Reviewing the 2011 Buick Regal

Reviewing the 2011 Buick Regal Buick is now the best-selling American car... in China. But in America, Buick is struggling to regain its footing. The traditional (read: older) Buick buyer can't support the brand's future. And buyers under 50 generally don't even think about Buick when they go car shopping. Certainly not the entry-luxury (and sport-oriented) under-50 crowd that Buick needs to win over in order to survive. That is a tough position to be in. Does the new-for-2011 Regal have the stuff necessary to make some headway? Or will it quickly become another Rental Car Special?WHAT IT ISThe 2011 Regal is Buick's entry-level sedan. It's about the same size as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord but (according to Buick) is aimed more at slightly...

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How About More Than One Type of Driver's License?

How About More Than One Type of Driver's License? What if we tried a tiered licensing system? It's self-evident that there's a wide range of driving ability - from the barely competent to the highly skilled. Yet we have a one-size-fits-all licensing policy. And worse, traffic laws based on the least common denominator. This is a pretty clumsy and counterproductive approach, if you stop to think about it.For openers, it breeds cynicism and lack of respect for the traffic code on the part of better-than-average drivers - who not only resent being ticketed for violating rules designed for the inept (such as no turn on red) but know full well that driving faster than an artificially low speed limit is by no means "unsafe" - despite the DMV and...

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Reviewing the 2010 Mazda CX-7

Reviewing the 2010 Mazda CX-7 There are at least two things about the Mazda CX-7 that make it stand out. One, it's got styling - and driving vivaciousness - above and beyond the more SUV-esque compact-to-medium-sized crossovers in its price range like the practical but dowdy-looking (and driving) Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4.Two, its MSRP of just under $22k to start is happily affordable compared with similarly snarky entry-luxury sportwagons such as the $32,520 Acura RDX - as well as the Toyota Venza ($26,275 to start) and also the new Honda Crosstour ($29,670).WHAT IT ISThe CX-7 is a medium-small five-passenger hatchback sportwagon available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive versions and with or without turbocharged engine.Prices...

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Reviewing the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander

Reviewing the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Everyone who knows abut cars knows about the EVO - Mitsubishi Motors' all-wheel-drive supercar. The problem for Mitsubishi is the rest of its lineup isn't as well-known - especially among people who aren't car freaks, who are the majority of the buying public.One of these is the Outlander - a sportier take on the mid-sized crossover wagon concept. Mitsubishi's intent is to lure buyers of Name Brand crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V by offering a bit more zip for a few less bucks. Should you take a look?WHAT IT ISThe Outlander is a sport-themed, 5-7 passenger crossover SUV with standard third row seating. It is available with either four or six-cylinder engines and FWD or AWD. Prices begin...

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presented bDiesel Pros and Cons

presented bDiesel Pros and Cons, Diesel-powered vehicles are making a big comeback - no surprise given renewed buyer interest in high-efficiency, long-life vehicles. But like gas-burners, diesels have their downsides as well as their upsides. Here's a look at both sides of the equation:Pros:* Excellent fuel economy - with excellent performance - Many people remember the days when "diesel" meant "slow." But modern diesel engines such as those offered by VW (Jetta TDI) and BMW (330d) and Mercedes (E350 BlueTec) can deliver 40-plus MPGs - not far off the pace of complex, expensive and slow gas-electric hybrids - while getting the cars they're in to 60 mph in as little as 7 seconds.In a large truck such as the current GM 2500 HD series or Ford...

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Break the Insurance Cartel's Power

Break the Insurance Cartel's Power, A reader wrote in response to an article I did on the tyranny of mandatory insurance laws. He had been hit while on his motorcycle - and crippled for life - by an oblivious driver who ran a light. He told me he believes that not only should insurance be mandatory but that all drivers should be required by law to have at least $250k in liability insurance - or about twice the current maximums required in many states. There is a saying, "hard cases make bad law."It means an emotional desire, in the wake of a horrible incident, to "do something" about it. This often takes the form of pushing for a new law to more severely punish those responsible for causing harm/damage - and also (so it's argued) to deter...

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Best Chrome Place

For automotive enthusiasts, I think this is useful information to add beauty to your vehicle, especially on the vehicle that can give the sensation is more luxurious, such as lamps, wheels and parts of vehicles that can be slightly modifiedOne of them gives a touch of chrome on every curve of your vehicle, to make it look more luxurious, and more elegant, I will tell you where the best chrome quality with top-quality stainless steel, with auto-grade 3M adhesive for a quick "stick on" installation , and all materials used are very classy, and also this that makes anti-rust chrome trim company, won praise and trust of its customers.The company provides all kinds accessorize for your vehicle, ranging from chrome to lights, alloy wheels, part lampshades...

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Reviewing the 2010 Infiniti EX35

Reviewing the 2010 Infiniti EX3, Why have car-based "crossover" wagons becoming so popular? That's simple enough. They're roomy like SUVs, usually look rugged like an SUV - and do about as well in the rain and snow as a truck-based SUV does - but without the truck-based SUV's typically clunky handling and hearty thirst for fuel. Almost all of them have one big downside, however.That downside - if you're an enthusiast driver - is that nearly all current crossover wagons are based on front-wheel-drive layouts, usually with an all-wheel-drive system of some kind available optionally. If you want rear wheel drive (with a RWD-based AWD system) and the superior high-speed handling/balance that comes with it, you're pretty much out of luck. One of...

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Iowa car dealerships

If we are talking about dealers, then we would already know the dealer is the best place to select high-quality vehicles and a place to repair vehicles that have been guaranteed. now I'll invite you to see the biggest dealer in Iowa, the Iowa Car dealerships, with complete facilities and customer satisfaction is a very in priorityA little info about anything, the services provided by the Car Dealer Iowa, for those who seek a car with the best quality, you will not be wrong again if visiting this dealership you will find detailed information for the car, whether old or new cars, even new product expenditures already complete, so you do not have to worry anymore or confused to find gear for your car or the type of car you're looking forEspecially...

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Too Many Cars, Not Enough Market?

Too Many Cars, Not Enough Market? As we watch the slow-motion train wreck that is the dying global automotive business, it's easy to blame the economic situation for the debacle. And it's certainly a contributing factor. Or more precisely, an accelerating factor. It has made matters worse - and faster.However, so far, there has been little discussion of the overcapacity issue that underlies the problem - and which is far more serious and which has been quietly bleeding the industry white for years now. What's "overcapacity"? Too many vehicles chasing not enough market.The industry - that's all the carmakers put together - tries to sell on the order of 11-12 million new cars every year because that's how many cars they build. The problem is...

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Five Ford Fails

Five Ford Fails, America's Big Three have had more than their share of bad ideas over the past 20 years. Let's look at Ford's flops first.* Lincoln Mark VIII (1993-1998) - This car snuffed what had been a successful franchise for Ford. In the '80s, the Mark VII (http://www.carmild.com) was thought of by many as an American take on the Mercedes-Benz SL500. Like the big Benz, it had the substantial look of a lead ingot carved with the precision of a laser beam. It was powerful, too. The car shared the same basic drivetrain used in the same-era Ford Mustang GT, including its High Output 5.0 V-8. It also had an air-adjustable suspension, bolstered euro-style sport buckets, a full gauge package and was one of the first American-brand cars to come...

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Cars That Drive Themselves

Cars That Drive Themselves, People seem to like this idea. It makes my flesh crawl. Well, maybe not that extreme. But the idea does depress me.A big part of what makes driving enjoyable is the freedom and control it gives you, the individual. It is your car and you are in charge of directing its course, of deciding how to get there. You can choose your route and proceed at whatever speed seems reasonable to you. If you like, you can stop for a cup of coffee. Or to admire a scenic view.You control your destiny. You are a driver.If cars drive themselves, then you become a passenger. A passive pound of flesh transported by the intelligence of and under the direction of someone (or some thing) else. You get there when someone else decides you get...

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The Economy and The Classic Car Hobby

The Economy and The Classic Car Hobby, How has the bad economy been affecting the classic car hobby? On the upside, certain classic cars - especially muscle cars from the '60s and '70s - have suddenly become more affordable.Though we've seen some of these - such as Hemi-equipped '60s and early '70s-era Chryslers - top $200,000 at auctions, these cars have always fundamentally been working and and middle class cars. While the value of especially rare ones - the Hemi 'Cudas and Chargers; 427 Super Yenko Camaros; Boss Mustangs, etc. - will always be high, the overall "price of entry" has been coming back to a more accessible level for many of these cars.Even now - with the full extent of the economy's troubles likely only beginning to dawn on...

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Reviewing the 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe

Reviewing the 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe Here's something uncommon: a manual six-speed transmission as an available feature in a medium-sized crossover SUV. The 2010 Hyundai Sante Fe is almost unique in this respect.But it's not the only area where the new Sante Fe offers something different - or simply more appealing.WHAT IT ISThe Sante Fe is a medium-sized, five-passenger crossover SUV available with front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive - and four or six-cylinder engines. It's about the size of a Chevy Equinox but costs less across the board. Base price for the four cylinder/manual-equipped front-drive GLS is $21,695 (vs. $22,615 for the Equinox).A top-of-the-line Limited with V-6 and AWD carries sticker price of $28,595 (vs. $29,970 for the similarly...

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