2009 Infiniti G37X Sport Review

Infiniti is one of those car manufacturers that often receive praise not necessarily on its design but on its price point. Although this is not a bad reputation in itself, any car manufacturer will always seek dominance by its ability to provide high quality cars.

Infiniti does have some impressive vehicles in the past like the G35 and they hope the beauty of this well known vehicle of Infiniti would rub on the 2009 Infiniti G37X Sport. The body and interior of the vehicle is never lacking. The body of the new iteration has little difference compared to the G35 except on the airdam which is barely noticeable. The continuous edge is still noticeable although you might think that it's a lot more Civic than Infiniti. The interior of the vehicle is complemented by the 7-inch guiding system which will surely be the focus during the ride. The colors are a little bit bleak as the manufacturer simply refers to the interior colors as "wheat".

The real beauty of the vehicle is under the hood. The VQ V6 engine from Nissan now powers this particular vehicle. With 328 HP, the car can easily become a beast in the road. Transmission-wise, the vehicle will certainly entertain beginners as well as the experienced. Automatic transmission will now reach seven-speed while manual transmission still works with the traditional six.
Overall, the 2009 Infiniti G37X Sport pushes its appeal to car enthusiasts. And with the price of $43,000 for a completed interior and upgrades, the car is certainly is a looker.

2010 Volkswagen Jetta Review

The Jetta line of cars from Volkswagen is always associated with class in the midst of compact-economy vehicles. Coming out with various versions that can easily confuse a beginner, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta line is simply aiming for everyone looking for a brand new vehicle.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta comes in two body types: the traditional sedan and "SportWagen". This is where the variety starts. The sedan comes with 5 versions depending on interior and exteriors: S, SE, SEL, TDI and Wolfsburg while the SportWagen comes in S, SE and TDI.
Even though they come in a variety of designs, the common feature of the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is its interior. The good thing about the interior is that it offers enough entertainment for everyone: stereo speaker-radio, CD player and audio jack. However, the legroom in the back of the vehicle can be a bit cramped.

As a car geared towards general driving experience, safety has been one of its best features. Various independent rating systems were conducted and the car proved efficient in front and side protection. However, the braking system of the vehicle is not as efficient compared to other compact cars. Owners have to practice on the vehicle a little bit to get a grip on how to properly stop the vehicle.
Maneuverability is not the best in the industry but it's not geared for precision driving either. With that said, the car can handle bumps in the road to ensure a smooth driving experience. It's a driver friendly vehicle that can be easily appreciated because of its looks.

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Review

The SRT8 was first introduced to the market in 2008 as a tribute to retro muscle cars of the 70s. Unfortunately, the 2008 version is not "manly enough" because it did come with automatic transmission. It's like a car that looks strong but needs extra push from behind. Dodge has slightly learned its lesson by releasing a six-speed manual transmission version in 2009. Compared to the 2008 and 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 automatic, the manual transmission is a beast.


The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 manual transmission looks exactly like a muscle car. This version does not have any extra wings or designs. Its standard color red (or according to Dodge TorRed), and the shape is truly a nostalgic vision of the retro muscle vehicles. The interior of the vehicle still emulates the image outside. The dark gray finish and levers instead of digits will tell the driver how strong the car is on real time. The only real digital system in the car is the audio system.


Dodge didn't hesitate to provide a strong engine to make the car truly a muscle car. Featuring V8, 6.1-Liter engine, the 2009 SRT8 manual transmission can go from 0-60 in just five seconds. It's a power vehicle that comes in small package. Maneuverability of the vehicle is not stellar but will never place you in danger. The "Hill Start Assist" or HSA is a pretty neat addition since it will provide a 3-second automatic break if the vehicle is moving uphill.


Ultimately the 2009 Dodge Challenger manual transmission can have its shortcomings in speed and maneuverability, but it's a dream car come true for many muscle car enthusiasts.

Acura MDX Review

The 2009 Acura MDX has become a very impressive CUV since it became available in the market. While there are few changes in the design since 2007, the 2009 Acura MDX have been significantly improved in safety and handling. Anyone looking for a seven-seater will definitely consider this vehicle.

The 2009 Acura MDX has 3.7, V6 engine with 300HP. Even with a massive engine under the hood, the car is surprisingly easy to control. One reason for this smooth ride is the weight is just enough to handle the power of the engine. The maximum weight of this vehicle is 5,000 lbs. which is not too heavy, but not too light.

There is no question of the Acura MDX’s beauty inside. The dashboard comes with very impressive technology. The upgraded version comes with a voice activated system for various functions, chargers for various devices and an impressive navigation system. Space between seats is very good as it provides enough legroom for anyone.

The most impressive feature of the 2009 Acura MDX is its safeness. Independent tests reveal that it's one of the most reliable cars during crash tests. Airbags in the front and protective curtains in the back ensure that everyone is secured in an accident. This greatly complements the SH-AWD or the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive feature which is basically a system that automatically distributes power on all tires. The only downside of the vehicle is that it requires premium fuel which can be a bit expensive. But for someone who can see past the fuel problem, this vehicle comes highly recommended.

2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL

Buick is trying it's best to get out of the bad vibe it has recently experienced. Bankruptcy and bail-out are not the two news stories your customers want to remember when they visit your authorized dealers. But that's the fact Buick has to live with and try to make it up with a good car. The good news is, it has already started with the 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL.

At first glance the CXL is a behemoth vehicle. Weighing 4,196 lbs, the car aims to give its best when it comes to space while sacrificing weight. Fortunately, this technique works as the car has very impressive legroom. But the apparent impressive legroom has sacrificed the trunk. The space at the back only yields 13.3 cubic feet which is easily defeated by any car in its category. Speaking of interior, the seating design of the car is a little bit off especially for the driver because of the seating angle. But a little adjustment will bring the setting to driver's preferences.

There are also two sides of the coin in the car's engine. The basic CXL only has 252 hp coming from 3.0 liter V6. This power is only for leisure, flat land travel. For those who think they will be trudging hills and challenging road, the upgrade version of 3.6, V6 is the better option. This type of engine is even fitting for 18-inch chromed wheels as the engine yields power.

Overall, Buick has certainly produced a good car in CXL. It does have it's drawbacks but that should not discourage anyone to opt for this vehicle.

Petrol or Diesel?

The vehicle’s fuel type (Petrol or Diesel) is a very important factor that should be considered by any car buyer. There are pros and cons in each of fuel type that will affect the driving experience as well as financial decision of the car owner.

Vehicles with petrol fuel engines are highly recommended for car buyers who intend to use the car for only a few years. The main advantage of this vehicle is that it doesn't require extensive maintenance and very friendly to the pocket. However, petrol fuelled vehicles can easily depreciate which means the car purchased this year could experience drastic devaluation next year. Cars based on petrol also consume more fuel compared to diesel.

Diesel based engines, on the other hand are ideal for those who want to use the car for a very long time. The value of the vehicle will still decline but will most likely be sold at a higher price compared to petrol. Vehicles on diesel are also more fuel efficient and can be powerful especially on low gears. However, the car can be a bit expensive and maintenance is more demanding which means extra spending for the car buyer.

To summarise, vehicles with diesel engines are recommended for those who wanted to stay with their car for many years. It may be expensive but its resale value doesn't go down fast. Gasoline engine vehicles, on the other hand are perfect for low mileage drivers because they're inexpensive and the maintenance and servicing are also more affordable compared to diesel.

2009 Honda S2000 Review

The Honda S2000 was first revealed in 1999 and although it did not make a mark on the entire car industry, it has made a statement on what a roadster should be - comfortable, providing ease of control and a whole lot of speed. Just limit the seats to two passengers and add a retractable roof.

The latest iteration of S2000 is almost anti-climactic to the current trend of roadsters especially on the interior. While others are boasting the latest in technology, the 2009 Honda S2000 does not feature anything except for a decent stereo in the dashboard. But don't mistake the roadster to have a bad interior. The seats are still some of the best in the industry. The retractable roof is not outstanding (electric roof) but there's no need to worry on how they are positioned.

Honda opted to keep the engine configuration of the 2008 S2000: 2.2, 16-Valve, 4 Cylinder engine. As expected this engine can be a beast on a light roadster. It can reach up to 8,000 RPM, which means the roadster can easily beat anyone in an open road. Controlling the car is no problem but as a roadster, you have to be experienced to control this high speed vehicle.

But the most impressive feature of the vehicle is its price. It's listed at $35,700 which is a great deal compared to other popular roadsters. There are currently only 1,000 2009 Honda S2000 available. Getting your hands into one of these can be challenging but there's always a next year.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi Review

The 2010 Suzuki Kizashi is the latest offering from the Japanese based car-maker to the US that should compete well with other midsized vehicles. Unlike the previous Suzuki models, the designs were aggressively revamped which means it doesn't have those unique features of the past models that actually made the brand a bit undesirable.
Kizashi’s exterior is very simplistic but that's actually a good thing for Suzuki. Instead of making the driver stand-out in a bad way because of the design, the car became a standard mid-size. The extended front and well-designed, larger rear is also a plus point because of the large trunk.
The inside design of the vehicle doesn't provide any wows but it has a better legroom compared to other mid-sized cars and previous Suzuki versions. The plastic feel of the dashboard for media control is not that good but reacts fine if you really don't aggressively change channels.
Under the hood, the car will give you 2.4 liter with 4 cylinder engine. Not much power to be expected from the car but it can reach 60mph in less than 8 seconds. It comes with 6-speed transmission in any design (Manual, AWD and CVT).
What made the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi a good car is actually the driving experience. The car was tested in Germany and US so that it can work in various driving conditions. The shifters are a bit far especially on pushing but that disadvantage can be ignored if you regularly use the car.
Set to come out later in 2009, basic configuration for the Kizashi should be within the $21,000 to 22,000 price range.

2010 Nissan Altima Review

The Nissan Altima line of model vehicles was last revamped in 2007. More than 2 years later, a new design came out to attract the crowd and possibly push further for global dominance. Nissan, after all, pushes the most cars every year.
The 2010 Nissan Altima is undoubtedly sleeker. It's a bit lowered compared to the 2007 version. The sedan comes with 16" or 17" wheels while the coupe offers the 17" version only. The only misfire in the new model is the bulge in the rear. The new version could have lowered the rear a bit but for some reason, it's not.
Just like the previous Altima, engine power depends on user preferences. Would-be car owners can choose between the hybrid and the gasoline option. But in terms of performance to fuel efficiency ratio, the 2.5 liter version of the vehicle performs great in curves while fuel efficiency is rated at 30mpg.
While there are some misfires in the outside, the interior design is just stunning. Non-slippery leather seats, a load of multi-media options (including XM Satellite) and just enough positioning of the shifter make the driving experience relatively better.
The deal maker of the vehicle is the price. The base price is merely $20,000 but would-be car owners should out a bit and go for the upgraded version for $30,000. But the price can still vary for users who wanted technology instead of power as they can go for the most affordable version and upgrade to complete multi-media features in the 2010 Nissan Altima.

2009 Mazda MX-5 Review

The original Mazda MX-5 was released in 1989 and the car immediately gained the attention of many car enthusiasts due to its fun design. A very simple looking convertible, the car became many car owner’s dream machine because it provides enough power without being too expensive. The 2009 version is no different which means it's another winner for Mazda.
The new version of Mazda is a little bit bigger but still considerably light. The front end has been lowered down a little bit for improved aerodynamics. The size increase was due to the wheels as it protrudes out of the vehicle. This was probably done to add control to the machine because a car with shorter width can cause danger because of less maneuverability.
Before looking at the engine, let's take at look at its slight disadvantage: the front seats. It's not really uncomfortable as the seats seem squeezed into the car. But it's barely noticeable once you handle this vehicle after a few miles.
Inside, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 will not win you any drag race but it’s not a pushover either. Coming with 2.0 four cylinder MZR engine, the car can help you reach 60mps in less than 7 seconds. With this engine, you can work the car like a racing champion, as its small size can push the car to its limit fast.
The main attraction of the car is actually what you can't see. The full featured vehicle is just under $29,000 and the base price is only at $22,500. With that price, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 can easily become a highly coveted car.