Best Diesel Powered Cars

Diesels Proving Good Bets for Family Transportation: BWM, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi.

By The Car Family

No question that the day of the large, gas hoggish, SUVs are over. With gas mileage that seldom ventured north of high teen marks and engines that polluted the atmosphere far in excess of other vehicles. That was then, this is now. Enter the refined diesel engine with their superior towing capacities, at least 20 percent better fuel mileage, less maintenance, and higher resale value.

Don’t confuse these new rigs with the smelly, smoky diesels of old. The new ones are clean burning and quiet. Add to that the fact that they are well proven, in Europe diesel powered vehicle sales make-up nearly half of all sales from such noted manufacturers as Mercedes and BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen. There are also government tax breaks up to $1300 on diesel vehicles. And there is something for every pocketbook in this category with pricing ranging from the low $20,000s to $60,000 and up.

So which diesel powered vehicle is best for the family? Well, it depends on your needs. To that end we evaluated a wide variety of them and each on was impressive and filled a need. We tested the BMW 335d, the Mercedes R, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and the Audi Q7. All of them were frisky, eager to please, and none of them gave anything less than 25 mpg. Our favorite was the Volkswagen TDI if for nothing else its price tax in the low $20,000 range. Next was the comfortable and spacious Mercedes. The BMW was the best handling, but the 27 mpg fuel mileage wasn’t what we expected and the sedan lacked family sized room for long trips. It was great fun to drive, though, and the engine was very powerful. It should be noted that the government has indicated that this BMW should have delivered 36 mpg on the highway so perhaps are driving style was responsible for the low figure. Of note is that the BMW also had a price tag of nearly $50,000. The Audi Q7 was a vast, sophisticated SUV that is loaded with features, but the fuel mileage is what is most impressive for this nearly three ton vehicle with 24 mpg or more possible on the highway. That is more than five miles per gallon better than the base six cylinder version and seven miles per gallon better than the V8 and both gas versions require premium fuel.

Buying a diesel pays off even if there is a premium price involved if you drive more than 15,000 miles a year. Not only is there fuel savings, but the maintenance is less due to the fact that a diesel does not have an ignition system that needs to be tended to. A diesel also has superior pulling power and the new models start well even in the colder climates. The reason that these diesels burn so cleanly is that a urea mixture is squirted into the exhaust system to clean the pollutants. The urea container needs to be replaced, but other than that the diesels are nearly mechanic proof as they don’t have a need for any spark plugs or other ignition parts save a glow plug that helps ignite the fuel to start the engine.

BMW 3 Series

BMW’s three series sedan is powered by a potent 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel inline-6 that makes 265 horsepower and an enormous 425 lb-ft of torque that works through a six-speed automatic transmission. The seats are comfortable in front, but the rear seat is best left to smaller folk. The interior is bland and the trunk, at 12 cubic feet, small for such an expensive vehicle. Overall, this BMW is a terrific sporty diesel that clearly proves that a diesel can be fun to drive. It is very fast for a diesel and a delight to drive.

Mercedes R-Class

Next we tested the Mercedes -Benz R-Class with a 3.0-liter BlueTec diesel V-6 producing 210 horsepower and a he-man 398 lb.-ft. of torque. This MB reacts immediately to throttle input, albeit only until the tachometer reaches around 3000 rpm when the seven speed transmission shifts and allows the acceleration to continue to well above 100 mph, we are told. It is loaded with safety equipment that includes everything from airbags nearly everywhere, to warning devises, to traction, stability, and braking controls and more. Very safe.

The R Class is very long station wagon, indeed in length it dwarfs the hulking Hummer H2, but is much safer than that living example of why General Motors went bankrupt. The R Class is very family friendly with an abundance of room, even behind the third row of seats. However, this Mercedes does not have the easily removable middle row of seats.

We got 25 mpg in the Mercedes and it grew on us the longer we drove it. At first the R Class felt cold and stiff. But once we were able to sample it fare this vehicle easily is the best family transport for those who have a need for a classy workhorse. A true pleasure to drive and the diesel engine was as un-diesel as we have ever experienced. If it were not for the price of this vehicle it would have been our first choice. For example the rear seat backs recline, there are air vents for everyone, a low loading height, and cupholders galore. You can order the optional entertainment center, too, with LED screens behind the front headrests and each seatback monitor can show a different image from movies to video games to MP3 music.

The ride is very stable and it handles well, but what we especially liked was how easy it was to park in tight spots. Visibility to the sides is a bit tarnished by the wide panels and the rear doors are quite heavy and require a great deal of room to fully open. Outside of those few tarnishes, the R is a pleasure to drive to the corner store or on a long vacation trip. The one concern we had were the optional 19-inch tires that were just too noisy. They were very wide and this added to its handling, but took away from the fuel mileage.

This is an under-rated family vehicle with the unique ability to fit into most garages, venture out into inclement weather, and provides safety and great fuel mileage with at least 20 percent more travel from each gallon of diesel. And, on average, diesel is normally20 percent less expensive than the high octane fuel other big rigs require.

The most futuristic of all diesel vehicles, the R Class is a true utility vehicle for the future. And with the back two rows of seats folded flat you have a huge 85 cubic feet of space to bargain hunt with.

Volkswagen Jetta SportsWagon.

This is an example of a people mover with room for four adults, a 2.0-liter common rail turbocharged diesel engine that produces 140 horsepower and a 236 abaft of torque and surprisingly great handling. This is nearly as good of a handling vehicle as the twice as expensive BMW and gets well over 33 mpg in all types of driving. We recommend you don’t get the standard six-speed transmission as it simply does not pay either in better fuel mileage or drivability. Buy the automatic unit, which you can control with paddle shifters if you feel the need to exercise your decision making. Although the sedan Jetta is the better deal, the sedan is less expensive. We think the SportWagen is still worth the extra money and stick with the automatic transmission for smoother driving and better fuel mileage. The engine is certified to run on B5 biodiesel and is very responsive and goes well with its exceptional handling. Unlike the other vehicles tested, this one is front wheel drive.

The interior is rather bland with the seats having manual adjustments. The rear seats have a 60/40 split so you can haul longer items. Safety wise we highly recommend the optional rear air bags. The rear hatch is easy to open, but the rear doors are small and adults may have a problem getting in and out if they have large feet or long legs.

Overall, this is one very fun driver. The brakes are good, the suspension just right for a family wagon, and the engine supplies its torque at a low speed making cornering easy. While driving on a busy highway a tire exploded on the car ahead of me and I was quickly able to maneuver out of the way with the responsive steering. The government rates the Jetta at 41 highway and 30 in the city, but if you drive below the speed limit and do it smoothly, you can easily beat 50 mpg. All of this and the Jetta engine is rated as being the cleanest burning of the diesels. Of note, for those who want a more glamorous and expensive ride, the Audi A3 diesel is available with similar attributes.

Audi Q7

This all wheel giant is for those who desire a large SUV with the fuel mileage of a smaller SUV. Our recommendation is that unless you need the room; look at the smaller and more nimble Audi Q5. Audi’s stellar V6 TDI develops 221 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque from a low 1,750 rpm, and the acceleration continues to the redline of 4,500 rpm is reached. Acceleration is no problem for this 5000+ pounder. What is surprising is how quiet the big Audi is. Obviously, Audi has done a good job of soundproofing. The turbocharged engine can get you to 60 mpg in nine seconds and passing power is made simply thanks to a very cooperative six-speed automatic transmission.

Driving the Q7 you never forget you are driving a heavy vehicle as it feels ponderous at times. Add to that concern is the poor visibility to the sides and rear and you understand why you can order the Audi with its exceptional side warning lights and superior rear view monitor. Both are must haves. The tires are very large making getting in and out a bit of a trial, especially with the low ceiling height. This means you have to duck your head if you are over average height. We would go with smaller tires and sacrifice the added vehicle height for less road noise. The turning rate is good for mall parking, but it is way too large for making U turns and the like.

As all Audis, the interior is a study in quality. The seats, controls, gauges, and layout are all first class. The weakness is the multimedia interface that controls such features as heated seats and radio selections. It is easily mastered, but you need to take your eyes from the road for the most part.

Pricing is around the mid $50,000 range, but the rich options can drive that figure upwards of $60,000. As we stated, consider the smaller and less expensive Q5. The fuel tank holds over 25 gallons and with the 24 mpg we got in mixed non-stop trips over 500 miles are easily possible for those of you with cooperative kidneys.

Sharing its underpinnings with the less expensive Volkswagen Touareg and the trouble prone Porsche Cayenne reveals that the Audi has taken the middle passage with more luxury than the VW and the Porsche, but less sport than the competition. The VW should be considered an alternative if you don’t want Audi’s well proven all wheel drive system and the third row of seats.

Safety wise the Audi Q7 offers anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist, Hill Descent Control, traction control, electronic stability, rollover sensing, dual front air bags, front side seat-mounted torso air bags, and side-curtain air bags for all rows. The best

that spans all three rows of seats. A tire-pressure monitor is also standard. Rear-seat side torso air bags are optional, as is the Audi Side Assist blind spot warning system

Family conference: Except for some chatter at low speeds these diesel powered vehicles were much better than their gas powered siblings in every way. Mom liked the long and futuristic looking Mercedes Benz R Class best due to its many safety features and extremely roomy interior. The fact it fit in the garage and performed flawlessly were nice, but the most compelling feature is the exterior. Dad loved the Volkswagen Jetta SportsWagen due to its handling and gas mileage. It is heavy on the sport and it is easy to maneuver and park. The young working woman went with the BMW because, well, it is a BMW. The young working male didn’t like any of them. Too big or too little. He did find the interior of the Audi the best and he was the only one able to quickly learn how to use the controls for te audio, no doubt due to his work at http://www.eracks.com making computers. Overall, the Jetta was our favorite for the smaller family and the Mercedes for the larger one. These vehicles are all worthy of consideration and certainly are proof that the diesel is not just for trucks.

For links to all major manufacturers go http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

 

The Best 2010 Vehicles

The Best 2010 Vehicles

By The Car Family

For vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

After a long look at the 2010 vehicles it becomes clear that this is not a stellar one. The Audi Q5 is the best of the SUV/Trucks and the Kia Forte sedan is the best of the vehicles, although we found the Toyota Prius terrific. As for our best family vehicle, we would go with the Ford Fusion hybrid. And for the rich family vehicle, the Lexus RX 450h/RX 350 are useful, frugal, and hold their value.

Mom’s view: The Toyota Prius is great, but I just like to slide into a vehicle and so the Lexus RX is my favorite. I also enjoyed the Kia Soul more than I would like to admit. Comfortable and handy.

Dad’s view: The new Jaguar sedan with the supercharged engine is fun and dominating. You can run with the best sports cars and still enjoy the comforts of a large sedan. I also liked the Lexus RX and the Kia Soul.

Working woman’s view: The Nissan Cube is cute.  But what stole my heart was the Mercedes GLK with a diesel engine.  Awesome, and I probably am going to buy one in the future. That says something.

Young working male’s view:  I’m still making open source hardware for http://www.eracks.com and they are the most quiet units on the market. As such a treasure my comfort and so the Mercedes E Class and the Subaru Legacy and Outback are my choices

Alfa Romeo

This model year tends to reflect the down nature of the economy with a few bright spots for those with dough and risk takes. For example, Alfa Romeo is back with three Italian beauties. The Alfa Romeo 159 Sedan is a BMW 3 Series fighter with a 260 horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine stunning looks and standard all-wheel drive all for about $35,000. Adding to that Italian Flair is the Alfa Romeo Brera 2 plus 2 Coupe that is really attractive and carries the same drive train as the 150 sedan. As usually, you have to pay more for something beautiful so the sleek two door should run a couple of grand more. Of course, going topless is the sole purpose of the Alfa Romeo Spider which should cost over $40,000 probably with the same V6 engine. We suggest wait and see.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin has more expensive eye candy for anyone to own who has a couple of hundred thousand dollars to spend. The Rapide has four door, a first, a first for this newly purchased company, and a 470 horsepower. For a hundred thousand dollars more you can own a smaller vehicle, the DBS Volante 2+2 and sit on 510-horsepower. That is the same horsepower you can feast upon in a Jaguar sedan that costs $80,000. There is also the One-77 for two million, a V12 with 700 horsepower and it is built to the owner’s specifications, more or less. Oh, the name? They are only going to build 77 of them. Hurry. You can get a lot more for a lot less.

Audi

Whether Audi’s winning streak lasts is in the hands of four new Audi vehicles. The A5 Cabriolet does away with the A4 in appearance only as most of the drivetrain is the same. Look for some more technology and a price a little over forty grand. You can also order supercharged version for a few thousand dollars more. Finally, the Audi S4, at around $50,000, is going to have a 3.0-liter  supercharged six-cylinder engine making about 335 horsepower and all wheel drive.  A BMW with a softer image.

BMW

BMW continues its quest to build some pretty strange looking vehicles, but they continue to succeed. The  Z4 well have a retractable hardtop and its excellent  twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine as well as a base model sans the induction help starting in the mid-$40,000 range. For $80,000 you can harvest a large BMW 7-Series with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 400 horsepower. Again, less horsepower than the Jaguar sedan, but it has more backseat room. Back to strange looking BMWs and the X6 M. For nearly ninety thousand dollars you can drive a very fast SUV that can rival the Porsche Cayenne in everything, including depreciation. Look for 550 plus horsepower from a twin-turbocharged V8. The base 3 Series is still the best BMW.

Buick Lacrosse

We don’t recommend General Motors products at this time. The Lacrosse is priced at about $28,000 and for that you can get a slightly used Lexus RX still under warranty for that price. Remember that General Motors only allows select people to test drive their vehicles so watch for bias in reviews.

Cadillac

We don’t recommend General Motors products at this time. Cadillac has a new sports wagon and more powerful engines in most of its products. The SRX and sports wagon cost nearly the same, about $34,000 and they both do essentially the same, with the wagon being more sprightly. We don’t get the pricing strategy, but we also don’t understand why GM hired back a leader who helped create the bankruptcy in the first place. Stick to the base CTS.

Ferrari

Ferrari California is offered at about $195,000. For that you get a retractable hardtop convertible, a 4.3-liter V8 that produces 460 horsepower, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, and a Ferrari that makes the overpriced and poor riding Bentley look like yesterday. No wonder Bentley sales and resale are suffering.

Fiat 500

When it comes buy it. Pricing is fairly high for such a small machine, just below $20,000, but it is cute, rides well, and you can order it with a fuel sipping 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 100. We recommend you delay your gratification until the more powerful engine becomes available.

Ford Mustang

It isn’t getting old and it is getting better, The Mustang looks much sharper this year and the handling has been smoothed. A myriad of engine choices. For about $20,000 you can have a car that makes the weird looking Chevrolet Camaro and bulking Chrysler Challenger like bad styling exercises.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Expensive, high riding, and expensive, the F-150 Raptor is meant to destroy off-road obstacles and pass most everything except a gas station. $39,000.

Ford Taurus

We highly recommend the Ford Fusion. However,  if you need more leg and cargo space, the new Taurus is a darn good vehicle to consider, especially with a $26,000 asking price. Good fuel mileage, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 3.5 engine are standard. If you need more power and want to spend nearly $39,000 you can stuff your Taurus with the SHO turbocharged, 365 horsepower engine.

Ford Fusion

A bargain and fun to drive, the Fusion is now available as a hybrid that can easily get mid-30 mpg. Well priced at just over $20,000, the Fusion is just as good as the competition from Asia and the hybrid is one of the best family vehicles you can possess that offers exception fuel mileage.

Honda Insight

Priced below $20,000, the Insight is less expensive than the Toyota Insight, but you get a lot less. Fuel mileage in the low 40 mpg arena. Look for Toyota to offer a stripped Prius to offset the Honda’s price advantage. However, it won’t have the Honda handling.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Wow, for those who like a slick looking coupe that goes fairly well, the $23,000 Genesis coupe is a must drive. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and the 3.8-liter V6 produce 210 and 306 horsepower respectively. Why pay more?

Jaguar XJ Series

This stunning sedan is available with an extended-wheelbase and potent powertrains from the base 5.0-liter V8 and its 385 horsepower, to the .XJL Supercharged 470 horsepower version, to the Supersport’s 510 horsepower engine. Safety wise the Jaguar offers ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Add to that Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics adjustable air suspension and you have a sweet riding sedan. You can also add a dual-screen DVD entertainment system. The Supersport is a bargain for those who like their sedan to truly leap. One of our favorites. Priced just under $70,000.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

As the much anticipated Chevrolet Volt is said to be the most important vehicle to General Motors, the Grand Cherokee is even more vital to Chrysler. To this end they are offering extended warranties on the drivetrain and a less ancient styling. Pricing is expected to be just over $30,000, but more importantly, you are going to own a vehicle with a nicer interior and better handling than any previous model.  Well worth the late for those that need the Grand Cherokee’s legendary off-road ability.

Kia Soul

A real surprise, the Kia Soul can be bought for under $15,000 and you get a very useful and fun car to drive. It has a high seating position and both the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and 142 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder get good gas mileage. The large tires give a sturdy ride, but that is the sole concern with the Soul. Another one of our favorites.

Kia Forte

Yet another bargain from Kia, the Forte is a sedan that has an available 173 horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and room for five all for under $15,000. Kia is on a roll, pun intended.

Kia Forte Koup

A two door version of the Forte for under $20,000.

Kia Sorrento

The Sorrento is leaner, but still not nearly competitive with the other crossovers at this time. However, Kia dealers are willing to deal and the new engine choices might make this a thrifty hauler. Well under $25,000 and look for good deals.

Lexus IS C

This convertible relies on the Lexus name and stunning interior to gather new customers. The base engine is barely adequate, and the larger engined IS 350C and its 3.5-liter, 306 horsepower V6 drives up the price thousands. Look to pay over $40,000 and for that you get a retractable hardtop and Lexus service.  Watch for those bulging side panels in parking lots, though.

Lexus RX 450h

Another giant leap forward for the best crossover in the land, the Lexus RX. This time Lexus has improved the performance and offers a plethora of new technology treats for those who want the $42,000 smoothmobile. You can easily get over 30 mpg and there is plenty of pep, but the reality is that the base RX offers nearly the same mileage for much less. Drive them both.

Lexus HS 250h

Not the best Lexus when it comes to styling, the HS 250h is a larger Prius with the Camry hybrid’s 2.4-liter engine. Rides well and is pretty perky, but it is priced in the mid-$30,000 range and the fuel mileage isn’t that much better than the terrific Toyota Corolla.

Lincoln MKT

We like Lincoln, but we don’t always understand their attraction. They seldom are different than the base Ford they are based on, but that may all be in the past as the MKT comes online. A stunning interior, an attention getting exterior and ample power. Priced in the mid-$40,000 range. Our advise, buy the turbocharged engine with its 355 horsepower.

Mazda3

More versions of this poor man’s BMW, the Mazda3 in the form of a four and five door and a souped-up sizzler, this fun and frugal winner has seen its interior expanded, but not its powertrain.  Prices start around $17,000. The Speed version threatens the pavement with a 2.3-liter engine creating 263 horsepower. Can you say torque steer?

Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid

For nearly $90,000 you can own the luxurious S Class Mercedes that combines the power of the base engine with that of electric motors to give a big push to a big car without sacrificing too much fuel. Personally, we think the Bluetec diesel is the best offering, but it does not come in the S model.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

A very large coupe at a good price, the $54,000 E-Class is available with an optional 382-horsepower V8 to provide a lot of go in this attractive two door.

Mercedes-Benz GLK

An optical illusion, this SUV is actually small on the outside, but large on the inside. Available with the diesel, which would make it perfect, it also comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a potent 268 horses. Priced below $35,000. The best MB SUV.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class Hybrid

Priced around $50,000, this SUV combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a continuously variable transmission and two electric motors to make it seriously fast and still get fuel mileage above 20 mpg. In reality, this is better than the General Motors products in the form of the Cadillac Escalade hybrids, but lacks the polish of the Lexus RX 450h. Stick with the M-Class.

MINI Crossman

A MINI on steroids, the all wheel drive Crossman is a tall, stubby, attention getting version of the MINI that uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 172 horsepower to push it through the considerable turbulence its design creates. For about $30,000 you can drive something different.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Sporty in appearance and handling, this Lancer can be ordered with all wheel drive and the station wagon styling makes it very family friendly. The hot rod Ralliart version is also planned. Priced under $30,000, the Sportback is the most utilitarian of the Lancers, but look for dealers to offer some good pricing.

Nissan

The 370 Z convertible is here and this two-seater is a hoot to drive, especially considering its base pricing of just over $40,000 well equipped. For a lot less you can have the hard top version with the same engine, transmission, and suspension. With prices starting around $30,000, the 370Z comes with a 332 horsepower V6,  six-speed manual transmission and the must have SynchroRev Match system that automatically matches engine speed to your selected gear on downshifts. A real bargain, but there is a lot of competition in the sporty car field now with the upgraded Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, Chrysler Challenger, and Hyundai Genesis coupe.

Nissan’s Cube is a box with a little style and a lot of utility. The poster car for funky, the Cube has an asymmetrical rear glass and a side opening rear hatch. For about $14,000 this eye catcher can do your daily chores without much fuss thanks to the 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower. There is a lot of competition in this niche once dominated by the Scion B and D. Now the pressure comes from the Kia Soul.

Porsche Panamera

This is a four door Porsche that comes in two forms, fast and faster. The 4400 pound sedan comes in either two or four wheel drive, but with engines pushing from 400 horsepower to 500 horsepower version. Certainly usable for a family, but at $125,000 plus it is best left to those who enjoy the status of owning this unusual vehicle.

Rolls-Royce Ghost

Why bother. Another Rolls gas hog that serves no purpose that a vehicle half its cost does not provide. A good way to spit in the face of environmentalists while getting the best parking spot at upscale restaurants.

Saab 9-5

Probably due much later in the model year, the new Saab 9-5 is a knockout. Nothing else much new from Saab due to its sale, but used Saabs are a bargain and the 2006 anniversary edition convertible remains one of the great undervalued and automobile collector bargains with only 400 produced. (see photo)

Smart fortwo ED

We love the Smart cars, except for the jerky transmissions. They are a hoot to drive and with this version you even get good gas mileage thanks to its electric motors. Another of our favorites.

Subaru Legacy

Bigger and sort of better, the $20,000 Legacy is larger and better looking, but the weak base engine still is challenged in mountain driving even with the new 6-speed manual transmission. We highly recommend the more expensive 3.6-liter flat-six engine option. Another one of our favorites.

Subaru Outback

Essentially the same as the Legacy, but with fancier exterior parts, the one to own is the
2.5 GT.  Priced under $25,000

Suzuki Kizashi
The Kizashi is a totally new direction for Suzuki to grow with a appealing exterior, a 2.4-liter, dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT, all wheel drive option, and the promise of more power to come. Lots of promises from Suzuki such as upscale audio systems, lots of safety equipment, and a price not much over $20,000. If you are interested in smaller vehicle this is a must drive.

Toyota Prius

Another winner from Toyota. The new Prius is much superior to the previous generation in every way from better fuel mileage to improved cargo room. Prices start about $23,000.  Awesome, but the tires are noisy and the handling is for the slow goers. Easily one of the best cars of 2010. Another one of our favorites.

Volkswagen GTI

It looks the same, but the GTI I much improved, although the powertrain remains virtually the same with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 6-speed manual or dual-clutch gearbox. Not inexpensive at $26,000, the handling and versatility of this VW might just spark new interest.

Volkswagen Golf

A well priced Volkswagen; the Golf is essentially the old Rabbit with a 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine or the highly desirable 2.0-liter diesel pushing the wind aside. Excellent fuel mileage and a $17,000 price tag make this a good vehicle for those who like to drive, but still enjoy passing a gas station.

Volvo XC60

The Volvo wagon remains one of the best you can buy for safety and room, especially the XC 70. However, the pricing on these big wagons is steep and so Volvo is offering the XC60. This smaller, Volvo wagon has an abundance of safety features and the  3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with its 285 horsepower has just enough power to move this crossover. The all-wheel-drive unit and better handling make this a better choice than its longer brother. Look for prices around $38,000. This is the best Volvo.

For vehicle reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/home/most-reliable-vehicles/

 

The Best 2009 Vehicles

2009s Best New Cars and the Worst

by The Car Family

for more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

This year is perhaps the dullest for new models in a decade with the overarching concerns being the economy and fuel mileage. Despite this reality there are a few bright spots as manufactures struggle to put a less expensive new face on their products while still looking at less dramatic sales and profits. The results are a mixed bag as most of the sparkling new vehicles are probably at least a year away.

Here are the best of 2009’s models. Notice there aren’t any Bentleys, Porsche SUVs or Masarati’s listed because they are not only environmentally unfriendly, they are tremendously expensive to insure and maintain. Besides, you can take a Nissan GR-X and pretty much destroy the ego of any of these sports cars for far less money. And, as for the big sedans from Maserati and Bentley, let’s be honest. These heavyweights gulp gas and scream conspicuous consumption at a time when foreclosures, unemployment, and financial institutions woes create a citizenry that may no longer see these imported titans as status symbols, but as an in your face salute to the privileged class. The Porsche SUV is fast, handles well, and defies logic unless you want to help the German economy. So unless your ego is so small you can’t do with adoration from well-tipped valet parking lads, there are a lot of less costly vehicles to tempt your credit.

Best of 2009

First, our choices for the best cars for 2009. The Hyundai Genesis is a winner if for nothing else its pricing and features starting about $34,000. If you need a full size sedan at not much more than a Toyota Avalon this is the car to drive. The Lexus of the 21^st Century.

Toyota’s Venza is the best SUV due to it combination of interior room and fuel mileage and its starts about $25,000. In other words, this is a Lexus at a Toyota price. However, since Toyota does not call it an SUV the Forester takes that honor, but only with the optional turbocharged engine and that starts at $26,000.

The best value in a family sedan is the Kia Optima and the best small car value is the Honda Fit. The former is a steal priced under $19,000 and the latter gives you ten cupholders and a lot of fun for $15,000.

The best American car is the Lincoln MKS and the best American SUV is the Ford Flex or Chevrolet Traverse. The Lincoln runs around $40,000 and is as good as the Lexus ES while offering a bit more luxury. The Ford Flex is a large station wagon that doesn’t do anything untowardly and holds a bunch. Easy to enter and exit and great for kids with a price under $30,000. The Chevrolet is priced nearly identical, but has a more typical SUV stance. Both vehicles are family friendly.

Jaguar’s XF is the best new luxury car for its rare combination of grace, performance, handling, and interior all for about $50,000.

Acura

The tight cornering Acura TL and TSX and its controversial exterior have a variety of improvements including its all wheel drive option that improves handling and the availability of a V6 with 305 horsepower. Larger then the previous model with an interior that is not to be missed. The base engine is plenty good enough with the 2.4-liter inline 4 producing 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque while yielding about 24 mpg in mixed, fast, driving. The steering and suspension are all set for canyon country.

Audi

Audi’s A4 is larger and a better drive than the previous model. Now available with a 265 horsepower 3.2 liter V6 and the possibility of diesel power, we still would prefer the turbo four cylinder engine that has been redone with fuel efficient in mind. These fast selling cars are very roomy and a delight to drive. New this year is the Audi Q5. Just what the world needs, another SUV. The good news is that it is much easier to live with then it huge, gas hoggish brother, the Q8. It is equipped with a 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 and Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The TT has grown and is more comfortable and more powerful. Loaded with racy features, this is a fun car that is quickly becoming an expensive sports car. A lot of fun and easy to drive but avoid the sporty options unless you want a rough ride on untidy highways.

BMW

The X6 is best left to those who can understand its appeal. A strange looking dude with a diverse array of options form all wheel drive to a 3.0 liter twin-turbo inline six or a X6 xDrive50i with a V8 producing over 400 horsepower.

Cadillac

Fast and sporty, the CTS-V from Cadillac has a whopping 550 horsepower V8 that makes it one of the world’s fastest sedans. We have no idea why this is appealing to buyers, but you can certainly create wonderment at the senior home by having the fastest car there. And, no doubt, you can run a lot of BMWs to ground with this throwback to the muscle car era.

Chevrolet

The Traverse is a SUV that is well priced and has good fuel mileage. It is on the same chassis as the excellent GMC Arcadia and Saturn Outlook, but costs less. The 3.6-liter V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission work well together. The Camaro is due out soon, but don’t expect to find one of these sharp looking coupes at list price anytime soon. On the other hand, for the more daring the ultimate Corvette is just $100,000 or more from your grasp. With a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and its 620 or so horsepower that you can enjoy getting to 60 mph in less than four seconds. A future collectible if there is enough fuel left in the world.

Dodge

It is all about the Dodge Challenger this year as this model joins the Camaro as these struggling companies look to the past to save their futures. The Challenger is a big vehicle with a huge variety of drive trains. We like the 375 horsepower 5.7 liter HEMI V8 and choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions, but the base 250 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 and 4-speed automatic transmission are better values and more economical to operate. Oh, heck, go for the V8 and recover more at resale. If you really want to plunder the world’s resources put the Challenger SRT8 touts a 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V8 on your insurance policy. Just make sure there aren’t any teenage driver’s in the family. More family friendly is the Dodge Journey that is a combination mini-van, SUV, and sedan. Chrysler has the best interior features of any manufacturer. The Journey has room, sort of, for seven and is not much longer than the tidy Dodge Avenger. Stay with the 2.4-liter engine produces 173 horsepower and be rewarded with 19-city/25-highway mpg.

Ferrari

Ferrari is offering its California to those patient and rich enough to afford its 460 horsepower. Prices are said to be just a tad over $200,000. We expect that tad to be whatever the best offer is at the dealership as they go down the waiting list. Pay the man, resale is going to be terrific and who doesn’t want to own one of the few vehicles on earth that gets worse mileage then a Hummer H2.

Ford

Ford is struggling with a top-heavy line-up of SUVs and not much in the way of alternative fuel vehicles or gas sippers to tempt buyers. So Ford produces, yep, another SUV. The Flex is a station wagonish vehicle that is long and wide and boxy and attractive inside and out. The interior is very unique for a Ford and there is also the Microsoft-developed Sync multimedia interface and huge sunroof that extends well into the rear seating area. The Flex seats seven and even offers an optional refrigerator inside the rear console. The best feature may be the EasyFuel capless fuel filler that means an end to lost or improper tightened gas caps. The engine is the 3.5-liter V6 with 262 horsepower. Safety features include ABS, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

Hyundai

Look for a bevy of honors for the big Genesis sedan from Hyundai. This is a terrific car that can easily compete with the foreign competition and beat it by thousands in price. If you need a luxury sedan this may be the one for those that don’t have the noises in the air. You can order the Genesis with a 375-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 or two V6 engines that we recommend. The 264-horsepower has enough power for daily needs, but the 3.3-liter or a 290-horsepower 3.8-liter is better for those who traveling with a family onboard. Standard are dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, a power sunroof, power heated side mirrors, heated leather seats, and a seven-speaker sound system.

A smooth six-speed automatic transmission makes everything happen. Loaded with features that make it the bargain of the year and its fast, too. Safety features include ABS, stability and traction control, active head restraints, front- and rear-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. Hyundai is also offering its bargain priced Elantra as a Touring model and a five door wagon version.

Jaguar

Now owned by Tata of India, Jaguar has an all-new XF sport sedan that has a most un-Jaguar look. The interior is stunning, the ride a bit to sporty for our tastes, but the engine purrs with either a 300-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 or a supercharged version with 420 horsepower. A very attractive alternative to the Lexus, Audi, and BMW and it starts around $50,000.

Lincoln

The MKS is Lincoln’s new flagship and it is surprisingly pleasant to drive. The base 3.7-liter 270-horsepower V6 engine and its 6-speed automatic transmission and all wheel drive feature makes it quite pleasant and competent without the usual Lincoln bigger is better attitude. The MKS offers include the voice-activated SYNC in-car communication system and the really neat capless fuel-filling feature.

Kia

Easily the best bargain in a family sedan, the new Optima come with a 175-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 190-hp 2.7-liter V6. Go with the optional 5-speed automatic and get 22/32 mpg. Bland, perhaps, but starting under $19,000, loaded with safety features such as available ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, curtain side airbags and a active head restraints and you have a family special.

Mazda

While Lincoln gets smaller Mazda goes larger with the redesigned Mazda6 sedan. Power from a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and the 3.7-liter V6 are more then enough, but the real treat is the fact that there is finally enough room in this Mazda for a family. Good handling, too, and the biggest trunk in its class and easy to load.

Mercedes

Diesel engines for the new GLK Class SUV and the super E320 sedan are the news at Mercedes. Oh, and if you really want to suck the earth dry of fossil fuel there is going to be a limited, thank goodness, supply of the SL65 AMG Black Series with its lightened body and twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing a 650 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes quality is improving and the Bluetec diesels are world class with fuel excellent fuel mileage and reliability.

Mitsubishi

Struggling to find a niche for itself, Mitsubishi has brought fourth the Lancer Ralliart with a new 235-horsepower 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged engine that is manipulated by a paddle-shifted Twin Clutch-SST gearbox. There is also all wheel drive and a variety of interior and exterior pieces that mark it a Mitsubishi. The problem with Mitsubishi is that its products don’t have the quality feel of the competition. For example, the jack on the Lancer is nearly impossible to use and why bother with a keyless entry system when more attention should be placed on ride quality. If you can get one at a good price the responsive engine, superior warranty, and fun factor might ease your pain at resale.

Nissan

Just try and get one; Nissan’s very hot GT-R is a coupe is the wunderkind of those with the need for speed with its 480-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 ready to get you down the road faster than anything else in the $70,000 price range. A super car, but since there are under 2000 planned for the North American market be patient and beware the mark-up.

Pontiac

Redone and much better, the Pontiac Vibe is more user friendly, larger, and just as handy as before. If you want to make a bigger impression the Pontiac G8 GXP is fast, has good interior space, and can even be ordered with a 6-speed manual transmission. With the improved Pontiac, better Saturn line-up, a Chevrolet Malibu that is well priced, and a new look at Cadillac how can the stock be so cheap? Maybe too much spent on the Corvette and Hummer line-up.

Saturn

A new hybrid version of the Saturn Vue will use General Motors’ new 2-mode hybrid system with a pair of 55-kW electric motors powered by a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack to help the 3.6-liter V6. Look for fuel mileage of 25/32 with a range of nearly 500 miles. Saturn is quickly becoming a shinning star for General Motors with a much improved line-up. Now if it can just keep the pricing competitive and keep them in the dealerships. We visited several dealerships and they hadn’t one in stock.

Subaru

Bigger, but not necessarily better, the Subaru Forester is softer. larger, and more upscale then ever before. In fact it starts to press its stalemate, the Tribeca, in size and character. You can order the 170-horsepower version or the optional 224-horsepower turbocharged one. If you carry a family get the turbocharged version as the lesser unit is taxed when loaded on mountain roads. The Impreza was recently redone and it follows the other Subarus in being larger. The Forester is an outstanding SUV, but only with the turbocharged engine under the hood.

Honda

One of our favorite small cars, Honda’s Fit has been enlarged and improved with little additional cost. The backseats fold flat, the car loves to run, and the gas mileage is always over 30 mpg. A winner for $15,000. If you spend more consider the Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe.

Toyota

Easily one of the most useful cars made, especially for those who like good fuel economy and cargo room. The Matrix comes with an ample 1.8-liter engine, but we much prefer the XRS with the 2.4-liter engine and 158 horsepower. The problem here is it that much better than the less expensive Honda Fit?

Toyota’s Venza is the best news out of Toyota since the Prius. A little front heavy in appearance, nevertheless, this is the car to own if you have a family and don’t want the burden of a minivan. Lots of option and the possibility later in its life of being a hybrid, this Toyota is going to make buying a Lexus RX a questionable purchase. The Venza’s base engine will be the one to buy as it provides gas mileage of 19/26 and can even be ordered with all wheel drive. The best of the new *SUVs for gas mileage and useful interior room, but Toyota says it isn’t a SUV. Either way it would be our first choice. *Toyota does not call it a SUV.

Volvo

We have owned Volvos in the past and found them long lasting, but extremely expensive to maintain and parts were dear. As such the arrival of the crossover XC60, a five seat SUV, with a bundle of safety features that includes a package that pre-charges the brakes for sudden stops and much more is of interest.  However, it leaves us wary of the cost of maintaining such a electronically enhanced vehicle. The XC60 will be available with a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine that isn’t fuel frugal.

Volkswagen Passat CC

The sleekest Volkswagen ever, the Passat CC is a coupe like sedan with an optional all wheel drive system, six speed automatic transmission, and a standard 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.6-liter V6 with horsepower. There is the availability of such features as an electronic chassis control system, a large sunroof and a unique system that actually corrects the car’s steering to keep it on track. Lots of features and certainly well worth a look if not just to use the touch screen and see if that new look doesn’t tug at your credit limit.

Volkswagen

The VW Jetta SportWagen is going to be a winner when equipped with the diesel engine. It is the sharpest looking, excuse the expression, station wagon, you can buy for the money and the fuel mileage is going to rival hybrids. It rides well, has a very friendly interior, and exceptional visibility. The best station wagon for the money replacing the reigning champ, the Subaru, and the gas mileage is 21/30 for the 2.5 engine, which is better than the Subie.

Volkswagen Tiguan

This crossover SUV has all the usual Volkswagen features such as a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a tidy shape, a comfortable ride and a price tag that makes it difficult to justify for those who just buy a small utility vehicle for commuting. Frisky and fun loving with gas mileage of about 23 mpg in mixed driving. Interior space isn’t great, but the seating is excellent.  A spirited vehicle at a premium price.

Volkswagen Routan

Sadly, this is the minivan Volkswagen decided to bring to the market. The base is the very competent and excellent riding Chrysler and that includes the 3.8-liter V6 with its 197 horsepower. Why they didn’t bring the ones they have in Germany here is probably due to the declining dollar and safety issues. Drive the Dodge/Chrysler version and than the Routan before you decide.

For a list of all vehicle manufacture websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

 

A Guide to the Safest Vehicles

Live Healthier: Buy a Safer Vehicle

By

The Car Family

For more vehicle reviews go to

http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

For the website of all vehicle manufacturers go to

http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html

Want to live longer? Don’t buy a large SUV or pick-up truck or used vehicle without a full compliment of safety features. Buy a new family sedan which weighs at least 3000 pounds. You don’t have to shy away from high performance machinery, but at the very least take a professional driving course with it. Finally, do your homework. In other words, this article could be the most important reading you do short of a pre-nuptial agreement or that Nigerian email offering to share the wealth.

The crash statistics are overwhelming. In 2005 there were nearly 45,000 people killed in vehicle accidents or about one every 12 minutes in 2005. The majority of these accidents occurred within ten miles of the home and driver negligence was the cause. The most dangerous accident is a side impact one, which is the most common cause of injury. Side airbags are a must. You might try to lobby for all vehicles to have bumpers the same height so in side crashes the bumper does not override the steel beams in the door. Data reveals that driving while using a cell phone is more dangerous than driving drunk so get a hands free unit. In addition, remember that large Hummers, Lincoln Navigators, and Ford Excursions all weigh over 6000 pounds and are illegal to drive on many residential streets and some older highways so owning one could be safer because they might not legally be able to leave the owner’s garage.

So what is the safest vehicle? There are four factors to consider. First, understand that the larger the vehicle that more difficult it is to control. Large SUVs and pick-up trucks may be safer in an accident with a smaller vehicle, but are much more likely to be involved in a single vehicle accident due to loss of control. SUVs and pickups have more than double the chance of rolling over, according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, and have a higher fatality rate than cars in the same weight category. While large SUVs and pickups may be at an advantage in multi-vehicle accidents, they are involved in over 40 percent of all fatal single vehicle accidents. Putting an inexperienced driver in large SUV is an act of faith rather than logic.

Next, do your homework. There are crash test scores generated by the government and insurance industry that must be checked and are readily available online. Following that buy every safety related option. Saab and Volvos, for example, come with whiplash protection systems. Cadillac, for one, offers lane departure warnings and a system that warns the driver when a vehicle is in the vehicle’s blind spot. Mercedes and others offer knee airbags and several manufacturers offer side air bags for rear passengers. And make certain you order the electronic stability control that helps prevent rollovers.

Finally, look for the vehicle’s ability to avoid accidents. Good handling, braking, and visibility are vital. The latter should not be neglected as the rise in ownership of SUVs has resulted in over 2400 cases of children being run over or backed over.

With all that in mind here is a list of vehicles that offer excellent safety features, have good crash scores and good handling. Be advised that not all the 2007 vehicles have been evaluated and so this data is based on earlier models. Our recommendation for the “healthiest” cars in the large car category are the Acura RL Audi A6, Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300 C/Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus, Lexus ES 300, Lincoln Town Car and LS, and the Volvo S80, wagons and convertibles. The Lexus would be our choice here, but the Ford is a very good family vehicle. The Volvo wagons are ideal replacements for SUVs and are loaded with safety features.

For midsized cars the Audi again is a good choice as well as the Acura TL, Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Element, Subaru Legacy and the underrated Saab 9-3. The Saab convertible is as safe a drop top as they make. Subaru’s Impreza is also a good small car. Subaru’s Forester and Honda’s CR-V were also cited. The Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima also had high scores. Of these we like the Saab best with its perky performance and handling, but the gas mileage and roomy interior of the 2008 Accord make it attractive and the Malibu is a bargain.

Minivans from Honda, Kia, Toyota, Mazda, and Hyundai have earned top honors and there are a lot of midsized SUVs to consider. Those from Acura, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes, Saturn, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo are rated well. We always like the way the small BMW X3 handles, but the new Saturn and Ford Edge are excellent values and Kia minvan is a bargain. The Lexus RX would be the top pick in the SUV category.

Other vehicles that are worth a look are the Lexus IS, Volkswagen Jetta, Passat, and Rabbit/Golf, and the Honda Civic. The Honda is good, but if you can afford the IS go for it. On the other hand, we are thinking of ordering the Jetta diesel wagon for our fleet next year.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety published its list of death rates by vehicles collected over four years. The safest were the Chevrolet Astro, Infiniti G35, BMW 7 Series, Toyota 4Runner, Audi A4, Mercedes E and M-Class, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Lexus ES 330, Lexus RX 330, Toyota Sequoia, Honda Pilot, and BMW X5. The highest death rates were recorded for those in a Chevrolet Blazer, Acura RSX, Nissan 350Z, Kia Spectra, Pontiac Sunfire, Kia Rio, Chevrolet Cavalier, and Mitsubishi Eclipse, among others. Note that all the latter models have been replaced or redone since this data was published.

Family conference: The top choices from The Car Family in selecting a safe family car would be the small Saab, large Volvo sedan and wagon, BMW, Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru, Lexus RX and ES, Audi sedans, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry. We have high hopes that the new Volkswagens will soon be added to this mix.

A healthier life style could be as simple as exercising your credit line.

Insurance Institute for Traffic Safety

http://www.iihs.org/

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

 

BMW M6 Convertible: Technology Overkill?

BMW M6 Convertible:

Is it Technology Overkill?

By The Car Family

For more reviews go to http://www.motorists.org/carfamily/

For discounts on new computers, technology supplies, and servers built to your specifications with USA tech support go to http://eracks.com/

Call us spoiled, but when we get into an $115,000 BMW convertible with a growling V10 engine and 500 horsepower encased in an attention getting body and shod with huge tires we would like to be able to drive it as we see fit. Unfortunately, we never could figure out the infamous SMG transmission, which does the shifting, and thinking for you despite a multitude of available personal settings. Here is what we highly recommend. Buy this car when it comes with a manual transmission and see if you are able to order it without the iDrive, too. In other words, this world class BMW is an example of technology overkill best left to passively driven sedans and tipsy SUVs. The M6 is a driver’s car of the first order. Let the driver prevail. BMWs are meant to be driven and this one spent too much time thinking.

No question this is an exotic convertible that is capable of staying with the best of its competition. It is certainly priced better than the smoother Bentley, but is dearer than the Mercedes CLK AMG 6.3. Does it drive better than those? Well, in an all out race it would be our first choice. But around town the Mercedes wins and when it comes time to draw attention the Bentley takes the honors. The M just looks too much like the standard 6 Series, which isn’t at all bad, but for the tens of thousands more you are charged you should get some recognition on the open road.

The brakes are awesome, the cockpit comfortable and well though out except for the iDrive being too close to your elbow and a cupholder that needs to be stuck into the center console area. Gas mileage was worse than the V 12 Bentley as we were lucky to get 14 mph. Of course, there is a $3000 gas-guzzler tax on the M.

If you drive hard the SMG transmisson works well. You can shift for yourself using tabs in back of the steering wheel or just leave it in drive. Either way the shifts and engine retardation is difficult to modulate and wearisome in heavy traffic. Even with the torque rich V10, which is much smoother than that in the Viper, the electrohydraulic shifts are never achieved quickly. The transmission has so many features that it even blips the throttle on downshits without your input. We have read sarcastic comments from other drivers/owners who claim that the SMG is terrific and so we urge you to temper our review by driving one yourself. Personally, we’ll wait for the stick shift.

BMW has seen fit to enable you to turn off the stability control so you may burn up the expensive tires faster. Yes, you can easily drift the BMW with the DSC turned off, but this is a $115,000 car that weighs close to 4000 pounds and despite the terrific and well weighted steering, you can’t flirt with the laws of physics without consequences. We did notice a little side stepping motion when quickly cornering over rough pavement. Again, this is a big car with a lot of weight to control and so such actions are not unexpected.

Is the M6 convertible better than the more expensive Porsche Turbo convertible? Yes, the Porsches are hard to drive and don’t even think about those maintenance costs that the BMW dealership provide free for three years. Porsche has been making a lot of money from its product line and so there is an abundance of people out there willing to pay the piper, but for our taste the BMW is a better vehicle and nearly as fast. By the way, we just saw a Mitsubishi Evo humiliate a Porsche Cayman and it reminded us of the mastery required to drive a Porsche well. The BMW does not require that degree of talent and it is so much easier to drive in traffic.

Is the M6 better than the Bentley or Mercedes? No, but it could be with a standard transmission. You put a six-speed manual in the M and you are going to have the best luxury convertible regardless of cost for those who want to drive fast and still have ample luxury. It would be a win-win-win situation with that last win being on the street or track.

The M, which stands for Motorsport, brings with it better performing engines, a sporty and very well tuned suspension that you can regulate from hard to medium to soft settings–and you are really going to notice the difference. The engine is a 5.0-liter all-aluminum V10 producing 500 horsepower at a very high 7,750-rpm with 383 pound-feet of torque. This is an engine that loves to be used and thus the poor gas mileage figures. The exhaust note is unique, just as the Viper, and not nearly as throaty as the Mercedes V8 AMG or the husky Bentley’s.

On the street the suspension is incredible. We left the electronically adjustable suspension in the comfort mode for daily driving, but in the mountains we stepped up the stiffness with the sportier setting and were quickly rewarded as the nearly two ton convertible carved corners with ease. On the other hand, if you opt for the more sporty settings the car loses it nice guy image and starts to hug the road and every imperfection with fendish delight.

The 19-inch double-spoke wheels with 255/40 tires in front and 285/35 tires in back are what immediately draws your attention when looking at the M convertible. The understated body kit has a very low front air dam that is going to scrape most driveway entrances unless you are careful. There is also a rear diffuser that is demur. This car is virtually identical to the untampered with 6 Series at first glance. We would have preferred a bit more recognition for its potential abilities.

Mom’s view: Did I mention I hated the transmission, but loved the car? If not here it is, this is one muscle bound vehicle that keeps its shirt on and lets its muscles show by its actions, not by its looks. It is clean looking, gathers gawkers by the dozens, and has a fine interior that doesn’t shout rac ecar. The leather is well done, the sport seats have a 14-way power adjustments with lumbar support and a pull out thigh support, and seat heaters, one touch power windows, a navigation system that offers real-time traffic updates, a somewhat complicated dual-zone automatic climate control that requires you to use the iDrive for outlet settings, a 13-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system, Bluetooth wireless, and a steering wheel that can be adjusted to tilt and telescopes as well. Very comfortable to ride in but more fun to drive.

The interior colors are quite bland, but go with the understated nature of the M Class. The adaptive xenon headlights are superior, but the stars of this car are the convertible top and the mysterious Power button that sits in the center console. If you go into the iDrive you can select the power options you want. If you go the P500 Sport mode you are opening up all 500 horsepower and a much more responsive throttle input reaction. The top is easy to operate. You just depress a small button under the center control stack and the top automatically raises and lowers and that includes the windows as well. The glass rear window can be left in place to use as a windblocked reducing the turbuleness in the cockpit when the top is down. It is very unique and does work while still giving you the ability to haul four passengers. The Mercedes has a portable windblocker that makes use of the rear area difficult if not impossible to access.

The top does take up a significant part of the trunk space, which isn’t all that great to begin with. The BMW M6 has 12.6 cubic feet of storage and 10.6 with the top down. Although this isn’t much, it is greater than most of the competition and shows how versatile this luxury speedster is despite its high performance.

Safetywise the M6 has the necessary, but defeatable, stability control with a “M” mode that lets you play longer and traction control, antilock brakes, front airbags, a rollover protection system, and front and rear parking sensors. The greatest safety feature it offers is its train stopping brakes and handling.

Overall, this bad boy is a well mannered reminder of what happens when you stuff a big engine into a tidy chassis with the help of some quality engineering friends. Unfortunately, that computer guy just won’t quite with the artifical intelligence tinkering. Above all ladies, if you use the more competition suspension setting think sports bra. I don’t think I have to say more about that.

Dad’s view: We didn’t put many miles on the BMW M6 convertible despite its obvious attractions. The transmission took the edge off every trip and only when we were alone or traveling in the mountains did the excellence of this convertible show its merit. There can be no doubt that this is the best convertible for performance enthusiasts for the price, The Porsche turbo might be a little faster, but just a little gravel on the road would equalize that and the BMW is much less expensive, has more room, and is easier to drive.

The engine is very demur considering its heritage. Taken from the engine building lessons from F1 competiton, the V10 really revs freely and with variable valve timing and a separate throttle butterfly for each cylinder the torque is almost linear. A remarable 8,250-rpm redline is easy to reach that you’ll find yourself thinking you are driving a four cylinder so quickly does that high number appear on the tachometer. The seven-speed automatic Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) can be shifted by using paddles or the nicely illuminated console-mounted shifter. The gear you are in is displayed crisply near the speedometer and it truly is needed because with so much power it is difficult to feel the differences between fourth and sixth, for example, in daily driving. You can program the transmission using the iDrive, but we never could get it to suit us. If you have a heavy foot don’t worry about it. This is one car that loves to be pushed. By the way, expect to pay a the pumps for this privledge as it can give you 12 mpg when provoked. When driven modestly, and why would you do so with this M, you can get over 20 mpg on premium. Fiture getting to 60 mph in about five seconds unless you spend countless hours perfecting your launch techniques. And mom always told us that practice makes perfect. In a quarter mile you are going to be doing over 115 mph as the big engine starts to reach its fun zone. Top speed is limited to 155. It is nearly as quick as the M6 coupe, which is a few hundred pounds heavier.

Young not working woman’s view: Let’s see; an Ivy League degree, masters in business management and information services, and I am still looking for a job in Tucson. With that in mind this car simply didn’t catch my interest. It was too potent for in town fun and attracted too much attention on the open road. Fast, yes, fun, well, all convertibles have a degree of fun built in, but city friendly, no. I loved its looks and would find the V8 version more to my liking. The price was also an obstacle. Personally, the BMW 3 Series convertible would be much better and with that double turbocharged engine its as quick as I would need. This M6 is the wrong guy at the wrong time. Its younger brother appeals to me more and I love that family tree. If I don’t get a job soon maybe the new 1 Series will be my suitor.

Young working/attending college male’s view: The iDrive screens are slow to react to input, the stereo loses reception at the drop of a hill, and this car’s interior can get hot in a hurry. The voice commands work fairly well, the Bluetooth is excellent, and the seats are acommodating. This car is a babe magnet of the first order. It is not really fast unless you decide to shift for yourself, but why bother. In most cases there isn’t many places you can exercise the magic 100 horsepower power button anyway, so relax and enjoy the attention. With little spare money this car was out of my range, but the free service for three years was a great incentive. Imagine what you would save over the Mercedes or Porsche during that time period. I also feel that the resale is going to be very good All in all, this BMW M6 convertible is a car to aspire to and one that only a few lucky owners will ever command. As for me, I am waiting for the new BMW 1 to arrive and with that big six cylinder optional engine and a price tag perhaps around $30,000 I am going to have a great time. Meanwhile, if you want a good deal on custom made servers and/or computers my company offers competitive rates and person costumer service in English. http://eracks.com/

Family conference: The M6 could be a daily driver or a weekend warrior, but unless you can conquer the transmission it is going to be frustrating. We found it extremely well sorted out with brakes and suspension, and ride quality first rate. The chassis is firm and the handling masterful. The engine does suck gas, but it is a V10 and that tempting power button near the radio constantly nags you with its 100 extra horsepower ready to romp. This is a real car in need of a real driver. No pretenders need apply. With a stick shift, this is an outstanding convertible with looks that both men and women can admire. And, you can get all of this in the form of a four-seater convertible to boot. As it now stands BMW stalwarts and F1 wantabes suit its mood best.

For a list of all vehicle websites go to http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/index.html