Modified Cars Podcasts
Honda got a lot right with 2008 Accord
Press-Telegram - Cars
There is a lot to like about the redesigned 2008 Honda Accord. It features miserly fuel consumption of 24 miles per gallon for city/highway driving and a spacious interior. And while not as flashy as some of its competitors, the Accord is an elegant, comfortable ride. One thing my wife and I noticed as we settled into the cabin were the good-sized buttons with easy-to-read letters on the control panel. Each one is illuminated at night with a different color, which makes it easy to control various functions. The radio can be operated from the steering wheel, too. "Once you get to live with the car, it will be very intuitive working the controls," said Honda spokesman Chris Martin. While we appreciated the button stack, Edmunds.com rated it a "con" in its review of the venerable Accord. The Accord, redesigned for the 2008 model year, offers a choice of three power plants, including a 268 horsepower V-6. Edmunds.com notes that each of the options gets better highway fuel economy than the 125-hp Accord sold in 1990 and even comes close to the 68-hp plant in the 1977 model. "Now that's progress," it said. The test model featured a 16-valve, dual-overhead cam, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission that could churn out 177 horsepower, the Accord was rated a partial-zero-emission vehicle by the Environmental Protection Agency. The test car was the four-door, LX-P trim version, a standard but popular model. Included in the base price is a 160-watt stereo system with six speakers, CD player and an MP3 player jack. The 2008 model has 120 cubic feet of interior space, three more than in the 2007 model. Bigger means it moves from the midsize to the large-class sedan category. The interior is also 1.5 inches wider than the prior year model. That doesn't sound like much but Honda says the front seats could be placed farther apart and make for a wider center console. Front and rear passengers have equal seating room, too. The rear seat leg room totals just over 37 inches, putting the Accord on par with the Honda Pilot. "They've been called family sedans," Martin said of vehicles like the Accord. "What we discovered is that families generally had more than one vehicle and the vehicle they were using to haul the kids around were SUVs of minivans. We put a lot of attention on back seat comfort for adults." That makes the Accord a good client-carter for work or double-dater for a night out on the town. The trunk is huge, too. One of my friends drove an Accord for years and noted that the trunk on this model would easily hold four golf bags. The Accord has a bigger wheel print this year, too. The sedan model wheelbase is now 110.2 inches, 2.3 inches longer than the 2007 model. It took up more garage space than our Volvo S70 GLT sedan, which is big and roomy in its own right. This added size didn't make the Accord cumbersome to drive or park though. In total, Honda got a lot right with this redesign of a venerable model. "The 2008 Honda Accord maintains and improves upon the aspects that have made past Accords so great. Plus, the sedan and coupe's eye-catching styling proves that reliable transportation doesn't have to be bland," Edmunds.com concluded. greg.wilcox@dailynews.com 818-713-3743 read less
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Honda got a lot right with 2008 Accord
Fri August 22 2008
There is a lot to like about the redesigned 2008 Honda Accord. It features miserly fuel consumption of 24 miles per gallon for city/highway driving and a spacious interior. And while not as flashy as some of its competitors, the Accord is an elegant, comfortable ride. One thing my wife and I noticed as we settled into the cabin were the good-sized buttons with easy-to-read letters on the control panel. Each one is illuminated at night with a different color, which makes it easy to control various functions. The radio can be operated from the steering wheel, too. "Once you get to live with the car, it will be very intuitive working the controls," said Honda spokesman Chris Martin. While we appreciated the button stack, Edmunds.com rated it a "con" in its review of the venerable Accord. The Accord, redesigned for the 2008 model year, offers a choice of three power plants, including a 268 horsepower V-6. Edmunds.com notes that each of the options gets better highway fuel economy than the 125-hp Accord sold in 1990 and even comes close to the 68-hp plant in the 1977 model. "Now that's progress," it said. The test model featured a 16-valve, dual-overhead cam, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission that could churn out 177 horsepower, the Accord was rated a partial-zero-emission vehicle by the Environmental Protection Agency. The test car was the four-door, LX-P trim version, a standard but popular model. Included in the base price is a 160-watt stereo system with six speakers, CD player and an MP3 player jack. The 2008 model has 120 cubic feet of interior space, three more than in the 2007 model. Bigger means it moves from the midsize to the large-class sedan category. The interior is also 1.5 inches wider than the prior year model. That doesn't sound like much but Honda says the front seats could be placed farther apart and make for a wider center console. Front and rear passengers have equal seating room, too. The rear seat leg room totals just over 37 inches, putting the Accord on par with the Honda Pilot. "They've been called family sedans," Martin said of vehicles like the Accord. "What we discovered is that families generally had more than one vehicle and the vehicle they were using to haul the kids around were SUVs of minivans. We put a lot of attention on back seat comfort for adults." That makes the Accord a good client-carter for work or double-dater for a night out on the town. The trunk is huge, too. One of my friends drove an Accord for years and noted that the trunk on this model would easily hold four golf bags. The Accord has a bigger wheel print this year, too. The sedan model wheelbase is now 110.2 inches, 2.3 inches longer than the 2007 model. It took up more garage space than our Volvo S70 GLT sedan, which is big and roomy in its own right. This added size didn't make the Accord cumbersome to drive or park though. In total, Honda got a lot right with this redesign of a venerable model. "The 2008 Honda Accord maintains and improves upon the aspects that have made past Accords so great. Plus, the sedan and coupe's eye-catching styling proves that reliable transportation doesn't have to be bland," Edmunds.com concluded. greg.wilcox@dailynews.com 818-713-3743 read less
Ford's F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition pickup designed for exclusive market
Fri August 15 2008
Ford's F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition pickup is a big ol' truck designed to appeal to an ever-shrinking market. We averaged just 11.6 miles per gallon over a week of mostly city driving - a number on par with a supercar like a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder or Audi RS4 Cabriolet. So the Ford Motor Co. pickup is not going to attract buyers who want to minimize fuel costs and maximize mileage. No, this is a truck that's more about prestige and power than political and environmental correctness. And that seems OK with Ford, which plans to manufacture only 10,000 of the limited-edition vehicles. This model is the 10th Ford Harley-Davidson pickup in a corporate relationship that dates back to 1999. It's also the most powerful F-150 yet. The standard model has a 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine, while the test model had a lot more oomph. It featured a Saleen intercooled, supercharged V-8 that unleashed 450 horsepower. And like the two-wheeled Harley-Davidson, this truck sounds mean. Some would call it menacing. Ford engineers tuned the exhaust system until they got a sound that's more of a growl than the distinct burble common to the current herd of Mustangs. The handling is quite precise for a truck of its size, and it's easy to start gobbling up chunks of freeway at a law-breaking pace with no effort at all. The truck is available in two colors - solid black or black with Vintage Copper accents. There is lots of chrome, huge 22-inch wheels and a whole bunch of Harley-Davidson nameplates and badges inside and out. The motorcycle company's name is spelled out in chrome letters along each side of the truck's bed, too. But wait, there's more. Harley's bar and shield logo - the orange, black and white trademark that says Harley-Davidson Motorcycles - decorate the center cap on each wheel and forged aluminum "105th Anniversary Harley-Davidson F-150" medallions adorn the fenders and tailgate. The truck also has a billet aluminum grill rather than one made of chrome-plated plastic. Ford has earned a good reputation for its truck interiors and that tradition continues with this model. The Harley F-150 is a well-mannered beast, with a spacious, comfortable interior. There is enough room inside to transport five adult males, all about 6 feet tall, without any of them getting cramped. The cabin was easy to get in and out of, even for my wife, and the front bucket seats broad and comfortable. There is lots of back seat leg room, and the test model had a bed extender to help handle large cargo loads. The seats mirrored the outside color scheme and driver controls were close at hand and the gauges easy to read. Since this had the Saleen supercharger, there was a gauge pod atop the center of the dash board to monitor its operation. This would likely be a driveway dweller, too, unless you supersize your garage. The F-150 was just a wee bit big for ours. But parking it in the driveway did kick our curb appeal factor up a notch or two, and the truck was a hit with the neighborhood teens and their dads. This partnership between Ford and Harley-Davidson has been successful on a couple of fronts, too. Harley gets some bonus product placement where ever one of these trucks show up. And Ford has sold about 60,000 of the limited-edition trucks since 1999, a time when gas was still about $1 a gallon. Maybe the next edition will be a hybrid. greg.wilcox@dailynews.com 818-713-3743 read less
Classic chase scene set the standard
Fri July 18 2008
The classic chase scene in the 1968 movie "Bullitt" lasted nine minutes and 42 seconds and brought attention to the Mustang GT 390 and the Dodge Charger. For the Warner Bros. film starring Steve McQueen and Robert Vaughn, the production company ordered two Mustangs and two Chargers to race through the streets of San Francisco. The Fords, which had 325-horsepower engines, were stripped of all identifying logos. Veteran racer Max Balchowsky modified the Mustangs' engines, brakes and suspensions so they could keep up with the Chargers, which had 375-horsepower motors, according to various Web sites. The Chargers, which were purchased at Glendale Dodge, were left pretty much unchanged but got beefier suspensions because of the stunt work. Director Peter Yates wanted speeds between 75 and 80 mph, but the cars topped out over 110 mph. McQueen, also a racer, did some of the on-camera driving but professional stuntman Bud Eklins did most of the work. How can you tell when McQueen is behind the wheel and when Elkins is driving? It's simple. When interior shots show the mirror, McQueen is driving. When it's not visible, Elkins is behind the wheel. The black Dodge Charger was driven by Bill Hickman, who also played one of the hit men in the movie and helped with the choreography of the chase. And McQueen's reverse burnout was not scripted but was left in the movie because it looks so cool. One Mustang was trashed during filming but the third survived. So where is it? Good question. Apparently it had three owners - none of them McQueen - and the last one garaged it. And he wanted to remain anonymous. read less
Gas-guzzling RS 4 a treat, if you can afford it
Fri June 20 2008
We parked the Audi RS 4 Cabriolet quattro MT6 - painted a Phantom Black Pearl - in the hotel's valet area next to a striking electric-blue Spyker, the Dutch supercar. "That's really a nice car," remarked one of the participants at a supercar driving event I attended. He was referring to the Audi, not the Spyker. That's high praise indeed, since a Callaway Corvette, Ferrari F 430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Ford GT and an Aston Martin Vantage were also parked nearby. The RS 4 is comfortable in this kind of motoring company. In fact, the Audi and Lambo are motoring cousins, since the German manufacturer owns the Italian company. The two models share some electronic components. And Audi's RS 4 rag top, introduced to the U.S. market in January, is definitely a head turner for both its exhaust note, which becomes deeper when the sport button on the steering wheel is activated, and its understated good looks. This car isn't for everyone, though. It's expensive to buy and operate. Audi recognized this and only brought 300 to the domestic market. Fewer than 100 were allocated to the Southern California market - one of the nation's most convertible-friendly - and 23 are in Los Angeles. I never encountered another one during a seven-day test drive. The car is built by Audi's quattro GmbH facility and offers performance enhancement similar to what's found in BMW's M series, Mercedes-Benz AMG models and Jaguar's R series. The RS 4 is scary fast, too, even though it looks like a sedate sedan convertible. That's because a 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower engine, equipped with Audi's special fuel-injection system, is crammed under the hood and is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. That might limit the RS 4's duty as a daily driver, especially in such places as Southern California, where traffic jams are as common as sunshine. The car is packed with creature comforts, such as 12-way adjustable front seats, a Bose nine-speaker premium sound system, built-in garage-door opener, Bluetooth connective technology and passenger and driver climate controls. Simply, it's a blast to drive. The big aluminum clutch, brake and accelerator pedals have rubber inserts for a good grip, and Audi's designers were sharp enough to include a nice wide dead pedal to give your left foot a break when you are not shifting. The test model rode on big 19-inch alloy wheels with wide 255/35 high-performance summer tires that provided plenty of grip. And since the car featured Audi's all-wheel-drive system - similar to what's on the Lambo Gallardo - handling was nice and precise. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. That's according to Audi, and I'll take their word on it. Forbesautos.com pegs the zero-to-60mph time at 4.8 seconds, and I can pretty much vouch for that after a quick entrance to a fairly open Ventura Freeway early on a weekday morning. While there is a back seat, it's not too roomy. But it will hold a couple of sets of golf clubs. This car also has a big thirst, for example: It comes standard with a $2,100 gas guzzler tax. Its mileage ratings are 12 mpg city and 19 highway. There's a caveat, too. In the city, the expected range for most drivers is between 9 mpg and 15 mpg. On the highway, it's 15 mpg to 23 mpg. It's duly noted, too, that how you drive affects gas mileage. The estimated annual cost of fuel is $3,213.00 based on premium costing $3 a gallon and 15,000 miles of driving. (As of Wednesday, premium averaged $5 a gallon in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area, which works out to an annual fuel tab of $5,357.14.) This probably won't affect sales. The company is not planning on selling huge numbers of the RS 4. "We don't need that to be a volume car and exclusivity is one of the brand attributes of Audi to a certain extent," said Carter Balkcom, the product manager for the line. And what about those high gas prices? Not a problem, although he did say Audi is working on ways to feature both performance and fuel economy. He readily acknowledges that Audi's high-performance models can't compete with the likes of Toyota's Prius on fuel economy. "For people who buy (the Audi), it's not a concern," he said of high fuel prices. "They have the money to pay for it." read less
How I drove six supercars in one day
Fri June 13 2008
They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Would I be interested in driving six supercars in one day? Heck yeah. And what a lineup. A Callaway Corvette, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Ferrari F 430, the legendary Ford GT, a Spyker Spyder and an Aston Martin Vantage. That's more than $1 million worth of motoring nirvana. The weekday drive - along twisting canyon roads through the Santa Monica Mountains and up Pacific Coast Highway north of Malibu - came courtesy of World Class Driving. The company, based in Wilmington, Del., has a fleet of 10 cars that it transports to driving events around the country. The fee is $1,495, and one acquaintance said it would be money well spent. Each event starts with a breakfast meeting, where drivers go over rules for the road. Jean Paul Libert, the company's co-founder, says he wants us to feel like we own each car for a half-hour. "We are proud to let people try to achieve their dream," he says. Heads nod in agreement. "We want to behave as a responsible driver." That means no impromptu racing or tire-squealing starts. And we are cautioned to be alert at all times. "A supercar must be driven with finesse and good common sense," Libert cautioned. And then we are off. Here are the cars in the order that I drove them. Callaway Corvette: "This is probably the only car here that will hold two golf bags," says Reese Callaway, owner of the company that takes stock Vettes and kicks them into the supercar stratosphere. I ease out of the parking lot and join the line. "It's fairly smooth to operate," I say. "Yes it is. But it works better in first gear; you have it in third," he says with a smile. This model doesn't have all the cosmetic touches of the company's production model, but mechanically it's definitely a Callaway, especially with a 580-horsepower supercharged V8 and six-speed manual transmission. Zero to 60mph is reachable in 3.6 seconds, a blink faster than the Ferrari F 430 and Lamborghini Gallardo. "This car can run and hide from a Lamborghini," Callaway says. The top speed is 200 mph. After sampling the power, I don't doubt it. Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder: I'm on familiar ground here, having had one for a review. The Lambo is canary yellow, a good color for this type of car and one of four convertibles in the lineup. It has all-wheel drive and an E-gear paddle shift transmission. Flick both left and right paddle at the same time to put the transmission in neutral, and step on the brake and flick the right to engage first gear. I have no trouble keeping up with the Ferrari in front of me, and the engines on both cars let go a primeval scream when we down shift to negotiate corners. Top speed is 195mph. Ford GT: This is one great American supercar and one I've always wanted to drive. I wasn't disappointed. The doors actually serve as part of the roof, so getting in and out takes care. The cockpit is comfortable, though, and the six-speed manual transmission is easy to operate. There are a couple of blind spots because the car sits low to the ground. And, with a top speed of 205mph, it can gobble up pavement at an alarming pace. Ferrari F 430: "Would you mind if I ride in the Ferrari with you?" asks Jackie Wald, one of the public relations representatives for World Class Driving. That would be a common question if this were a daily driver. We turn left off PCH and head up Mulholland Highway, which climbs and dips and twists and turns heading inland. The Ferrari tracks close behind the Lambo, both cars in their element, and we momentarily loose sight of the Ford GT in our rear-view mirror. Both long for an open stretch, too. Top speed for the F430 is 198mph. Spyker C8 Spyder SWB: Of all the supercars on display, this one got most of the attention. It simply screams, "Look at me" with its bright-blue paint job and sexy curves. The Dutch automaker takes its styling cues from old airplanes, and the dashboard is festooned with toggle switches, including one that changes the exhaust note. The C8, which costs about $300,000, is fast and the handling nifty, especially in tight corners. Top speed is 187, and the power comes from an Audi V8. Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: This is the biggest supercar in the lineup and a prime example of top-down driving luxury. It's plenty fast, too, with a top speed of 175 mph, sedate for the company it was keeping this day. The car can be driven in automatic mode or via the paddle shifters. I opted for the latter and never could get a good rhythm going, as evidenced by my passenger pitching forward against his seat belt every time I shifted gears. And the Vantage was the best one suited for a road trip out of town. Which one did I like best? That's what everyone wanted to know. They all got the same answer. "I have no clue. That's asking me which one of our cats I like the best." greg.wilcox@dailynews.com 818-713-3743 read less
