“Java” 2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV FWD Sedan

On November 25, 2014November 26, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, NissanLeave a comment

Two years ago I wrote of Al Hirt, famed New Orleans trumpeter and bandleader, owning a bar on Bourbon Street in the 60’s, and that I was sure that I had been in it at some point while serving in the Air Force nearby. My favorite watering hole, however, was Larry & Katz (pictured), an establishment a few blocks away from the French Quarter, where only white patrons were allowed inside. Everyone else had to drink outside on the sidewalk in front of the bar. That wasn’t my attraction to the place; that’s just the way it was all over Louisiana in 1967.

Al Hirt closed his Bourbon Street Club in 1983 because, as he said, the area had become “too dirty and dangerous”. His career, on the other hand, was illustrious, and included production of such hits as “Java” and the theme song to TV’s “The Green Hornet”. Java, and its accompanying album “Honey in the Horn”, sold a million copies.

What does all this have to do with my latest test car, the 2014 Nissan Altima? Not much, really, except that the color was called “Java”, and I had never seen that name associated with factory paint. The car, as you can see, looked a little like black coffee and this Altima had the charcoal cloth interior. It was the SV model, next the top of the Altima lineup. Their SL, perched at the top, has leather seating and a Bose stereo.

Power for the front-wheel-drive Altima SV is supplied by a 2.5 liter, four cylinder engine with 182 horsepower (6,000 rpm) and 180 lb. ft. of torque (4,000 rpm). Nissan gave in to the 4-cylinder trend with this car, and my week was pleasurable, even though two years ago I drove the V-6. A continuously variable automatic transmission is mated to the four cylinder engine, and acceleration was acceptable. EPA mileage figures are 27/38 mpg for city and highway (18 gallon tank), and during the week with the car, I averaged 32.4 miles per gallon.

The Altima SV I tested had as options a convenience package ($1,350.00), carpeting floor and trunk mats ($185.00), and technology package ($1,090.00). Total M.S.R.P., counting the $810.00 for freight, came to $27,615.00. With rear backup camera, moon roof, navigation system, keeping this sedan under twenty-eight grand is an accomplishment. Of course it had key-in-your-pocket ignition, tilt/telescope, power locks and windows, cruise control, satellite radio/CD, Bluetooth, and UBS connection. Seating was for five, and the trunk held 15.4 cubic feet of cargo.

Styling for the new Altima, introduced in July of 2012, is an improvement over prior Altimas. It looks bigger than it actually is, which is 191.5 “ in length and 3,177 lbs. in weight. Chrome door handles are attached to the Nissan, and dual fog lights are up front along with a bold grill. Ride is great, and it’s quiet in the cabin (71 decibels). Ten-spoke, 17” alloy wheels are surrounded by P215/55R17 Michelin Primacy MXV4 all season radials.

Nissan’s best seller, this Altima, should hold up well in the sales wars with Honda’s Accord and Toyota’s Camry, as it doesn’t offer a person many opportunities to complain. I spent a long day condo-hunting in Denver with it, and the driving didn’t “Hirt” too bad because I had a “Honey” of a car to accomplish the task.

2014 Lexus IS-F RWD Sports Sedan

On November 15, 2014November 15, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Lexus2 Comments

The high performance Lexus IS-F was waiting at Sky Harbor airport (Phoenix) when Ruth and I flew in to see the penultimate Nascar race for 2014, and we immediately jumped in for our ride up to Scottsdale to our hotel. When you fire it up with the push button starter, the big engine rumbles to life and reminds you that this is a compact car with Lexus’ biggest V-8 stuffed under the hood. It’s a 5.0-liter, dual overhead cam, 32 valve masterpiece with 416 horsepower and 371 lb. ft. of torque. And it’s coupled to an eight speed, sport-direct shift automatic transmission that is as smooth as silk.

When I pulled onto AZ Route 101 and stomped on the accelerator, I was somewhat startled at the sound emanating from under the hood. This Lexus V-8 features a dual air intake system that kicks open a secondary inlet (at 3,600 rpm) to give the big engine an extra gulp of air for enhanced acceleration. And what a sound! Plus, the four-tip, low restriction, semi-dual exhaust system really screams, as well. Advertised zero to 60 mph time is 4.6 seconds, and I am willing to take their word for that. Also advertised is a top speed of 170 mph and I am willing to, well, you know…. The speedometer reads up to 200 mph!

This particular model was “Nebula Gray Pearl” outside with a red and black leather interior. I found myself pretty well surrounded by the front buckets (it has four in the cabin), and lots of adjustments are on hand. “F” logos are stitched in several places on the seating, and “F” chrome emblems are on the fenders. I think it stands for the Fuji Speedway in Japan, where extensive performance testing of the Lexus IS-F took place. This model launched the high-performance “F” line of Lexus automobiles.

The ride is definitely performance related and if you want a smooth ride in this car, find a smooth road to drive it on. Features include double-wishbone front suspension and multilink rear, and big Brembo brakes are on hand. With the suspension setup, the snappy eight-speed automatic, and the rowdy V-8, just cruising around Phoenix is a kick in the pants (that is a good thing).

The console and dashboard feature some dark aluminized composite trim and cool, ambient lighting is on the doors; blue needles indicate goings-on over the gauges. The car I had in my possession featured the $3,410.00 optional hard-drive-based navigation system and Mark Levinson, 14-speaker surround sound stereo system. The navigation screen reveals a color picture of your rear view, and the steering wheel is a handsome two-toned leather (again, red and black with radio controls and transmission paddles), and the shift knob is red leather. Counting the aforementioned stereo, navigation, and freight, the Lexus carried a sticker price of $68,170.00. This automobile is designed for four people and the trunk holds 13.3 cubic feet of luggage. The IS-F is a genuine hot-rod for the high-end auto enthusiast, which could be me; I would certainly love to have one.

After checking in, Ruth and I headed up Indian School Road to find some lunch. I found myself hoping for successive red lights along the way so that I could run through the gears on the Lexus. Lots of motorists were admiring the car with it’s 19″ gray/black alloy wheels, big air vents jutting out from the fenders, and upper and lower mesh grills. The big vents are ostensibly for the purpose of letting hot air get away from the big V-8. On the trunk is a carbon fiber spoiler and in the charcoal paint the car is a particularly attractive mode of transportation. At the end of the day it was a pleasure to rumble into the hotel parking lot, and I couldn’t wait to drive the Lexus to Phoenix International Raceway the next morning for the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500.

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2014.5 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE

On November 4, 2014 By stuwright47In *HYBRIDS/ELECTRICS, ToyotaLeave a comment

The Toyota Camry Hybrid mid-size FWD sedan was introduced in May of 2006 as a 2007 model. The current unit is in its second generation iteration. A 2014.5 Toyota Camry SE Hybrid was brought to me last week for testing, and it was equipped as such to arrive at an M.S.R.P. of $30,970.00. The base price of $27,945.00 for the SE model had as additions the navigation system ($1,200.00) and power tilt/slide moon roof ($915.00). The car came in “Barcelona Red” paint, which was fun to photograph, and the cloth seating was black. It’s a five passenger sedan with a suitably sized rear passenger compartment and a 13.1 cubic foot trunk. Curb weight was 3,545 lbs., wheelbase was 109.3”, and overall length came in at 189.2”.

I drove the Camry quite a bit this last week, both to Ft. Collins, Boulder and to Denver, and gradually grew pretty accustomed to the CVT transmission setup in the car. CVT stands for continuously variable transmission (no shifts), and it is coupled to a gasoline 4 cylinder, 2.5 liter motor with 156 horsepower and 156 lb. ft. of torque. Two electric motor/generators are on board to add in 141 more horsepower and 199 lb. ft. of torque. Combined power rating is 200 horsepower, and as I mentioned, it was pretty acceptable for driving the somewhat big sedan. The ride, handling, and guidance were all good, and the styling suits me, as well (particularly front and rear).

Fuel economy for the hybrid has been improved for the last two years, and for the time I drove it the reading was 39.5 mpg. EPA ratings for the car I drove were 40 mpg city and 38 mpg highway – 40 mpg combined. The fuel tank held 17 gallons of regular gasoline. The current mileage compilation for the car is displayed on a dial; not digitally.

I mentioned earlier the options on board with this Camry – it was equipped with a moderate amount of equipment, including an 8 speaker JBL stereo, 7″ touchscreen for navigation and backup view, SoftTex-trimmed seating, satellite radio, 17″ five-spoke alloys, Bridgestone Turanza EL400 P215/55R17 all- season radials, tilt/telescope, pushbutton starter, cruise control, keyless entry, power windows/locks/mirrors, and Bluetooth connectivity.

There is a reason the Camry is America’s best selling car, and I experienced it this week with the SE Hybrid. This model will hold up well in the hybrid sales parade, although with the recent gas prices dipping under $3.00 per gallon, it will be a walking parade, not a stampede.

2015 Lexus RX450h Hybrid Crossover

On November 2, 2014November 14, 2014 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, LexusLeave a comment

Sales of Toyota hybrids surpassed 5 million last year, confirming that the brand and its luxury Lexus division lead the hybrid sector. Fuel economy isn’t the only draw; so is styling. I recently tested a moderately equipped 2015 Lexus RX450h hybrid (see spec sidebar), and this one painted Nebula Gray pearl metallic. An attractive upgrade to my driveway all week, this Lexus dressed up in big chrome strips and “hybrid” lettering. The car seemed somewhat big (large battery and advanced all-wheel drive train), but not ponderous. I averaged 28.5 mpg over a week’s time….

To read the remainder of this article at the AAA site click here.

19 Muscle Cars from ’68

On October 31, 2014November 14, 2014 By stuwright47In |OF INTEREST|1 Comment

1968 found me at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, Miss., training in airborne radar and Doppler repair work—work I later performed at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Along the beachfront in Biloxi, all the girls wanted to ride in another G.I.’s green ’68 GTO convertible, while I spent time alone in my blue Beetle………..

To read the remainder of this article at the AAA site Click Here.

2015 Hyundai Genesis RWD Sedan

On October 22, 2014November 3, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, HyundaiLeave a comment

The Hyundai Genesis, the company’s full-size entry-luxury offering, has been built since 2008, and is currently in its second-generation configuration. For 2015, the automobile was extensively re-designed and somewhat enlarged, and such a vehicle is what I was presented to test this last week. The unit was painted Pamplona red (maroon) metallic and was fitted with a leather beige interior. STI-Denver was the press firm that delivered it to my home.

During the week, I drove the car extensively, including all around Denver looking at condos with my family. Thus, I got to drive on several of the streets and freeways in Colorado’s biggest city, and was pleased with the handling and highway manners of the Genesis. I found the shifting of the eight-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic to be a pleasure, and acceleration is good – reportedly zero to 60 in about 6 seconds with the 311 horsepower V-6 providing the grunt. Paddle shifters on the Genesis peek out from each side of the steering wheel and work fine with dashboard updates on current gear selection.

The suspension setup is tuned by famed auto-maker Lotus, and the new model reflects the enhanced engineering that has been added. I understand that springs, bushings, motor mounts – even the power steering – were effected by Lotus. Guidance at highway speed is very good, and handling on the grooved-cement surface on Interstate 25 works out great, thanks in part to the 245/45R18 Hankook Ventus S1 Noble mud & snow radials. The tires surround two-toned, fifteen-spoke premium alloy wheels. Road noise seems to be pretty much at a minimum, and a lot of Colorado sunshine can flow in thanks to the panoramic sunroof. A shade can be deployed to keep it darkened in the Hyundai, and sunshades are on hand for all three rear windows – electric in the rear glass.

The Genesis styling for 2015 is something that the firm is proud of, I’m sure. I liked the looks, my friends and relatives did, and the automotive press has been quite impressed, as well. An ample amount of chrome is installed on all sides, and the taillights look at lot like the Lexus GS (I know well – they were both sitting here for a time in my driveway). The manufacturer has styled the Genesis with a large, Fusion-style (Jag?), nickel-finished grill with six big horizontal bars. Stainless steel exhaust finishers are out back and the entire roof and fin on top are blacked-out.

The Genesis contains a lot of technology inside this five-passenger, rear-wheel drive sedan when equipped with the Signature, Tech, and Ultimate packages, as they are marketed by Hyundai. Examples include lane departure warning, imminent collision warning, radar smart cruise control, blind spot monitor to include an icon in the head-up display in the windshield (icons, actually – one for each rear corner), navigation system with 8″ screen, and lane-keep assist. Also inside the Genesis are the usual heated and air conditioned seats, electric tilt/telescope, Lexicon stereo, memory seating, and pushbutton starter. Outside, the trunk opens when the operator stands behind the car (in possession of a key) for three seconds. I liked the seating up front and my passengers in Denver were pleased in all of the other seat locations.

There is no doubt that the Genesis will be a hit in this new configuration. At under $50,000.00, it is a great value for those willing to give up the four rings, tri-star, or the propellor emblem on the hood and trunk of their car. I had a blast driving the Genesis, and can recommend it to prospective shoppers.

WINDOW STICKER – M.S.R.P. $49,950.00, including $4,000.00 for Signature package, $3,500.00 for Tech package, $3,500.00 for Ultimate package, and $950.00 for freight.

2014 Lexus GS450h Hybrid Sedan Review

On October 17, 2014October 18, 2014 By stuwright47In *HYBRIDS/ELECTRICS, LexusLeave a comment

The Lexus GS is a mid-size luxury car sold by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Its design was originated by Italdesign Guigiaro over a quarter century ago as a simplified, European-looking offering. The GS is the car that I was loaned to test this last week. The car is called a GS450h, and the “h“ stands for hybrid drive train, made up of a 306 horsepower Atkinson-cycle V-6 and two electric motor/generators. Total horsepower of the gasoline/electric package is 338, and the power is delivered through a continuously variable automatic transmission. Although not officially designated a “sports sedan”, this 4,147 lb. car can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is reportedly a governor-limited 136 mph.

The Lexus GS series of cars has been around since 1993, and is now in its fourth generation configuration for 2014. Lexus, headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, sent as its first automobile to America the big LS series in 1989. The company currently manufactures Japan’s top-selling make of luxury automobiles. The GS models come in a V-6 sports sedan, a high-performance F Sport sedan, and the hybrid (h) model that I tested.

Highway manners of the GS450h are excellent, with an assist from the blind spot monitor to keep the driver out of trouble. Ride on the Dunlop 235/45R18 SP Sport S100 all-season radials (on 18”, eighteen split-spoke alloys) is silent and responsive, and the driver can select from four drive modes – Eco, Normal, Sport, and Sport+. In winter the driver can select “snow”, and there is an “EV” (all-electric) selection to made, too. Lots of options, and lots of performance in the Sport+ mode, especially so for a hybrid vehicle. While in Sport+, the car provides more shock damping, tighter steering, and improved throttle response. And all these handling and power characteristics are present in a car that delivered right at 30 mpg for me all week. Official ratings are 29/city and 34/highway (31 combined).

The M.S.R.P. of the GS450h is $59,600.00 (base), and options include a luxury package for $5,695.00, blind spot monitor for $700.00, premium Mark Levinson stereo for $1,380.00, hard-disk navigation setup for $1,735.00, power trunk for $400.00, and intuitive park assist for $500.00. Total list price with $910.00 for freight comes to $70,920.00. That luxury package includes heated and cooled, 18-way power front semi-aniline leather seats, heated bamboo and leather steering wheel, LED headlamps, and rear-door manual sunshades (an electric sunshade is present in the back window). The 330 watt stereo includes 17 speakers with 7.1 surround sound architecture. The screen for the navigation is gigantic, at 12.3”, with split-screen capability, and controlling its applications is done with a mouse on the console.

The GS450h came with Riviera Red paint and the interior was black. The paint seemed to be two feet thick, and the styling excelled, mostly up front. No tailpipe finishers were present at the rear, in somewhat of a curious styling move (hybrid?). But the car is an eye catcher, for sure.

The Lexus GS450h was a treat to test all week, providing this reviewer
with an extra “measure of pleasure’, and the car deserves a good look from the luxury car-buying public.

2014 Lexus GS350 F Sport AWD Sedan

On October 16, 2014October 21, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, LexusLeave a comment

Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, has been producing the GS series of sedans since 1993. The new 2014 model that I drove this last week represented the manufacturer’s fourth generation offering, and it came in Obsidian (black) metallic with black leather seating. The GS Lexus sedan is a midsize performance car with all-wheel drive.

The power train in my test car consisted of a 3.5 liter V6 with 306 horsepower and 277 lb. ft. of torque. Behind it was a six-speed automatic with manual shifting mode and paddles on the steering column. The F Sport package on this car included graphite finished 19” alloy wheels (with Bridgestone Turanza EL400, 255/40R19 radials), Adaptive Variable Suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and oversized brakes. It accelerates from zero to sixty in under six seconds and reportedly has a top speed of 131 mph.

The M.S.R.P. of the Lexus is $58,990.00, including freight ($910.00), blind spot monitor ($700.00), F Sport package ($5,695.00), and navigation system with 12.3” screen ($1,735.00). I mentioned some of the F Sport upgrades, but the package also included special grill, rear valence, and trunk fin styling adornments, making the car a striking visage.

Ruth and I drove the Lexus to both Denver and Ft. Collins, and Ruth commented on the sumptuous but sporty ride out on I25. Of course, the blind spot monitor helped her husband keep the big sedan out of the way of other motorists. Wheelbase of the car is 112.2”, overall length is 190.7”, and it weighs 3,970 lbs.

The EPA fuel mileage estimates of the GS are 19 and 26, city/highway, and a combined rating of 21 mpg. During my week driving the Lexus in mostly a city setting, the calculation was 21.5 mpg. The V6 performs well, and delivers a throaty roar upon hard acceleration.

Riding in the GS is especially comfortable due to the supportive bucket seats with perforated leather black trim and 16-way adjustability. The driver chooses from three driving modes with a console mounted dial – Economy, Sport, and Sport Plus. The Sport Plus tightens up the steering and throttle/transmission response; plus it changes the speedometer backlighting to red. It is a five passenger sedan with a large back seat and a 14.3 cubic foot trunk.

The options on the Lexus included a power rear sunshade, USB stereo connection, satellite radio, sunroof, power tilt/telescope, 12-speaker stereo, navigation with 12.3” (!) screen, Bluetooth, and backup camera.

Overall, I would recommend the GS350 to the discerning, performance-oriented buyer with a few extra dollars on hand. It was a blast to drive around for the week I had it in my possession.

2014 Volkswagen Turbo Beetle R-Line Sedan

On October 1, 2014 By stuwright47In *PASSENGER CARS, Volkswagen1 Comment

I remember the first time I laid eyes on a Volkswagen Beetle, in Grant, Nebraska in about 1963. A young man in town named Charlie Brixius had purchased a used one (perhaps a 1959), and made quite a splash driving it up and down Main Street over and over. We all did that back then – gas was cheap, the pace was leisurely, and that was the place to be seen. The U-turns were made at the same intersections on the north and south end of this town of 1,000 population, and some of the guys out cruising were lucky enough to have a girl sitting in the middle of the front seat for the ride.

Charlie never had a girl sitting in the middle of his front seat, because the “bug” had two bucket seats in the front of the four-passenger, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive VW. Neither did I, as I rode a Honda 50 scooter/cycle.

Volkswagen Beetles were built from 1938 to 2003, and over 20 million have been manufactured and sold worldwide since the inception of the car in Germany. A man named Porsche designed the car, and along with the rear engine placement, the car was air cooled, without coolant or a radiator.

What is commonly called a “New Beetle” with coolant, a front engine, and front-wheel drive, has been marketed on and off since 1997. Such a car is what was brought to me a week ago for testing, a 2014 Turbocharged Reef blue metallic unit with “R-Line” equipment specified, including a spoiler, “twister” alloy wheels, extra gauges, aluminum pedal covers, and special badging.

Power for my test car was supplied by a 2.0 liter, 210 horsepower (207 lb. ft. of torque) four cylinder gas engine with an EPA mileage rating of 24/city, 30/highway, 26 combined MPG. The transmission on hand was a six-speed automatic with a manual option that shifted into higher gears in a hurry, but seemed sturdy and somewhat enjoyable. For having a turbocharger, the engine had a definite grumble to it, belying the high RPM turbo operating in the power department. Turbochargers whir at about 150,000 revolutions per minute – roughly 30 times as fast as the engine. They are nice in Colorado, spinning faster at our altitude and mitigating power loss that can be associated with naturally-aspirated (i.e. fuel injected) engines.

Inside the Volkswagen, a Fender premium stereo was on hand as well as sunroof, heated leather buckets, Bluetooth connections, navigation, pushbutton starter and satellite radio. The theme inside was two-toned black and blue and somewhat kicky. Styling was great with ten spoke polished alloys and attractive black trim work low on the outside.

Acceleration of the VW was fine, road manners were on target, and handling/guidance were acceptable. It’s a pretty quiet sedan and visibility is fine. List price was $32,215.00 for the 2014 that I drove and that included freight. It has a niche market and doesn’t sell over 400,000 per year (in the U.S.!) like the old days, but still has a nice following and a fan in this reviewer.

2015 KIA Sorento SX AWD Crossover

On September 28, 2014September 28, 2014 By stuwright47In *CROSSOVERS, KIALeave a comment

KIA manufactures SUV’s in two sizes, with the biggest being the Sorento, now produced in its third generation configuration. I tested a 2015 Sorento this past week, an SX model painted bright silver metallic. This year marks the fourteenth year of production of the Sorento, a mid-size crossover SUV, and the SX represents the middle of the line of Sorentos, with a generous list of standard equipment items included in its base price of $38,300.00.

Like pretty much all of the Hyundai and KIA lineup (Hyundai owns KIA), the Sorento is good looking. It is a brother-in-law of the Hyundai Santa Fe, and this new model seats seven passengers. Luggage space in the far rear of my test car was limited to 9.1 cubic feet, a number that can be increased to 36.9 with the third row of seating folded flat. Double that amount is available if all seats are folded down behind the heated and ventilated power bucket seats that are up front.

All the upholstery in the test SX was black leather and amenities inside included an Infinity surround sound audio setup with ten speakers, navigation/backup camera with 8” screen, panoramic moon roof, blind spot monitor, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, tilt/telescope, rear window shades, pushbutton start, keyless entry, front/rear air conditioning, and satellite radio. Total passenger volume for the seven passenger SX was 151.4 cubic feet.

I won’t mention the test car I turned in the day this Sorento arrived, but will say that upon entering the Sorento, I found the seating and interior materials to be an upgrade and very nice. Visibility, ride, acceleration, and handling are good, and guidance is acceptable.

Speaking of acceleration, zero to sixty for the KIA is reportedly ten seconds. It is accomplished with a 3.3 liter V-6 with 290 horsepower (6,400 rpm) and 252 lb. ft. of torque (5,200 rpm). The full-time all-wheel drive train utilizes a six-speed electronically controlled transmission. EPA fuel economy ratings are 18 mpg-city, 24 mg-highway, and 20 mpg-combined. My calculation came out to 21.1 mpg for my week with the Sorento, and the fuel tank holds 17.4 gallons.

I mentioned the looks of my SX, and the recruitment of Peter Schreyer to KIA (from Audi) eight years ago is a big component of that styling prowess. His TT model at the prior company was an award-winning design. The KIA I drove featured chrome door handles, ten-spoke alloy wheels, metal fascia integration front and rear, and a chrome luggage rack up top. The tires were Kumho Crugen Premium P235/55R19’s.

Base price of the KIA is $38,300.00, and along with freight of $895.00, the total M.S.R.P. came to $39,195.00. This is where the KIA Sorento SX shines, in the value proposition department. Many comparably-equipped seven passenger SUV’s come in at somewhere north of $50,000.00, so when shoppers are interested in such a vehicle, they best consider one of these KIA’s.