reformat: cars

Automobile mag posts lukewarm Jetta Review

2005-08-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

Interesting to read Automobile Magazine’s 2006 Jetta review. They seem a little lukewarm toward the new Jetta.

Their summary talks about “superb interior quality”, “numerous safety features” and “lots of standard features”. They complain about “dull styling” (really?), that the car is “pricey with options” and that the performance is hampered by weight.

“Pricey with options”? Didn’t they just say that there were lots of standard features and safety equipment?

They then go on to say that other cars in the category are:

Honda Civic
Mazda 3
Toyota Corolla

Sorry guys, but a Civic hasn’t been in the same class as a Jetta for about a dozen years now. As for the Mazda 3, the size of the car alone should disqualify it from being mentioned in the same breath as a Jetta (or a new Golf). Hell, the Mazda 3 barely compares with the old Jetta.

Don’t get me started on the Toyota Corolla.

Now playing: Ass Ponys - The Big E

How to do a Proper Test Drive

2005-08-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

Forbes (via Autoblog)has an interesting article on how to do a proper test drive.

Seems like all of the advice they give is fairly sound. However, they mention that you shouldn’t spend too much time fiddling with the gadgets, yet it is the gadgets that I’m most annoyed with in our new Mazda 6 wagon. Of course, I’m comparing it to our Golf (and to the Jetta that it replaced), so that may be unfair.

Now playing: The Charlatans - The End Of Everything

No Mini Touareg?

2005-08-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

The AP is reporting (via Detroit News) that VW may be delaying or possibly cancelling altogether plans for an upcoming compact SUV.

Personally, having never considered pretending to think about possibly purchasing a small SUV (or a large one for that matter), I think this is a wise decision.

Now they can get back to planning that Jetta Sport Wagon for me. 4MOTION please.

Now playing: Richard Buckner - Daisychain

Slightly Sweet Golf R32

2005-08-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

How would you like to drive a Golf with:

A 250hp V6 engine
DSG transmission (dual clutch paddle shifted manual/auto)
4MOTION AWD

Yeah, well me too. Take a look at this article at Dubspeed Driven.

Now playing: Kool Moe Dee - I Go To Work

New Passat Launched

2005-08-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jalopnik has a story outlining the worldwide launch of the new passat. Looks nice, and the 3.6 litre VR6 putting out 280 hp with 265 foot pounds of torque sounds very nice.

Now playing: Odds - Wendy Under The Stars

Jetta Wagon Rumours

2005-08-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Auto123 is reporting on a bunch of rumours surrounding the next generation Jetta wagon. The picture at right is an artist’s rendering.

Some highlites:

Possible name change and image differentiation from the Jetta sedan. This would fit with other rumours that I’ve heard regarding a sport wagon based on the Jetta platform.
4Motion all-wheel drive.
A new, direct-injection engine that is both supercharged and turbocharged.

They also talk about potential delays (‘07 or ‘08) in bringing this car to market due to re-tooling at the VW plant in Mexico. The plant is ramping up for the new Golf/GTI as well as the facelift for the New Beetle. This doesn’t bother me a whole lot as my lease on the p.o.s. Mazda6 Wagon (don’t get me started) isn’t up until March of ‘08.

Now playing: Bettie Serveert - Ray Ray Rain

New VW Toys

2005-07-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

According to the German Car Blog, the new Golf will be outfitted with an optional iPod dock, allowing you to control your iPod through the steering wheel controls.

Add to that the fact that it looks like the Jetta will be getting some sort of telephone prep system (not sure exactly what that means, although the Passat and the Phaeton both have a Bluetooth option), and it looks like the Jetta will play nicely with your electronic gadgets.

Now playing: Jonathan Fire Eater - I've Changed Hotels

Gimme, gimme, gimme

2005-07-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

The new Audi Allroad looks like it might surpass the Volvo XC70 at the top of my dream car list. The old one was neck-and-neck already, but the new style takes the badass wagon factor to new heights. Besides, the Volvo has been around for quite a while now and could use a makeover.

Of course, a Jetta wagon is much more likely in my future.

Now playing: Architecture In Helsinki - Where You've Been Hiding

Entry Luxury AWD

2005-05-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

A certain relation of mine is seemingly always just a few months from the expiry of his lease. Every three years or so (although the process itself seemes to go longer than that) we start to narrow down the choices for his next car.

His criteria are not that particular, he wants an nice sedan with all-wheel drive, leather, and some nice creature comforts, preferrably an import. The last few times we've gone through this exercise, we've arrived at VW Passat V6 4Motion. Very nice car. However, in the last three years, a couple of things have happened:

More marques are offering AWD sedans
My relation's wife has expressed interest in her own Passat
As a follow-on to (2), my relation has become interested in slightly more up-market vehicles (whether in truth or simply in perception)

Here's our list so far:

Audi A4
BMW 3 series
Mercedes-Benz C320
VW Passat (an oldie, but a goodie)
Infiniti G35x
Lexus ES 300
Volvo S60

All of these cars come in 45K-60K nicely equipped. What does nicely equipped mean? Well, the aforementioned leather and AWD in addition to some cold weather gear, sunroof, and a package or two.

Cars not on the list but in the same category (or at least, they seem to think they are):

Jaguar X-Type
Acura TL
anything domestic

More on each of those models on the list (and those that missed the cut) later.

Why Blog About Cars?

2005-04-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

Why would I blog about cars? Simple. People are always asking me about cars. Or am I always telling people about cars? Either way, people seem to ask me for car buying advice.

There are many sites out there that are focused on car reviews, opinions, and industry news. With this blog, I want to focus on what you sometimes see termed “buyers’ guide” information.

A review can tell you all about a BMW 330xi (of course, many of the reviewers were just treated to a 5 day getaway in Germany courtesy of BMW), but it doesn’t generally tell you how that 330 stacks up against an Infinity G35.

I am going to try to focus on comparing features and prices of vehicles and let the reviewers give their opinions on the cars themselves. Of course, I wil be offering some opinions, but not full-blown reviews (for now).

Now playing: XTC - Making Plans for Nigel