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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo Review

The 2010 Nissan 370z Nismo is not a car for everyone. It's a sports car that caters for specific enthusiasts of this type of vehicle. This means the opinion in the car community would certainly be divided. But apparently, Nissan doesn't care and it's a good thing because the 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo is simply a car that pushes the limits of the driver - just what a sports car should do.

From the moment you lay your eyes on the vehicle, you know this is something unique and special. The bumpy front, combed roof and spoiler combination makes you want to think you're in a computer game. Add that fact to the 19-inch aluminum wheels, and you've got yourself a very flashy sports car.

Inside, the car is simply for those who want speed. Covered with black and red leathers the car feels like - well, a sports car. The dashboard is dedicated for meters and an extra compartment for possible navigation system is included. Under the hood, the car is a souped up version of the 370z. The 3.70-liter VQ Engine bumps up the horsepower to 350 (18hp more) with torque at 276 lbs-feet (6lb-ft extra).

Last but not the least, the driving experience of 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo is simply amazing. When travelling at regular speeds, the roar you experience in the vehicle tells you that the engine is not comfortable at this pace and it yearns for a faster experience. The car comes with manual transmission, and you'll be pushed to give more to the car as it will seem to constantly demand that your foot should be on the pedal. In short, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo answers the call to what a sports car should be. Prices start at $39,130.

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2010 Ford Taurus SEL Review

Ford Taurus is an iconic vehicle that rose above other mid-sized vehicles during the 80s. It was a smart vehicle during that time and the car confirmed Ford's role in providing groundbreaking vehicles. But those days are long gone. Competition and the memory of the 2008 Taurus edition have dented the reputation of Taurus.
The US-based manufacturer will try the market again with the 2010 Ford Taurus SEL. On initial impressions, it does have something to offer car owners. The design was not exactly revamped but an improved front end has provided the "classy" view car owners hoped from Taurus.
Under the hood, Ford has made sure that the engine can handle the 4-ton sedan. The engine is 3.5 litre V6 which can churn out 263 horsepower. Surprisingly, the weight of the sedan doesn't increase its fuel consumption. The EPA Rating is at 18 mpg and 28 mpg for city and road use, respectively.
One thing that will really make car enthusiasts want to buy this car is the interior. The car is measured at 202.9 inch in size and has a massive trunk. At 20 cubic feet, you can practically place everything there for the weekend vacation.
The driving experience is also commendable. Although you might have to adjust a little bit because of its size, the six speed automatic transmission makes everything easy for the driver. You won't notice that the car is really heavy after getting the car on the road.
The 2010 Ford Taurus SEL is trying to erase the memories of car enthusiasts of its 2008 version. Aside from succeeding to convince enthusiasts with the 2010 version, the base price is also not bad: $30,980 for the basic configuration.

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