There's been an awful lot of hoopla from GM about "the car you can't ingnore" and I'm here to tell you, I'm a believer. I always find it interesting when a manufacturer sets the bar high when unveiling a new or re-modeled vehicle. It's a very high risk-reward gamble and after spending some time in Tennessee as the guest of General Motors, Cathy and I are pretty sure they got it right with the new Malibu. The redesign has been a 3-year plan for lead exterior designer Tim Kozub, who's sketch you see at the top of the blog, and as you can see by the video below, the finished product isn't far off the drawing. With models ranging from the 4-cylinder LS to the V6 powered LTZ and a hybrid version the Malibu will appeal to a very eclectic group. We enjoyed driving the V6 and the hybrid and we'll have a lot more to talk about in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy the video to get an idea of what this car is all about, and go to; www.twofortheroadusa.com for more information.Thursday, November 8, 2007
Two for the Road Drives the 2008 Malibu
There's been an awful lot of hoopla from GM about "the car you can't ingnore" and I'm here to tell you, I'm a believer. I always find it interesting when a manufacturer sets the bar high when unveiling a new or re-modeled vehicle. It's a very high risk-reward gamble and after spending some time in Tennessee as the guest of General Motors, Cathy and I are pretty sure they got it right with the new Malibu. The redesign has been a 3-year plan for lead exterior designer Tim Kozub, who's sketch you see at the top of the blog, and as you can see by the video below, the finished product isn't far off the drawing. With models ranging from the 4-cylinder LS to the V6 powered LTZ and a hybrid version the Malibu will appeal to a very eclectic group. We enjoyed driving the V6 and the hybrid and we'll have a lot more to talk about in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy the video to get an idea of what this car is all about, and go to; www.twofortheroadusa.com for more information.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
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
Monday, November 5, 2007
Mario Andretti Signs Autographs at Community Tire in Phoenix
Racing legend Mario Andretti was in Phoenix Arizona donating time to sign autographs and help Howard Fleishman, President of Community Tire and Automotive Service raise money for the 100 club. The 100 club is an organization that helps family's of fallen police officers and fire fighters.
It was a fun event with lots of folks donating time and money that was certainly highlighted by the presence of one of the giants of racing. Andretti was gracious with everyone and it was interesting to see the mix of young and old that came out to get some very interesting items autographed.
Here's a short video clip of the event.
For more on this event and other auto related stories and videos go to www.twofortheroadusa.com
You may or may not have...
You may or may not have heard about the all new Malibu from General Motors and all the hoopla about it. Cath and I went to Tennessee and spent some time behind the wheel, and I'm here to tell you, they have a lot to talk about and so do we. Stay tuned we'll have more on the blog shortly. For more information on two for the road go to www.twofortheroadusa.com.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Kia has a Nifty Trio of its own
It doesn’t seem like too awfully long ago that no one was taking Kia vehicles very seriously. Well that has changed quite a bit over the last few years and I just drove a trio that was pretty impressive. They all base around $16 to $20 thousand and while that’s good, what’s more important is these cars offer more than just a good price; they’ve now become a good value.
The Kia Rondo is an all-new 5-door crossover vehicle first seen at the 2007 auto show in LA. It’s based on the proven FWD Optima platform. Shaped like a mini-van the Rondo offers plenty of head and legroom with a decent amount of cargo space. The base model sports a 162 horsepower 2.4 liter mated to a 4-speed automatic or, you can opt for the optional 2.7 liter V6 mated to a 5-speed automatic that puts out 182 horsepower. I’ll be quick to point out that the V6 is the way to go especially if you plan to do long hauls climbing hills while loaded down.
The optional 3rd row seating will fold down for additional cargo space. The EX trim comes with body-colored door handles and side moldings and 16-inch wheels while the LX adds fog lights, 17-inch wheels and some chrome accents.
Driving the Rondo was a pleasant surprise because the car handled much better than I expected. I was anticipating a rather dowdy feel to the Rondo and I was very pleased with the solid feel from the car. It was relatively taut and there was pretty good feedback from the road. The interior is comfortable and the ergonomics are better than adequate which means the Rondo would serve one well on most trips.
While the Rondo is a whole lot more function than form, it’s not a bad looking vehicle at all and for the money, well worth looking at, and with a 5 year 60,000 mile base warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance and a 100,000 mile 10 year limited Powertrain warranty, clearly Kia is standing behind their products. So, if you’re in the market for a crossover/mini-van, check out the Kia Rondo, I think you’ll be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, small SUV though, put the Kia Sportage on the list of ones to try out. This little SUV has improved by leaps and bounds from whence it started, to the point where it actually has a little style now. While I’m not an SUV guy, I recognize their value and popularity and although I’m not sure how deep the demographic for this size SUV is, there certainly is a plethora to choose from, including the Hyundai sibling Sorento, which I’ll be talking about also. The upside with the Sportage is the pricing. You can get one pretty well adorned for around $22,000 while the sister Sorento will run five to seven thousand more.
After a two year hiatus the Sportage re-appeared in 2005 with an all-new design that was much sportier with a splash of sophistication that was fairly well received. A longer wheelbase and wider stance helped aesthetically as did sleeker aerodynamics. Inside there is more room and it is more comfortable than the previous generation. The 2007 iteration received a couple of subtle design changes and the Electronic Stability Program was re-named Electronic Stability Control. Why, I have no idea.
Drive trains are a base 2.0 liter 140hp 4-Cylinder and a 2.7 liter 173hp V6 which is clearly the better choice as the 4-cylinder is a bit anemic. The V6 on the other hand was plenty spunky and mated to a 4 or 5-speed automatic transmission moves the Sportage off the line with gusto. It’s pretty easy to get in and out of and it’s surprisingly roomy inside with room for four adults, maybe five in a pinch.
The ergonomics are good and easily read and understood and a height-adjustable center console is pretty handy. In the back, there is a pretty significant amount of cargo space when the rear seats are folded and moved forward and even more-so when the front passenger seat is folded down.
Driving the Sportage is a bit mundane but it certainly serves its purpose and while fuel economy is average at best, somewhere in the 25-28mpg range, it does serve a purpose and you can get into three of the four trim packages for under $20,000 and that makes the Kia Sportage worth checking out.
If you like the size of the Sportage but want just a bit more élan, check out the Kia Sorento that was added in 2003 replacing the Sportage in the lineup. Available in an LX and EX trim package, the Sorento offers a higher level of standard features that include A/C, front, rear and side airbags and a potent 3.5 liter engine that puts out 262 horsepower.
The 2007 Sorento also comes with a revised suspension and updates inside and out that give the little SUV a pretty nifty look. The headlights and taillights have been redesigned as have the front and rear fascias and quite frankly I’m amazed at how sharp the Sorento looks compared to its baby sister Sportage.
You can now choose the sunroof as a stand-alone option and 16-inch alloy wheels are available for the EX with 17-inchers being available on the LX. Inside rear legroom has been improved and up front the center console has been redesigned and has metal and wood trims that give an elegant look to the interior. There is an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system that sports 10 speakers which is actually pretty nice.
Under the hood of the 2007 Sorento is an all-new 3.8 liter aluminum V6 engine pushing out 262 horsepower with a towing capability of 5,000 lbs. Standard safety equipment includes a driver knee airbag, dual front advanced 2-stage airbags ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System and tire-pressure-monitoring system. Other additions include unique and exclusive black interior cloth or leather on LX Sport Package, a trip computer on EX and dual-zoned auto air conditioning for luxury package on EX.
I really enjoyed driving the Sorento and sad as it is to say, I need form as well as function so along with more horsepower, the upgraded styling cues and creature comforts in the Sorento would make this the move likely choice for me. As I said, basing at $19,995 it will run five grand more than the Sportage so the choice is up to you.
All in all this is a very nice trio from Kia and it’s clear to see that they are ready to play with the big kids. The warranty clearly shows they’re willing to stand behind their cars so if you’re in the market for an inexpensive SUV that could be a crossover with its car-like ride, check out the Sorento and I’m betting you’ll be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
The Kia Rondo is an all-new 5-door crossover vehicle first seen at the 2007 auto show in LA. It’s based on the proven FWD Optima platform. Shaped like a mini-van the Rondo offers plenty of head and legroom with a decent amount of cargo space. The base model sports a 162 horsepower 2.4 liter mated to a 4-speed automatic or, you can opt for the optional 2.7 liter V6 mated to a 5-speed automatic that puts out 182 horsepower. I’ll be quick to point out that the V6 is the way to go especially if you plan to do long hauls climbing hills while loaded down.
The optional 3rd row seating will fold down for additional cargo space. The EX trim comes with body-colored door handles and side moldings and 16-inch wheels while the LX adds fog lights, 17-inch wheels and some chrome accents.
Driving the Rondo was a pleasant surprise because the car handled much better than I expected. I was anticipating a rather dowdy feel to the Rondo and I was very pleased with the solid feel from the car. It was relatively taut and there was pretty good feedback from the road. The interior is comfortable and the ergonomics are better than adequate which means the Rondo would serve one well on most trips.
While the Rondo is a whole lot more function than form, it’s not a bad looking vehicle at all and for the money, well worth looking at, and with a 5 year 60,000 mile base warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance and a 100,000 mile 10 year limited Powertrain warranty, clearly Kia is standing behind their products. So, if you’re in the market for a crossover/mini-van, check out the Kia Rondo, I think you’ll be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, small SUV though, put the Kia Sportage on the list of ones to try out. This little SUV has improved by leaps and bounds from whence it started, to the point where it actually has a little style now. While I’m not an SUV guy, I recognize their value and popularity and although I’m not sure how deep the demographic for this size SUV is, there certainly is a plethora to choose from, including the Hyundai sibling Sorento, which I’ll be talking about also. The upside with the Sportage is the pricing. You can get one pretty well adorned for around $22,000 while the sister Sorento will run five to seven thousand more.
After a two year hiatus the Sportage re-appeared in 2005 with an all-new design that was much sportier with a splash of sophistication that was fairly well received. A longer wheelbase and wider stance helped aesthetically as did sleeker aerodynamics. Inside there is more room and it is more comfortable than the previous generation. The 2007 iteration received a couple of subtle design changes and the Electronic Stability Program was re-named Electronic Stability Control. Why, I have no idea.
Drive trains are a base 2.0 liter 140hp 4-Cylinder and a 2.7 liter 173hp V6 which is clearly the better choice as the 4-cylinder is a bit anemic. The V6 on the other hand was plenty spunky and mated to a 4 or 5-speed automatic transmission moves the Sportage off the line with gusto. It’s pretty easy to get in and out of and it’s surprisingly roomy inside with room for four adults, maybe five in a pinch.
The ergonomics are good and easily read and understood and a height-adjustable center console is pretty handy. In the back, there is a pretty significant amount of cargo space when the rear seats are folded and moved forward and even more-so when the front passenger seat is folded down.
Driving the Sportage is a bit mundane but it certainly serves its purpose and while fuel economy is average at best, somewhere in the 25-28mpg range, it does serve a purpose and you can get into three of the four trim packages for under $20,000 and that makes the Kia Sportage worth checking out.
If you like the size of the Sportage but want just a bit more élan, check out the Kia Sorento that was added in 2003 replacing the Sportage in the lineup. Available in an LX and EX trim package, the Sorento offers a higher level of standard features that include A/C, front, rear and side airbags and a potent 3.5 liter engine that puts out 262 horsepower.
The 2007 Sorento also comes with a revised suspension and updates inside and out that give the little SUV a pretty nifty look. The headlights and taillights have been redesigned as have the front and rear fascias and quite frankly I’m amazed at how sharp the Sorento looks compared to its baby sister Sportage.
You can now choose the sunroof as a stand-alone option and 16-inch alloy wheels are available for the EX with 17-inchers being available on the LX. Inside rear legroom has been improved and up front the center console has been redesigned and has metal and wood trims that give an elegant look to the interior. There is an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system that sports 10 speakers which is actually pretty nice.
Under the hood of the 2007 Sorento is an all-new 3.8 liter aluminum V6 engine pushing out 262 horsepower with a towing capability of 5,000 lbs. Standard safety equipment includes a driver knee airbag, dual front advanced 2-stage airbags ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control System and tire-pressure-monitoring system. Other additions include unique and exclusive black interior cloth or leather on LX Sport Package, a trip computer on EX and dual-zoned auto air conditioning for luxury package on EX.
I really enjoyed driving the Sorento and sad as it is to say, I need form as well as function so along with more horsepower, the upgraded styling cues and creature comforts in the Sorento would make this the move likely choice for me. As I said, basing at $19,995 it will run five grand more than the Sportage so the choice is up to you.
All in all this is a very nice trio from Kia and it’s clear to see that they are ready to play with the big kids. The warranty clearly shows they’re willing to stand behind their cars so if you’re in the market for an inexpensive SUV that could be a crossover with its car-like ride, check out the Sorento and I’m betting you’ll be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
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.
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/.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
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
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
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