While many still believe that Buicks are for old men/ladies, I have always really enjoyed the comfort of them, as well as the decent power they provide. They may look like they are not all that sexy, but if you don't care all that much about looking cool, they definitely provide a nice driving experience. I guess you can still wear some pond pumps while you drive to feel a little younger with your environmental help out.
Buicks have a well-earned reputation for appealing to older drivers. That’s not a bad thing. I’m older (well, more mature), drive my wife’s Buick Park Avenue when she lets me, and we both enjoy what the PA has to offer.
I recall when I drove the PA years ago that I called it the American Jaguar. In a sense it is, because the styling is similar to the XJ sedan and the performance, while not quite in the Jaguar league, ain’t bad.
The LaCrosse is designed to replace the Park Avenue, and, oddly, the one we had for a test was silver, had a waterfall grille and had Park Avenue-like styling. The only major difference was that the LaCrosse has bucket seats while our Park Avenue has a bench with a fold-down armrest that converts it to two separate seats.
The other major difference is that the Park Avenue has a 3.8-liter V6 while the LaCrosse has a 3.6-liter V6. Power is up in the smaller engine to 280 horsepower and 259 lb.-ft. of torque. Power reaches the wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission, better than the four in the PA. full review
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ford Uses High-Tech Goggles to Keep Eyes on the Road
Ford's Human Machine Interface Verification Laboratory, better known as its "Distraction Lab", has been doing research to help reduce driver distraction on the road. The final phase of its research into the cause and effects of distracted driving, is the use of high-tech goggles that measure the amount of time drivers take their eyes off the road to help validate in-vehicle technologies such as GPS navigation systems.
Ford engineers and technologists use the data to accelerate the safer design of telematics systems that keep drivers connected and informed. A nice bcbsnc health care plan is still recommended ;).
"Occlusion testing is faster and a lot more efficient than other methods for determining eyes-off-road time and the potential for visual distraction," said John Shutko, Ford technical specialist in Human Factors and Ergonomics. "In the past, we used occlusion testing primarily to verify other research, but over the past couple of years we've been able to develop test models with the technology that allows us to rapidly complete research faster than ever before." read more
Ford engineers and technologists use the data to accelerate the safer design of telematics systems that keep drivers connected and informed. A nice bcbsnc health care plan is still recommended ;).
"Occlusion testing is faster and a lot more efficient than other methods for determining eyes-off-road time and the potential for visual distraction," said John Shutko, Ford technical specialist in Human Factors and Ergonomics. "In the past, we used occlusion testing primarily to verify other research, but over the past couple of years we've been able to develop test models with the technology that allows us to rapidly complete research faster than ever before." read more
2010 Jaguar XK Review
Image from theautochannel.com
Enough of the hybrid nonsense for today. Let's talk about luxury. The Jaguar is just one of those brands that bleeds luxury, and the smell of big money. It is a brand that many dream to have in their garage, but most of us just don't have the cash to spend on something like transportation, and for the most part showing off. We;'re lucky to have the spare cash to buy a Ladybug cleaner, much less a Jag.
Never mind that Jags have had a well-deserved reputation for quality issues (since eliminated thanks to years under Ford’s umbrella) and, of course, the dreaded Lucas electrical system (also eliminated). Jaguars have a certain panache that any manufacturer would love to emulate.
The 2010 XK is a perfect example of the direction Jaguar has been heading over the past few years and where it has positioned itself. For example, at one time it would have been unthinkable for a Jaguar XK not to have a stick shift. The new XK now has Jaguar DriveSelect, first introduced on the XF. This consists of a knob that rises out of the center console when the engine fires. Simply turn the knob to choose your gear (automatic, of course). Even after a week I found myself reaching for the lever that I felt should have been on the steering column. I guess you learn… full review
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid Review
Time to get back into posting reviews of hybrids since gas seems to be creeping up a little again. We always get lulled into a calm before the storm with these things, and then some BS reason for raising them arises and there we are again. Way back up there. Following these things would make you have to purchases a huge stock of wrinkle creams to keep the age off, but what can you do about it? I guess looking at hybrids is the way to go. Funnily enough the rise in these more fuel efficient cars, which would theoretically lower the demand for gas doesn't cause the price to go down. Who would have thought the gas prices didn't really revolve around demand?
The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid is a Ford vehicle, and while most think of Toyota as the be all end all of hybrid technology, Ford has proven that theirs is just as advanced. Ford has expanded its hybrid offerings for model year 2010, adding the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids to the existing Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids.
And, if you're a technology-savvy person under the age of AARP eligibility, it's likely that you're not thinking "Mercury" as an entry-luxury car. Maybe you should - Mercury has moved beyond your grandfather's Grand Marquis. The Milan, and in particular the Milan Hybrid, is made with you in mind.
The Hybrid sits atop the Milan lineup, which is also offered in four-cylinder base and Premier and V6 Premier and Premier AWD models. The four-cylinder engine is new, larger in displacement at 2.5 liters, and more powerful, with 175 hp. In modified form it is the internal combustion part of the Hybrid's drivetrain. The 3.0-liter V6 has been further developed to now make 240 horsepower, up from 221. Transmissions are six-speed, with a manual standard in the base four-cylinder and automatics in the others. All versions feature revised exterior and interior styling. full review
The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid is a Ford vehicle, and while most think of Toyota as the be all end all of hybrid technology, Ford has proven that theirs is just as advanced. Ford has expanded its hybrid offerings for model year 2010, adding the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids to the existing Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids.
And, if you're a technology-savvy person under the age of AARP eligibility, it's likely that you're not thinking "Mercury" as an entry-luxury car. Maybe you should - Mercury has moved beyond your grandfather's Grand Marquis. The Milan, and in particular the Milan Hybrid, is made with you in mind.
The Hybrid sits atop the Milan lineup, which is also offered in four-cylinder base and Premier and V6 Premier and Premier AWD models. The four-cylinder engine is new, larger in displacement at 2.5 liters, and more powerful, with 175 hp. In modified form it is the internal combustion part of the Hybrid's drivetrain. The 3.0-liter V6 has been further developed to now make 240 horsepower, up from 221. Transmissions are six-speed, with a manual standard in the base four-cylinder and automatics in the others. All versions feature revised exterior and interior styling. full review
Monday, October 12, 2009
Blue Book Report: Compacts on the Rise, Stabilization Years Away
According to the Kelley Blue Book website, the small car market is seeing a bit of a rise in value, after it using the best fat burner on values when the gas prices stabilized. They also took a look at what the whole "Cash For Clunkers" program did to auto prices recently.
"Several cars that might have been traded in were scrapped in the last few months through the 'Cash for Clunkers' program and new-car inventories are just as low, helping to drive used-vehicle values up," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst, Kelley Blue Book. "The compact market may have actually gotten too low this year due to irrational behavior and the overcorrection of the economy and gas prices."
The 'Cash for Clunkers' program concluded on August 24, yet its effects are still rippling through the automotive industry. While new-vehicle sales for July and August outpaced any other month this year, September sales have shown that the lift to new-car sales was only temporary.
"Many manufacturers increased production levels in August as it became clear that the 'Cash for Clunkers' program was moving metal and shrinking inventories," said Gutierrez. "With that increased production call taking place in August, those new inventories should be hitting showrooms in the next 30 days; however, it remains to be seen if demand will be sufficient to support the increased levels of inventory coming into the market."
"Several cars that might have been traded in were scrapped in the last few months through the 'Cash for Clunkers' program and new-car inventories are just as low, helping to drive used-vehicle values up," said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst, Kelley Blue Book. "The compact market may have actually gotten too low this year due to irrational behavior and the overcorrection of the economy and gas prices."
The 'Cash for Clunkers' program concluded on August 24, yet its effects are still rippling through the automotive industry. While new-vehicle sales for July and August outpaced any other month this year, September sales have shown that the lift to new-car sales was only temporary.
"Many manufacturers increased production levels in August as it became clear that the 'Cash for Clunkers' program was moving metal and shrinking inventories," said Gutierrez. "With that increased production call taking place in August, those new inventories should be hitting showrooms in the next 30 days; however, it remains to be seen if demand will be sufficient to support the increased levels of inventory coming into the market."
Saturday, October 3, 2009
AAA: 62% of Americans That Drive Their Cars In Severe Conditions Do It Unknowingly
A study by AAA this month has found that the majority of Americans who drive their vehicles under one or more sever conditions do so unknowingly. AAA looked at the typical maintenance schedules of vehicles, which usually contain 2 different sets of maintenance schedules. One for normal driving, and one for severe driving. They found that many people are using the wrong maintenance schedule due to now knowing they are actually participating in one or more severe driving conditions regularly. They list these as the typical severe driving situations:
-- Drive on short trips of less than 5 miles in normal temperatures or
less than 10 miles in freezing temperatures.
-- Drive in hot weather stop-and-go traffic.
-- Drive at low speeds of less than 50 miles per hour for long distances.
-- Drive on roads that are dusty, muddy or have salt, sand or gravel
spread on the surface.
-- Tow a trailer, carrying a camper (if a pickup truck) or transport
items on a roof rack or in a car-top carrier.
Most Americans wouldn't consider most of these. Specifically the short trip ones since a lot of these are done like running to the store, gas station, etc. Living up north you are very likely to do this in the winter both as short trips and in salt infested roads. Living in the south you will do it in the other extreme of heat. What about that new RV you just got rv financing for and are stuck in traffic every time you take it out as you roll into a traffic jam for an hour or two trying to get into a campground?
I'm sure you can think of countless examples of yourself doing this, and it is likely that most of these are your typical driving experience.
AAA advises motorists they should:
-- Read their owner's manual and/or maintenance booklet.
-- Learn what the manufacturer considers normal and severe service
driving conditions for their vehicles.
-- Make an honest assessment of their driving habits.
-- Schedule service in accordance with the appropriate maintenance
schedule.
All common sense obviously, but most importantly is to figure out what kind of driving they do. You may actually be using the wrong maintenance schedule yourself all the time.
-- Drive on short trips of less than 5 miles in normal temperatures or
less than 10 miles in freezing temperatures.
-- Drive in hot weather stop-and-go traffic.
-- Drive at low speeds of less than 50 miles per hour for long distances.
-- Drive on roads that are dusty, muddy or have salt, sand or gravel
spread on the surface.
-- Tow a trailer, carrying a camper (if a pickup truck) or transport
items on a roof rack or in a car-top carrier.
Most Americans wouldn't consider most of these. Specifically the short trip ones since a lot of these are done like running to the store, gas station, etc. Living up north you are very likely to do this in the winter both as short trips and in salt infested roads. Living in the south you will do it in the other extreme of heat. What about that new RV you just got rv financing for and are stuck in traffic every time you take it out as you roll into a traffic jam for an hour or two trying to get into a campground?
I'm sure you can think of countless examples of yourself doing this, and it is likely that most of these are your typical driving experience.
AAA advises motorists they should:
-- Read their owner's manual and/or maintenance booklet.
-- Learn what the manufacturer considers normal and severe service
driving conditions for their vehicles.
-- Make an honest assessment of their driving habits.
-- Schedule service in accordance with the appropriate maintenance
schedule.
All common sense obviously, but most importantly is to figure out what kind of driving they do. You may actually be using the wrong maintenance schedule yourself all the time.
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