CAR MAKERS OFFER RANGE OF VALUE IN '97 MODELS : TEST DRIVE.Byline: Jerry Morris The Boston Globe While many manufacturers refer to their $30,000-plus models as luxurious, many a consumer believes anything over $15,000 is in the luxury class. Fortunately, there is a wide-range of choices in the $9,000-to-$15,000 range, including models with features such as air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. and power windows that once were considered luxury options. Topping the list of new models is the Plymouth Breeze The Plymouth Breeze was a mid-sized 4-door sedan that was introduced in 1996, as a companion to the Chrysler Cirrus and the Dodge Stratus which were released in late 1995. It replaced the successful, yet outdated Acclaim. , introduced early this year. Plymouth is a brand long associated with value, and the Breeze, a sister to the Dodge Stratus The Dodge Stratus (and its twins, the Chrysler Cirrus and Plymouth Breeze; collectively known as the "Cloud Cars") was a mid-size 4-door sedan introduced in 1995. It was based on the Chrysler JA platform. and Chrysler Cirrus The Chrysler Cirrus was a mid-size 4-door sedan sold in the United States from 1995 to 2000; In Mexico, the current Sebring sedan is still sold as the Cirrus. It and its siblings, the Dodge Stratus and the Plymouth Breeze, were known as the "Cloud Cars". , has the same exceptional roominess of those popular models but for a much lower price. The trade-off is the Breeze offers few options and less equipment. It also comes with only one engine choice - an in-line four similar to the one that powers the Neon. Other makes that have been updated for '97 include Subaru, now with an Outback version of its Imprezia; Ford Escort-Mercury Tracer and Saturn. With its 150-horsepower engine option, the Neon from Plymouth-Dodge is one of the faster models in its class. The roomy front-drive Neon comes in coupe and sedan models, has improvements ranging from added side-impact protection to quieter running engines. Pontiac's Sunfire comes in three versions - coupe, sedan and convertible - along with engine and transmission choices. There are few changes in the Sunfire this year. Chevrolet's Cavalier remains the company's best seller, proving value is more important to many than technology. The Cavalier remained essentially unchanged for more than 10 years before its remake two years ago. Throughout that time its sales topped other more advanced and sleeker Chevrolets. It comes in three versions - coupe, sedan and convertible. The Ford Escort Over the years, the name 'Ford Escort' has been used for several models. For more information, see:
Ford Motor Company and Mercury Tracer The Mercury Tracer was Mercury's smallest car from 1988 to 1999. It was based on the platform of the Mazda 323, replacing the European-derived Mercury Lynx. 1988-1989 The Tracer was introduced in 1987 for the 1988 model year. are a bit larger and quieter this year. The Escort is considered by many to be the best in its class. It comes in sedan and wagon models. Both offer the look of their larger Ford-Mercury cousins, the Taurus and Sable sable, species of marten, Martes zibellina, found in Siberia, N European Russia, and N Finland. This carnivorous mammal is highly valued for its thick, soft fur, which is dark brown or black, sometimes with white underparts and sometimes flecked with silver. . The Geo Prizm The Geo Prizm (Chevrolet Prizm after 1997) was a United States-market entry-level compact car from model years 1989 through 2002. Like the 1985-1988 Chevrolet Nova it replaced, the Prizm was a rebadged version of the Toyota Sprinter, an upmarket version of the Toyota Corolla from Chevrolet and the Toyota Corolla The Toyota Corolla is a compact car produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the bestselling car in the world, with over 30 million sold as of 2007. come off the same assembly line in California. The major difference between the two is price, with the Geo version being lower in cost and with fewer options and only one engine choice offered. The Honda Civic, extensively improved and enlarged for the '96 year, comes with few changes this year. A good buy in coupe, sedan and hatchback models. One coupe boasts 39 miles per gallon Noun 1. miles per gallon - the distance traveled in a vehicle powered by one gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel unit, unit of measurement - any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange; "the dollar is the United States unit of in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Hyundai offers two roomy and value-priced models in this class - the Elantra and Sonata. Both come with lots of equipment for the price and the Sonata has a new look. The Elantra, available in both sedan and wagon, has an optional engine that provides more power than most in its class, and the Sonata adds a V-6 to its choices. The Mazda Protege is another roomy small sedan. It comes this year with a new front end and interior changes. The Mitsubishi Mirage has a new look and many internal improvements. It's now available in sedan and coupe versions. Nissan Sentra is the company's lowest-priced model. The sedan offers good room, handling and equipment for the price. The Nissan 200SX is essentially a sporty-looking coupe derived from the Sentra. Subaru Impreza is available only with all-wheel drive in sedan, coupe and wagon, making it a standout for winter weather. Subaru's alternative to sport utility vehicles This page lists sports utility vehicles currently in production (as of April 2007), as well as past models. The list includes crossover SUVs, Mini SUVs, Compact SUVs and other similar vehicles. , the Outback, is now offered in this model as well as the higher-priced Legacy. Suzuki Esteem offers five-passenger seating along with a lot of extras making it worth comparing with other makes in its price field. Saturn, which has earned a reputation as a different kind of car company, has added more style to its coupe. Otherwise, the company known for no haggling on price and good value for the dollar, has made few changes in its sedan or wagon series. Toyota Paseo and Tercel provide enjoyable drives in this price range. The Paseo is available only as a coupe and convertible. It comes with few changes this year as it was extensively redone re·done v. Past participle of redo. last year. The Tercel is Toyota's lowest priced model and to keep prices low, Toyota has cut available models and options. Toyota's goal is to provide extra value by combining items found in higher priced trim levels in one lower-priced model. Volkswagen Golf is one of the few vehicles available with a clean-burning turbo-diesel engine which can provide up to 50 mpg. The Golf comes only as a five-passenger sedan and with a standard 115 horsepower engine. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Author Thomas Stanley studied U.S. millionaires' habits to write his new book. Associated Press |
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