THE INTERMEDIATES

MERCURY

Cougar

Cougar XR-7

CHRYSLER

Cordoba

PLYMOUTH

Fury

Sport Fury

Satellite

Road Runner

DODGE

Mirada

Magnum XE

Charger

FORD

Thunderbird

CHEVROLET

Monte Carlo

PONTIAC

Grand Prix

BUICK

Century

Regal

Grand National

OLDSMOBILE

Cutlass

Cutlass Supreme

4-4-2

2016 NEW YORK AUTO SHOW

LINCOLN 

Navigator Concept

WHAT'S NEW?

• 400 hp EcoBoost V6
• A very strong hint at what the 2018 Navigator will look like...MINUS the gull-wing doors
• Huge Wheels
• Chrome O' Plenty!
• Built on all-new chassis
• Blue Nappa Leather w/ Teak Wood interior trim
• Soft Blue custom paint
• Rear cargo area doubles as a closet w/ shelves creating a wardrobe management system
• Multi-level running boards deploy automatically when the gullwing doors open/close
• Wi-Fi Touchscreen Monitors built into front seatbacks
• 30-way Power Seats
• Pre-Collision Assist w/ Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Keeping Assist
• On sale sometime in 2017

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Yes! Especially if those gullwing doors made it past the FoMoCo bean counters & into the production models

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
It's beautiful that's for sure. Yet again I ask...DOES ANYONE NOT SEE THE GINORMOUS SIMILARITY BETWEEN FORD & LAND ROVER SUV's??? I mean c'mon this is the same size & overall design as the Long Wheelbase Range Rover!

VOLKSWAGEN

Golf Alltrack

 WHAT'S NEW?

• 170 hp Turbo 4-cylinder
• 6-speed DSG (or) 6-speed Manual
• 4Motion All-Wheel Drive
• 1" higher ground clearance than standard Golf Sportwagen
• Black lower bodyside cladding
• New "Off-Road" mode
• On sale October 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Ohhhh....I suppose I wouldn't kick it outta bed

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
C'Mon VW....let's not start cranking out new unnecessary models just to divert the general public away from the current diesel debacle. You've owned up to it....now fix it & leave the building of this sort of niche wagon to your more expensive brother Audi.

AUDI 

R8 Spyder V10

 WHAT'S NEW?

• mid-mounted 540 hp V-10 w/ 7-speed S-tronic
• Quattro All-Wheel Drive
• 20" Matte Black Wheels
• 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds
• Large 12" Audi Virtual Cockpit uses 3D graphics
• MMI Navigation w/ Touchpad
• Audi Connect LTE internet access
• Bang & Olufsen Audio
• Optional Carbon Fiber front spoiler, rear diffuser, & side blades
• LED Headlamps

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Are you kidding? This thing just exudes sex appeal

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
See above...that about sums it up!

TOYOTA

Highlander

Highlander Hybrid

 WHAT'S NEW?

• 4-cylinder, V6, (or) V6 Hybrid
• 6-Speed Auto, 8-Speed Auto (or) CVT (Hybrid only)
• Front (or) All-Wheel Drive
• LE, LE +, XLE, SE, Limited, or Limited Platinum
• Hybrid LE, Hybrid XLE, Hybrid Limited, or Hybrid Platinum
• NEW SE trim features 19" alloy wheels, dark painted grille, headlamp bezels, & roof rails
• PLUS black leather seats / door panels, & black storage tray
• Toasted Walnut, Salsa Red, or Celestial Silver
• NEW Dark Brown leather seats
• NEW Upper/Lower Silver (or) Chrome Front Grille
• NEW Headlamps, Taillamps, Rear Bumper Chrome Trim garnish
• 7 (or) 8-passenger seating
• Pedestrian Pre-Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Alert
• Automatic High Beam Headlamps
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Bird's Eye View Camera w/ Perimeter Scan
• On sale October 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
I would probably compare this against the Nissan Pathfinder first

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
The Highlander in my opinion has always been the "Camry" of crossover's. By that I mean, a low on style low maintenance car based utility wagon that mom can drive & drive until it's given to little Bobby or Snooki when they leave for college.

NISSAN

GT-R

 WHAT'S NEW?

• Hand built 565 hp Twin Turbo V6
• 6-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic
• All-Wheel Drive
• NEW Mesh Patterned Matte Chrome "V-Motion" Front Grille
• NEW Hood, Front/Rear Fascias, & Side Sills
• Re-Designed Front Chin Spoiler
• NEW Nappa Leather wrapped dashboard
• NEW 8" Touchscreen Monitor
• NEW Display Command control knob on center console
• Carbon Fiber Center Console
• NEW Steering Wheel w/ integrated Paddle Shifters
• NEW Titanium exhaust w/ Active Sound Enhancement
• NEW 20" 15-spoke Wheels
• NEW "Blaze" 4-stage color
• Ivory, Amber Red, (or) NEW Rakuda Tan semi-aniline leather seats
• NissanConnect Navigation, Mobile Apps & Services
• On sale June 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Ohhhhh HELLLLL YES!!

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
The current 545hp GT-R is a rocket disguised as a car. But...it does need a little softening around it's edges.

NISSAN 

Titan V8

 WHAT'S NEW?

• 390 hp Endurance V8
• 7-Speed Automatic
• Optional V6 will be offered later in the model year
• 1/2 ton short bed crew cab body style later joined by single & king cab versions
• 1 foot shorter wheelbase than big brother Titan XD
• Shares the same cab styles but the 1/2 ton model's chassis is different than the XD model.
• Built in Decherd, TN
• On sale June 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Why not. 

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
If ever cometh the day where I'm looking for a big butch ass truck...it don't get much more butch than this thing!

KIA 

Cadenza

 WHAT'S NEW?

• 290 hp V6
• Front Wheel Drive
• 8-Speed Automatic
• Redesigned Front Fascia
• Optional Nappa Leather w/ quilted seat bolsters accented with diamond shaped stitching
• New Dark Brown interior color
• Optional White package has new black pearl wood trim
• Redesigned 18" and 19" wheels
• NEW Head up Display
• Updated Surround View Monitor
• Advanced Smart Cruise Control
• Collision Warning w/ Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning
• Smart Blind Spot Detection
• Smart Trunk
• Wireless Smartphone Charger
• Standard Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Microsoft's UVO Infotainment
• Optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio w/ Clari-Fi music restoration technology
• On sale November 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Indeed it would

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
Still a great looking car that's full of the latest features. However, I am concerned that 290 horsepower isn't quite enough to move such a large car.

SUBARU 

Impreza

 WHAT'S NEW?

• 155 hp Boxer 4-cylinder
• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Lineartronic CVT w/ manual mode & paddle shifters
• Dramatic new look w/ signature hexagon grille & hawk-eye headlamp design
• 2.0i, Premium, Sport, & Limited
• NEW 2.0i Sport trim features 18" machine finish alloy wheels & Active Torque Vectoring
• 2.0i Sport also has LED DRL's, black front grille, body color rocker panels, & turn signal mirrors 
• Standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, & Near Field Communication connectivity
• EyeSight includes Adaptive Cruise, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Depart Warning, & Lane Keep Assist
• Optional Blind Spot Detect, Cross Traffic Alert, Steer Response Headlamps, High Beam Assist
• Standard Vision Camera & Automatic Reverse Braking
• SUBARU StarLink Multimedia & Connectivity
• SUBARU StarLink Safety & Security Connected Services
• On sale November 2016

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
It looks soooooo much better now so sure I'd shop it.

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
Previous Impreza's have failed to impress me for two reasons. First, they have horribly antiquated navigation/infotainment systems that are so hard to operate. Second, that 150hp boxer engine is just gutless beyond belief! So if these two items have been addressed well then I welcome thee Subaru!

MITSUBISHI

Mirage G4

WHAT'S NEW?

• 85 hp 3-cylinder lawn mower engine
• Top of its class in fuel economy (because it has no balls!)
• 5 year/60,000 mile new vehicle warranty
• 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty
• 7 year/100,000 mile anti-rust warranty
• 5 year/unlimited mile roadside assistance
• Literally the only good thing about this car are the aforementioned warranties
• Good News...it goes on sale May 2016!!!

WOULD IT BE ON MY SHOPPING LIST?
Really?

WHAT DO I THINK OF IT?
They took an already hideous roller skate looking hatchback & made an even uglier sedan!

A BRAND REVIEW...INFINITI

Here is the second installment of a new feature on this blog called "A Brand Review". Today, I'll be reviewing the entire Infiniti product line for model year 2016. I did not include the upcoming Q60 nor QX30 as they are both being launched later this year as 2017 models.

Q50
Q70
QX50
QX60
QX70
QX80
_________________________________________

MODEL:                            Q50

ENGINES:                         208 hp Turbo 4-cylinder
                                          300 hp Twin Turbo V6
                                          360 hp V6 Hybrid
                                          400 hp Twin Turbo V6

STARTS AT:                     $35,000
FULLY LOADED:             $60,000

TRIM LEVELS:                 2.0t
                                          2.0t Premium
                                          3.0t Premium
                                          Hybrid Premium
                                          Sport
                                          Red Sport 400

I LIKE:                               Technology; Looks; Sport + mode
NOT SO MUCH:                4-cylinders; Fake Leather

ON THE ROAD:               Today's car manufacturer has strict gas mileage goals they are required to meet by the year 2025. I get that...I really do. Speaking for myself, if I can ever get myself to the point financially where I can afford a car in the $30-$40k range, I want more for my buck. The Q50 has lowered its starting price approx $3000 which is nice, but as a result you're sitting on fake leather and driving a turbo 4 borrowed from the Mercedes-Benz engine family but made in Mexico! That's the downside.
     The good? EVERYTHING ELSE! It's quick to respond when you need it. The hybrid has gobs of power while averaging 34-36 hwy mpg numbers and don't even get me started on how technologically advanced the Q50 is!
______________________________________

MODEL:                            Q70

ENGINES:                        330 hp V6

                                          360 hp V6 Hybrid

                                          420 hp V8

STARTS AT:                     $50,000

FULLY LOADED:             $77,000

TRIM LEVELS:                 3.7

                                          L 3.7

                                          Hybrid

                                          5.6

                                          L 5.6

I LIKE:                            V8 Muscle; Interior Space; Looks

NOT SO MUCH:             Old Technology; Not Very Refined

ON THE ROAD:              This is a difficult car to review. I would have to say I am literally on the fence regarding my opinion of the Q70. I love the L model's extra 6" of rear legroom, but hate the fact that the L feels so damn big & ponderous. I love that big V8 sound and feel and all 420 ponies it brings to the table. I hate the overall 12 mpg that comes with that same big powerful V8! I love the way the Q70 looks with the optional 20" sport wheels. I hate the harsh suspension & noisy ride you get with those 20" wheels. I could go on & on here but the gist of it is the Q70 and I have a "love-hate" relationship!

_____________________________________

MODEL:                            QX50

ENGINE:                          325 hp V6

STARTS AT:                     $36,000

FULLY LOADED:             $45,000

TRIM LEVELS:                 Base

                                          AWD

I LIKE:                               New 19" Wheels

NOT SO MUCH:                Everything Else

ON THE ROAD:               I honestly cannot fathom why this car hasn't been killed yet. 2016 marks the first significant makeover it's had since it first debuted in 2008! There is so much more I could elaborate on this outdated luxury crossover but there just isn't enough time or blog space available!

__________________________________________

MODEL:                            QX60

ENGINE:                    250 hp Supercharged 4-cyl Hybrid

                                   265 hp V6

STARTS AT:               $44,000

FULLY LOADED:       $63,000

TRIM LEVELS:           3.5

                                    Hybrid

I LIKE:                         Technology; Interior Space; Looks

NOT SO MUCH:          Hybrid Refinement; Rear Visibility

ON THE ROAD:          Overall, the QX60 is a pretty nice luxury Crossover. It's got great features, its versatile, and in my opinion gives you the most for your hard earned dollar. Stay clear of the hybrid model though. The loud and rather clunky feeling alone is not worth the price of admission.

_____________________________________________

MODEL:                            QX70

ENGINE:                     325 hp V6

STARTS AT:                $47,000

FULLY LOADED:        $60,000

TRIM LEVELS:            3.7

THUMBS UP:               Looks; Handling; Sport package

THUMBS DOWN:         This Car Needs a full Makeover!

ON THE ROAD:            See QX50 & mirror that here!

_____________________________________________

MODEL:                         QX80

ENGINE:                           400 hp V8

STARTS AT:                     $65,000

FULLY LOADED:             $90,000

TRIM LEVELS:                 Base

                                          Limited

THUMBS UP:                    Roomy; Luxurious; Competitive

THUMBS DOWN:              BIG! 16 MPG in real world driving

ON THE ROAD:                 Man is this thing big! The QX80 has been the 2nd best selling SUV in its class since 2011 when the second generation QX launched as the QX56. I have to say as big as it looks, surprisingly it doesn't drive big. It handles nicely, is very comfy, and just as luxurious overall as any Range Rover , Lexus, or Cadillac out there. One item not so hot is the gas mileage. Of course, the demographic of people buying $65,000 + SUV's probably aren't much concerned about that I would imagine.