Thursday, June 13, 2013
2011 Kia Sorento Review
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| The 2011 Kia Sorento. |
Its deja vu all over again.
Those of us of a certain age can remember when Honda found the magic dust and began sprinkling it liberally over their product portfolio. They went from an interesting, quirky also-ran to a company that could do no wrong and whose products you couldnt afford to ignore come car-shopping time.
Well here we are three decades later, and thats whats happening with Kia, which before they were an interesting, quirky also-ran, werent all that interesting...so the achievement curve here is actually higher than it was for Honda.
About a month ago, we extolled the virtues of the Kia Sportage, now a fine, no-excuses small SUV. But what if you need something a touch bigger?
Well, thats where the Kia Sorento comes in. Its roomier but gets very close to the same mileage as the Sportage (21 city/29 highway to the Sportages 22/31).
Our tester was the mid-level EX front wheel drive (all three, LX, EX and SX are available in all-wheel-drive as well), starting at $24,795. And that gets you a very well-equipped machine: DOHC 4, 6-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, ABS, airbags and curtains all around, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, tire pressure monitoring, downhill brake control and hill assist control, dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, door locks, and outside mirrors, an AM/FM/CD/mp3 audio system with SiriusXM satellite radio, USB and auxiliary jacks and Bluetooth.
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| The interior of the 2011 Kia Sorento. |
The Limited package (Navigation with traffic data, backup camera, Infinity Audio system with 10 speakers, 18-inch mirror-finish alloy wheels and interior accent illumination)...$2,000.
Premium Package 1 (Leather seat trim in the first and second row, heated front seats and an auto-dimming mirror with display for the backup camera)...$1,500.
And a mirror with Compass and Homelink for $250.
Regular TireKicker readers know Id almost always pass on factory nav systems (your phone can do most of what those do), but the added safety of the backup camera is a good idea in almost any vehicle...especially SUVs...and the Infinity Audio system rocked...so Id actually go this way with my own dime....which would give us a grand total after delivery charges of $29,340.
It drives well, it handles well, it gets good mileage, and nicely equipped, youre coming in just a shade below the competition on price. Plus theres the 10 year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty and the 5 year/60,000 mile roadside assistance. Hard to go wrong...unless you dont test drive one.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
The collapse of the toe in his own hands OKA
Up to adjust the collapse of the toe is possible only on a special stand. But the best results can be achieved, and improvised devices - in particular, if you had to replace parts, and to professional booth away. Would be a good pit (overpass) and correspondingly skills. The car must be horizontal - it takes under the wheels put a piece of plywood, and check the horizontal level of the building. It is important to remember that the regulation makes no sense, if not eliminate malfunction in the suspension vehicle, any looseness in the hub bearings and the upper support racks. Unacceptable large deformation and wear rubber-metal hinges. The car must be staffed with tires and wheels the same size as the air pressure in them to be 0.18 MPa (1.8 atm). Axial and radial runout rims can not exceed the 0,7 and 1,0 mm. The heartbeat can be checked by turning the wheels hung, next to which is set (dense set) stand (fits even a brick). The sidewall of the tire to find two diametrically opposite points, the same lateral runout and mark them with chalk or a marker. They will be required in the regulation of camber and toe. Prodelyvat better job loaded with "Oka", 75 kg on front seats and 75kgs in the middle rear seat. This condition exactly. Can, for example, loaded with bricks (one facing brick - 3.75 kg). Before checking prozhimaem 2 or 3 times the suspension, putting some effort from the posterior, then to the front bumper. Of the wheels have run-in, loaded the machine should be as follows: the angle of longitudinal inclination are 1, 5 to 2.5 degrees, the collapse of the rim from the vertical 0, plus - or minus 3 mm; toe on the rim of 0, plus - minus 1mm. The longitudinal angle is adjustable by changing the stretching arm suspension. The desired result is achieved by rotating the nut on the banner in place of its installation in Rubber mounting. With the increase of the angle of exchange rate stability increase. Template will determine the longitudinal angle on almost any models Vaz. On the template parallel to the ends of the protrusions held the line, and line the hole in which there is a thread, and two weights on the ends. Thrusting the thread into the hole (up to weights), we can apply a template for the wheels on the opposite side. Angles are measured along the markup on the template with the transition to 1gradus with every step. Apply a template to the end of the electric posts and a plumb define the desired angle. Since the stand is tilted in the transverse direction, when adjusting the string with a plumb line extended from the inner side of the applied template. To properly adjust the angle to look at the pattern and yarn perpendicular to the plane of the machine. Key "to 19" weaken the nut stretching to the lever. Key "on 22" rotated two nuts on the fixture at the end of the stretch Rubber mounting. Shortening the stretch, we reduce the angle of inclination of the axis. To determine the camber you want to use a plumb. Thread, or rather its upper end to attach to the wing with a magnet. A wheel should be positioned so that the label is upright. By varying the length of the rod, adjustable toe. Key "to 19" wrench nut.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
2011 Ford Taurus SHO Review
In Fords case, were talking about 1965:
Yes, they called it "The Velvet Brute"...a Galaxie 500 with a 425-horsepower 427 cubic inch V8 stuffed under the hood. You could even get it with a manual transmission. Well, full-size powerhouses didnt last much longer and if it hadnt been for Chryslers 300C, Ford might never have tried the new Taurus SHO, but were sure glad they did.
Oh, sure there were SHOs in the early 90s, but that was a smaller car...the Taurus mission in life is to be the BIG Ford...so the SHO has a lot more in common with 7-Liter Galaxies in our book. And thats a good thing.
The Taurus SHO looks and feels special. The 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 is a serious engine...and the SHO keeps the serious stuff coming...with a six-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters), all-wheel drive, a sport tuned suspension, Advancetrac with electronic stability control, high intensity projector headlamps and more.
And the interior kicks things up several notches too...possibly the best big American sedan interior Ive been in for years, if not decades.
The SHO is even defensible on green grounds...getting an EPA estimated 17 city/25 highway miles per gallon...not that far off the base Taurus SEs 18/28. And the safety aspect? Not to worry. Five-star crash ratings all around (four for rollover).
Where the difference comes in is the price tag. Theres no question you get every pennys worth, but the still sobering fact is that the base price of a Taurus SHO ($38,020) is $12,600 more than the Taurus SE. And when equipped like our tester (heated and cooled front seats, power moonroof, upgraded Sony audio system, heated rear seats, power sunshade, blind spot monitoring, rain sensing wipers and automatic high beam headlights, adjustable pedals, red candy metallic tinted paint, adaptive cruise control with collision warning, voice-activated navigation, multi-contoured seats and delivery charge), itll crack $46,000 before package discounts (which whittles the tab down to about $45,600). You cant load an SE beyond $27,466 even if you check every single option box.
So, loaded, were talking about an $18,000 difference in price tag. Dont get us wrong. We love the SHO. Wed gladly own one. We could even make the case for the price based on what you get. But this is America, where the "deal" moves cars more than merit or features...and where perceived value is a major factor, especially in a down economy.
Is there a sufficient market for a $45,000-plus Ford Taurus? Sure hope so, because its one heckuva car.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Tips Choosing Tires and Wheels for Car Racing
This type of softer tires. It is used specifically for racing. If it is used daily wear faster. Because the software, power cengkramnya better so that cars are safer when eating corner. Soft compound tire is still divided its kind to become a full semi-slick and slick. Full slick tires do not have grooves on the tread. Flat and smooth with no grooves. These types of tires have good grip on dry tracks. Opposite the semi-slick tires have a little groove with a besarbesar pattern.
Function plot to brush the water. So this type of tire designed in wet or slippery track, "he added. Because each tire has its own character. It is recommended that car owners who follow the racing event brings both, full and semi-slick slick. If the tire should be replaced soft, alloy wheels original wheels were advised to take luggage car.
If you want to replace the wheels, better if you use a wheel made in Japan. The material is lighter yet more robust quality
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
2011 Nissan Sentra Review
I remember my first time at the wheel of a Sentra. It was 1982, and I was swayed by advertising telling me "You NEED this car".
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| Hard-selling the 1982 Nissan Sentra. |
Not being an automotive journalist yet, but having contacts at the local dealership, I was allowed to take one for an afternoon-long test drive. It was cheap, tinny and slow. So slow, in fact, that I got a ticket. You see, in order to make the thing move, all you could do was find the lowest gear, floor the sucker and take it all the way to the redline before you shifted to the next gear, then repeat.
Well, the car made so much more noise than speed that a motorcycle policeman on a side street came after me, pulled me over and wrote me a ticket...not for speeding...I wasnt...it couldnt (at least not without another quarter mile or so of straining)....no, the ticket was for exhibition of speed.
Disturbing the peace would have been a better call.
I considered that Sentra the worst car Id ever driven (for a time...the 80s had a way of sending worse-still machines my way as fleet vehicles and rental cars), and a scant two years later found the 1984 Honda Civic so superior in every way that I spent $3,000 more than that first Sentra cost because I figured thats what it took.
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| The 2011 Nissan Sentra. |
Youd be amazed how many people hold a grudge like that. "Id never buy a (blank). My parents had one in 1982 and it was a piece of junk!"
Times, technologies and techniques all change in the car business...and a lot more frequently than every 29 years, which is why its no surprise to me (nor should it be to you) that the current Nissan Sentra is not only nothing like the 1982, its a very, very good car.
Like its big brother Altima, the Sentra tends to fly under the radar. The car you see everyday but dont really pay much attention to. And then, if youre fortunate, you drive one.
The Sentras virtues are roominess, decent performance, good fuel economy and a wide range of trim levels. The base 2.0 model starts at $16,060 and comes with a 140 horsepower 2.0 liter 4, a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with auxilary jack, power windows and door locks, six airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System.
One step up to the 2.0 S ($17,990) buys you a continuously variable automatic transmission (Nissan builds the best CVTs in the business)16-inch wheels, power outside mirrors, remote keyless entry, an iPod interface, illuminated steering wheel cruise and audio control buttons, a trip computer and outside temperature display.
Next level is the 2.0 SR (also $17,990)...the 16-inch wheels are aluminum alloy, and the rest is cosmetics...sport front and rear fascias, side still extensions, smoked headlight surround and taillights and a chrome exhaust-tip finisher.
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| Rear view of the 2011 Nissan Sentra. The tall trunk promises good cargo space. And delivers. |
And then, theres our tester, the 2.0 SL. Top of the line, apart from the SE-R and SE-R Spec V, which are performance levels and should be reviewed on their own (can we borrow each for a week, Nissan?).
The 2.0 SL is $19,390, takes the 2.0 S equipment and adds the aluminum alloy sixteens from the SR, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry and ignition system, Bluetooth, a premium audio system with a 4.3 inch color display, a USB port and SiriusXM Satellite radio.
Nice package for under $20K.
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| 2011 Nissan Sentra Interior. Not fancy, but not bargain-basement, either. |
Options? Our tester had only three: The most reasonably-priced in-dash nav system Ive seen so far ($400), splash guards ($150) and floor mats ($120). With $750 destination charge, the bottom line: $20,810. One of the best bargains out there.
And the EPA estimate: 27 city/34 highway.
Maybe Nissans ad agency was 29 years ahead of its time...could be you need this car now.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Audi A4 Review
When you make a nearly perfect car, you take a big risk with any revisions.
Thats the position Audi was in when it updated the A4 this year.
By and large, they did okay.
Styling changes are so subtle that you almost have to park an 09 and a 10 next to each other to see them.
One place where I think they missed it was the new taillamp design. I cant put my finger on it, but it reminds me of a car from years back...and its not a good memory.
Beyond that, though, the look is still classic Audi A4, with a hint more muscle.
Under the hood, the 2.0 model I tested has 211 horsepower....not blistering, but more than adequate, mated to a six-speed Tiptronic transmission.
One worry I have is with the new A4s interior. For more than a decade, Audis not only had the best interiors in the business, but each new generation upped the ante. This time around, it was still very, very good...but the sense of advancement was gone. In fact, a couple of surfaces...especially around the audio system drives (CD and dual SD cards) felt a bit cheap...a lower-grade plastic. I hope Im wrong or that Audi will correct it.
The base price remains reasonable for a premium compact sedan: $33,550...but options run up the tab fast. Our tester had Deep Sea Blue Pearl Effect paint ($475), $3500 for the Premium Plus package (Xenon plus headlights, LED daytime runninglamps and taillamps, 17" 10-spoke alloy wheels and all-season tires, a Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, Homelink garage door opener, exterior chrome window trim, Audi Music Interface (which replaces the auxilary input) , driver information system with trip computer and a rain/light sensor.
But theres more. Throw in $2500 for the navigation package with camera (we wouldnt...cell phones have GPS), $400 for dark walnut wood inlays and $130 for exhaust tips. Factor in $825 for destination charges and youre at $41,830.
Not cheap. But (apart from that worrisome interior plastic), not a cheap car. Still one of my favorites.
EPA estimates: 21 city/27 highway.
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