Saturn Vue Hybrid test drive coming up

Just wanted to let you know I am currently driving the Hybrid version of the new Vue.
So go ahead, send in any questions you might have.

I will be driving the Altima Hybrid in a few weeks as well. Just to see if all the cars are really worth the premium in every day life.

Chrysler 300 2.7 Liter drive

-HOW DOES IT LOOK?

We've all seen millions of them by now.
But it is still a pretty distinctive design. Especially compared to the foreign competition. An American car that isn't afraid of looking like one.
Either that, or a caricature of what the former German owners of Chrysler thought an American car should look like.
Either way, the design has aged pretty well, I think.



-HOW IS IT INSIDE?
Well, still not that great. They did upgraded the materials, slightly, last year. But this car still deserves a much better interior.
Sure, leather and a sunroof might help a bit. But the base dark cloth is pretty depressing.
The whole thing made me feel like I was a 70 year old salesman. Like Jack Lemon in "Glengarry Glen Ross"...
The dash board is OK. You can see what they could have done with it, but didn't. Like a big center part sticking out.
The finish is also just OK. The stereo sounds fine and has an iPod plug. A funny thing in an old man's car.
The rear seat is roomy, but not that huge. The car itself actually looks bigger than it is...

-HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

-Ride.
The ride is just fine. Smooth most of the time without ever feeling soft. Like in the old days.
The view from the driver seat is definitely old fashion. I haven't seen a big flat hood in front of me since my old '68 New Yorker. I actually like it a lot.

-Steering.
Nothing special here. The steering wheel is larger than usual, just like the Mercedes car it is based on. And, again, like older cars.

-Engine.
I have to say, this is the worst part of the car.
The 2.7 Liter has OK power. But it sounds really bad when pushed. Even just a little bit.
In fact, it was much rougher and noisier than the 2.4 Liter used in the Malibu/Aura. And it felt less powerful too.
It's jut way behind almost anything offered these days.
I am sure the 3.5 Liter engine cures most of these concerns.
But it's always a bit sad when you drive a V6 that is much worse than most 4 cylinder engines out there...

-Transmission.
OK, but not great. It works, but it is never super smooth like most are now. Again, this was OK a few years ago.But get into a Passat, and the 300 will feel like a car from the dark ages.

-SO???
Well, I really think the Chrysler 300 is in desperate need of a redesign. The car came out over 4 years ago but feels like it's been 10 years.
I haven't heard much about a replacement coming out any time soon. And it is needed.

But all this doesn't really matter if Chrysler gets swallowed by GM in a few weeks.
It might just become the next AMC.
What will happen with the 300 then?
Or even the new Challenger???

It's al very sad...

Nissan 370Z Preview videos

Motor Trend and Edmunds were allowed to spend some time with the new Z.
Still wearing quite a bit of camouflage.
We'll all see the real thing next month.

I am currently driving the 2008 Model for review.
So I'll keep everyone posted on that.

Electric Mini Interior

Showing that in the electric transformation, it has apparently lost its rear seats...
Too bad.

A more practical Hybrid Mini is on its way as well...

Electric Mini Cooper

Don't know much about it yet.

But it uses lithium ion batteries. The top speed is about 95 mph.
And you can drive 125 Miles on a charge.

That sounds great for city driving.
But there is a catch. This is pretty much a test run of only 500 cars. Available only in California, New York and New Jersey.

Last time I checked, Mini dealers were still charging thousands over MSRP to get a regular Cooper.
So imagine the mark up on this one...

Chrysler breaking up?

Crazy, weird and sad rumors about the possible breakup of Chrysler within a few weeks:

-Merger with GM still moving ahead.
-Renault would be interesting in acquiring Jeep.
-GM interested in Chrysler's Mexico factories.

What does that mean for the other brands, Chrysler and Dodge.
Chrysler would compete with Buick. And Dodge would be in the way of Chevrolet and Pontiac.
GM sure doesn't need more brands right now. So I can't see them surviving an a merger.

What do you think of all this Chrysler mess???

All new Honda Odyssey

The Japanese version that is.
Not the big bloated one we get over here.
With expensive gas, (And don't fool yourselves, gas always goes down before elections, and back up after) I think there would be a market for smaller Minivans like this one. You can still carry 7 people.
And the new Honda uses the Accord's 2.4 Liter now with about 200hp.
That should be plenty for most people.
Plus, it looks much better than the US Odyssey could aver dream of. And the interior adds a touch of class the US version doesn't have.

How about trying this out as an Acura next year???