2012 Toyota Prius v

Posted on 01/07/2012 by Steve

The 2012 Toyota Prius v is a mini minivan for the next generation looking for that extra space that’s needed while continuing their commitment to shrink their family’s carbon footprint. It’s also the car that will give Toyota the ability to spread the Gospel According to Prius to a new market that was previously not interested in the brand due to size restrictions.

The Prius v shares the same iconic shape as the standard Prius but it’s wider, longer and taller with about 60% more space behind the rear seats giving it the versatility for which the “v” in the name stands. How does more than 34 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats sound? That’s enough for the dog and some luggage to boot. The rear seats also slide back and forward, recline and fold flat for loads of cargo room. But wait, there’s more… The front passenger seat also folds flat so you can even haul lumber for that new deck you’re planning for the summer.

What moves the Prius v is a powerplant that it shares with its smaller cousin, a 1.8-liter gas engine combined with an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery that puts out 134 hp. But what concerns Prius v owners most are the EPA fuel economy ratings that will get 44 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for 42 mpg combined rating. Those numbers pretty much blow away any competitive vehicle in the same segment.

The interior is very space age-ish. With a gear shifter that looks and feels like a game console controller, it might take a bit of getting used to. But once you do get comfortable with it, there’s no going back. The instrument panel can be configured to show several different displays depending on what you want to see. The speedometer readout is big and digital and set in the center of the dashboard. Again, different but easier to get used to then you might think.

The thing that might put the market off however, is the price. The Prius v is packaged in three trim levels, curiously labeled Two, Three and Five. The Two is the base model with an MSRP of $26,400, the Three gives you more and comes in with an MSRP of $27,165 and the Five brings the most with an MSRP price tag of $29,990. But if you want state-of-the-art fuel economy in the small minivan segment, look no further than the Prius v.

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2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

Posted on 01/05/2012 by Steve

The Kia Optima Hybrid is one of the major reasons to reassess any negative opinions you might be harboring against Korean cars. Let’s be honest. When Korean cars showed up in American dealerships some years ago, the quality was seriously lacking. Some of those early models weren’t much more than a “bucket of bolts”. But that was then and this is now. Take a look at some of the most stylish new cars on the road right now, and you’ll be forced to admit that the Koreans have stepped up their game and are coming on strong with some of the best designs out there.

The Kia Optima was completely redesigned last year and if you’re familiar with the old design, you won’t recognize the new one. The exterior is sleek, sharp, cool, hip… Sorry, when you’re in love with the Optima, it’s hard to stop gushing. This car is a head turner that can compete with anything its European competitors can throw at it.

The Optima is available with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder base engine that produces 200 hp and gets you an EPA-rated fuel numbers of 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway which adds up to 27 mpg combined. If you need something zippier (but thirstier), you can order the Optima with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 274 hp and should get you from 0 to 60 three seconds faster than the base engine. The turbo fuel numbers are 22/34/26.

The Hybrid on the other hand, has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor to power this Optima to 206 hp. This model’s fuel numbers are 35 mpg city/40 mpg highway and 38 combined. But the Hybrid brings you more than just better gas mileage. You get all the amenities of the best equipped Optima along with distinct wheels and interior upholstery. As an added bonus, you get Kia’s Microsoft powered Uvo infotainment system that allows you voice-control on everything that you shouldn’t be doing with your hands while you are driving.

With the base Optima starting at $21,000 MSRP and the Hybrid starting at $26,000, this Kia has to be on the “must see” list if you’re shopping for a new family sedan. Something to keep in mind is that all Kia’s feature a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. These Kia’s are quality products and you’ll continue to see more and more of them on our Texas roads and byways.

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When is the proper time to put up decorations?

Posted on 11/29/2011 by Monique

As a child I remember my parents lugging out all of our Christmas decorations on the Friday after Thanksgiving. My mother used to store our artificial Christmas tree completely decorated. This was a huge source of embarrassment to me as a youngster. I can’t exactly remember why I was so embarrassed, it just seemed like we were cheating somehow.  Of course, now I think it was absolutely brilliant of my Mother.  Because as soon as the “Turkey” high starts to fade at our house, my daughter starts the “when are we going to decorate?” whine. I marvel at the stress we create for ourselves as parents. And that’s when my deep seated dread of the holidays really kicks into high gear.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good excuse for giving gifts. It just seems that with each passing year and with so many choices, it’s become impossible to find THE perfect gift for anyone on my list….  And I’m at a loss as to why I no longer enjoy day long trips to the Mall or long drives to the outlet center to browse for hours on end.

Is it that I no longer find myself alone long enough to ponder what anyone else might like because all I can think about is getting five minutes alone? And the holidays aren’t supposed to be about being alone, are they? I still have those silly images that I want to live up of my family gathered around the tree hanging ornaments passed down from generations before. When the truth is, the eternally decorated tree of my youth went away with the divorce. And my husband’s family just shakes their heads at me and mutters “it’s too early to decorate for Christmas”.

So once again, I’m torn between my imagination and the truth of life.  As I watch our cat climb up our half decorated tree scattering ornaments and disconnecting lights, it hits me that no matter what we do to try to make things “perfect” life is going to disconnect, and yes even shatter us. At this, a crazy giggle starts to escape my lips, sending said cat scampering out of the tree. So this holiday season, it’s the giggles that I’ll be working towards and not the perfection.  And hopefully, the stress of the season will get a little disconnected as well.

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2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Posted on 10/25/2011 by Steve

I like Toyotas. Yeah, I like Toyotas. They’ve always been reliable vehicles (forget the mass hysteria from all those “sudden unintended acceleration” stories) that delivered what people wanted in the days when American car buyers were looking for cars that just worked. Over the years, with few exceptions, they haven’t been the most stylish cars on the road nor have they been the most exciting to drive. But in an era several decades ago when stylish and exciting to drive cars were pieces of junk under the sheet metal, Toyota turned out cars that started every time and got you where you needed to be every time. There’s a lot to said for that. And that hasn’t changed.

So don’t let the stories of crazy runaway Toyotas distract you, Toyotas are still great cars that have a lot to offer. It’s just that the rest of the automotive industry has done a great job copying the Toyota plan and has started turning out cars that start every time and get you to where you want to go every time, too. The big problem for Toyota is now that some of their competitors also turn out cars that are also stylish and fun to drive. As a result, some of the Toyotas on dealership lots are looking a bit dowdy. And that long-winded preface brings me to the Toyota Highlander.

The 2012 Toyota Highlander was updated for the last model year with some minor styling changes and better gas mileage for the rest of us. But underneath it all, it’s the same old Highlander. Now, don’t get me wrong, that’s not a bad thing. Toyota’s mid-size CUV is a terrific vehicle. It’s roomy, comfy and highly utilitarian. I just find the styling stodgy and the driving boring. This segment is chock full of competitors and they all step over each other to put their best foot, or should that be tire, forward.

But wait, let me tell you that I believe the Highlander Hybrid is something else altogether. If there’s one thing that Toyota is still head and shoulders above the rest of the automotive industry, it’s their gas-saving hybrid technology and the Highlander Hybrid boasts some impressive gas saving statistics. The same engineers that developed the iconic Prius have given the Highland Hybrid a three electric motor system that’s mated to a 3.5 liter V6 gasoline engine turning out 280hp. What’s impressive is that the EPS rated fuel economy is 28 mpg in the city and the same on the highway. An all-around 28mpg is amazing for a mid-sized CUV! You can even tow a 3,500 pound trailer is you need to.

At a starting MSRP of $38,140, the Highlander Hybrid is a “must see” if you’re looking for a hybrid that can carry a bunch of people and you still want to reduce your carbon footprint. The styling may not turn heads and get people to stare when you stop at the intersection, but it will start every time and get you where you want to go every time. There’s a lot to be said for that…

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2011 Lexus CT 200h

Posted on 10/06/2011 by Steve

The 2011 Lexus CT 200h is the perfect car, for me that is. Why, you ask? Because, it can turn itself into whatever kind of car I want it to be. What’s that, Steve, are you nuts? Let me explain. Say I’m feeling like my normal cheapskate self and want to save money on gas. That’s no problem for the CT, which has the same powertrain as the Toyota Prius. That translates into over 40 mpg whether I’m driving down the highway or tooling around town. More mpgs mean less fuel and a happier Steve. Please understand that I don’t normally drive like a little old lady to save the environment, it’s just that I hate, and I mean hate, paying for gas. Every time I gas up, I’m steaming mad. The CT saved me gallons.

Now let me tell you the other aspect of the CT. Sometimes, when the wife and daughter aren’t in the car, my midlife crisis starts to rear its ugly head and I forget about the price of gas and feel the need for speed. Well, that’s when the formerly mild-mannered CT 200h dashes into the proverbial phone booth and becomes Super-CT. That’s right, those notoriously mild-mannered engineers at Toyota gave the CT 200h a Sport mode that turns Clark Kent into Superman. Turn the dial to the Sport mode and suddenly I’m blasting away from stoplights and taking turns like an F-1 driver. This car was designed from the get-go with a lower stance than its cousin the Prius and with a suspension that hugs the road and makes driving a whole lotta fun. Don’t get me wrong, the Sport mode doesn’t turn the CT into a Porsche 911 but it does make it a fun and sporty driving machine.

This little car is surprising big inside as well. I’m a really tall guy and I had no problem fitting comfortably in the driver’s seat. The back seat is a little tight even for my eight-year old daughter, so I’m not planning on taking the family on a trip across Texas. But this surprisingly roomy hatchback did get me to Home Depot and back with room for plenty bags of planting soil.

The interior is all about the driver, very “airplane cockpit” style. I’d have to call the shifter pretty darn stylish. The also very stylish Remote Touch controller is like a mouse for the Nav system that was easy to use once I figured it out. The seats are a bit stiff but who’s complaining.

All in all, the Lexus CT 200h is an awfully clever little car that delivers almost everything I’m looking for in a car. Unfortunately, it’s flying under the radar a lot of car buyers out there, so do yourself a favor and put it on your list. With a starting MSRP of $29,120, this is not a car to pass up. And drive friendly, like we do in Texas.

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2011 Ford F-150

Posted on 08/01/2011 by Steve

Wow! Did you see what Ford did with their F-150 lineup for this new model year? They didn’t just introduce a new engine. Nope. They completely revamped the entire powertrain lineup and put four new engines and more modern and fuel efficient six-speed transmissions into their popular trucks. Pretty gutsy move until you realize that these new engines just changed the game for everyone else in the truck market.

The base engine is a toughened up version of the 302 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 that first appeared last year in the 2011 Mustang. As far as I’m concerned, that’s all the engine you’ll need if you’re not looking to do a lot of hauling and towing. It’s the perfect engine for a guy like me who wants to drive a truck but doesn’t work in construction or own a boat. If you gotta have a little more power and torque, there’s the base V8 that’s got the truckified (I just made up that word) version of the 360 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 that’s also in the new Mustang.

But if you’ve got a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket and you want to have the coolest pickup truck engine on your block, then step up to the 365 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 EcoBoost engine. EcoBoost is what Ford calls their version of a direct injection, twin turbo charged engine and it’s a blast to drive. It’ll take you a few thousand miles to properly break it in, but when you do, you’ll smile every time you step on the gas. What makes it so much fun is that the low end torque curve delivers the engine’s full power as soon as you step on the gas.

If you think that a turbocharged engine just isn’t tough enough for a pickup, then you didn’t follow what Ford did last year with the EcoBoost challenge. As subjecting a random EcoBoost engine to a ridiculous regimen, they then tore down the engine before a 1,000 spectators at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. Here’s the link to Jim McCraw’s great article from PickUpTrucks.com: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/01/what-the-inside-of-a-torture-tested-ecoboost-v-6-looks-like.html

And if you just have to have the biggest F-150 gas engine, then the 411 horsepower 6.2 liter V8 is your baby. The V6 EcoBoost will still make it look silly in a drag race but you’ll have the satisfaction knowing that you have the same engine that’s also in the truly amazing F-150 SVT Raptor. But I’ll write about that beast later. Drive safely out there!

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2012 Ford Focus

Posted on 07/29/2011 by Steve

The 2011 Ford Focus is the first true example of Ford CEO Alan Mulally’s ONE Ford strategy. What does that mean? It means that from now on, all Ford products that you see introduced into the North American market, with very few exceptions, will be nearly identical to Ford products driving on the road everywhere else in the world. Vehicles like the F-Series pickup trucks and the Lincoln brand cars will continue to be sold only in North America for now.

But let’s focus on the all new global Ford Focus. Except for some changes that are regulated by differing rules in the U.S. and in Europe, this car is virtually identical to the one that’s driving on the roads in Europe. So what’s the big deal, you say? Oh, plenty, I say. First off, let’s look at the environment where it was designed, meaning Europe (Germany to be exact). Driving is taken very seriously by most European drivers. The roads in those old European cities tend to be narrow and curvy and the highways often have no speed limits. So you need a car that handles really well and you need to stay alert all the time. European drivers tend to drive fast, keep both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road. That’s why it took so long for European brand vehicles to get lots of sturdy cup holders, they simply don’t believe in drinking and driving, at least not coffee and soft drinks. And since the price of gas is practically double what it is in the U.S., cars are smaller with gas-sipping powerplants.

As a result, the new Focus is much tighter on the road making it a whole lot more fun to drive than the one it replaced. And the exterior design cues make it look like its moving when it’s standing still and the interior stylish and beautifully finished. This doesn’t look like an “economy” car anymore. Which is why you’re seeing a higher sticker price at the dealership but also why customers are willing to pay a more for a Focus.

At a starting MSRPs of $16,500 for the sedan and $18,200 for the hatchback (the five-door is very European, by the way), the all new Ford Focus is clearly at the top of the price range for mid-size cars. Especially when you take a look at the sticker price on the Titanium trim which starts at $23,495. The 160 horsepower, 4-cylinder, 2.0 liter engine should get you close to 40 mpg on the highway. Issues with the problematic Powershift™ automatic transmission, an electronically controlled automated manual transmission, do take away from the overall driving experience but I suspect the clever boys at Ford will figure that one out soon.

Keep this Focus on your shopping list while you check out other new models, like the Chevy Cruze, the Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra. All these cars are stylish and fun to drive. And drive safely out there!

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2011 Chevrolet Malibu

Posted on 07/27/2011 by Steve

Ah, the Chevy Malibu. I was there when Bob Lutz proudly showed off the latest generation Malibu and talked about how he had pushed the Chevy designers to design a car that cost about $20,000 but looked more like one that cost double that. And you know what? He was right. But that was back in 2007 and the Malibu is no longer looking like it belongs at the top of everyone’s mid-size car shopping list. Not that it’s a bad car. No, it’s a terrific little thing. But it’s just that the competition has gotten so much better since this newest Malibu came out and now it’s looking a little stale.

The exterior has all the standard Chevy design cues and it still looks awfully stylish. It doesn’t boast anything like Camaro styling but then it’s a family car so it has to tone it down a bit. The interior is where it could use a little updating although it still does a nice job for what it is. I had the bottom of the line LS model with the 2.4-liter four cylinder engine, which puts out 169 horsepower. It’s not a screamer but it will get you 33 mpg on the highway, not bad when gas is north of $3.00 a gallon. And besides, I’m a huge believer in four cylinder engines, they’ve been around since time began, they’re proven technology and they get better and more powerful all the time. And, especially important to a cheapskate like me, they’re cheaper than V6’s and hybrids. Just for the record, the 3.6-liter V6 will give you almost 85 more horsepower and but will drop your fuel economy down to 26 mpg on the highway. But it will get you from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds, making it one of the fastest V6 sedans in its class.

The 2011 Malibu comes standard with all the good safety stuff like antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, OnStar telematics, front side airbags and head curtain airbags. It earns five stars for overall side crash protection and four stars for overall frontal crash protection from the government. The IIHS gives it the highest rating of “Good” in its frontal-offset and side-impact testing.

Although there are loads of new mid-size sedans at the dealerships right now, the Malibu should continue to stay on your shopping list because it’s still a solid contender. But if you’re looking, check out the new Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima from the Koreans. And if you’re looking at the domestics, the Ford Fusion is a contender but it’s starting to look a little dated too right now. But you won’t be sorry if you find yourself behind the wheel of a 2011 Malibu. And drive safely out there!

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Who’s the bird brain?

Posted on 06/24/2011 by Monique

So here in the outer regions of Dallas, I’ve learned more about living in nature then I ever did on the farm. We had some property when I was very young that my parents referred to as “The Farm.” I never knew how many acres that meant. I just knew that we had chickens, cows, a couple of old horses, and a bull named Ben. There, we all lived in harmony. Looking back it’s clear to me now that the harmony I enjoyed was created by a kind caretaker living on site. Here, I’ve learned some pretty tough lessons. Which brings me to why every two hours I’m now feeding six starlings and two grackles? That’s right. I became Momma bird to eight hatchlings on June 8th at approximately 11:30 am.

So here’s how it happened…… Joanna found her sport this week in a tennis clinic led by the head coach of our local high school. I quietly enjoyed watching her hitting balls across the net for the first half of her lesson. And then the phone started ringing… My husband had run across a baby screech owl while on his morning stroll with our aged Great Dane, Velma. Fearing that Velma still might have some huntress blood pounding through her heart, he ran home and dropped her off. Shortly thereafter he called to tell me that the neighbors had already called Animal Services. In my mind that’s the true emergency, a baby owl dispatched to Animal Control. I know they do a great service…. But, a sick baby owl has a better chance at a rescue facility. So enters Terry into our lives. She runs American Wild Feathers. Isn’t that just the coolest name ever? Who hasn’t enjoyed a wild feather in their lives now and then? So, I got her name from the local bird store. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

After quickly asking Steve to bring me a box and some big towels, we race to the downed baby. By this time, Brownie (that’s right we already named the dear one) had drawn a crowd of neighborhood children accompanied by their prospective parents. So, I quickly scooped Brownie up in the now out of favor Sponge Bob beach towel. Ensconced him in the before mentioned box.  And we were on our way. Of course, by now Joanna is almost finished with her lesson. So, we pick her up as we are on the phone with Terry. Thankful, Terry said bring your owl here now, because, honestly I was at a loss for what might be ailing Brownie. His wings were fine. But his talons were curling into each other. So within an hour of boxing poor Brownie up, we were ringing Terry’s doorbell.

And this is where it gets sad. Brownie was a secondary victim of rat poisoning. Someone is our neighborhood had used this as a means to reduce our rodent population. When will humans learn that poisons always come back to harm us? Terry explained that the Momma Owl must have picked up a dying mouse/rat and fed on it herself and then fed it to Brownie and his nest mates. In all probability they’ve all been poisoned. Terry was able to give Brownie a vitamin K shot. This will block the poison from doing any more damage. Only time will tell. So I’ll keep you posted. If you want to help Terry and our local wildlife with wings here is her website. www.americanwildfethers.org

As I was signing Brownie over to Terry I saw that she had already taken in a three birds in various stages of crisis. And of course, being me, I asked “How can I help?” I quickly learned that there are several certifications needed to care for protected wildlife. Of which I have none. But Terry took pity on me and sent me home with unprotected baby birds. So, now our laundry room is home to six starlings and two grackles. They are the ugliest/cutest things that we fell hopelessly in love with right around their second feeding. And did I mention they are quite vocal? Our youngest cat is having a ball sitting on top of their enclosure/box. I think she considers them her personal entertainment. Velma on the other hand gets right next to them and whines with them when they start chirping for food. So our usually quiet abode is now ringing with glorious sounds.

When I was first confronted with a rat problem in our attic, I found a product sold locally called FOX URINE. No kidding! I bought it at Wells Brothers in Plano. www.wellsbrothersplano.com It works instantly. But, it was a bit more labor intensive than I like. The urine products that you can really find anywhere on line need to be re doused monthly to insure that you never see those scurrying critters again. It can get messy if you’re in a hurry.

When I went back to update my neighbors about Brownie, we started talking about all the benefits to having owls around. And then of course she was kind enough to tell/show me the product she uses around her household. It’s called FRESH CAB. And it’s easy to order on line at www.earth-kind.com It’s an amazing product that repels rodents with aromatherapy. And guess what? It smells great. So, I’ll be using it in the future.

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Cadillac CTS Coupe Review

Posted on 04/29/2011 by Steve

The Cadillac CTS is the car that brought the Cadillac brand into the modern era.  No longer was a Cadillac destined only to be the car your grandfather drove around the neighborhood.  In 1999, when Cadillac introduced the first CTS model, General Motors demonstrated to the car-buying public that they could build a car that could hold its own against the best European sedans in the showrooms.

New to 2011 model year, Cadillac introduced the much-anticipated coupe version of the CTS.  It has the same angled styling that sets the CTS sedan apart from its rivals but its shorter design gives it a real performance look.  And it’s loads of fun, too.  Why? Because it’s a coupe, that’s why.  It’s not designed to haul groceries, sheetrock, the soccer team or screaming mimis.  Coupes are for date nights, showing off and generally hauling ass around town.  Got it?  And that’s what’s you’re looking to do, then the CTS Coupe fits the bill perfectly.

The Caddy’s 3.6 liter V-6 puts out 304 horsepower which is what high performance V-8’s used to produce only about 15 years ago, so unless you live without head snapping power, this engine will give you both power and decent fuel economy at 17 city and 26 highway.  With the Performance Package, you’ll get low profile tires which will give the car a stiffer handling ride so if you don’t want to feel all the bumps in the road, pass on that option.

The interior reflects the angular exterior styling.  The rear visibility is not ideal and the blind spots are huge.  You’ll have to keep an eagle eye on the guys in the other lanes or you’ll get honked at a lot.  And don’t plan on backing up too much, either.  The backup camera is a godsend in those instances.

Cadillac needs to given more credit for their attempt to bring the brand into the 21st Century.  These cars are All-American in their design and younger generation needs to look to Detroit before making that decision on stylish luxury cars.

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