Car Reviews and Updates

2010 Dodge Challenger SE: Good Looks Are All That Matters

2010-07-21T11:39:00.000+08:00

The 2010 Dodge Challenger SE is one of those great looking cars that you must consider when it comes to options and positive attributes.

In the Dodge Challenger lineup, SE is the base model, however you can add several options to make it more luxurious as long as you can afford. It starts with 22,945 US dollars while the test vehicle was equipped with approximately 7,900 US dollars with optional features.

The Challenger SE offers a 250 horsepower V6 engine. The engine considered to be in a competition with Ford Mustang V6 and Chevrolet Camaro when it comes to retro styling, however, these cars are a bit smaller and offer more performance. Hyundai Genesis Coupe is another car to compare because of its sharp looking appearance, though it doesn’t have the same domestic pony car appeal compare to the Challenger.

When it comes to performance, the 2010 Dodge Challenger SE is equipped with a 3.5 liter V6 engine making 250 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. In a slightly smaller vehicle, this power is relatively fine, however, in the Challenger that weighs 3,819 pounds, the 250 horsepower is essentially overburdened.

The Challenger SE can accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in just 8.1 seconds. In an everyday city driving, we can say that its power is adequate however, its engine starts to show its sluggishness when you quickly pass another vehicle most especially on the highways. From a four speed in 2009, now it offers five speed automatic transmission which is the only transmission available in the SE model.

When it comes to fuel efficiency the 2010 Dodge Challenger SE can offer 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway with 20 miles per gallon when combine.

The 2010 Dodge Challenger SE is for those who loves muscle cars that don’t apologize for being unrefined and angry... and loud. If you want a considerably spacious coupe with great looks and performance, this is the right muscle car for you.

How to Protect Your Car’s Interior

2009-06-30T23:05:00.000+08:00

Now that you have plunked down some cash for your new car, it is but important to learn how protect your precious investment. Here are some easy and affordable ways on how you can protect your car’s interior and preserve its top condition.

Window shades, or solar shades, are one of the most inexpensive accessories you can buy to protect your car’s interior. Window shades provide shade for your dashboard and steering wheel thus preventing them from cracking due to extreme exposure to the sun. Also, window shades help keep your car’s interior a bit cooler when you leave it parked in an open lot.

These collapsing and folding window shades come in different sizes, forms and colors. You will definitely not have a hard time finding one that matches your interior. Also window shades are portable and needs no installation that you can use them anytime you want. These also do not require special keeping as you can only leave them at the back of your car and take them anytime you want to use them.

Floor mats are another inexpensive accessories you can get to protect your car’s interior. Floor mats help keep the carpeting of your car clean and free from all the mud, stains, oil stains, dirt tracked in on the shoes of your passengers.

Just like window shades, floor mats come in different designs and colors. They are also made of various materials like carpet, rubber or vinyl. Finding the right floor mats that will fit your car’s theme will not be hard. If you wish to be a little more creative, you can also find in the market floor mats with logos or cartoon characters printed on them.

Lastly, it is important to invest on affordable seat covers to protect your new car’s seats. Using seat covers keeps your new car seats’ upholstery from stains, rips or scratches. Nice seat covers also add to the beauty of your car. If your car is a bit older, seat covers will also help cover the car seats’ defects.

If you taxi around kids or pets a set of seat covers will give you peace of mind. If anyone has an accident or spills food or drinks on your seats you can either wash them or quickly and easily get a new pair.

Car seat covers come in different colors, designs and prints. You can find seat covers from zebra and leopard patterns to solids and Hawaiian prints. So no matter what the model or color of your car, you will surely not have a hard time finding the right seat cover for your car.

These are just some of the basic and affordable ways to consider in protecting your car’s interior. Still, there are many available accessories out there that you can buy for your car. Depending on your budget, you will surely have a collection of accessories that will not only add to the beauty of your car, but also will add longevity of its interior. The bottom line is, you must be wise in protecting your investment.

Buying a New Car and Getting the Best Price

2009-06-21T20:16:00.000+08:00

Before you finally decide on what car to buy, or if you have already picked that car that best suits your needs and your lifestyle, here still are some of the useful tips you may want to keep in mind to help you save car money:

Do not buy large cars. Unless it is necessary, it is better still to have a smaller car that is not costly to maintain. Even if a large sports utility vehicle is your dream car, it’s probably a lot more than you really need. The size of the car you decide to purchase will have a direct effect on its operating costs. Purchasing the smallest car possible for your driving needs will save you a tremendous amount in gasoline charges. Small cars weigh about half as much as larger cars which results in about half as much fuel being used.

Do not gas up in the heat of the day. According to some chemistry, it is best to buy your gasoline in the early morning or at night when it is cold outside. Gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Since gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel - not the density - you’ll get better overall gas mileage for your money by purchasing fuel when it’s cool outside rather than in the heat of the day.

Do not use your car, unless necessary. By far, the best way to reduce your car expenses is to use your car only when necessary. Cars are extremely convenient and this causes people to use them much more often than they really need to. Just ask your self, "Is this trip really necessary?" If you become wise and smart enough in deciding on your trips, you will surely save a great deal of cash.

Do not take your car tires for granted. Always take some time to check your car’s tire pressure each month or everytime you do long trips. Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. Under inflation also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter use life.

Do not drive fast in low gears. Driving at high speeds in the improper gear can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40%.

Don’t open windows when traveling at high speeds. Driving on the highway with windows open can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It is a lot better if you just use the ventilation system of your car. Also remember to remove car racks and other items which make your car less aerodynamic when they’re not being used. Use cruise control to maintain a steady pace on the highway to increase fuel economy.

Don’t let your car idle for long periods. The rule is, never leave your car idle for more than 30 seconds. If you think you will stay longer, better turn your engine off. Letting your car idle longer is a waste of gas. It is actually more efficient to turn off your car and turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds while waiting.

2008 Mazda Speed 3 - 'A Hot Hatch That Brings Life and Happiness'

2008-09-16T16:32:00.000+08:00

The 2008 Mazda Speed 3 is a member of a growing group of performance hatchbacks that include models like the Dodge Caliber SRT4 and Chevrolet HHRSS. This high performance version of the standard Mazda 3 hatchback which is the MS3 arrived last 2007 with a limited edition model. Its entries still rank as the most fun to drive vehicle on a daily basis while still offering the cargo room you expect from this type of vehicle.

For this year, the company gave the car some changes on the outside. The front fenders are wider. It has a whole new lower grill design that comes with racker panel and standard 18 inch wheels. At the lower back you will see a single exhaust pipe which is pretty large that allows drowning sounds from the power underneath the hood of the car.

2008 Mazda Speed 3 features the efficient 2.3 liter four cylinder turbo charged engine making 263 horsepower and 280 pound feet of torque compared to the regular 156 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque Mazda 3. Dual transmission is available in six speed manual and all that power goes to its front wheels. It also has limited-slip differential and accurate torque management on its first and second gear.

The 2008 Mazda Speed 3 has a well-defined acceleration performance from 0-60 miles per hour in in just 5.9 seconds and a quarter-mile taking 14.2 seconds. Fuel economy is a little worse than Caliber SRT4 and Chevrolet HHRSS in 18 miles per gallon for city and 26 miles per gallon on highway.

Some of the remarkable changes for the 2008 Mazda Speed 3 is on its interior. It has the sports bucket seats with manual adjustment which makes the seats very comfortable. It also has a navigation system on the dash but it's controlled by a control down low. To access the cargo area you will find a hidden handle and when the lift gate opens it is relatively convenient most especially for taller drivers or passengers. The cargo area measure 16.5 cubic feet but if you fold the backseats down which are split, it will give you 43.4 cubic feet cargo area with those seats down.

As for its safety features, the 2008 model is equipped with the standard antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. It also pass the frontal-impact crash test with four stars out of five conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA. The standard Mazda 3 receives 'good' rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS for frontal-offset impact tests.

The Mazda Speed 3 rivals with the Caliber SRT4 and Chevrolet HHRSS in the fun drive department and also competes against all-wheel drive performance hatchbacks like Volkswagen R32 and Subaru Impreza WRX. So, if you don't want to compromise utility for performance while spending less, the Mazda Speed 3 is the great way to go.

2008 Lotus Elise SC

2008-08-22T14:39:00.000+08:00

There's not much that's practical about the 2008 Lotus Elise SC. It's nearly impossible to get in and out of gracefully, the interior lacks many of the bells and whistles we've come to expect of modern road cars, and its diminutive proportions prevent it from carrying much more than a purse and a bottle of water. But here's the thing: with the right mindset, it doesn't really matter.

The "SC" trim is new for 2008. An acronym for "supercharged," it's a step up from the Elise's normally aspirated base engine. Between its feather-light curb weight and the supercharger's 29 extra horses, the Elise SC makes a perfect track, weekend or midlife crisis car. And it doesn't look bad either.

At a base price of $55,425, the midengine Elise SC is a relative bargain. A similar-performing Porsche 911 would cost thousands of dollars more. But the Elise's bang-for-the-buck performance is mitigated by a lack of everyday functionality, which could scare away some prospective buyers who might consider the Elise too cramped and spartan for their daily driving needs.

Still, the cachet that comes with driving an Elise is priceless. Fellow Elise drivers wave at one another as they pass, as if part of a small, exclusive club. Even on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, land of Ferraris and Lamborghinis, valets leave the Elise out front. Just mind the way you climb in — everyone's watching.