Wednesday, March 30, 2011

2011 Honda Accord Sedan Review

The 2011 Honda Accord comes in a few varieties of flavors. The SE, the EX, and the EX-L. Yeah...they are all increasing in expense. The SE being the most affordable of the 3 and the equivalent of adipex weight loss on features.

What don't you get with the SE that you would with a more-expensive EX or EX-L? Climate control is single-zone, like the EX, not dual-zone like the EX-L. There's a minijack for an external audio player, not a USB port. No moonroof, and the inside rear-view mirror is not auto-dimming. XM satellite radio and a built-in navigation system are not offered although you can pick them up for a little more cost. It is not a luxury car, but it has plenty to make it worth your time.

You can read a full review that gives more comparisons to the EX and EX-L.

2011 Jaguar XJ Review

That's my car right there. Jaguars I love them. Nothing better than a badass Jaguar to me. With the debut of the newest XJ in 2010, the remake of the Jaguar lineup was completed, and stylistic nostalgia became nostalgia.

The 2011 Jaguar XJ is one pretty looking ride. Kicking back with a
discount davidoff cigars while cruising the town has never been more stylish.

Of course I can't afford one so all I can do is read reviews of people that get to driv them for free. Silly car testers. How nice of a job would that be if you really think about it? You get to chill out in Jaguars, BMWs, Mercedes, and LExus' for your job and likely get to keep them for a week or so and take a lkong trip. HEad out of town and hit up the hotels like you are a high roller and bag some girls :).

Here is the review I read.

2011 Mazda2 Hatchback Review

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "hatchback"? For me I think it is this old car I used to have called a Chevrolet Citation II. Not just a Citation, but a "II"! Classy and comfortable. IT was actually a pretty solid car for me and it had ample space. I actually looked it up in Google and ran a crossed this video (mine was light/sky blue not this putrid brown *cough*) and laughed that someone made a 10 minute video (actually there is a part 2 that is another 5 minutes 0_o) just showign off their Citation II...lol

I suppose most think of the old Subaru wagons, or even the older Ford Escorts though. I even remember some Escort knockoff called the Renault Encore.

Anyways, hatchbacks have always been a car that have relatively good fuel efficiency for the most part unless they are heavy as hell like my Citation was back in all steel days. Heck I think they even used metal hose. They are classed as sub-compact cars now and the hatchback is no exception.

Here are the specs, and here is the review:

Model: 2011 Mazda2 Touring
Engine: 1.5-liter DOHC I4
Horsepower/Torque: 100 hp @ 6,000 rpm/98 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 98.0 in.
Length x Width x Height: 155.5 x 66.7 x 58.1 in.
Tires: P185/55R15 (temporary spare)
Cargo: 13.3/27.8 cu. Ft. (rear seat up/down)
Economy: 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29.8 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 11.3 gal.
Curb Weight: 2,359 lbs.
Sticker: $17,185 (includes $750 delivery charge, $200 in options (pearl paint)

2011 Chevy Volt First Reviews

The 2011 Chevy Volt has gotten a lot of press as to it being the next big thing in hybrids, fuel efficient, availability, price, is it real?, you name it. So what do those that have actually driven one have to say about it now?

According to Carey Russ of The Auto Channel: "It feels like, and is equipped like, a regular car. There are no discrete gears, so no shifting, much like an internal-combustion or hybrid car with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT)."

What Edmunds Says: The 2011 Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is arguably the most fuel-efficient car on the market, but it's pricey for what you get.

U.S. News says: "With plenty of test-drives under their belts, reviewers agree that the Volt, which is the 2011 North American Car of the Year, exceeds their expectations."

Of course this car was won car of the Year awards in many places, but everyone says that the price is just way too steep. The Volt’s MSRP is $41,000. You are able to factor in the federal government’s $7,500 plug-in car tax credit, but even after the credit, $33,500. Quite a lot for a mid-sized sedan, even if it is a hybrid with some of th ebest fuel-efficiency on the market.

The biggest issue for most is going to be the cost. If I'm going to buy a hybrid I want to save money on fuel. I'm not really buying it so that I can save the environment,as I don't think this is going to do that anyways. Should I spend $20K on a comparable sedan that costs me an extra $100 in gas? Am I really going to keep a car long enough to foot the bill of the car and achieve gas savings worth it? This is really the only concern I have. I'd rather buy the other car with more HP and pay for the gas with the $200 a month I am saving on my car loan and dump it into some NC short term health insurance so I don't have to get Canadacare.

Friday, March 4, 2011

2011 Geneva Motor Show Preview

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show beginning on March 3 lasts until March 13. The official site can be seen here, although it probably is less helpful than other sites like this which breaks things down better and aren't as one-sided.

The A to Z overviews there lists all the main attractions and gives a nice little preview of it all. Below is a promo preview video that gets you pumped up for everything coming during the week. Other than healthcare job sites the show is probably one of the most searched topics this week.