BRIAN J STRASNICK, Willow Laboratories inc
Monday, February 23rd, 2009Dodge Journey R/T Performance Like the Avenger sedan upon which it’s based, the 2009 Dodge Journey is fairly unremarkable to drive. Steering is a little nonlinear in effort and there’s not much road feel transmitted through the blocky steering wheel. On-center feel is decent, though, and it’s easy to keep the Journey on the straight and narrow. Brake feel was mushy, sounding and feeling like we were stepping on a Nerf football. Braking distances were similarly only so-so, as the Journey came to a stop from 60 mph in 132 feet.
Ford F-150 Ford Focus SES Performance On the move, the 2008 Ford Focus SES falls in the middle of the road in regards to handling performance. Earlier Focus models were known for their lively steering and fun-to-drive nature. These attributes aren’t as immediately apparent in the new car, as Ford chose to prioritize stability and ride quality instead. This is even the case with the as-tested SES trim, which comes standard with sportier wheels and tires and a rear antiroll bar. The Focus still possesses decent steering response and grip. But drivers looking for a sport-themed small car will find driving excitement elsewhere.
WILLOW LABORATORIES NEWS WILLOW LABORATORIES INFO BRIAN J STRASNICK NEWS BRIAN J STRASNICK WILLOW LABORATORIES INC
Test Drive: 2008 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro A Great Car That Misses Its Mark Vehicle Tested: 2008 Audi TT 3.2 quattro 2dr Hatchback AWD (3.2L 6cyl 6AM) Pros: Brilliant S tronic transmission, surprising handling ability, nifty adjustable suspension, anyone-friendly front seats, usable cargo space, peerless interior execution. Cons: Palpitation-causing as-tested price, some will find the ride too rough, Oompa-Loompa-friendly backseats, horribly outdated iPod interface. Click. The magnetic ride suspension is engaged. Clack. The S tronic transmission gearlever slides into manual mode. Click. The left paddle shifter labeled “-” is pressed. Vroom. The transmission blips the 3.2-liter V6 as it instantaneously drops itself into 3rd gear.
Nissan GT-R: Function Unlike some other supercars, the GT-R features a rather sizable trunk that can fit two sets of golf clubs and a standard carry-on roller suitcase. The lift-over is very high, though, and the rear transaxle and gas tank underneath can heat up your groceries.
Ford Flex Limited Performance Weighing in at 4,828 pounds, the 2009 Ford Flex is an awfully big box — and that’s when it’s empty of passengers and their stuff. Still, with a respectable 262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 aboard, our all-wheel-drive Flex Limited managed to get up from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds — which is just a hair slower than the last all-wheel-drive Saturn Outlook and Mazda CX-9 we tested. Better news can be found when going from 60 to zero mph, as the Flex bucks Ford’s recent trend of horrendous braking performances with a very respectable emergency stopping distance of 128 feet.
Saturn Outlook XR AWD: Design/Fit and Finish Interior materials are of good quality, and while not quite the premium feel of the Buick Enclave, they definitely don’t feel cheap. Panel gaps were minimal on our test vehicle, and the entire interior felt solidly built, with nary a squeak or rattle. The light tan leather on the first- and second-row seats — part of the pricey $3,570 Luxury Package — was comfortable and attractive, but we noticed it already starting to look dirty after our test Outlook’s 2,300 miles. Hard plastic on the backs of the front seats makes scuff removal easy but takes away from the upscale feel of the leather upholstery.
Volkswagen Jetta SE Trouble is, Volkswagen needs more than that to make a sizable dent in the super-competitive $17,000-$20,000 compact sedan segment. The company needs what the industry calls “conquest sales.” That doesn’t mean salesmen in conquistador garb pummeling showroom visitors into purchase submission. It really means consumers who change brands, and that’s where the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta SE comes in.
VALERIE HAWK HOFFMAN VALERIE HOFFMAN HERBALIST VALERIE HOFFMAN HERBS VALERIE HAWK HOFFMAN HERBS VALERIE HOFFMAN HERB HOFFMAN VALERIE