Drive to the top; looking for the best car to meet your needs? Stop here for direction. (B.E. Spring Auto Guide).LIKE THE CLOTHES YOU WEAR, THE CAR YOU DRIVE SAYS SOMETHING about you. These days there is such a wide selection of cars available within any price range, you can make your own personal vehicular statement. That expression may vary anywhere from "I don't care
"Don't Care" is a 1994 (see 1994 in music) single by American death metal band Obituary. about cars," to "I'll sacrifice anything to have this set of wheels." Automotive designs Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans. don't always follow the theme originally intended. The sport-utility vehicle sport-u·til·i·ty vehicle n. Abbr. SUV A four-wheel-drive vehicle with a roomy body, designed for off-road travel. was invented to transport people and cargo across unfriendly terrain. These days that terrain is most likely an urban thorough-fare, and the payload (1) Refers to the "actual data" in a packet or file minus all headers attached for transport and minus all descriptive meta-data. In a network packet, headers are appended to the payload for transport and then discarded at their destination. is the brawny brawn·y adj. 1. Strong and muscular. 2. Hardened; calloused. image the vehicle projects. At the other end, that nimble sports car likely spends more time stuck in traffic than jetting through a mountain motorway. There are as many reasons for choosing cars as people who buy them. Most prospective buyers must weigh what they want against what they really need. A bigger budget certainly helps. But with relentless competition in the marketplace, even the most affordable levels of transportation have much to offer. When choosing a car, four factors are paramount: style, function, performance, and value. Let's take a closer look at each of these categories and the vehicles BE believes best represent them. STYLE If the appearance of a car doesn't attract a buyer then a relationship never begins. Automakers put as much effort into a vehicle's looks as they do its mechanics. Pontiac's quite functional but homely home·ly adj. home·li·er, home·li·est 1. Not attractive or good-looking: a homely child. 2. Lacking elegance or refinement: homely furniture. Aztek failed to attract even half the hoped for number of buyers after critics referred to it as one of the most unappealing vehicles on the market. Despite its innovative, quasi-SUV style, the Aztek has experienced a major failure in sales. Having learned a hard lesson, Pontiac looked deeper at its in tended audience to come up with the style for its latest model, Vibe, an apt name for a vehicle creating a buzz among style-conscious young people. This tall, yet small, wagon introduced a new category of vehicles that has yet to be defined. Perhaps no car is more graceful than Audi's TT with its simplistic sim·plism n. The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. [French simplisme, from simple, simple, from Old French; see simple yet sporty sport·y adj. sport·i·er, sport·i·est 1. Appropriate for sport or participation in sports. 2. Exhibiting sportsmanship; sporting. 3. Flashy; jazzy. design. But if aesthetics are foremost, any Jaguar will do. For more than 60 years, Jaguar has been considered the embodiment of style. From the sleek X-Type to the stunning XKR, Jaguars are always pleasing to the eye. While luxury and sports cars typically define automotive beauty, monster SUVs are the latest trend to hit the industry. Unfortunately, this has led to excess, such as the Ford Excursion The Ford Excursion is a full-size sport utility vehicle that was produced by the Ford Motor Company between model years 2000 and 2005. It was the largest SUV in the lineup while it was produced. and Lincoln's chrome-laden hulk, the Hulk, the character whose anger transforms him into monster. [Comics: Horn, 324–325] See : Anger Hulk, the the monster that David Banner becomes when angered. [Comics and TV: Horn, 324] See : Transformation Navigator. Cadillac rode the bandwagon for a while, but its latest version of the Escalade es·ca·lade n. The act of scaling a fortified wall or rampart. [French, from Italian scalata, ultimately from Latin sc is less gaudy and sets a sharper-edged direction that its passenger cars will soon follow. Boutique cars such as Volkswagen's New Beetle and Chrysler's PT Cruiser have also become increasingly popular. This spring, BMW BMW in full Bayerische Motoren Werke AG German automaker. Founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, the company assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke and became known for its high-speed motorcycles in the 1920s. plans to reintroduce Re`in`tro`duce´ v. t. 1. To introduce again. Verb 1. reintroduce - introduce anew; "We haven't met in a long time, so let me reintroduce myself" re-introduce the Mini Cooper, a classically designed roadster with fun and style as its main themes. Beware though: People get tired of novelty. FUNCTION For many people, a vehicle is a tool with a job to perform. Only when specific needs are met do they consider other attributes. Sports cars may be beautiful, but if you need to transport heavy loads, they aren't very practical. That doesn't mean functional vehicles have to be an eyesore eye·sore n. Something, such as a distressed building, that is unpleasant or offensive to view. eyesore Noun something very ugly Noun 1. or lack in performance. Some people find the side cladding The plastic or glass sheath that is fused to and surrounds the core of an optical fiber. The cladding's mirror-like coating keeps the light waves reflected inside the core. The cladding is covered with a protective outer jacket. See fiber optics glossary. on Chevrolet's new Avalanche to be rather--to put it politely--unattractive. Yet love or hate the looks, this is a vehicle that sets new standards for versatility. It can be reconfigured into a pickup, an SUV, or both, and it offers a 4WD option, holds up to six people, and tows hefty trailers. This is a big truck that fits big needs. At the other end of the function scale is the small, efficient transport. A no-frills Honda Civic The Honda Civic is a compact car manufactured by Honda. It was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback version that September. With the transverse engine placement of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive, like the British Mini, the gets where you need to go for minimal cost and isn't a bad ride. If you require more cargo space, the midsize sedan Sedan (sədäN`), town (1990 pop. 22,407), Ardennes dept., NE France, on the Meuse River. A noted textile center since the 16th cent., Sedan also has metal and brewing industries. The town became part of French crown lands in 1642. models, the largest automotive, segment offer room, comfort, and economy. For carrying the most people comfortably, you can't beat the minivan. While SUVs are more stylish, none can equal the usefulness of a Honda Odyssey The Honda Odyssey is a minivan / large MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Honda since 1995. Since model year 1999, the name was used on two related but distinct vehicles, with the larger Odyssey sold in North America market, while the smaller Odyssey sold in Japan and other . Nor, can any SUV match a Mazda MPV The Mazda MPV is an MPV (minivan) manufactured by Mazda. It was introduced in 1989 as a rear wheel drive model and was replaced in 2000 with a more modern front wheel drive version. Over 1 million MPV models had been produced since its introduction. for easy handling even with seven people aboard. Bottom line here: the functionality of a car depends on the needs of the driver. Decide what you need in a car before getting behind the wheel. PERFORMANCE From the thrill of acceleration in a Mustang mustang [Sp. mesteño=a stray], small feral horse of the W United States. Mustangs are descended from escaped Native American horses, which in turn were descended from horses of North African blood, brought to the New World by the Spanish c.1500. GT to the precise cornering of a Mazda Miata, high performance often means specialization. Any all-wheel-drive Subaru will outperform that powerful Mustang in the snow, while carrying more cargo than the Miata. Although it's hard to replace the thrills of driving a specialized vehicle, the most practical cars are multi-dimensional. Subaru's WRX WRX Western Refrigerator Line Company WRX World Rally Cross Country (Subaru) WRX Wireless Receiver has a turbocharged engine and all-wheel-drive road grip, yet it is affordable and well-rounded. If you're seeking additional luxury, Audi's A4 or BMW's 3 series puts smiles on the faces of the well-heeled. Whenever automobile companies unveil a sports sedan A sports sedan is a descriptive term applied to a sedan or saloon automobile that is designed to look and feel "sporty" - offering the driver more connection with the driving experience. Most vehicles in this category overlap with the compact executive car classification. , it is inevitably compared to the BMW 3 series--and with good reason. With great performance for the money, it is the epitome of the sports sedan. It's possible to get great handling, acceleration, and comfort all in one in a luxury sedan. Luxury sedans and big engines go hand in hand. From Cadillac's DeVille and Lexus' LS 430 to the big BMW and Mercedes-Benz sedans, these are cars that do everything well--except fit into a tight budget. SUVs rarely offer much performance, unless you're an off-road enthusiast. Most lack swiftness on the road. They may be big and have powerful engines, but their size and weight offer more commotion than effective motion. VALUE Stretching a buck is important to just about everybody. That's why top value is found in the most popular cars. Competition is merciless when you're trying to sell more than 300,000 of anything. Cars such as the Toyota Camry The Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan assembled by Toyota in Georgetown, Kentucky; Altona, Victoria, Guangzhou, China and the original factory in Toyota City, Japan. In some markets, the top range Camry models are seen as executive cars. and Honda Accord--two automobiles that continually battle for the title of "best seller"--are excellent automobiles that can be purchased at bargain prices. This year, however, there's another contender: Nissan's new Altima. It's a larger, roomier sedan with more power than the competition, agile handling, and a remarkable price tag. Manufacturers need to sell a lot of small cars to meet government-ordained CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) targets. As highlighted in the news since the fuel crisis of the 1970s, the government requires that all cars sold by a manufacturer meet a certain fuel economy number. If the brand fails, there are significant financial penalties. To draw buyers to smaller vehicles, the key is to offer more for the money. 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. is practically a miniature luxury sedan that rides smooth and has excellent performance. Bargains can also be found in unexpected places. Value isn't just about the price but also what you get for your money. Take the Mercedes-Benz C230, for instance. Starting at around $25,000, it's not an inexpensive car. But the price tag is surprisingly reasonable for a swift and fun sports hatchback that has all the quality and safety features the Mercedes-Benz brand represents. Picking the best car for your needs among hundreds of models is no easy task. They've all got their own combination of style, function, performance, and value. But as long as you're in the driver's seat driv·er's seat n. A position of control or authority. , you can choose the car that has the right combination for you.
Family & Function
HONDA Odyssey
Price Range: $24,700-$31,000
Body Type: 4-door minivan
Engine Type: V-6 24-valve
Displacement: 3.5 liters
Horsepower: 240@5500 rpm
Torque: 242@4500
Transmission: 4sp. auto
Drive: Front
Mileage (mpg): 18 city/25 hwy
RUNNER'S UP
BUICK RENDEZVOUS//MAZDA MPV//SAAB 9-5
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Fashion Statement
AUDI TT
Price Range: $33,000-$39,000
Body Type: 2-door sports hatchback,
roadster
Engine Type: I-4 20-valve turbo
Displacement: 1.8 liters
Horsepower: 180@5500, 225@5900 rpm
Torque: 173@1950-4700, 207@2200
Transmission: 5-, 6-sp. manual
Drive: Front, AWD
Mileage (mpg): 22/30-20/28
RUNNER'S UP
CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT//JAGUAR X-TYPE//PONTIAC VIBE
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Most For The Money
NISSAN Altima
Price Range: $16,800-$29,000
Body Type: 4-door sedan
Engine Type: I-4 16-valve, V6 24-valve
Displacement: 2.5, 3.5 liters
Horsepower: 175@6000, 240@5800 rpm
Torque: 181@4000, 246@4400
Transmission: 5-sp. manual, 4-sp. auto.
Drive: Front
Mileage (mpg): 19/26-23/29
RUNNER'S UP
MERCEDES BENZ C230//SUZUKI GRAND VITARA XL-7//TOYOTA COROLLA
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Luxury & Extravagance
GMC Yukon Denali
Price Range: $47,000-$49,000
Body Type: 4-door SUV
Engine Type: V-8, V-8
Displacement: 6.0 liters
Horsepower: 320@5000 rpm
Torque: 365@4000
Transmission: 4 sp. auto
Drive: AWD
Mileage (mpg): 14 city/18 hwy
RUNNER'S UP
LEXUS LS430//CADILLAC DEVILLE//MERCEDES-BENZ S500
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Sports & Performance
BMW M3 Coupe
Price Range: $46,000-$50,000
Body Type: 2-door coupe
Engine Type: I-6 24-valve
Displacement: 3.2 liters
Horsepower: 333@7900 rpm
Torque: 262@4900
Transmission: 6-sp. manual
Drive: Rear
Mileage (mpg): 16 city/24 hwy
RUNNER'S UP
CHEVROLET CORVETTE//HONDA S2000//SUBARU WRX
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Adventure Travel
CHEVROLET Avalanche
Price Range: $31,000-$42,000
Body Type: 4-door pickup/ utility vehicle-hybrid
Engine Type: 5.3L, V-8
Displacement: 6.1 liters
Horsepower: 285@5200 rpm
Torque: 325@4000
Transmission: 4 sp. auto
Drive: Rear, full/part-time 4WD
Mileage (mpg): 14/18 city-13/1
RUNNER'S UP
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER//MAZDA TRIBUTE//NISSAN XTERRA
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Ready to Ride? Start your car search by surfing the Web. Sites such as autotrader.com (www.autotrader.com), which boasts more than 1.5 million listings, allow you to compare models and get valuable information such as insurance quotes, specifications, expert reviews, and pricing. Another site, Edmunds.com (www.edmunds.com), enables surfers to locate dealers, find financing, buy cars over the Web, and determine how much money they need for the car they want to purchase. Surfers can also e-mail dealers directly with questions or view dealer showrooms. Just type "car buying" in any search engine for a long list of Web sites and articles. Make the Web connection for the latest information on new and used cars. |
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