owned a Miata for about 12 years. But the truth is, they are very solid cars that, as I said before, do a better than average job of mixing form and function. So, if you’re looking for something that will deliver close to 30mpg on the highway and 22 around town, maybe you should take a ride in a Mazda3 S before making up your mind. I liked it a lot and I’m betting you will too.

Community Tire Wins 2008 Small Business Impact Award

Congratulations to Howard and Patty Fleischmann of Community Tire and Auto Service, The recipients of the 2008 Small Business of the year Impact award honored by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. We are so proud of you and thank you for your continued support of Two for the Road USA.

(PHOENIX) — The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the winner of its 21st Annual IMPACT Awards 2008 Small Business of the Year: Community Tire & Auto Service Specialists, Howard Fleischmann, Sr.Community Tire & Auto Service Specialists has grown to more than seven stores in three cities through innovative marketing, honesty and integrity. Likewise with its commitment to community, whether hosting fundraising events or simply giving of their time, Community Tire & Auto Services Specialists has become synonymous with the word for which it is named.The Chamber’s IMPACT Awards honor business owners and leaders from companies with fewer than 100 employees for their outstanding efforts.

Gilles continues to work his magic at Chrysler

Just about everyone knows about Chrysler’s 300 success—the model won Motor Trend’s car of the year award in 2005—some even know that Ralph Gilles was the moving force behind the design team that developed the car. What most don’t know is that Gilles was so intent on becoming a car designer that he sent sketches to none other than Lee Iacocca. The Chrysler head was so impressed with Gilles’s work that he suggested some design schools to attend, which Gilles did.

In 1992 when Gilles received his BSC from the Center of Creative Studies in Detroit, he joined Chrysler as a designer. He quickly moved through the ranks to director in the design office in 2001. He spearheaded the design team on the development of the 300 and the rest is history.

In 2005 Gilles was named directory of the Truck Exterior/Interior Design Studio before ascending to his present position as Vice President, which is a notable achievement for a 30-something. During that time Gilles and his team developed the all-new Ram: a vehicle which Chrysler calls a game-changer.

We got to get up close and personal with Gilles in Phoenix at a press preview of the Ram and the new Dodge Journey. Gilles talked about how the design shift in ’94 to the big rig look was very polarizing. I was one that didn’t care for it. The new truck is very refined, however, and much more appealing to me and for the hard core Dodge truck people, the original dropped fender big rig look is still there. But, the new Dodge Ram is a whole lot more than just a pretty face.

When talking about pickups, aerodynamics is rarely discussed, and yet changes in design are a noticeable improvement. Reworking the hood, grille and even the side view mirrors made a big difference, and air dams help direct air around the vehicle and improve engine cooling. I won’t bore you with the drag coefficient specifics but, suffice it to say, they’re pretty happy with the improvement.

The HEMI powerplant delivers an impressive 380 horsepower and, more importantly, 404 lb-ft of torque and delivers an estimated 13/19mpg in the 2WD iteration on mid-range 89 octane fuel.

I was very impressed with Ralph Gilles long before meeting him. After talking with him and seeing his true passion for designing exciting vehicles that not only look good but perform extremely well, I have even more respect for him. I know he doesn’t like to be called a genius, but what he’s accomplished in his relatively short career is groundbreaking. I'm betting that Gilles will be a very important part of the automotive industry along the lines of Harley Earl, Bob Lutz and, of course, lee Iacocca, for a long time to come.

There is a lot more to the all-new Ram and we’ll be talking more in depth when we drive the press vehicle later this year.

Taking the shine off new cars

In the ever more difficult search to stand out from the maddening crowd car buyers are taking a shine to a car with a matte finish. While it isn’t surprising to think of some small concept cars like Chevy’s Groove or Jeep’s Renegade diesel-electric or Mazda’s concept Furai with a matte finish, how does a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder or Audi R8 V12 sports car strike you?

Well, a matte finish is available in all the above, and according to a lot of people at the North American Auto Show in Detroit, people have well, taken a shine to matte finishes. Not that matte finishes haven’t been used on vehicles before, it’s just that it was mainly used to accent and highlight special features on a car like on this Jeep Renegade Concept.


Interestingly, a matte finish allows the design features of a vehicle to stand out because the eye is not drawn to the finish of the vehicle because there are no reflections to detract the focus from the car itself. Not surprisingly manufacturers understand that Millennial’s are used to matte finishes on their cell phones and laptops so it stands to reason that they’d look for the same finish in their cars.

Chevy Groove Concept

It will be interesting over the next few years to see the emergence of exotics that use more matte finishes to enhance the visual effects of their intricate design cues. These are just a few of the cars that you’ll find with a matte finish.


Mazda Furai Concept

Two for the Road USA at the Gibson Guitar Plant

While Cathy and I were in Tennesse with General Motors for the launch of the all-new Malibu, we were treated to a tour of the Gibson plant to see exactly how these beautiful guitars were made. We were very suprised to find out that much of the process is still done by hand and even more surprised to find out that they refuse to allow any blemishes at all in their guitars. If they are flawed in any way, they are destroyed. It's kind of nice to know there are still businesses that strive for perfection in their products. Here are some pics we took during the tour. For more information, visit www.twofortheroadusa.com

General Motors introduces the 2008 CTS Sport-Sedan by Cadillac

General Motors Western Region Manager Susan Docherty, and Lund Cadillac Let Two for the Road USA take it for a spin.

When we had GM’s Manager of the Western Region Susan Docherty on our radio show recently, she was so enthusiastic about the 2008 iteration of the CTS that we decided to ask our friends at Lund Cadillac in Phoenix if we could take one out for a spin to see what all the excitement was all about.

Bill Says:
I have to say that the CTS has always been a bit of an enigma to me because at first blush I really liked the car, but there was something that didn’t quite sit right we me and I really couldn’t put my finger on it, until now. The design changes while subtle have a serious impact aesthetically. The car seems to have, for lack of a better word, bulked up and now sports a much more aggressive stance with bulging, muscular fender flares made possible by a 62-inch wide track, the widest in its class, giving the CTS a much lower more assertive stance.

The previous model seemed not only taller, but narrower, and that was what had been nagging at me. This car has stunning lines that flow beautifully back to the short rear deck-lid that give the CTS a beautiful profile and its fully functional chrome air inlets on the front fender’s let you know in no uncertain terms, that this is a serious performer.

Unfortunately the CTS-V performance car won’t be available for quite some time but when I got behind the wheel of our loaner and settled into the beautiful interior, I was really surprised at the response to my right foot. The surprise was due to the response from all-new, 3.6 liter Direct Injection V6 with Variable Valve Timing engine that propels the CTS from 0-60 in under 6 seconds. That’s the type of performance that will get anyone’s attention and it certainly got mine. Mated to a new 6-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, the shifts in CTS are seamless yet crisp and if you so desire, you can use Driver Shift Control mode for smooth clutchless.

There is an awful lot to talk about with the new CTS but I’m going to have to wait until we have one in the press fleet rotation to really get into what this car is all about. Suffice it to say, if you’re looking for a really nifty sports-sedan, the 2008 CTS has taken a quantum leap and I for one am very impressed with it, and I’m betting you will be too.

The base price on the car is just over $32,000 but with the performance package and other options, the one we drove came in just over $42,000. However, for what you get, there’s no doubt that Cadillac has kicked it up a notch with this car, and it will be very interesting to see how it impacts the Infiniti M-series, the BMW 5-series and the C-Class. I’m betting that I’m not the only one that will be surprised by the 2008 Cadillac CTS.

Cathy Says:
The new 2008 CTS is a beautiful, sporty sedan that has enough sex appeal for both a man and women to agree on the purchase. I personally would choose a black exterior and light beige interior for my signature CTS, despite the upkeep. I am glad to see the faux-mini-spoiler on the 2007 is missing off the new ’08.

The cabin of the redesigned Cadillac is significantly improved over its predecessor. It now has a come-hither-look and feel about it that gently welcomes your derriere into the soft leather seats. The materials used inside are high in quality and the detail of wood and alloy remind you of some of the top luxury imports that begin with the letter “L”.

There’s a new telescoping steering column, giving the driver quite a bit of belly room, along with a thinner front seatback; allowing the rear passengers more leg room. The navigation system (which is optional) has a unique leather over-hang, like the large brim of a baseball cap. It might be there for show or to cut any glare that might cause difficulty in viewing.

The CTS is complete with a 40GB hard drive along with the premium Bose surround sound audio system. It has all the up to date hookups for iPod interface and other technology toys I know nothing about. For instance you can set your AM/FM and satellite radio to be rewound, paused and resumed in a TiVo-like manner. Great! I can’t figure out how to do in on my TV, but leave it to Cadillac to have it in the CTS.

It’s not all about the interior look; I did get to drive the powerful sport sedan once I forced Bill out of the driver’s seat. Besides the quick start at the lights and hugging the corners, I found it doing a sort of quick step up a desert hill. I felt like goldilocks in the three bear’s story; sitting in all three chairs till finally she sat in the one that was “just right.” I felt at home, I could locate the controls easily and the icons were a good size. I was impressed with how the A/C chilled the cabin immediately and including vents that were positioned perfectly.

Even if you were to purchase an entry level CTS, you would have more than you expected and for under $33,000. Cadillac has created a luxury sport sedan both inside and out. This baby lives up to its Cadillac heritage.

It was plain to see that the CTS had female influence; so hats off to Susan Docherty of General Motors, who I’m sure had some input.

For more reviews visit http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/.

YouTube - Off road with the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

Cathy and I have been test-driving for the manufacturers for nearly 15 years and reporting on them on radio, in print as well as videos. We have the opportunity to travel and get first looks and drives for new product to report on.

So, when Toyota invited us to Big Sky Montana, we were excited about the opportunity we had to spend some serious off-road time in the brand new
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser.

I was amazed at the capabilities offered by this very cool SUV. Check out this video and let us know
what you think.
YouTube - Off road with the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

TWO FOR THE ROAD USA

PHOENIX AUTOMOTIVE JOURNALISTS CAN HELP YOU CAPTURE THE BOOMER MARKET

See why Manufacturers and Dealers are looking to these two
automotive journalists to seduce their over 50 market.

Go to, http://www.ebroadcastmedia.com/ for sample video.

Chrysler Visits Phoenix Automotive Press Association

September l8, 2007 – Hermosa Inn – Scottsdale, AZ. Cathy D's take on the all new Jeep Liberty.

Scott Brown, from Chrysler Corporation of the Southwest region, invited 15 top Phoenix press writers to preview three new products from Chrysler. The Town and Country Mini Van ( a movie theater on wheels without a popcorn maker), Dodge Dakota Truck (for the day to day truck lover and urban cowboy) and the 2008 Jeep Liberty (giving a whole new meaning to topless). All three models have some distinct changes in power, appearance and technology, but I was most excited about the 2008 Jeep Liberty.
Over the years my family has had two Jeep Wranglers and two Jeep Cherokees; none of which had any female input for the purchase. We’re not big off road people but before SUV’s became as common as reality shows, it gave me an elevated feeling in traffic and the men in my family felt rugged, cool and able to relate to a scene from the TV show MASH.
The 3.7 liter V-6 (210 horsepower/237 lb-ft torque) hasn’t changed along with its two transmissions but the rest is new and exciting and priced well. Jeep Liberty, no longer Jeep’s entry level model, has a longer wheelbase, width and overall length. It has kind of a Jeep Commander looking style with a little Wrangler-ness butt; less the rear-mounted spare tire on the outside of the cargo door. The spare now stores under the load floor where I would have liked it from the get go.
Okay, here is the cool part… the cloth, roman shade look roof (Sky Slider) opens from front to rear to give that open road look one might imagine on a safari. Chrysler has constructed this jeep continue to appeal to jeep lovers and then added some extras like stain resistant seats, center-stack infotainment, navigation system with MP3 capabilities, touch screen 20 gig hard drive and all the other technology that consumers want in a vehicle along with an off-road experience they can journal.
It is easy to see how you would take this one off road in the mountains or around town for food shopping or transporting kids. I think Chrysler/Jeep has taken the best of all their Jeep models, added a totally open roof, and priced it to make affordable for a younger buyer. The 2008 Jeep Liberty starts at $20,990 for the 4X2 and goes upward from there. The Sky Slider is an optional $1,200.00 but makes the new model attention-grabbing and makes star gazing possible without getting out of your vehicle.

Is Jeep thinking outside the box or did they just make the ’08 jeep look like a box?

In photo
Chrysler VP Steve Bartoli, Mark Kudla/Dodge Dakota, Kim Adams House/Jeep Liberty Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz, Two for the Road USA in front of the New 2008 Jeep Liberty.

Is the interactive technology race in cars going too far?

We just did a radio show about the dangers of driving while texting, after hearing about five teenage girls that were killed because phone records show the driver was texting moments before the crash. We also talked about the fact that in this hi-tech world the problem is hardly limited to youngsters, who generally are much more savvy then boomers when it comes to this kind of technology. We also know that way too many of us are guilty of being distracted while driving whether it's a cell phone, blackberry or even the vehicle itself.

The question is how much of a good thing is too much? It certainly can be said that the technical advances in vehicles today are for the most part a good thing and I must admit for the most part that I am a fan, safety and navigation systems are two prime examples. It's important to point out however, that most Nav systems have a fail safe where no input can happen when the vehicle is in motion. However, with the tremendous demand by consumers for more sophisticated systems, I'm wondering if the manufacturers need to start thinking about just how dangerous technology can be.

Because vehicles are so easy to drive today, they're quieter and so solid on the road that there is a false sense of security for people behind the wheel. That quality lends itself to driving at a much higher rate of speed then in the past when you could actually feel the speed of the car. Also, there is more traffic on the roads and trying to stay a safe distance from the car in front of you is virtually impossible on today's roads.

Now add the fact that most ergonomic controls are to the right of the driver and so complicated that it necessitates taking one's eyes of the road to use, you begin to understand just how dangerous our highways are becoming. Having had the privilege over the last 13 years to drive and review vehicles for the manufacturers, my partner and I have driven the BMW7 Series with its 700 plus idrive system, the Audi's with a similar system that is so complicated that one needs to take a class to learn how to use the system. But this problem is not limited to hi-end luxury models. The most basic cars today have at the least a very sophisticated sound system that even with controls in the steering wheel, changing out CD's, or plugging in an mp3 system can be very distracting.

The dichotomy is that the wireless and interactive technology market is worth some $3.5 billion dollars today and that number is expected to grow to over $15 billion by 2015. That's a pretty big piece of pie for manufacturers, so once again the question is, how much it too much? Should controls be installed that render some of the technology inoperative while the vehicle is in motion or should drivers be left to monitor themselves? I'm not sure I know the answer to that but I'd love to hear your thoughts and maybe even have you address them on our radio show.

For more information or to contact us, visit http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/

Whether or not you own a business, you are an employer!

I’ve been in and around the automotive industry pretty much all my life and openly admit to being a certifiable car nut. As a kid, I worked in my dad’s body shop pulling parts off wrecked cars. Later in life I worked for a dealership selling new and used cars and even further down the road I worked as a service advisor before venturing off into the broadcast industry. In 1994, I had an opportunity to buy an independent repair center which I thought would be a great way to exploit my love of cars for my sons and me. But I learned very quickly that there was a whole lot more to owning a repair facility than just a love for cars and the desire to help people.

To say it was an eye opening and interesting experience would be a colossal understatement. The biggest surprise to me was how vulnerable most people are when taking their vehicles in for service and repairs. I had people run in, throw the keys at me while describing a squeak or a squeal, or try and tell me the thingamajig was making noise and so on, not realizing their vulnerability because there just wasn’t enough information to direct a technician to the problem. What that allowed was the likelihood of having to spend more money on diagnostic time, which would run up the bill in a hurry.

After a few years, I decided that there were better ways to enjoy cars then working on them, so I got back into test driving and reviewing for the manufacturers and doing our radio show and it’s safe to say, that I’m much better suited to that. There are a couple of things I learned though, that I know will help ensure that you’ll get the best care possible for your vehicle. Here’s an issue I consider to be the most frequently overlooked.

The single most important thing you must do is understand that you are, in actuality, hiring someone to work for you. Think about that for a moment. I’m pretty sure that if you were going to remodel your home, you’d talk to several contractors, check their credentials, ask to see some of their work and perhaps talk to some of their customers. Even if you don’t own a business and hire people, I’m pretty sure at one time or other you have hired someone to do something for you. It amazes me that people don’t seem to grasp that a vehicle is probably the second most expensive thing we own. Why in the world wouldn’t we do everything in our power to treat it as such?

If you’re one of the fortunate ones that has used a repair facility for a lengthy period of time, and established a professional relationship with the people there, good for you. If not, then before you need work done, do some research on shops in your area. Talk with friends and neighbors and ask who they use and how long they’ve used them. When you’ve found a couple of places that sound good, then it’s time to call and make an appointment with the owner or manager. Explain that you would like to visit with them, and tell them why. I can promise you one thing: the shops that are committed to taking care of their clients will welcome the idea.

When you get to the facility, first impressions are critical. How clean is the waiting room and the shop area? More importantly, are the restrooms clean? Trust your instincts and your first impression. Sometimes pulling into the parking lot may be enough to eliminate a shop. Yes, it is a lot of work, but your time will save you money and afford you peace of mind. You have a pretty healthy investment in your vehicle, so do the legwork. It’ll pay dividends in the long run.

More info on Cathy and Bill at, http://www.ebroadcastmedia.com

What's in a Name?

I know you've heard the old axiom what's in a name many times, and in most cases the answer is not much. Ford on the other hand, is hoping there's a lot in the name Taurus, as my partner and I found out when we were invited to a press conference and test drive of the car that will be replacing the not so successful Ford Five Hundred Sedan.

Like a lot of the other writers at the meeting in Carefree, I was curious as to what exactly Ford had done along with the name change to set the Taurus apart from the Five Hundred. To begin with they upped the horsepower from 200 to 260 with a new 3.5 liter V6 which was a big step in the right direction. The Five Hundred in essence was Ford's version of the S80 but unfortunately it was basically just a boring car that created no driving pleasure at all.

Not so with the new Taurus. Styling cues while somewhat minor, have a major impact on you from the get go. Clearly wanting to capitalize on the success of the Fusion, the grille and tail lights as well as the side vents enhance the Taurus' aesthetics enough to make the car pretty good looking, especially the view over the hood from the drivers seat.

What really sets the new Taurus apart from the Five Hundred goes deeper though. Ford's manager of vehicle dynamics John Heider, told us that the suspension and chassis has been tuned to suppress noise, vibration and harshness or NVH as techy's like to say. A run up through Payson and back to Carefree validated his claim. We started out in the Five Hundred before switching to the Taurus, and the difference was certainly noticeable, with special consideration given to steering and maneuverability making a dramatic change in driving dynamics. The Taurus is a much more fun car to drive.

More fun yes, but Hieder was quick to point out that the Taurus is not a sports sedan by any stretch of the imagination. What it is though is a very solid family sedan that has very nice interior appointments with enough luxury to feel good about driving it. And speaking of driving it, the Taurus is a rear-wheel-drive car but the test vehicles were the optional all-wheel-drive which felt very solid on the twisting and winding roads we drove.

While Ford touts the styling and driveability of the new Taurus, which is all good stuff, the big thing they're emphasizing is the five-star safety rating from NHTSA, in four categories or front and side impacts. Ford crash safety engineer Rob Randolph said that even more prestigious was that Taurus has also earned Top Safety Pick honors from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Something that only 10 vehicles have achieved, allowing Randolph to say with justified pride, that "Taurus has been rated the safest full-size car in the United States."

Introduced in 1985 the Taurus was wildly successful for over a decade before questionable styling and serious competition took it's toll on sales. Why Ford didn't just do a face lift on the Taurus is beyond me because the Five Hundred was just too bland to make a dent in the "I'm okay with bland" crowd that the Crown Vic and Buick pretty much own.

So what's in a name? As far as Ford's all-new Taurus is concerned, only time will tell. But what do you think? Is there more to a name than meets the eye?

Are teenage drivers more at risk and more dangerous than ever before?

Are teenage drivers more at risk and more dangerous to other drivers than ever?
by Bill Z, from Two for the Road USA radio show.
www.tftrusa.com

We all know that teenagers are some of the most dangerous, and at risk drivers on the road, and in an effort to combat those dangers, a Senate Panel in Arizona approved a 6 month curfew and passenger restrictions. Teen drivers would have restrictions on when they could drive and how many passengers they could carry under a bill that won easy passage in its first outing in the Arizona State Senate. Instead of giving teens carte blanche when they get their driver's license, they would face an overnight curfew on driving. According to an article in the Arizona Republic by Mary Jo Pitzl, they would also be limited to one passenger under the age of 18, unless those passengers are brothers or sisters. The Teenage Driver Safety Act has drawn strong support from police and safety groups, who note that Arizona is one of only five states without a "graduated" driver's license for teens.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Barbara Leff, R-Paradise Valley, said the bill is designed to cut down on potentially dangerous distractions that come with a car loaded with teens. Dale Norris, executive director of the Arizona Police Association was quoted as saying, “It makes sense to give the least-experienced drivers a phased-in process for gaining road experience.”

As you would expect, most teenagers are not thrilled with these restrictions, but if you, like I, have seen some of the video of teenagers driving as shown on TV newsmagazines, you know that it’s important to somehow help youngsters gain the maturity and experience needed to drive on today’s highways.
According to Cydney DeModica, Arizona Motor Vehicle Division spokeswoman who is a frequent guest on our radio show, "the real key is to get as much driving experience under a teen's belt as possible before they are turned loose on the roadway with other drivers."
It’s my belief that the combination of less mature teens with access to much more powerful and well built, much easier to drive vehicles that give a false sense of security, are major contributors to the problem.

Let us know what you think, go to; http://www.twofortheroadusa.com/