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Car for Fred

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:22:30 -0700

Car for Fred

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2007 Volkswagen Jetta Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:16:23 -0700

An interesting small car alternative.

Even though the Jetta has been a small car staple nearly as long as the Civic, Corolla, or Sentra, it rarely gets mentioned in the same breath as any of them -- or any other cars, for that matter. To be sure, there are reasons behind the disconnect, most of them rooted in Volkswagen's positioning of the Jetta as an unique, upper-class alternative.

Basically, Volkswagen seems to think this is a luxury car -- and in some ways, they're convincing. To step inside a Jetta is to be blown away by the beauty, class, and attention to detail in the design and materials. It exceeds expectations for amenities and safety features, and it moves down the road feeling like a silent, solid piece of machinery. Unfortunately, Volkswagen's high opinion of the Jetta has long been reflected in its precious pricing (though a 2007 adjustment narrowed the difference).

And the Jetta doesn't feel too special in most other ways. Plain handling, a blatty-sounding 5-cylinder engine, and the heaviest curb weight in its class (3,300 pounds) keep it pretty uninteresting to drive. Fuel economy is mediocre. The front seats are great, but Volkswagen's insistence on having a huge trunk keeps the back seat somewhat cramped.

The best reasons for buying a Jetta are its optional powertrains. Models with the turbo engine and sport suspension should show you a good time, while the diesel engine (which returns in 2009 after a two-year hiatus) holds strong appeal among those who like high fuel economy and long cruising ranges.

But as far as the regular version, the Jetta is best summed up as a decent car with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.

What's new for the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta: The diesel-powered TDI model goes on hiatus, but all remaining models get a price drop.

Find out more about the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta.

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2006 Volkswagen Jetta Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:10:32 -0700

An interesting small car alternative.

But as far as the regular version, the Jetta is best summed up as a decent car with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.

What's new for the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta: Two new models, the 2.0T and GLI, both featuring a new turbocharged 200-horsepower 4-cylinder engine and the choices of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox. Side airbags for the rear seat are a new option.

Find out more about the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta.

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2005 Volkswagen Jetta Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:06:38 -0700

An interesting small car alternative.

But as far as the regular version, the Jetta is best summed up as a decent car with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses.

What's new for the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta: Redesigned; new model.

Find out more about the 2005 Volkswagen Jetta.

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2007 Toyota Yaris Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:02:12 -0700

The classic economy car.

What's new for the 2007 Toyota Yaris: New model.

Given that Japan's automakers founded their reputations on micro-sized, economy-minded sedans, it's amazing how the species has nearly gone extinct. Sure, Civics, Corollas, and Sentras are still around, but compared to their predecessors, they've gotten a too bit liberal with their size, price, and fuel consumption.

Consider the Toyota Yaris Japan's last defender of the small car old school. You want small? The Yaris sedan measures 169 inches short (the hatchback, 151). Among every car imported from the Asian continent, the Yaris also has the smallest engine -- and that engine's driving the lightest car. Consequently, the Yaris returns a supremely frugal 33 MPG, earning it bragging rights for the best real-world mileage of any gas-powered, non-hybrid car in America (though the Smart ForTwo's at a virtual tie).

The Yaris also drives small, with easy steering and a very short turning circle. It's a little noisy, and passing power can feel weak on the freeway, but the Yaris mostly feels adequately quick and refined. Its real weakness is on the inside, where Toyota has senselessly stashed the instrument panel right in the middle of the dashboard, way off from the driver's natural line of sight (a dumb idea recycled from the Yaris's predecessor, the Echo). At least the front seats are comfortable, and the rears are tolerable provided the trip isn't too long.

But while the Yaris makes a fairly strong case, it's not exactly a shoe-in compared to its peers. The Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio might trail the Yaris in some detail areas, but Toyota's precious pricing puts it more than $2,000 north of either (more than $17,000 for a loaded model). The Yaris also takes lumps from the Honda Fit, a car blessed with better seats and controls, a more fun-to-drive demeanor, and a hatchback body that can fit a ton more stuff.

The Yaris should hold the strongest appeal among those who'd rather pay extra for Japanese efficiency and quality, yet prefer the conventional look of a sedan. That probably explains why it's the best-seller in its segment.

Find out more about the 2007 Toyota Yaris.

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2007 Toyota Tacoma Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:53:16 -0700

Better than all but one of the midsize trucks.

What's new for the 2007 Toyota Tacoma: Interior revisions bring bigger front seats, new dashboard trim, and new stereo head units.

Toyota claims the Tacoma has been around for eight generations now (often under different names), but not until the current version did it meet with such widespread acceptance. The dramatic size increase had a lot to do with it; other likely factors were the robust new 4.0-liter V6 and class-leading acceleration times. Its bold new looks probably didn't hurt, either.

Add it all up and the Tacoma has a much easier time swallowing cargo, towing trailers, or carrying passengers than its predecessor -- or its contemporaries. Acceleration with the V6 is quickest of all (about seven seconds to 60 MPH), and towing capacity goes up to 6,500 pounds. The Tacoma is also exclusive in offering the option of a big crew cab body with an extra-long 6'2" bed -- a configuration that might make it a passable substitute for a more wasteful full-size truck. It has a pretty elegant interior, and certain versions come with handy little bonuses like a power outlet at the back of the bed.

The driving experience partly depends on choice of wheels, wheelbase, engine, and transmission, but all Tacomas pretty much feel like some kind of monster truck Camry -- precise, though numb and clumsy, and with low handling abilities. In a rare foul-up, Toyota didn't get the Tacoma's seats right, either. Both the fronts and rears are too low and soggy, which gives the driver the feeling of sinking down to car level (it's possible the new seats in 2007 fixed this).

These are reasons enough, we think, to go with the Nissan Frontier, a decidedly better mid-size truck that shares all the Tacoma's strengths and few of its weaknesses. But there's no doubt that the Tacoma wins the silver trophy.

Find out more about the 2007 Toyota Tacoma.

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2006 Toyota Tacoma Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:50:12 -0700

Better than all but one of the midsize trucks.

What's new for the 2006 Toyota Tacoma: All models get a tire pressure monitor and advanced front airbags. The latter were formerly exclusive to models with bucket seats.

Find out more about the 2006 Toyota Tacoma.

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2005 Toyota Tacoma Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:40:03 -0700

Better than all but one of the midsize trucks.

What's new for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma: Redesigned; new model.

Find out more about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma.

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2007 Toyota Sienna Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:34:40 -0700

A contender for first place.

What's new for the 2007 Toyota Sienna: Toyota retires the old 215-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 in favor of a 266-horsepower 3.5-liter V6.

After years of near-misses like the Toyota Van, the Previa, and the original Sienna, Toyota finally nailed the bullseye of the minivan market with the current model Sienna. Debuting for 2004 on a longer, wider version version of the Camry platform, the Sienna is arguably the only minivan that stacks up against the almighty Honda Odyssey.

Like most Toyotas, the Sienna puts the emphasis on comfort -- a choice that makes good sense for a minivan. The Sienna rides softly and is quiet inside. Steering is easy and light, and the turning radius is tighter than any competitor's. Toyota's handling prowess may be a step behind Honda's, but a new 266-horsepower V6 engine in 2007 made the Sienna the speediest minivan. That same year, it also became the only remaining minivan to offer all-wheel-drive.

The Sienna shines just as brightly on the interior, at least as far as control design, seat comfort, and cupholder count. Middle-row windows that roll down are a nice touch, and the split third-row seats disappear into the floor. By a slight margin, the Sienna also holds bragging rights for maximum cargo capacity -- a cavernous 149 cubic feet.

There's still some room for improvement. When ordered in 7-passenger trim (instead of 8), the Sienna's middle-row bucket seats can be a hassle to remove and reinstall. On high-end models, the power doors and power liftgate are slow and annoying, and the adaptive cruise control system doesn't work very well. Finally, when it's time to shop for a Sienna, Toyota's prices are high, and its structure of option packages can be confusing.

In the end, picking the best minivan comes down to a preference between the Odyssey's handling, interior, and value or the Sienna's comfort, reliability, and choice of all-wheel-drive.

Find out more about the 2007 Toyota Sienna.

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2006 Toyota Sienna Review

nobody@vox.com(brianfastlane) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:31:38 -0700

A contender for first place.

What's new for the 2006 Toyota Sienna: Freshened styling front and rear, plus new gauges inside. New standard features include side and side-curtain airbags and an MP3 input jack. The optional DVD entertainment system now has a 9-inch screen, and Limited models get the option of a power folding third-row seat.

In the end, picking the best minivan comes down to a preference between the Odyssey's handling, interior, and value or the Sienna's comfort, reliability, and choice of all-wheel-drive.

Find out more about the 2006 Toyota Sienna.

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