Automobile Comparisons and Contrasts

I would like to make a post to anyone who has any questions related to Automobiles to please feel free to ask.

Thank you all for taking your time to read my posts.

 

     There are all kinds of vehicles. Luxury vehicle manufacturers like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Lincoln, Infiniti, Volvo, Saab strive for a more personalized and comfortable ride. Tuners like
Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Pontiac, Honda, Nissan, Kia, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Hyundai, Volkswagon, Scion try to provide the market with a variety of options available to customize your ride, and provides low priced vehicles. There is one class however that stands out the most: Exotics.

            Exotics are defined by their price tags, looks, luxury, and performance. Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley, and a select few cars from other dealers such as Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, and BMW manufacture exotic cars. These cars not only define someone personality and taste, but also increases their style and increases their ranks among the wealthy and materialistic people of the world.

            Exotics combine performance, comfort, technology, appearance and cost all into one car. For example the 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo tallies in at $175,000 MSRP: a “social status” and “income” barrier. For those select few who can actually afford $175,000 for a car, the Lamborghini Gallardo seats two passengers who are willing to take a ride in a comfortable rocket. A V10 Engine with 512 horsepower launches this beauty 0-60 in a little under 4.0 seconds. With 12 MPG City, and

, you have to have a lot of money to be able to fuel this road raging machine. It is literally a big investment both short term and long term. The Gallardo also has CD/MP3 Player, a TV-Tuner, Racing Steering Wheel, Racing Suspension, Racing Brakes, Aluminum Frame, Leather Interior, Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning, permanent Four-Wheel-Drive Suspension, low center of gravity, and an even weight distribution.

            The difference in pricing, options, performance, looks and durability are obvious when exotics are compared to other cars on the market. Exotics should only be purchased if you can afford them and have plenty of money left to spend on the car. You do not want to bankrupt yourself buying an exotic. Many wealthy people like to buy exotics because it shows people that not only the fact that they can afford it, but makes known to everyone their social status.

The top 5 cars that are the safest cars out in the automotive market are the 2006 Acura RL, 2006 Ford Five-hundred, and the 2006 Honda Civic. The NHTSA or the National Highway Traffic Safety Association and the IIHS, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety both test and rate all of the cars that come off of the production line. Their ratings consist of 1-5 stars. One star means bad and five stars exhibit excellency. The different rating categories that both the NHTSA and the IIHS perform are Frontal Star Ratings, Side Star Rating and Rollover Rating. In the Frontal Star Ratings, two sub categories based on the risk of head and chest injury on both the driver and passenger sides. Side Star Ratings also contain two sub-categories of both the front seat and rear seating which are also based on the same risk of injury. The Rollover Rating tests the cars handling, traction and weight distribution. There are also two sub categories which consist of 2 wheel drive, or 4 wheel drive. There are five rated categories, but six total because a car cannot be both 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive at the same time: not yet at least.

            The 2006 Acura RL is one of the very few cars to receive 5 Stars in all five of the categories in both the NHTSA and IIHS tests. It’s Rollover Rating was “good” which is the IIHS’s highest rating, and received the same scores for both front and side impact tests. For a little under $54,000 you may afford to buy the safest and technologically advanced cars out on the market.

            The 2006 Ford Five Hundred costs about $34,000. A cheaper car than the Acura RL, but received a lower score than the Acura RL on the Rollover Ratings. The Ford Five Hundred is also loaded with features but nothing really stands out about this car. It’s main purpose: transportation.

            The 2006 Honda Civic is a very affordable car but lacks interior technology, comfort, and looks. Sporting IIHS’s Top Safety Pick award, the Honda Civic is one of the safest smaller cars you may currently purchase that won’t bust your wallet. Honda has developed what they call the ACE. This stands for “Advanced Capability Engineering”. Honda’s new build of the 2006 Civic makes it safer for the smaller cars. The chassis is strong and reinforced which prevents the Civic from getting mauled over by a Hummer or any of those big automobiles. For a little more than $20,000 for the top-of-the-line Civic, I’d say every part of the car is worth buying.

             Overall safety has to go to cars over SUVs and trucks. Cars are lower to the ground and weigh less than SUVs and trucks so therefore they are less prone to rollover. Unfortunately, cars have been destroyed when it comes to high-speed collisions and collisions with bigger automobiles. Honda has modernized and upgraded cars to handle collisions and the wear and tear of long distance driving. It will be interesting to see what other categories cars will be rated in as many car manufacturers receive the “5 in 5” ratings.

            In this post we will cover the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, and the 2006 Ford Explorer. We will compare the American SUVs to the Japanese SUVs and their specifications in depth, and finish this post off with my personal opinion, consumer opinions, and the logical choice.

            The 2006 Chevrolet Equinox is a replacement SUV for the Chevy Tracker and it’s specifications are those based off of the Suzuki Vitara and Grand Vitara. The Equinox is affordable and has decent gas mileage. With a 3.4-liter V6 engine producing an average 185 horsepower, it is both a family vehicle as well as an SUV for recreational uses such as towing fishing boats and other simpler jobs. All-Wheel Drive, Cruise Control, Height Adjustable Seats, CD Stereo System, power windows, mirrors and locks and a rear window wiper are some of the standard interior and options that come standard with the Equinox. Equipped with ABS, traction control, large cargo space, and a five star rating by the NHTSA the 2006 Chevy Equinox is both safe and fun to drive.

            The 2006 Ford Explorer is one of the few SUVs that have a consistent amount of buyers for each model that rolls out of the production line. Almost everything about the Explorer makes you want to buy the SUV. It’s excellent ride and handling provided by the 4.0-liter V6 engine sporting 210 horsepower, six-way power driver seat, keyless entry, mp3 compatible CD player, cruise control, air conditioning, leather upholstery, ventilation ducts, four antilock disc brakes, AdvanceTrac stability control system, Roll Stability Control, Safety Canopy System and is overall quieter that previous models. Although the dispute over the 2001 Ford Explorers “rolling over”, the case has been solved and more safety features have been added in the 2006 model. The Ford Explorer is both a family SUV and a utility truck because it contains both the luxury and comfort as well as the strength and endurance other trucks do not have. With a price tag of almost $35k, you’ll definitely be getting your money worth if you need a utility truck that satisfies both you and your wife.

            If I were to choose between an American SUV or a Japanese SUV, it would really depend on what I would be looking for in the SUV. If I wanted style and a more comfortable ride, I would go with the Japanese made SUVs, but I wanted a hardier and rugged SUV I would purchase an American made SUV. If the cheapest price is what you are looking for the American made SUVs are the cheapest you can get. To me, I wouldn’t buy the cheapest SUV because not only do the more expensive ones have comfort, power, and the greater gas mileage but they are more reliable and less frequent to breaking down.

            In conclusion, Japanese SUVs are a better choice over the American SUVs because they are better engineered and provide most of the needs that consumers are looking for. I don’t mean to tell everyone not to consider buying American made SUVs, but consider both sides carefully and down to the wire before purchasing an SUV.

            In this Special Edition Blog Post we will be comparing the American Sport Utility Vehicles against the Japanese/Asian Sport Utility Vehicles. The top four ranked SUVs in America in 2006 will be selected according to manufacturers. The top two ranked SUVs from Japanese manufacturers in the USA are the 2006 Nissan Xterra, and the 2006 Toyota 4Runner. The top two ranked SUVs from American manufacturers in the USA are the 2006 Ford Explorer and the 2006 Chevy Equinox. With American manufacturers holding the title for the best pick-up trucks and heavy duty vehicles, we will compare to how their SUVs stand up against the rapidly growing SUV industry in the Japanese market.

          With the highest consumer rating out of the four SUVs, the 2006
Toyota 4Runner receives a 9.2/10 on Edmunds.com. What makes this SUV so unique is that for a little over $27k you get a lot more standard availability in parts and features than you can believe. With a standard 236 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine pulling 266lbs-ft. of torque makes this SUV accelerate like a cheetah. The towing capacity on the standard 4.0-liter 4Runner is 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner equipped with Brake Assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and Stability control, received the highest rating in the IIHS frontal-offset testing for safety, and earned four stars out of five in the government crash testing. This SUV comes with third row seating comfortably seating four to five adults with a couple kids in the third row, bringing the total capacity to six or seven people. For comfort and interior the 4Runner provides standard features such as CD player, Remote Keyless Entry, cruise control, a trip computer, 16-inch wheels, climate control, and power seats and windows. There are three trim levels, which are the type of accessory packages you can choose from, the SR5(standard), Sport, and Limited. With many safety and handling features, the 4Runner makes this big SUV easy to maneuver in tight situations as well as off-road.

            The 2006 Nissan Xterra, ranked 9.1/10 in the consumer ranking, boasts it’s capability in the city and off-road. This car-based SUV is primarily constructed for towing, and off-road activities. With a 4.0-liter 265 horsepower producing heart, the Xterra is a beast when it comes to towing load, and acceleration. Although not as equipped with as many standard features as the 4Runner, the Xterra has earned a Five Star Award for protection of both front and rear occupants in side-impact crashes. For standard options, the Xterra comes with 4WD with rear locking differentials, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, a 300-Watt Rocksford Fosgate Audio system, cruise control, high-performance shocks, alloy wheels wrapped in off-road tires, and air conditioning. Although there are a lot of performance parts, the interior and comfort level isn’t great, which reflects the affordable pricing. Plastic, and a cheap/average interior provides the least amount of comfort and isn’t very appealing to many, but what is very appealing to consumers is the affordable pricing of the 2006 Nissan Xterra.

Continued on next blog…

            Current events and the rise in gas prices have many consumers in the automobile market searching for the most fuel efficient car.
Toyota and Honda have rolled out fuel efficient cars for the past few years trying to attract a slew of buyers interested in fuel efficient cars. Both the 2007 Toyota Corolla and the 2007 Honda Civic receive numerous requests and purchases because of their fuel efficiency. So with similar gas mileage, how do you know which car is the better buy?

            The 2007 Toyota Corolla has 3 different sub-models that you may choose from. The CE model, the S model, and the LE model are available for purchase but vary in specifications and price.  The CE, the most “Common Edition” is the cheapest at $14,205 which is a great buy for 32/41 miles per gallon, an All-Weather Package, Convenience Package, Upgrade Package, and optional 4-Wheel ABS, Airbags, or/and Cruise Control. The S or “Sport” model is available for $15,205 with the same amount of miles per gallon and options as the CE model but lures those “petal to the metal” drivers with an Enhanced Power Package, Extra Value Package, Sports Plus Package, Moon roof Package, optional 6-dish in-dash CD changer with six speakers, power tilt/side moon roof with sunshade and/or 16-in. alloy wheels. The LE model has the same gas mileage but with Audio Packages to accompany the Corolla instead of standard or sport options. One thing consumers may not be aware of are the effects options have on Automobiles. The mileage per gallon is estimated without any accessories, options or aftermarket parts. Just with a change in transmission from manual to automatic reduces the possible mileage per gallon from 32/41 to 30/38. This isn’t a dramatic change but try including a Sports Package with all the available options. In the Packages for the Corolla S includes windshield molding, anti-chipping tape, heavy-duty heater and heater duct, power windows, remote keyless entry system, cruise control, power windows, a rear deck spoiler, additional airbags, a moonroof with a sunshade, ABS, VSC, CD changer and 16-in. alloy wheels and performance tires. The additional machinery needed to make these features optional adds a substantial amount of weight to your car, which slows down the acceleration rate, the top speed, and handling is less efficient.

            The 2007 Honda Civic also has 3 different sub-models a buyer can choose from. The DX, LX and EX are all different models that boast similar specifications but have different options to choose from. The cheapest of the three is the DX at $15,010. With standard accessories and built for just driving and nothing else, this car comes with few notable standard features and a 30/38 gas mileage with a manual transmission. The LX for $16,960 with manual transmission, the Audio and Stylish model of the three has the same mileage with more standard features such as Keyless Entry, Air-Conditioning (the DX doesn’t come with AC), Auto-Power Windows, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Storage Compartments, Passenger-Side Seatback Pockets, and Map Lights make the LX a more comfortable choice over the DX.  The EX, the performance and “Top-Of-The Line” model of the three boasts a price of $18,710 with manual transmission, One Touch Power Moonroof with tilt, Satellite Navigation system with voice recognition, Power Assisted front disc/Rear drum brakes, and all other options that are standard with the LX.

            If I was to go for the car that gives you the most for your money, it would have to be the Corolla. Fortunately for many car enthusiasts, aftermarket body kits and other accessories/performance parts are out in the market. For 2007 Civic buyers, they will have to wait for a bit for aftermarket parts to become available (stated by Ben D.). The Corolla not only has a cheaper price tag (excluding additional packages), but has many options that can please a wider variety of consumers. The Corollas also have a slightly higher gas mileage that the Civics.

            Many car buyers assume too much. When searching for cars, the first thing that many of them compare is cost. Mercedes-Benz and BMW are notorious for their over priced automobiles. Thus, making many buyers in the “less than 50k” pool decline all cars in their line-up as an option. Personally, I have driven the 2001 Mercedes Benz C230 Sedan, 2005 C230 Kompressor Sports Sedan, and the 2005 BMW X5 SUV. So, what are you paying for?

            The 2007 BMW M3 Convertible is the newest addition to the BMW line-up. Race inspired, the M3 has been around for a very long time. It was and still is a car enthusiasts dream to own one of these beauties. The M3 comes equipped with a 3.2 liter 6-Cylinder Engine that creates 333 horsepower which launches this European Exotic from 0-60 mph in roughly 4.8 seconds. Although .3 seconds slower than the 2006 Subaru WRX Sti, and with 33 more horsepower, the BMW has more to it than meets the eye. Unlike other automobiles, the M3 has a lot of standard features other cars on the market do not have. Adjustable Backrest Width, Front sport seats with adjustable thigh support, seatback easy-entry feature, split fold-down rear seats, anti-theft stereo system, power windows, and much more standard comfort and convenience features. BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars are very safe because they have integrated technology and safety systems that can detect how much they need to inflate the airbags, when to actually inflate the airbags and when not to. They also have standard driving safety features that help distribute the weight of the vehicle while turning, or accelerating providing both optimal performance and safety.

            Mercedes-Benz, the closest competitor to BMW has been trying to out-do BMW by manufacturing faster, safer and smarter cars. Some of the new Mercedes-Benz come ipod ready so you can just plug-in and listen to all of your favorite tunes you have on your ipod. Mercedes-Benz also offers many different varieties of sports cars, exotics, SUVs, and sedans. Your options when thinking of a Mercedes-Benz you would like to choose ranges from different Classes, different types such as convertible, hardtop, AMG, Kompressor, 4matic, and accessories. With as many mind boggling standard features as BMW automobiles, it can get kind of confusing knowing what is what unless you have a background on cars, know a little bit about cars, or work with cars. The 2007 SLK55 AMG Convertible, which is only about $7k more than the BMW M3 Convertible, has more horsepower at 355, is smaller (no back seat), but has more hardware to help keep this small roadster clung to the road. The SLK55 has brake assist, enhanced performance parts to provide stronger, and a more precise delivery of power and response. This is why the prices are different by about $7k.

            If you are looking for cars that are safe, fast, and head turners, a Mercedes-Benz, and/or a BMW will fit perfectly into the category. If you are looking for all of that with a lower price tag, I’m afraid used Mercedes and BMWs are in that category.  Overall, both cars are a good pick, it depends how much money you are willing to spend, and to most buyers, cost doesn’t matter. Since these two powerhouses are very similar to one another; looks and personal preferences are what determine which car gets purchased.

This is my first post on Automobile Comparisons and Contrasts. This blog was inspired by my desire to purchase the new 2006 Subaru WRX Sti. However, researching about other cars on the market crossed my mind. The closest competitor to the Sti was the 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution.
Starting off with the competition, the Mitsubishi Evolution IX derives from the rally cars Mitsubishi began producing decades ago. For 32 grand, this power house comes equipped with All-Wheel-Drive, a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine outputting 286 horsepower, and 289 lb-ft of torque makes this bad boy every racers dream. The aggressive dual-grille front bumper, hood scope, rear spoiler, and Brembo Big Brake kits lets the Evolution IX handle smoothly and precisely. With many standard safety and performance installations such as ABS (anti-lock braking system), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, inter-cooling system, and an overall light weight sedan draws attention from the younger crowd of speedsters and joy riders.
The Subaru WRX Sti flaunts everything that the Mitsubishi Evolution IX boasts. Turbo-charged, four cylinder engine pulling 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft. of torque. Fortunately for Subaru, they listened to the public and included more standard features in the 2006 Subaru WRX Sti. A CD changer, cruise control, light gold painted BBS rims, sticky racing tires, front-seat side airbags, and automatic climate control dominate the Evo’s standard hardware. Mounted on the trunk, rises a spoiler, extended rear bumper, and modified front bumper to provide extra traction, handling and wind resistance.
Yes, both the Evo and the Sti have solid handling that only other cars dream of having. However, both have major downsides. The Subaru Sti, feels heavier because of its extra features, bigger engine, heavier exhaust, and cabin weight. The handling and acceleration are superior when comparing other cars, but when matched up against the Evo, the Sti falls short in the performance category. Interested buyers who have test drove both the Evo and the Sti claim that the Evo has better handling, and the Sti feels like it clings to the ground. The Evo, doesn’t come equipped with a lot of options such as CD changer, and cruise control, but you can upgrade and purchase options such as HIDs (headlights), and sound system upgrade. The Sti on the other hand comes with a lot installed, but you can’t customize the car because there isn’t a broad range of options available, and no sunroof.
All in all, it really just depends on what the driver wants. The Mitsubishi Evolution IX is light and agile, while the Subaru WRX Sti is quick and strong. In my opinion I would test drive both cars before you make a final decision. Sit down one on one with a consultant/salesman and go over all the speculations and options that are available.