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February 24, 2009
Glass Roof Mustang at CarDomain Headquarters
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I was trying to figure out why Ford was giving us a 2009 Mustang GT. I mean, I wasn’t complaining—I love these cars. But there wasn’t really anything new for 2009 that I could think of. But then it showed up and I was like, oh yeah, glass roof! The perfect cure for Seattle seasonal affective disorder! Anyway, stay tuned for more on this red pony.
Continue reading "Glass Roof Mustang at CarDomain Headquarters" »
Showroom Showdown or Caption Contest?
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I snapped this pic of our 300C SRT-8 test car at a rest stop on I-5 on the way back from Portland this weekend. I’ll share my thoughts on the big bad Mopar tomorrow, but for now I thought I’d just toss this out there. So is this left lane vs. right lane? Union built vs. non-union built? 18 mpg vs 48 mpg? V8 vs I4? Hemi vs. hybrid. Red state vs. blue state? Form vs. function? Retro vs. modern? Past vs. future..?
Chrysler 300C SRT-8: the Best One Night Stand
Weston Henderson
Well folks, let me start with a question. Who understands what it feels like to get your ass kicked by a car? I do!
I had the distinct pleasure of test driving possibly one of the last high performance Chryslers to be developed, and the experience did not disappoint. Speaking to the American consumer, let me say this: America can make quality cars and the Chrysler 300c SRT-8 is proof of that. I only had one night with this sweet girl, but it’s going down as one of the best nights I’ve had with a car. Every time I got out of the car I swear I heard it whisper, “Was it as good for you as it was for me?”
Now that you understand that I basically had a love affair with the 300C, let’s start with the review, shall we?
Continue reading after the jump!
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February 23, 2009
My Turn with the Lancer GTS
Weston Henderson
Last week I was staring at the Lancer like that annoying little kid across the isle from you on the airplane. Finally I got the chance to take it for a day and see what this car is all about.
With the $18K sticker price, I was happily surprised at the solid thunk the door made as I slid into the relatively roomy sedan. The interior follows many of the earlier Lancer styling cues, with a long sweeping dash that bulges slightly towards you in the center. The instrument cluster has received a refresh with a new HUD (Heads Up Display) placed in between the standard tach and MPH gauges, whereas the earlier model’s display consisted of the standard four gauges, with temp and fuel making up the remaining two spots. I find this addition a welcome one, as I found it very similar to many of the European designs that I have grown fond of. The HUD displays fuel, time and even says hello and goodbye as you enter and exit the vehicle. Ahhhhh, like the girlfriend I never had.
Continue reading after the jump!
February 19, 2009
Quick Spin in the Lancer GTS
By Ryan Porter
IN-N-OUT Editor
Yesterday Rob handed over the keys to the Mitsubishi Lancer GTS and said, “You’ve got 15 minutes go drive it.” With the small allotment of time, I was pretty much pinned to the South Lake Union area, so I figured I would hit my normal chicane up to 99, blast across the bridge and dip back through Fremont.
Check out my quick review after the jump, and here is a pic of me getting slideways… jk the car is front wheel drive!
February 18, 2009
Lancer GTS
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
I got to spend some quality time with the Lancer GTS this weekend. Honestly, I knew almost nothing about this car before it showed up at our offices. Of course everyone knows about the EVO, but did you know you can get a car based on the same body and platform for as little as $14K? The GTS adds a bigger motor (a 168 hp 2.4 liter vs. the 152 hp 2.0 liter on the base), 18″ wheels, sports suspension and a wing but still keeps the price tag just south of $18k.
To me the Lancer really hits the sweet spot in size between the Civic and the Accord. And for Civic LX money you get a much sportier car. Ok, so it’s maybe not as refined as a Honda, but who cares?
Continue reading after the jump!
February 13, 2009
In the CarDomain Garage: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS 2.4L
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
We just got our hands on this cool little Lancer. We’ve only had it a few hours, but I would say for $18k this thing looks great and it’s a hoot to drive. First swap would be the exhaust, though—it’s so quiet and smooth at idle I kept thinking I’d stalled it. More on this ride next week!
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November 21, 2008
Cruising The Oregon Coast In A 2009 Challenger R/T
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor
Everyone who’s driven our 5.7 L hemi Challenger agrees that this car is dying to be out on the open road—with its girth, its power, and its interior visibility issues, this Mopar just isn’t very happy in the city. Dugging around in second gear at 30 mph is torture—this car just wants to go! So I picked up my boy Chris and we hit the road for the Oregon coast, one of the most awesome stretches of highway in the world. The Challenger agreed—and once it was out of traffic and out of sight of the law, the car was more fun than I ever could’ve imagined. More…
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2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
By Rob Einaudi
Editor-in-Chief
So I really didn’t have much time with this car, and I’m rushing to finish stuff up and go on vacation, but here goes. First of all, about the Malibu in general: this is a great package. The car looks nice and drives great. Ergonomics are first rate. I’m not usually one to mention interior materials, but I was expecting a bit more after all the hype when this car was first introduced. I also found the interior’s two-tone color scheme somewhat off-putting. Oh, and the turning radius was atrocious. Still, I’d take this car in a heartbeat over the last $25k-ish sedan we had, the Hyundai Sonata. Neither of these are performance or luxury cars, but the Chevy is roomier, better looking, rides smoother, and does better in crash tests.
Now, about the whole hybrid thing. This is a pretty mild hybrid, and not as high tech as the Prius. Sure, it’s got the battery, but it doesn’t do a whole lot. The engine basically just shuts off at stop lights, and there is that regenerative braking thing. You get used to both pretty quick, and obviously, there are small benefits in the gas mileage department. I’m guessing this doesn’t really make it worth it over the standard four banger Malibu, unless you are trying to impress your neighbors with the hybrid emblems.
So is this the car that saves GM? Dunno. I guess we’re all waiting for the Volt at this point, or at least a more sophisticated hybrid system in the Malibu. But I’d say Chevy has a pretty solid contender here, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re shopping family haulers. Stay tuned for Ryan’s review next week.
Review: 2009 Chevy Aveo
By John Coyle
Editor
No test car that’s been delivered to CarDomain headquarters has caused as much excitement as the 2009 Chevy Aveo. Sorry, just kidding. Unless you’re a teenager that’s just been surprised with the keys or a poor slob that’s been riding the bus for the last decade, you’re probably not going to be excited by a Daewoo Kalo dressed up with a Chevy bow-tie. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car. I spent a couple of days behind the wheel, and I found it perfectly serviceable, roomy, and even a little fun.
