Drove That: Week of November 26th

It's late I Know! I'll explain why later.

11/26/12

1998 Ford Mustang V6: Drives so old school. The simplicity is kind of nice.
2004 Dodge Ram 1500: I swear they make these tall just for the sake of being tall.
2002 Acura TL 3.2: Nice ride, I'd take this over an Accord.

2009 Chevy Impala SS: This car has way too much engine for its front wheel drive suspension. Overall good build quality, but the seats are unsupportive.
2010 Acura RDX Turbo: Great throttle response with the turbo. This CUV has a nice low center of gravity feel to it.
2012 Honda Pilot: Things learned by Honda in the Ridgeline can be felt in this. Overall it feels more sturdy and less like a bloated car than most Large CUV's. Defiantly get this over the up-badged Acura MDX which just feels gaudy.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited: This car is Fantastic! Smooth autostick gearbox, great middle of the road power (not weak but not overpowering the front wheels), Awesome powertrain warranty! Overall fit and finish is on par with new Fords. GIVE THIS A LOOK!
2009 Nissan Altima 2.5 S: The 2.5 S has too much of an option spread, this one had nearly nothing where as previous Altima 2.5 S was really nicely equipped. But still it has a great engine, and a nice smooth CVT.
2009 Ford Escape XLT: Comfortable and still un-apologetically truck like, but small truck like. Like a Pony or something.
2008 Toyota FJ Cruser: SO FUN! It's almost a Pantomime of a truck. It has all exaggerated "truckey" characteristics and style cues. It just screams "Lets go Play In the Mud!". I mean it has three tiny front wiper blades, why? because why not?

1,2,3, The shifter looks like a marital aid!!!

2008 Toyota Solara SE Convertible: Soft and floppy like a Camry which isn't particularly sporty, it's the car that signaled the end of the cool Toyotas like the MR2, Supra, and Celica. None of these problems matter too much though when you put the top down!

Yeup that says 37° F. I'm that stupid.

2003 Dodge Neon SXT: Direct, Immediate steering responce. I know it was not the best car in its class, but I understand why it does so well in 24 Hours of LeMons.
2007 Nissan Murano S AWD: Older Murano's like this are way more fun. Funky interior, sport setting on the CVT. Weird how it runs in sport mode @ 3500 RPM, but it's dead in the center of the Torque peak.
2005 BMW 545i Sport: Great power and Throttle responce. Sport suspension and seats really make this car special on an already great chassis.

Just watch out for that right front corner, DERP!

2007 GMC Yukon: Great Interior, perhaps the Escalade IS Overrated.
2004 Toyota 4-Runner: HVAC needed too much time to interpret. Good, low, legs forward seating position. It's the Quintessential Japanese Truck style SUV.
2005 Ford Focus: It may look new, but it's still the same as the old '90's Escort deep inside. The new stuff is way better.

2011 BMW 335i X-Drive: Astronomical launch with the turbo engine and AWD!
2004 Suzuki XL-7: Great little body on frame trucklet. Feels very '80's you can tell not much has been done to modernize the chassis really. Should not have tried to be upscale though, the interior is mismatched to the overall truck. It should be utilitarian, not fake wood and such. Also, all Toyota switch gear.
2008 BMW 328xi: This car just has such a confident, solid feel. The "28" engine (the N52 Inline 6) is the right amount of power to keep you out of too much trouble, but still have fun.
2005 Chevy Cobalt: Like yesterday's '05 Focus, this feels just like the old 80's-90's car it still basically is under its body. Expect an old Chevy Caviler not a modern car.

Or if you want to be a Dandy, Picture the Cadillac Cimarron. A Turd by any other name would smell as foul.