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ATTENTION, please: the winner of the 2008 Do-Over and Do-Again Award (known as “The Do-Do”) is the 2008 Ford Taurus and Taurus X.
The Do-Do recognizes the automaker who tries the hardest to compensate for not having taken full advantage of the opportunity when originally introducing a vehicle. And the Taurus and Taurus X were the odds-on favorites to win the Do-Do this year — most likely because I created the award with these very same vehicles in mind.
To understand the significance of this prestigious (aren’t they all?) award, it may be helpful to review a few basics.
Consumers who thought the Taurus was dead are right. It was replaced by the Ford Five Hundred, which was introduced as a 2005 model (though in fact Ford continued to turn out Tauri until October 2006 for the low-margin fleet market). At the same time, Ford introduced a crossover-wagon variant called the Freestyle.
But when the Five Hundred didn’t catch on, Ford decided to try an increasingly popular tactic: resurrecting the name of a well-known vehicle. That’s how the 2008 Five Hundred became the Taurus and the Freestyle became the Taurus X. It is unclear whether the Pinto or Mustang II names were ever considered.
A big reason Ford execs give for the name change is that “Taurus” is more familiar, but somebody apparently forgot to tell the salespeople. A late-August survey of about 300 Ford salespeople in 27 markets found 81 percent were not consistently calling the new vehicles “Taurus,” according to CNW Marketing Research of Bandon, Ore. About 20 percent admitted they always called the Taurus the Five Hundred.
In fairness, this is not just a name game. A lot of improvements have been made to the 2008 Taurus. Still, Ford redefines elasticity in the way it stretches the point with ads that declare the car to be the “all-new Taurus.”
There are two Taurus sedan models, the SEL and the Limited. Each is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The front-wheel drive SEL is $23,995, which includes plenty of standard equipment; one could stop there and not feel deprived. The Limited is fancier, with features including leather upholstery and a price starting at $27,595.
For the Taurus X, there are three trim levels: SEL, Eddie Bauer and Limited. The SEL is $27,365; the Eddie Bauer is $29,720 and the Limited is $30,700.
Those who face snow-covered hills can get all-wheel-drive versions of either the Taurus or the X for another $1,850. I tested a Taurus Limited with all-wheel drive. It had a base price of $29,445 and options including an easy-to-use navigation system ($1,995) and electronic stability control ($495), bringing the total to $32,605.
Later I tried a Taurus X Limited with all-wheel drive and a base price of $32,550. But Ford loaded that car up with options, including a navigation system, DVD player ($995) and the Limited Ultimate Package with a power liftgate and heated second-row seats ($825). The total came to $38,160.
The exteriors have been reworked, with the most noticeable change being the three-bar chrome grille that is becoming the shiny new face of Ford. When the Five Hundred and Freestyle were introduced, some top Ford execs worried that they looked too conservative, and this grille was the antidote.
There are no meaningful changes in the exterior or interior dimensions, so the sedan still has a huge expanse of legroom in the second row. In the Taurus X wagon, the second row legroom comes close to matching the sedan, but only when the second-row seat — which moves forward and backward 3.5 inches — is all the way back. Unfortunately when the second row is in its rearmost position, the third row is best suited to a small child.
Access to the third row is made easier because the second-row seats can be easily flipped forward. There is even a power seat-flipping option. But getting to the third row still takes the kind of hip-swivel-and-twist maneuver that is best left to youngsters or supple adults.
The sedan’s trunk is an enormous 21 cubic feet, which makes the luggage compartments of the main competitors from Honda, Toyota and Chrysler look more like ill-placed gloveboxes. And there is an ample amount of cargo space behind the third row in the Taurus X.
The interiors also look a little nicer, have more soundproofing and are comfortable places to be. Still, some of the heating and ventilation controls are too small, requiring a search-to-deploy approach.
The most important change is the switch to a more powerful (263 horsepower) 3.5-liter V-6 engine, said Michael Liubakka, the vehicle engineering manager for both the sedan and wagon.
Originally the Five Hundred and Freestyle came with a 3-liter V-6 rated at a mere 203 horsepower, which didn’t seem like much for such large vehicles. Ford executives scoffed at the scoffers, insisting there would be plenty of power. They suggested that the V-6 would work particularly well with Ford’s new continuously variable transmission because its use of belts — instead of a limited number of gears — would provide near-instant acceleration.
So much for Ford’s claims: the 3-liter V-6 is gone, along with the much-promoted variable transmission, which has been replaced with a new six-speed automatic developed jointly with General Motors.
The 60 extra horses are offset a little because the Taurus and Taurus X weigh some 75 to 100 pounds more. That pushes the all-wheel-drive Taurus X to about 4,200 pounds and the all-wheel-drive Taurus to 3,930 pounds.
Nevertheless, the new engine gives these vehicles the acceleration they needed from the beginning, albeit at the cost of scary thrills when merging onto a busy Interstate. Car and Driver magazine clocked the front-drive Taurus sedan at 6.8 seconds from zero to 60 m.p.h., about a second faster — a significant improvement — than the old Five Hundred.
In addition, the 3.5-liter V-6 plays well with the six-speed automatic, which goes about its gear-to-gear business in an eager and generally refined way.
The all-wheel-drive sedan is rated at 17 m.p.g. in the city and 24 m.p.g. on the highway, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s new ratings, which try to be more realistic. The front-drive sedan is rated at 18 m.p.g. city and 28 m.p.g. highway. The Taurus X is rated at 16 m.p.g. city and 24 m.p.g. highway with front-wheel drive and 15/22 with all-wheel drive.
From the beginning, the Five Hundred and Freestyle got good marks for their handling, although there were a few complaints that the ride was a bit stiff. The suspensions of the Taurus and Taurus X have been reworked with the goal of improving ride quality without a loss of handling prowess, Mr. Liubakka said.
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Indeed, the Taurus and Taurus X ride comfortably on rough surfaces and still handle surprisingly well for their size. They are not agile enough to delude the driver into imagining these are smaller vehicles. But it is reassuring to know that despite their bulk they can respond quickly under demanding circumstances like a surprisingly sharp turn.
The sedan’s capability was demonstrated while traveling briskly near Franconia, N.H., when a turn that appeared to be gentle suddenly hooked around and became much tighter. At the same time, instead of the road having nice, nurturing banking to help guide the car through the turn, the road was off camber. That means it was angled down and away as if the goal was to flummox suspensions and fling vehicles into the woods. The all-wheel-drive Taurus hunkered down and completed the turn without any trauma.
Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes as well as air curtains, which cover the side windows and offer head protection in a side-impact crash. The front seats also have seat-mounted air bags for chest protection. Studies have shown such equipment can significantly improve the chances of surviving a side-impact crash.
Another established lifesaver, electronic stability control, is standard only on the Taurus X. On the other models — including the fancy Limited version of the sedan — it is a $495 option. That’s an odd decision for a company that boasts about its emphasis on safety. Even the least expensive Honda Accord sedan comes with electronic stability control as standard fare, although it is an option on all Toyota Camrys except the Hybrid, on which it is standard.
The Taurus (and its close cousin, the Mercury Sable) is the top-rated family sedan in the severe front, side and rear crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; and when equipped with electronic stability control it gets the ultimate accolade of Top Safety Pick.
The Taurus X also gets the Top Safety Pick designation — one of only three domestic midsize S.U.V.’s to get that label. The other two are also from Ford: the Edge and the Lincoln MKX.
In the end, the 2008 Taurus and Taurus X are attractive vehicles, but not benchmarks. If only Ford had introduced the Five Hundred and Freestyle with these upgrades, the cars could have been blockbusters, the names destined to be legendary instead of historical footnotes.
But Ford fumbled badly and gave competitors like G.M. time to field ultra-competitive vehicles like the Buick Enclave, while Chrysler came out with its 300 and Dodge Charger sedans and Toyota and Honda created larger Camrys and Accords. It was generous of Ford to provide this grace period, but perhaps charity should have begun at home.
Benz fans will have little trouble figuring out what this model's name means - "C" stands for the C-class, Mercedes' smallest sedan. The "63" and "AMG" mean "watch out" - there's a 6.2-liter monster under the hood.
Stuffed in the C-class, the monster inhales enough fuel to spit out 451 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. And that's enough to propel the 3800-lb four-door in 4.5 seconds.
The twin power bulges in the hood give the impression that the monster is trying to get out. (Did his horns make the ridges?) The AMG-specific front fascia has large intake holes that let enough air in for the monster to breathe, and hot air from his oil coolers out through the vents in its side.
The C63 receives rear treatment similar to the CLK 63 AMG Black Series - a small, carbon-fiber-look rear spoiler and a large black diffuser with pronounced fins. Four chrome tailpipes broadcast the monster's scream to the world.AMG modified the basic C-class front suspension kinematics by designing an all-new three-link front setup that widens the track by 35 mm and doubles the suspension's wheel-locating rigidity. As part of the AMG sports suspension calibration, the C63 also gets a larger anti-roll bar, new suspension bearings, and stiffer dampers. In the rear, AMG increased the track by 12 mm, added more negative camber, and substituted more robust drive shafts. The AMG sports steering has a quick 13.5:1 ratio, which, combined with the suspension changes, should result in improved steering feedback.
No AMG model would be complete without big wheels, so the C63 AMG comes with staggered eighteens wearing 235/40 rubber in front, 255/35 in rear. Optional are nineteen-inch alloys that are 8.0 inches wide, 9.0 rear (the eighteens are 8.0 and 8.5), but are wrapped in the same width rubber. Hiding behind the front wheels are enormous 360-mm cross-drilled rotors straddled by six-piston calipers. The rear rotors are also cross-drilled (unlike the standard C-class) and measure 330 mm. Four-piston calipers are sufficient there - apparently twenty pistons' worth of braking force is enough to quiet even this monster.
The C63 AMG uses the familiar seven-speed Mercedes automatic. We've lamented the lack of smoothly executed, predictable downshifts from this transmission in previous AMG applications, but that's now fixed. This version, called the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic, adds the first-ever blip-throttle downshifts in a Mercedes. Like before, the transmission has three shift modes, C (comfort), S (sport), which reduces gearchange times by thirty percent, and M (manual), which cuts them by fifty percent - and will hold the monster up against his rev-limiter (presumably reading him his Miranda rights) until further instruction from the driver.
The C63 is also the first AMG model to feature a three-stage stability control. Previous AMG ESP systems have been either on or off - this new version adds an ESP Sport mode that is activated by holding the ESP button for a few seconds. ESP Sport mode raises the system's thresholds to eliminate unwanted interventions during spirited driving. In all modes, ESP is active under braking, and continues to provide limited-slip duty.
We've just spent some time in a C350 Sport, and walked away impressed. The C63, then, should be a stellar performer. This fall, we'll see the new BMW M3, the Lexus IS-F, and shortly thereafter, the Cadillac CTS-V, and while none of those cars will have an underhood monster of such large proportions, they will all likely be as quick as the AMG.
Thus, the biggest differences will come down to the details. And that comparison test will be a spectator event so compelling that it'll drag even the most bashful monsters out from under the bed to watch.
It all began as the GT-R Proto, now it's almost a reality.
Our friends at GT Channel will have an opportunity see the 2009 Nissan GT-R first hand a few days before Tokyo Motor Show and then again in Chiba. More and more news has trickled out and the latest bit of information is regarding individual trim levels and the actual model designation.
Purportedly using a chassis designation of CBA-R35, at least initially, the new GT-R will come in three trim levels: base, Black Edition (Black Bird, anyone?) and and Premium, all using the VR38DETT engine. It will be available in five colors, Titanium Gray, Dark Metal Blue, Super Black, Vibrant Red, Ultimate Metal Silver and White Pearl—the latter two colors being premium paints will cost extra. Interior colors will be limited to black and gray. However, the Black Edition will only be available with a black interior, appropriately so.
The Base model GT-R will reportedly come with chrome Rays forged wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sports tires . One of the base vehicle options includes a Tire and Wheel package; for some more cash you'll get Bridgestone Potenza tires with gunmetal Rays wheels (this option is only available on the Base as this is standard on the Black and Premium edition vehicles). Anti-Theft and Bose sound will be optional on the Base and Black edition, but standard on the Premium trim. SRS curtain airbags and side airbags will be optional on all three trims.
As reported earlier this summer, length and wheelbase on the new GT-R will be 4650mm and 2800mm; that's about 183-inches and 110-inches, respectively, for the mathematically-impaired. Always known for being a wideboy, the new GT-R has an overall width of 1350mm, again 53-inches, in case you don't want to do the math. For comparison's sake, the current G35 coupe (seeing a complete redesign this fall) has an overall length of 182-inches, a width of 71-inches and a wheelbase of 112-inches. So, the GT-R is a tiny bit longer than the G coupe with less overhang.
Sticking to the winning VQ family of engines, the GT-R will use a modified (forged-everything) 3.8L twin-turbo with the AWD six-speed transmission. Expect power to range from a minimum of 450 to almost 550 on the higher-end GT-R--yes, higher-end GT-R is a bit redundant. Curb weight on the 911 Turbo is around 3,500 lbs and it also produces a claimed 480 hp. That gives the German sports car a power-to-weight ratio of 7.1; we expect the GT-R will weigh in around the same as the 911.
There were rumors that Nissan was testing a seven-speed, but given that Nissan is attempting to price vehicle from $60,000 to $95,000 anything goes. Again, if Nissan plans on offering carbon brakes, what's another gear in the grand scheme of things?
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Q&A: Is the Tiny Smart Car a Dumb Idea? It’s hip, it’s fuel-efficient, and it’s cheap. Smart USA’s president explains why he's betting on this tiny Euro two-seater gaining traction in the United States. WEB EXCLUSIVE By Tara Weingarten Newsweek Updated: 1:51 p.m. MT Sept 18, 2007
Sept. 18, 2007 - Sometimes big ideas—and sellers—come in small packages. At least that’s what Daimler (the Mercedes-Benz folks) think of their Smart Car, an eight-and-a-half-feet-lon g, five-and-a-half-feet-wide two-seater that’s been popular in European cities for more than a decade. Now the Smart Car is headed to the United States. But can a car not much bigger than a golf cart make a dent in SUV-loving America?
The French-built Smarts come rolling off container ships in January. The company says it has already received 30,000 preorders, each involving a $99 deposit. “Americans are begging for this car,” says Smart USA President David C. Schembri. To be more exact, it’s Americans living in cities along both coasts that seem most interested in getting a Smart, which starts at $12,000 and gets about 40 mpg. NEWSWEEK’s Tara Weingarten talked to Schembri about how a Smart might do in a run-in with an SUV, why Consumer Reports hated the Smart, and if Americans are too fat to fit in such a small car. Excerpts:
NEWSWEEK: In America bigger is better. People think it means safer, even if that’s not true. Who wants a bite-size car? David C. Schembri: I love this question. The logical conclusion to that question is that we should all be driving locomotives or 18-wheelers. The answer is we should all be getting smaller, as every other market in the world has done, for a variety of reasons including safety, economy, environmental and urban congestion issues.
Yeah, but really people aren’t forsaking the SUV. So are you dead meat if you’re hit while driving a Smart? Any time you’re hit by an SUV it’s a dangerous situation. It doesn’t matter what you’re driving. But the Smart will work hard to protect you. The safety management system of the Smart is a safety cell, a reinforced steel cage that acts very much like a NASCAR roll cage. You’ll notice that you sit up high, eye-to-eye with other drivers, so this also allows crash energy to be absorbed underneath the car. And there are standard safety features that are usually found only in luxury automobiles, like the electronic stability program, four front airbags, including head and thorax protection, ABS brakes and something called electronic brake-force distribution that helps the car stop fast. This is a tough car. It’s David vs. Goliath.
A recent Consumer Reports review of Smart claims it's "one of the worst cars they've ever tested." What gives? They tested a car that was never intended for the American market. It was a European version and doesn’t have many of the stringent safety specs that are required here in the States. There are about 90 new parts on the American version that were not on the version Consumer Reports tested.
Another uniquely American trait is that we’re fat. Do you have to be as skinny as an Olsen twin to fit? I have a friend who weighs 500 pounds, and he had no problem comfortably fitting inside. I’ve also had two people in it who are six-foot-eight, and they had no problems. It’s incredibly roomy and tall inside. It’s as tall as any standard car.
With just two seats, it’s the perfect car for the friendless. And you don’t have to be nice and offer people rides. Actually, it’s the perfect car for teenagers. What better car to buy for your teenager than one without a back seat?
Now you’re taking away all their fun. No, not for that reason. The latest research shows that the biggest reason teens get in accidents is because of distractions from backseat riders. This solves the problem.
Is this just a do-good-mobile that’s all marketing hype? Smart is light, just 1,750 pounds, and we’re seeing about 40 mpg combined city and highway driving, though it’s not yet rated by the EPA. You feel good driving it, and you start to feel a sense of social responsibility from it. I equate it with other natural resources. If you’re in a restaurant alone, you wouldn’t order dinner for five, would you? Why drive a car large enough for five people if you’re just driving alone? You can help out other drivers by taking up a smaller parallel parking space, consume less fuel, thereby helping the environment, and feel great about it. Why is that bad?
What’s Smart’s coolest feature? Its size.
So will your marketing campaign say “Size Matters”? I don’t want to give you that sound bite.
About 38 hours per commuter, study finds, and it's gotten worse over time
WASHINGTON - Drivers waste nearly an entire work week each year sitting in traffic on the way to and from their jobs, according to a national study released Tuesday.
The nation’s drivers languished in traffic delays for a total of 4.2 billion hours in 2005, up from 4 billion the year before, according to the Texas Traffic Institute’s urban mobility report. That’s about 38 hours per driver.
“Things are bad and they’re getting worse,” said Alan Pisarsky, a transportation expert and the author of “Commuting in America.”
“We’ve used up the capacity that had been bequeathed to us by a previous generation, and we haven’t replaced it,” Pisarsky said.
The study summed it up this way: “Too many people, too many trips over too short of a time period on a system that is too small.”
$78 billion tab cited The study estimates that drivers wasted 2.9 billion gallons of fuel while sitting in traffic. That's about 26 gallons a year per driver.
Together with the lost time, traffic delays cost the nation $78.2 billion, the study estimates.
High gasoline prices appear to have cut into optional driving but not commuting to work, said David Schrank, an associate research scientist at the Texas Transportation Institute, which is part of Texas A&M University.
“We’re really not seeing drops in the peak travel times,” said Schrank, a co-author of the study.
About three-quarters of all commuters drive alone to work, according to census data.
The study provided detailed information on traffic congestion in the nation’s 85 largest metropolitan areas.
The Los Angeles metro area had the worst congestion, delaying drivers an average of 72 hours a year. It was followed by Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington and Dallas.
The least congested metro areas were Spokane, Wash., and Brownsville, Texas, where drivers were delayed an average of eight hours a year.
No silver bullet seen The study offers a menu of options for addressing congestion, including adding roads or lanes where needed, improving public transportation and changing driving patterns through flexible work schedules, telecommuting and carpooling.
“The problem has grown too rapidly and is too complex for only one technology or service to be ’the solution’ in most regions,” the report said.
"The good news," study co-author Tim Lomax said, "is that there are multiple strategies involving traffic operations and public transit available right now that if applied together, can lessen this problem."
Atlanta has the second worst congestion in the country, though there has been some improvement, according to the study. In 2005, Atlanta drivers wasted an average of 60 hours a year in traffic delays — down from 70 hours a decade earlier.
A 2005 task force appointed by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue called for directing more resources toward mitigating traffic congestion in the Atlanta area.
But the region’s population is growing so fast that planners are having a tough time dealing with the increase in automobiles, said Jane Hayse, chief of transportation planning for the Atlanta Regional Commission.
“With the pace of growth that we have here, it’s pretty difficult to reduce congestion,” Hayse said. “Trying to keep it at today’s level is really our goal.”
The Atlanta metropolitan area added 890,000 people from 2000 to 2006, more than any other metro area in the country, according to census estimates. There were 5.1 million people in the Atlanta area in 2006.
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Older motorists are allowed hands-free devices — but minors aren't
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A message from the state of California to its 16- and 17-year-olds: Dnt txt n drv — thx.
A law signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday will require those teens to put down all cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. Older drivers will be able to use hands-free devices but minors won’t enjoy that luxury — in part because of the popularity of text-messaging among teens.
“The simple fact is that teenage drivers are more easily distracted. They are young, inexperienced and have a slower reaction time,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement after he signed the legislation into law. “We want to eliminate any extra distractions so they can focus on paying attention to the road and being good drivers.” Story continues below ↓advertisement
The law barring cell phone use by drivers under 18 will take effect July 1, as will the law restricting cell phone use among older drivers, which the governor signed last year.
Violators will be fined $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses. Both laws include exceptions for drivers who need to make emergency calls.
Schwarzenegger’s signature means California joins 15 states and the District of Columbia in banning the use of wireless communication devices for teenage drivers. Nearly a dozen other states are considering similar action, according to the American Automobile Association.
Drivers using cell phones more likely to crash Cell phone use may pose danger in hospitals
The governor cited statistics by the California Highway Patrol that cell phone use is a primary cause of accidents caused by distracted drivers. He also referred to a Ford Motor Co. study saying teens are four times more likely to be distracted than adults by cell phone use.
A 2001 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 16-year-old drivers have a crash rate three times higher than that of 17-year-olds, five times greater than 18-year-olds and almost 10 times greater than drivers ages 30-59.
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It's the Great American Ritual-washing the car. You get your bucket of soapy water and a sponge, fire up the garden hose and go to work. Your neighbor in the adjoining driveway does the same. But he's assembled a whole array of car care implements, including brushes, cotton swabs, a toothbrush and a plethora of cleaning, conditioning and dressing products. By the time you've dried off the body, slapped a coat of wax on the finish and buffed it out, your neighbor is only up to square two. So you move on to the other Great American Ritual-the backyard barbecue, leaving your neighbor elbow-deep in his bucket of soapsuds.
Later, after scarfing down your fifth hot dog and third ear of corn, you saunter over to your neighbor on the pretext of offering him a barbecued chicken thigh. But you really want to see the kind of job he's doing. His vehicle is about the same vintage and in the same condition as yours, but his car gleams like a jewel. Yours just looks clean.
What's your neighbor's secret? He went the detailing route-a process that goes beyond the ordinary wash-and-wax job. Detailing is just that-paying close attention to small details. Sure, it takes a lot more time and effort, but the results can be nothing short of eye popping.
Professional detailers have developed their own tricks of the trade for everything from vehicle washing to cleaning windows to getting ventilation grilles looking supercrisp. To get their results, use products designed for specific areas-wheels, trim, windows, etc. Name-brand products are a safe bet. Be sure to read labels to get the best finish.
Where To Start
The interior is a good starting point, so the dust and dirt you brush out won't settle on a pristine exterior. Remove any floor mats and give the carpeting and upholstery a good vacuuming. Also vacuum the dash and rear parcel shelf. Move the front seats full fore and aft to get to all the accumulated dirt and loose change. If the carpets are clean except for a minor stain or two, use a foaming cleaner to get them out. Saturate the stain with cleaner, working it in with a damp sponge. Let it sit awhile and then blot it out with paper towels or a dry cotton cloth. Repeat if necessary, and then go over the area with a damp sponge before final blotting. Don't oversaturate the carpet and risk getting mildew.
You can repair burns and holes in your carpet by cutting out the offending area with a razor blade or scissors. Then cut a similar-size piece from a hidden spot, such as underneath the seat, and cement it in place using a water-resistant adhesive. Blend in the repair by brushing the nap.
Wash the floor mats, if they're rubber, and apply a dressing that does not leave a slippery finish, for obvious reasons.
Clean interior hard surfaces with a damp cloth and a mild all-purpose cleaner such as Simple Green, diluted about 10:1. If you have vinyl-covered seats, use a conditioner made for that material. Avoid products that give a high-gloss, slippery surface, so passengers won't feel like they're on a roller coaster. If you have leather upholstery, dress the surfaces with a leather conditioner. Never use a vinyl product on leather.
Worn or torn areas of vinyl can be repaired using kits made for this purpose that are available at auto supply stores. Repairs are made with a patch that lets you match the color and grain of your upholstery. Worn areas of leather can be touched up with dyes or a high-grade shoe polish. Just make sure you match the color as closely as possible. Use a Q-tip to scour interior recesses that have collected dust.
The dash presents a special challenge, with buttons, crevices and bezels that you can't get to with a cleaning rag. You can blast dust and dirt from these areas by using small cans of compressed air made for cleaning camera and computer equipment. Cotton swabs also work well here. Pay attention to the cleaning products you use on your dash. If your dash has a flat finish, don't use a product on it that will leave you facing a shiny gloss.
Clean air vent grilles with cotton swabs and brighten them up by misting on some spray-on vinyl/rubber dressing or accent spray-just a touch. You can also use these products to cover up light scuff marks on wood trim. Spray the stuff on a soft towel and then apply it to the wood.
Clean glass or plastic gauge lenses with a glass or plastic cleaner, not wax. Pull off any removable knobs to clean the bezels underneath. Ever wonder where the haze on the inside of your windshield comes from since you don't smoke? It consists of plastisols given off as the plastics used in many new cars slowly cure. Not to worry-a good glass cleaner should remove it. If your windows are really cruddy, you may have to resort to stronger measures, such as scrubbing with 4-ought steel wool.
A Word Of Caution
If you have aftermarket window tint film, it may be degraded by cleaners that contain ammonia or vinegar. Factory tinting is in the glass and is not affected by these cleaners. One trick used by some detailers for the final touch on window glass is to rinse it down with seltzer and do a final wipe with a ball of crumpled newspaper.
When it comes to first impressions, nothing makes a hit like a jewel finish. But this is possible only after any paint problems are corrected. Just about all finishes today are a 2-step (color) basecoat and a protective clearcoat. The top clearcoat is only about 2-3 mils thick, and when it gets scratched or abraded it refracts light and the color coat underneath doesn't shine through clearly. It's like looking through a scratched or foggy lens.
To evaluate your paint, first wash your vehicle. Work in the shade and make sure the surface is cool. Use a carwash soap, not a household detergent, and work in sections, from the top down. The lower panels tend to accumulate more abrasive dirt. To do a final rinse, remove the spray head from the hose and flood the finish. The water will tend to run off in sheets, minimizing spotting. Dry with a good-quality chamois or a soft thick-nap terry cloth towel.
Don't forget the wheel wells. Get the crud out with an all-purpose cleaner and a good high-pressure dousing. After you've finished washing your car, apply a vinyl dressing to add some snap to the wells.
Wash the wheels (make sure they're cool) with a brush made for this purpose, but do not use acid-based cleaners on polished alloy wheels or wheels that are clearcoated. You can use these cleaners on rough-textured alloy wheels. Chrome wheels can be gleamed up with metal polish or glass cleaner.
After washing the car, inspect the paint. Stains and scratches can be attacked with a good clearcoat-safe cleaner. The worse the problem, the more aggressive the cleaner needed. Start off with the least abrasive product and gradually move to coarser cleaners as required. Then machine buff.
Polishing and/or waxing is next. Be sure to include doorjambs, and the areas beneath door hinges and behind bumpers. Minor blemishes may be neutralized by wrapping a cotton cloth around your index finger and burnishing the polish into the finish.
Polish not only gives the finish its gloss, but it feeds the paint with oils to prevent it from drying out. Polymers in the polish fill in minute scratches in the clearcoat layer, restoring its clarity. If you machine-buff the polish/wax to a high luster, go with an orbital rather than a rotary model, which would be more likely to burn the paint. Treat the plastic chrome on today's cars as if it were a painted surface and protect it with a light coat of wax.
Avoid getting wax or polish on rubber and flat black plastic areas (clean them with a nongloss product), door handles and emblems. If you do get a wax stain on rubber trim, spray it with a mist-and-wipe product and wipe it down with a terry cloth towel. If that doesn't do the trick, this usually works: Microwave some peanut butter and apply it to the stain with a soft toothbrush. Peanut butter's oils dissolve the wax and it's abrasive enough to lift the stain (but it can stick to the roof of your car). A dampened toothbrush can remove wax deposits from exterior trim.
If you get a polish/wax residue around emblems or in crevices, break out the cotton swabs and toothbrushes. It's important that you first wet the area with a mist-and-wipe product such as Meguiar's Quick Detailer. Never brush on a dry surface.
Moving underhood, protect electronic components by wrapping them in plastic. Then spray on a diluted all-purpose cleaner, hosing it off with light water pressure. Vinyl/rubber protectant will dress up nonmetal areas. Let it soak in if you like the glossy look, or wipe it on and off for a more matte finish.
All that's left now are the tires. Clean them first-whitewall tire cleaner works even on blackwalls-and then apply tire dressing. Here again, to get a gloss finish let the product soak in, or for a matte look wipe it on and off with a cotton cloth. Be sure the tires are dry before driving off, or you'll spatter your nice shiny finish. And maybe even your neighbor.
How It Works: Clearcoat Paint
Most modern cars use a clearcoat paint system. The pigmented layer of paint, whether a solid color, metallic or pearlescent, is covered with a layer of clear paint to provide a higher gloss and a "deeper" look. So far so good.
But the surface of any paint, even clearcoat, is vulnerable to scratches and oxidation. In the past, abrasive rubbing compound could be used to polish out these imperfections. Clearcoat is thinner, and using abrasives is trickier. Removing too much paint will leave the pigment layer exposed, necessitating a respray with more clearcoat. The recommended procedure for oxidation and haze is to use a chemical cleaner or cleaner wax. Look for products that specifically say they are appropriate for clearcoat paint on the label. Light scratches can be buffed out with very mild polishing compound. Do not use rubbing compound on a clearcoat finish. Scratches that go through the clearcoat layer cannot be polished out. You'll either have to live with them or respray the entire panel.
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For 2008 the Impreza WRX has lost some weight, making it even more performance-ready than its predecessor. Also for 2008, the WRX gets a new 5-door version, and all models get a boost in safety.
The new WRX is powered by a 2.5-litre Boxer engine that delivers 224 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque (no change there). Where drivers will really notice a difference, though, is in the weight. The new WRX is 50 pounds lighter in 2008 than the already-nimble 2007 WRX. Not only that, but where the previous version's maximum torque hit at 3,600 rpm, the new version gets its max torque numbers at only 2,800 rpm.
Also for this year, all WRX models get standard side curtain airbags for increased safety. All five seating positions get three-point safety belts, and the vehicle uses Subaru's Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame Body Structure with front and rear crumple zones.
A new double-wishbone rear suspension not only makes for more trunk room, but delivers improved ride refinement, decreased road noise, and a quieter cabin according to Subaru.
The exterior is highlighted by a brand new grille, with a new design that still harkens back to Subaru's aircraft heritage, while placing a focus on the company's star logo. The 5-door's roofline flows into a standard rear spoiler. The rear gets clear lenses, and the front gets curved fog lamps and an inward sweeping chrome embellishment that flows the grille design into the bumper.
The interior has an added focus on quality and roominess. Though it has the same interior width as its predecessor, the 2008 model has 50 mm more front shoulder room. To further improve comfort and convenience, the doors openings have been made bigger, while the rear doors open to a larger 75 degree angle for easier ingress and egress. In addition, the rear seatback angles have been reclined for improved comfort. Rear seat legroom is also significantly increased.
Like many vehicles being released recently, the newest WRX includes an input for auxiliary devices such as mp3 players. New for 2008, the WRX gets framed windows, allowing for more body rigidity and a quieter interior.
The WRX 5-door only gets one chrome exhaust pipe (the sedan gets dual). All WRX's in Canada will be equipped with a special sport interior and exterior aero kit and the 5-door version will get a rear under body diffuser.
Outstanding top performance and maximum dynamism combined with excellent suitability for everyday use are the impressive features of the new Audi RS 6 Avant, which will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the IAA 2007 in Frankfurt. A newly developed V10 engine with FSI direct injection and twin turbochargers, permanent quattro four-wheel drive and sports suspension with Dynamic Ride Control DRC set the standard for high-performance vehicles in the luxury class. 580 bhp and a maximum torque of 480 lb-ft add up to an unforgettable performance experience. At the same time, the new Audi RS 6 Avant offers a high standard of travel comfort – on long journeys, too.
The new Audi RS 6 will only be available as an Avant to start with, with the unrivalled combination of 580 bhp and a maximum 1,660 liters of luggage space.
The Audi RS 6 is a New Leader in the Performance Category
The Audi RS 6 redefines the term “high performance” in the business class. With its 580 bhp, it is the most powerful model in the current Audi range and – with the exception of pure racing cars like the Le Mans-winning Audi R10 TDI – the most potent Audi of all time. But not only that: it is also clearly superior to all competitors in the top performance category.
The ten-cylinder V-configuration engine in the RS 6 is based on the V10 powerplants of the Audi S6 and Audi S8, but has been redeveloped in practically every respect to attain the significantly higher level of performance. The twin turbochargers ensure an impressively constant stream of power over the entire engine speed range: the mighty peak torque of 480 lb-ft is available across the entire range from 1,500 to 6,250 rpm; maximum output is available between 6,250 and 6,700 rpm.
This powerplant enables the Audi RS 6 Avant to achieve the road performance of a high-performance sports car. It requires just 4.4 seconds for the sprint from a standing start to 60 mph, and reaches the 124 mph mark in a mere 14.9 seconds. Only when the needle touches 155 mph is the propulsive power electronically governed.
The six-speed tiptronic is the perfect complement to the self-confident, powerful character of the RS 6. Its hydraulics and control system have been optimized to achieve exceptionally short shift times; the ratios have been adapted accordingly.
In its basic setting, the center differential distributes 40 percent of the power to the front and 60 percent to the rear wheels – this slightly rear-biased setup produces particularly dynamic handling characteristics.
An Individual Driving Feel
With Dynamic Ride Control the shock absorbers are connected diagonally with each other via two oil lines and two control valves. Body movement – e.g. rolling when cornering at high speed on an uneven road surface – produces flows of oil, which generate additional damping force. As a result, the RS 6 boasts even more directional control through bends and reacts with substantially more precision to the steering inputs of the driver.
Dynamic Ride Control on the new RS 6 can be supplemented if desired with optional three-stage damping. This allows the driver to select the handling characteristics according to his/her personal preferences or chosen route. In the comfort setting, the sports suspension plus provides remarkable ride comfort, in the dynamic program it adjusts superbly to an enthusiastic driving style and in the sport mode it delivers maximum driving precision.
Self-Assured Appearance
Its independent design lends the Audi RS 6 a striking and self-assured look – without any hint of aggression. In fact, the clear front-end design with the remodelled bumper and accentuated apertures evidently follows function: the high-performance powerplant requires a considerable amount of air to breathe as well as for cooling. The fact that it belongs to the RS family is emphasized by the matt aluminum-look single-frame grille featuring a highly polished black guard in a diamond design.
Elegant and Exclusive Interior
The interior of the new RS 6 offers an impressive synthesis of sporty elegance and exclusiveness. The extremely high standard of craftsmanship typical for Audi is complemented by an equally sporty and elegant combination of top-class materials. Carbon fiber, aluminum, leather and Alcantara create an ambience that is unique even in the world of high-performance cars.
The main control element is and remains the steering wheel: on the RS 6 the customer can choose between the multifunction sports steering wheel with a 3-spoke design and the particularly distinctive flat-bottomed RS sports steering wheel, likewise with multifunction controls and shift paddles for the transmission. The cockpit in the typical RS design additionally features a boost pressure gauge. Displays for boost pressure, oil temperature and lap timer can be called up via the driver information system.
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You're not alone. Many of us owe money on our trade-ins, make minimal down payments, then extend the payments -- often beyond five years -- to make them affordable.
When it comes to car payments, consumers are stretched to the limit.
Buyers are paying more, extending loan terms and making smaller down payments, according to a recent study by the Consumer Bankers Association. Many buyers also wrap old loans -- for vehicles they haven't yet paid off -- into the terms of their new deals.
"They're stretching in a lot of cases and may be well advised to pick a more affordable model or keep their car a little longer," says Fritz Elmendorf, the vice president of communications for the bankers association.
About 60% of buyers are opting for loan terms of more than five years, the study said.
"It's been steadily stretching for many years," says Elmendorf. And it's because buyers want to get a better-quality car and still keep their payments low.
"So many have gotten used to lease payments," Elmendorf says. "They're looking for the cheapest payment on the nicest vehicle they can get into."
The average loan is now about 65 months and gradually getting longer, says Tom Libby, a senior director of industry analysis for J.D. Power and Associates.
Last year, buyers were typically paying 5% of the invoice price as a down payment, according to the study. This year, that's dropped to 1%. Manufacturer and dealer incentives could account for part of that, but it's also clear more buyers owe more than their cars are actually worth -- one side effect of making lower down payments.
"They are increasingly upside down in their loans," Elmendorf says. "And the longer the loan period, the longer you're upside down in your loan."
A combination of longer loan terms and less money down is adding another complication for consumers: "More people are going in owing money on a trade-in, as opposed to being able to add value for the trade in," Elmendorf says.
Jack Nerad, the executive editorial director of Kelley Blue Book, agrees.
"We're seeing a lot of 100% loans, or loans with 5 to 10% down," Nerad says. "Twenty percent used to be the standard."
"People have less equity in their cars," he says. "But it doesn't seem to have had a chilling effect on sales."
So how much are they rolling over into the new loan? On average, about $2,600, says Art Spinella, the president of CNW Research, an Oregon consumer-spending research company.
Consumers are also buying more options and upgrade packages on the models they select, Spinella says. "They're buying more car," he says. "They're not buying base cars anymore."
Subprime time Lenders are also making more loans to buyers with subprime credit, but the level of repossessions has not increased.
In 2006, about 9% of new car buyers had FICO credit scores of 620 or below -- usually considered subprime -- up 3 percentage points from the previous year, according to the report.
"They want to move iron," Nerad says. "They want to sell cars. One of the ways to sell cars is to lessen your lending requirements."
Continued: Repossession rate unchanged
Elmendorf agrees. "To have growth, you have to stretch your lending requirements. (But) the auto industry has avoided the subprime problems so far."
Repossession rates "haven't changed for some time," says Spinella. Research shows that people will stop making house payments and credit card payments before they'd stop making the car payment, he says.
"Car payments were the last to go," Spinella says. Prices up or down? The bankers' study also said buyers were spending about $200 less. In 2005, the average purchase price was $23,500. In 2006, the latest numbers used for this June 2007 study, it was $23,300.
But other industry measures show transaction prices on cars increasing slightly. For 2006, the average buyer paid $26,740 for a vehicle, according to statistics from J.D. Power. In 2007, the price has climbed to $27,393.
At the same time, it's "a favorable environment for consumers because of the intense competition," says Libby, of J.D. Power.
Leasing, which is especially popular with consumers who want to drive more car than they might be able to buy, is stabilizing or dropping, according to recent data. The actual number of leases is down, the bankers' study says.
"Leasing, in recent years, has been marked by subsidies by the manufacturers," says Elmendorf. Those subsidies meant that buyers drive more car for the money.
These days, "fewer banks are promoting leasing and the manufacturers are not stressing leasing with their subsidies," he says. The study cited a 21% drop from the previous year, as reported by lenders. But Elmendorf cautions the sample study on leasing is about half the size of that for the rest of the survey. Another industry measure predicts that leasing is fairly level.
Statistics from J.D. Power indicate that 20% of buyers in 2006 chose to lease. In 2007, that figure was up to almost 21%. "We show leasing relatively stable around 20%," says Libby.
When it comes to buying a car, consumers have a lot of power -- if they elect to use it. "They need to shop for financing as well as they shop for the vehicle itself," Libby says. About 54% of buyers finance through the dealer, while 25% pay cash or use a loan from a bank, credit union or other source, according to statistics from J.D. Power. The remaining 21% lease.
"Overall, there's a lot of debt," Elmendorf says. "And if you add that to credit card debt and home-equity debt, consumers are pretty tightly leveraged these days."
Leaders discuss ‘scores of ideas’ but no concrete plans
BERLIN - U.S. computer company Apple Inc. and German automaker Volkswagen AG are discussing the possibility of building an "iCar" that would feature products by the producer of the ubiquitous iPod personal music player.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs and Volkswagen's chief Martin Winterkorn met several days ago in California and plan to meet for further discussions, said Hans-Gerd Bode, a spokesman for VW.
There are "scores of ideas," but few concrete plans at this point, Bode said. Story continues below ↓advertisement
Market experts estimate that a compact car upgraded with Apple products would be of substantial interest to young target groups, according to German financial magazine Capital.
Apple already works with VW and other automakers to offer an integrated in-car hookup for iPods. A representative of Apple did not immediately return a phone call for comment on the potential "iCar."
Electronics, ranging from satellite navigation machines to cup warmers, are increasingly a selling point for automakers. Ford Motor Co., for instance, will debut this fall an in-car communication and entertainment system developed with Microsoft Corp. that will cost $395 as an option. The system, called Sync, allows drivers, using either voice recognition or steering wheel controls, to listen to their digital music players and have text messages on their cell phones read aloud.
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If you're under 40, chances are you haven't ever craved a Volvo. Well, be prepared to crave. With the 2008 Volvo C30, Volvos will no longer only be bought by those who value practicality, safety and understated versatility.
Volvo's marketing boffins are claiming the C30 is a sport coupe that will appeal to couples aged 25-35 who are yet to breed, or the over-50s whose children have fled the nest. Moreover, they reckon that 75 percent of customers will be new to the Volvo brand. This Volvo seeks to steer trendy, affluent urbanites away from Audi TTs, Mini Coopers and Volkswagen GTIs, and it's priced to do so, starting around $23,000.
Although the C30 arrives in the U.S. next summer, it has already gone on sale in Europe so we headed for the U.K. and sampled one on the wrong side of the road.
A cool Volvo? Designed under the direction of Peter Horbury, the C30 was the last car he did before leaving Volvo to lead Ford's design team in North America. It was Horbury who revolutionized Volvo's styling in the '90s, replacing the angular monotony of the old models with a new curvaceous, distinctive design language. The C30 is the ultimate expression of this vision.
The shape was previewed in the Safety Concept Car (SCC), which was shown at the Detroit auto show in 2001. The positive public reaction gave the management the confidence to put it into production. While the front end is instantly recognizable as a member of the contemporary Volvo family, the unusual hatchback rear draws inspiration from the classic 1800ES of the 1970s.
Static pictures tend to flatten the C30's curves, particularly the manner in which the windows taper to the rear. In the metal this is a modern, distinctive and undeniably handsome car. This may well be the first Volvo that can justifiably be described as "cool."
Four-seater cabin With its two individual rear chairs pushed toward the center of the car, the C30 is strictly a four-seater. While it's positively commodious compared to an Audi TT, this is not a family car. Adults will find the rear accommodation adequate for short journeys, though two 6-footers will struggle to sit in tandem. The trunk capacity is also modest — golfers will have trouble accommodating their beloved clubs — although it can be extended by folding down the rear seats.
The dashboard will be familiar to drivers of other Volvos, including the C70, S40 and V50. The distinctive "floating" console is present and correct, although it can now be specified with an aluminum surf pattern or even with a glossy white finish, inspired by an iPod. Our test car boasted a more conservative aluminum. The quality is good, but it's a shame that such a youth-oriented car doesn't feel a little more sporting. We'd like to see supplementary dials, such as a turbo and oil temperature gauge and more side bolstering for the otherwise comfortable seats.
As you'd expect from Volvo, there's a plethora of safety features including front, side and curtain airbags. Stability control will be standard across the range, as will Volvo's IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System), which delays certain functions, such as a phone call, if the driver is engaged in a more complicated maneuver (heavy braking, turning etc.). Customers can also expect a generous luxury specification with several "premium" options, including high-grade audio.
One engine The C30 will be launched with just one engine, a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo, borrowed from the S40 and V50. Dubbed the T5, it generates 216 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque between 1,500 and 4,800 rpm. This engine is available with either a six-speed stick shift or a five-speed auto, which has the added benefit of a sequential shift facility. Our test car featured the latter.
Searingly rapid it isn't, but the C30 T5 is swift. The turbo is only lightly stressed so lag is never a problem and it has a distinctive five-cylinder hum. It also works well with the Geartronic transmission. Volvo says zero to 62 mph takes 7.1 seconds (6.7 for the manual) and top speed is 146 mph (149 for the manual). The last Cooper S we tested hit 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, while the last GTI needed 7.2, so the C30 T5 is quick for its class.
Although the turbo five-cylinder suits the C30's character well, don't rule out other engines in the C30's future — Volvo's 168-hp 2.4 looks like a good bet.
It's no sports car Based on Ford's C1 platform, the C30 shares its underpinnings with the S40, V50 and the second-generation (European) Focus. The MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspension is also a tried and trusted formula. The tune is more sporting than the S40 — Volvo spotters will notice the firmer ride quality — but the difference can be overstated. This is still no sports car.
The C30 is capable in the manner of Audi's A3. That is to say it is safe, predictable and blessed with plenty of grip. However, the enthusiast will still want for greater agility and more steering feel. The Focus ST uses the same basic ingredients but delivers a more engaging drive without any significant diminution in the ride quality. If Volvo is serious about producing a sport coupe, then it could do worse than to look to its stablemate for inspiration. What price an "R" version?
Conclusion Volvo has modest expectations for the C30 — of the 65,000 it expects to build each year, all but 25 percent will be sold in Europe. Given the C30's price tag, left-field image and compact dimensions, these aspirations seem sensible.
Those buyers who do take the plunge will find themselves driving something genuinely different. More distinctive than a BMW 3 Series coupe but more practical than a Mini or an Audi TT, it has a genuine depth of ability.
We wish it were a little more exciting to drive but the 2008 Volvo C30 does appeal as a non-default choice — even if you're under 40.
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This is a great years for me. After all this years of hardworking now I am able to own my own house. I’ve been working hard all this time just to get my dream house. Me and my wife has never been happier since our baby girl came to our life. At first I thought getting the house is the hardest part, yet now I have to faced a new problems already. Its how should I get the perfect furniture for my house?
We all knew that in this matter, woman always want to be in charge for it. They will be the judged in what to buy and where to put it. It’s funny when my wife and my daughter always argue about where to place the furniture. As for me, sigh! to them I am merely the source of money to buy those things. My wife specifically told me she want a pine furniture for the dining room. I have no idea that it's hard to buy furniture for the house, they seem to know all details about it. Even she told me she want an oak furniture for our bedroom. And here I was thinking that there’s only one types of furniture and that is.....…furniture.
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