2007 Saturn AURA: The Wait Is Over!

When Saturn exited the midsize car market a few years ago they left with a promise: we’ll be back. After several years of lackluster sales, GM’s Saturn division dropped the unpopular L Series in 2004 with no immediate replacement waiting. Thanks in part to the company’s German division, Opel, Saturn has a new car to capture the imagination of sedan enthusiasts everywhere. The AURA, a five passenger Euro style sedan, is now on display at your local Saturn dealership. Please read on to see what the AURA has in store for buyers just like you. The L Series wasn’t a bad car, it just got lost in a sea of competition dominated by popular Camrys, versatile Accords, and dependable Taurus’s. Bland styling didn’t help matters either as the car never approached General Motors’ expectations, therefore...

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2007 Nissan Sentra: For an Active Lifestyle

The automaker Nissan is who is quite responsible for the Nissan Sentra. A compact car manufactured by Nissan, it is generally a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny. Its name, Sentra, is ironically not used in Japan, yet it is known there as the Bluebird Sylphy. As per the Untied States, this vehicle serves the compact model of its auto manufacturer. It directly competes with other compact models like the Toyota Corolla. Comparing it to its competition, the Nissan Sentra tops the list when it comes to its price, thus it is considered generally to be the biggest and most expensive compact car in its range. In 1982, this vehicle was introduced bearing the name Nissan Sentra, instead of its Japanese name Sunny, in the United States. Currently, other countries have also been...

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2007 Nissan Sentra: Big Surprises Inside!

Once again, Nissan is putting into practice with its all new Sentra model something that has succeeded for them in the past: push the model up market. As it first did with the Maxima and later with the Altima, Nissan has now promoted the Sentra to make room for the pending introduction of the subcompact Versa. With the all new model, Sentra fans will find a better equipped, more polished model then any other car that has ever worn the Sentra nameplate. Intrigued? You should be: the car simply goes where no Sentra has gone before: up market. Over the years, plenty of automakers have taken a popular selling model and elevated it one notch. Why? For a few reasons: to capitalize on demand for the model – a more luxurious version typically carries more profits with it then the base model. Instead...

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2007 Dodge Caliber: A Lean and Mean Machine

The new 2007 Dodge Caliber has been set so as to be the very first car from Chrysler to offer a continuously variable transmission or CVT. This new vehicle will also hold the new World Engine family that has gasoline engines with four cylinders. Along with that, enter the 2007 Dodge Caliber with a new electronic all wheel drive system plus another new part – a 2.0 liter diesel engine. More power has been made to this vehicle, it seems. This new vehicle from the Dodge brand is targeting the market that holds the 20-somethings who are also first time new car buyers. Their statistics show that mostly these consumers are those who have a median income of around $45,000. Although, of course, anybody who wants a Dodge Caliber can buy a Dodge Caliber. This vehicle sports five doors. It has a...

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2007 Dodge Caliber: A Lean and Mean Machine

The new 2007 Dodge Caliber has been set so as to be the very first car from Chrysler to offer a continuously variable transmission or CVT. This new vehicle will also hold the new World Engine family that has gasoline engines with four cylinders. Along with that, enter the 2007 Dodge Caliber with a new electronic all wheel drive system plus another new part – a 2.0 liter diesel engine. More power has been made to this vehicle, it seems. This new vehicle from the Dodge brand is targeting the market that holds the 20-somethings who are also first time new car buyers. Their statistics show that mostly these consumers are those who have a median income of around $45,000. Although, of course, anybody who wants a Dodge Caliber can buy a Dodge Caliber. This vehicle sports five doors. It has a...

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2006 Mazda6 Does The Zoom-Zoom

Sedan, hatchback or station wagon, you can own a 2006 Mazda6 for these are the body styles that are offered for this vehicle model. This vehicle offers a splendid performance hidden behind its spicy and hot style and design. Comfort is also something that this vehicle offers for its cabin and its seats can be arranged. A great amount of cargo could also be transported using the 2006 Mazda6 with its fifty eight cubic feet of space in the back as you fold down the rear seats. Manufactured by the automaker, Mazda, the Mazda6 has actually been existing as a production vehicle since 2003 and up until the present, it continually proves that it will stay and it will prevail despite changing lifestyles and changing needs of the market. It took the spot that was previously occupied by the Mazda...

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2006 Kia Rio: Use and Toss?

Kia vehicles have managed to make significant strides in quality and durability since being introduced to the US market in 1994. Widely panned by critics as producing cheaply built and cheaply priced models, some Kia models are now performing at average or slightly above. The Kia Rio is not one of these cars, however. Only the extended warranty makes the Rio worth a look otherwise slightly more expensive cars from Toyota are preferable. With a base MSRP of just $10,735, the Kia Rio is touted as “still the most affordable 4-door sedan in America.” Certainly, when it comes to price, the Rio is a winner. Add in standard features such as dual remote mirrors, driver lumbar support seats, and the extended warranty, and the car is a value leader. Of course, air conditioning will cost you extra...

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2006 Jaguar X Type: Luxury for the Commoner

Prices for top selling luxury cars can easily top $50,000 when taxes, destination charges, and dealer prep fees are factored in. Generally, this isn’t a problem as the customer who purchases a vehicle of this renown can afford the big price tag. However, automakers have learned that there is a market for “entry level” luxury cars for up and coming buyers who want the name without paying the steep price. The dilemma for automakers is not to water down the product line, rather to offer a car that upholds the marquee without diluting its value. One such car that has successfully filled that criterion is the Jaguar X Type, the focus of this review. Admittedly, I am biased toward purchasing American cars even through the ups and downs of the U.S. car industry. Still, I am fascinated by changes...

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2006 Honda Accord: Still Topping Lists

One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people. Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX’s. It is very much muscular and very...

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2006 Honda Accord: Still Topping Lists

One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people. Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX’s. It is very much muscular and very...

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2006 Ford Taurus: Swan Song

The 2006 model year will end the heralded Taurus name and for this writer it is a bittersweet time as Ford retires what once the best selling car in all of America. When Ford introduced the Taurus along with its cousin the Mercury Sable in the mid 1980s the car represented a radical departure from the standard American car of the day. Fairly large, front wheel drive, and very aerodynamic, the Taurus quickly rose to the pinnacle of the American car sales charts and was the best selling car for several years in a row. A much delayed “reskinning” did not occur until 1996, some ten years after the Taurus and Sable were first released. The new style, perceived by some to be ugly, quickly cost Ford sales as newer and more modern Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords out gained the line. Slight changes...

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2006 Ford Mustang: Retro Cruiser

When Ford decided to redesign the Mustang, they opted to incorporate a retro look, much like what was done previously with the Thunderbird. Fortunately, Ford didn’t look at the ghastly Mustang II series from the 1970s for a template, instead the US automaker drew upon the second generation Mustangs of the late 1960s for their inspiration. Let’s just say that the redesigned Mustang has been nothing short of a sell out hit. Introduced as a 2005 model, the retro Mustang for 2006 offers only one change: the introduction of a Pony package which is meant to give the car a GT look and feel. Borrowing from the fastback design of the late 1960s, the 2005 model was such a hit that Ford could not keep up with production. Buyers have a choice between a 4.0L V6 and a 4.6L V8 engine to power the car....

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2006 Ford Focus: Never Better!

Back in 2000, the year that the Ford Focus was introduced, Ford Motor Company was hoping that the model would be well received and exceed the sales totals of its previous small car, the Escort. Unfortunately, the new Focus was plagued by various minor quality problems and the car soon became the joke of the industry. Step forward to 2006, and the current Focus is vastly improved on earlier models. Let’s explore what is helping the Focus become a proven challenger in the crowded small vehicle sector: 1. Aggressive Price. Yes, the number of cars available under US$15,000 continues to drop each year. However, the Focus takes it one step further as it retails just below $14,000. Comparably equipped Chevys, Kias and Hyundais sell for nearly the same amount, so the consumer has a good choice when...

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2006 Dodge Viper: Endangering the Competition

Entering the automobile world in 1992, the Dodge Viper has had undergone many changes as well as many obstacles. This year, 2006, the Dodge Viper is already on its third generation of vehicles. This time around, the vehicle is introduced as an all-new coupe. Dan Knott, the director of Street and Racing Technology (SRT) for the Chrysler Group states, “Demand for a Dodge Viper Coupe started the day we introduced the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible for 2003. The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe is a natural evolution of the heritage of the Dodge Viper, and gives enthusiasts exactly that they’re looking for in the ultimate American sports car.” He also adds, “Dodge Viper SRT10 customers want to go beyond the level of the regular enthusiast, to the level of outrageous performance. Our all-new...

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2006 Daewoo Lanos: Totally Pleasurable

The 2006 Daewoo Lanos is a car filled with fun for it is great to drive and is very reliable as well. It comes either two doors or four doors. The fun fact behind its name is that “Lanos” literally means “pleasure”. This vehicle has been greatly compared to the Toyota Corolla for most people would mistake the Daewoo Lanos with the Toyota Corolla. However, if one would look more closely, the difference would be that the Daewoo Lanos has a vertical chrome Infinity-like grille. That is the main difference actually. The 2006 Daewoo Lanos holds a 1.6 liter engine with four cylinders that has the capability to produce some 105 units of horsepower. However, this engine is much noisier than other vehicles who own engines with four cylinders. There are some critics who find the Daewoo Lanos to...

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2006 Chevy Impala SS: More Vroom!

Chevy’s flagship car, the Impala, finally has the power to match its heralded name. Ever since the car was redesigned in the late 1990s, the Impala has been more of a pretender than a performer. Now with an optional small block 5.3L V8 added to the mix, the 2006 Chevrolet Impala can go toe to toe with the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger. The changes for the Impala are not all under the hood, Chevy took the time to redo the entire car and they did it with care. Let’s look at some of the changes for 2006. More Power – A V6 is a great engine, especially in these times of high gas prices. Still, if you opt for a car of the Impala’s size, at least having the option of purchasing a V8 makes sense, doesn’t it? You better believe it. GM has sweetened the deal by plunking in a V8 that incorporates...

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2006 Chevy Corvette: Promises of Amazement

The 2006 Chevy Corvette comes as a well balanced package in a vehicle. It has set refinement in its interior and stance as well as exuding the modern sports car feel. For the past years, the Chevy Corvette has consequently received and bagged the Car of the Year award. Starting out as rumors, the 2006 Chevy Corvette has certainly made sure that it would live and outlive the gossip running about. General Motors has made a statement that the 2006 Chevy Corvette is quickest and fastest car that the company has ever produced. This vehicle comes with sophistication and is a high-performance machine. In many ways, the Chevy Corvette shows off its well-mannered and simply ride dynamics as well as an ultra-slick powertrain performance. Its interior is very much made from quality materials that...

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2006 Chevrolet Aveo: America’s Price Leader

The only thing American about the compact Aveo automobile is it’s Chevrolet name. Built in Korea [or in China] by GM Daewoo, the Aveo is America’s price champion coming in at just under ten thousand dollars. That’s right; you can still purchase a new car in the USA for under ten thousand dollars excluding taxes, dealer prep, and destination charges. Let’s take a closer look at Chevy’s bargain basement people hauler. Available as either a four door sedan or as a five door hatchback, the Chevrolet Aveo fills an important niche in the Chevy line up as an entry level econocar. Priced nearly five thousand dollars less than Chevy’s next most expensive model, the Cobalt, the Aveo allows for Chevrolet to contend for a piece of the youth market. The Aveo is expressly targeted to compete against similar...

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2006 Buick Lucerne: Return of the V8

The venerable Buick Park Avenue is no more, having been replaced by the all new Buick Lucerne, a down market version of the Cadillac DTS. With a 275-hp Northstar V8 engine, the Lucerne becomes the first Buick car in nearly ten years to arrive equipped with a V8. The entire Buick line up is in the process of being overhauled, so let’s take a look at this make’s newest flagship and see how it plays a part in GM’s overall strategy. If you are a fan of the Buick brand you have witnessed your fair share of changes over the past five years. Gone are the Park Avenue, LeSabre, Century, and Regal, and in its place are the Rendezvous, the Rainier, LaCrosse, Terrazza, and the Lucerne. All the changes are the result of General Motors’ broad realignment strategy in the wake of retiring the Oldsmobile...

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2006 Audi A3: Heading Towards the American Market

The 2006 Audi A3 has revolutionized the automobile industry. It has made its own set of standards as per its class. It provides appeal, personality, dynamism, ambition, and ambience. And that is all in one vehicle. When Audi was creating this vehicle, it was a crucial moment for them. The company had created the 2006 Audi A3 so as to seek the niche and claim equality with its rivals from Bavaria and Stuttgart. This time, the 2006 Audi A3 will make its way to the United States automobile market. This new vehicle from Audi provides a responsive and adjustable ride that is very much like the BMW Compact. The 2006 Audi A3 has been specially crafted so as to provide tactile qualities for its major controls. Like its throttle pedal as an example. The Audi A3’s throttle pedal now pivots, just...

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2006 Acura RL: Offering Comfort

Offering a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 24 valves is the 2006 Acura RL which is a luxury sedan. With this kind of engine installed in this vehicle, the 2006 Acura RL has the capacity to take up to 225 horsepower at 5200 rpm. The 2006 Acura RL has been made available in two trim levels which comprise of the sedan and the sedan with a navigation system. This vehicle also sports an interior that exudes that kind of luxury that only an Acura has the privilege of providing customers. Its interior also boasts seats with leather trimming, as well as a steering wheel wrapped with the same skin. All these add up to provide an easy kind of comfort making this vehicle something to consider greatly. The 2006 Acura RL could be very much compared to and compete with the Audi A6, the Jaguar S Type, and the...

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2006 BMW Z4 Roadster: Meeting The Roadster Ethics

It has a long bonnet, a much lower waistline, a rear wheel drive system, and two seats set close to the floor. And this is the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster. And it has been said that this vehicle follows the unwritten rules of the roadster ethic because of its characteristics. It has a front axle aluminum spring strut configuration with a precise rank and pinion steering. Just made specifically for the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster is the rear axle and this axle is very much able to withstand the forces that are applied by different things and factors that include the driver, the road, and the whole 368 pounds per foot of torque. It is no surprise that the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster still has the power and ability to set car lovers and aficionados’ hearts racing. Yes, the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster is exceptionally...

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2006 Acura CL: Traditional yet Modern

Acura, as a brand, has been holding up its share in its commitment of crafting, introducing, and bringing to the market vehicles that are engineered so as to provide excellent performance. And once again, Acura has added another vehicle to this list and at the same reinforcing the brand’s commitment. Welcome the all-new 2006 Acura CL. The 2006 Acura CL has been redesigned and reengineered in almost every little detail possible. This new vehicle promises to deliver higher levels of performance, technological innovations, engineering achievements, passenger safety, and overall style. It has also been destined to compete with the existing BMW 328Ci, the Volvo C70, and the Mercedes Benz CLK320. This vehicle has been again designed so as to provide and exude the smooth and flowing lines of the...

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1977 to 1979: The Years of the Lincoln Mark V

From the year 1977 and up until the year 1979, the Lincoln Mark V was sold by Lincoln, the luxury division of the Ford Motor Company. The Lincoln Mark V was sold and marketed as a large coupe. It was only during the mentioned model years did the Lincoln Mark V have the opportunity to roam the streets. Looking at it, the Lincoln Mark V was just like the previous Lincoln Mark IV, only this time it held a coupe of refinements and received a couple of restyling. The previous vehicle sported a rounded design. The Lincoln Mark V now was built and constructed to be more square and was sharper when it came to its edges. This was perhaps due to the fact that during that time, the sharp edged look was the in thing in the automobile world. Also, instead of the 460 cubic inch Ford 385 engine, the Lincoln...

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1917 Woods Dual Power

The first hybrid gas electric car did not come out in 1983, but in 1917. The Woods Dual Power was built by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago. Because the gas engine was so rough, but supplied more power and electric cars were smoother, but had limited range, the Woods Motor Vehicle Company wanted to supply a car that gave you the best of both worlds. The best part is, it was a full hybrid (listen up GM) with regenerative braking. The engine was a parallel hybrid that included a 12-hp, 4-cylinder gasoline engine as an auxiliary drive system in addition to the electric drive train. The electric engine could propel the car up to 20 mph. Together with the gas engine, the dual wood power could get up to 35 mph. The gas engine and electric engine were connected using a magnetic clutch....

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50 Years of Power

A carryover from 2004, the 2005 Ford Thunderbird was the last of its kind to be manufactured. The last time it rolled off the Ford Motor Company’s manufacturing plants was also the time of the vehicle’s fiftieth anniversary. This 2005 Ford Thunderbird is a luxury convertible that has been available in three trims that ranges from the Deluxe package to the 50th anniversary package. It has the capacity to take in a maximum of two passengers, and sports two doors. Upon its introduction, this 2005 Ford Thunderbird model came equipped with a standard engine of 3.9 liters, V8, and 280 horsepower that could take in 18 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on highway cruising. Also standard for this luxury convertible is a five-speed automatic transmission that has overdrive. This last Thunderbird convertible...

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30 Years And Still Strong

The Mazda 929, also sold as the Efini MS-9, is a full size luxury car. The model Mazda 929 was first introduced back in 1973. The vehicle was crafted in Japan; it was as big as a coupe, sedan, or station wagon. This line had a 1.8 liter incline four Mazda 1800 engine; the engine was capable of a whopping eighty three horse power output. Since its introduction the Mazda 929 has had five different engines between the years 1973 to 1981. The second generation Mazda emerged in 1981. It had been sold as a large front engine rear wheel drive sedan. It also used the new HB platform as a base which was also shared with the Mazda Cosmo. The new Mazda has seen three different engines in its life time. The third generation came about a few years later. This new version had a pillared four door...

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18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car

After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It’s always smart to get a second opinion. How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on “fumes” allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburettor damage as well. Sometimes a problem with your car’s electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have any blown fuses before investing in a tow truck! Keep track of how much oil your car uses. A sudden change in oil consumption means you need to see a technician. Save your brakes...

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10 Tips For Getting Your Car Ready For Warm Weather Driving

The first warm weekend of the season traditionally triggers a symphony of cleaning products, vacuums and garden hoses. But while you might be in a hurry to put a shine on your vehicle, it's equally important to make sure it's ready for the warm weather on the inside as well as the outside. "The most critical areas to check after the harsh winter months are engine fluids, radiator hoses, belts, tires and brakes," says Pat Goss, host of PBS' "MotorWeek" and Washington Post automotive columnist. "Adequately preparing these key areas of the car before the weather warms up will not only keep you safe while driving, they'll help prevent costly repairs." After battling months of snow, sleet and icy roads, your vehicle is undoubtedly in need of some serious care. To make your spring trouble-free,...

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