My Car Reviews
2009 Bentley Arnage 4dr Sdn R
Updated 3 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
OK so, I'm a pretty reasonable person. For the most part, I'm big into making smart financial decisions and I'm really into Hybrids. However, for some reason, I LOVE this car! I've never actually ridden in one and probably wouldn't admit to my friends that I like this car. It's basically the epitome of everything I'm against. It's flashy for no reason other than flashy, I doubt it gets good gas mileage and it's way expensive. The thing is though, there's one parked in the window of a dealership I walk by on my way to the park. Every time I see it, I can't help be stare. It's the only car I've ever seen that I'd describe as 'sexy'. If I ever win the lotto and become a totally different person with different priorities, I'm totally going to get a chauffeur to drive me around in a Bentley.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Like I said, I've never actually ridden in it, so I can't speak to much besides the exterior design - and I love it! It's obviously not the most cost effective option out there, but that's clearly not what it's going for either.
2010 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Auto $26,390
Updated 3 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
What are you doing Volkswagen?! I don't get it. You have the Beetle, which was hugely popular when you brought it back. When I was in high school, I was so jealous of two of my friends that had new Beetles. They were like sleeker, modern versions of the old school ones - but still super awesome! This new design.. I just don't get it. It's hardly even a Beetle at all. I mean, if Volkswagen just wants to make a new car, why can't they just come up with a new name for it? Why even call it a Beetle in the first place? I don't know anything about the safety of this vehicle or the mileage, but they better be damn good to make up for the crappy design.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Well not making it look so stupid would be a good start! Actually, the car looks fine - just not like a Beetle. They need to either call it something else or include more elements of the original model. Also, they need to get on the Hybrid bandwagon. I don't get why more car companies aren't doing this, when there is clearly a demand for them.
2009 Honda Civic 4dr Sdn
Updated 5 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
I have driven quite a few Hybrids and this is easily one of the best. One of the things that makes it stand out is that it doesn't look like a Hybrid, it just looks like a regular car. To be honest, that isn't a huge advantage to me. However, I know a lot of other people are looking for that kind of thing. It does have a really attractive exterior and the interior is nice too. It's not a luxury car though, so don't expect the type of interior roominess and features that you'd get with a car that came with a higher price tag. A friend of mine works for a car dealership and told me that these cars are less expensive to get fixed than other Hybrids and that they have a really high resale value.
My suggestions for improving this car:
My main problem with this car is the same problem I have with all Hybrids - it doesn't accelerate quickly. I mean, it will get up to speed and it's not like you're driving a Metro or anything! But it doesn't have the power that a non-Hybrid vehicle has. It's also kind of loud when you're driving it, which can get a little annoying.
2010 Lexus IS 2dr Conv Man
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
While this wouldn't be a good car for me and my needs, my dad drives one and he's really happy with it. He's retired and spends a lot of time with his golf buddies and going out on dates with the local ladies, so he's got to have something that makes him look successful and powerful and I think this car does it. On the same token, it's also not a car that's overly flashy. I think if you're trying to find a high end vehicle that's going to perform really well, be impressive and still maintain some modesty, this is a pretty good choice. It's really quiet inside and it accelerates effortlessly. His came standard with a ton of awesome features (like a really good stereo), though the 'standard' price tag is high enough that it's kind of expected that it would have great features.
My suggestions for improving this car:
My dad claims that his Lexus gets really good gas mileage but I'm sure they could come out with a Hybrid option that would be even better. I've heard that Lexus don't really retain their value very well, though I don't really know what the manufacturer could do to prevent this. I guess they need to work on making these vehicles more affordable in the first place.
2009 Saturn Aura 4dr Sdn I4 XE
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
I've reviewed quite a few of the Hybrids and this is one of the few that I haven't had the chance to drive yet. I really like the design though. I typically prefer Hybrids that stand out as Hybrids, and this one doesn't, but it's probably my favorite design of those that look like 'regular' cars. I've known people who've bought Saturns and it's just like in the commercials! The people working at the dealership actually clapped and made them feel like they'd won something when they bought the car, which I think is both funny and awesome. I've heard that these Hybrids accelerate pretty fast, which is a definite plus as I really dislike the way most Hybrids take forever to get up to an appropriate speed.
My suggestions for improving this car:
If I were buying a Hybrid this wouldn't be on the short list for a few reasons. First, I just like Hybrids that look like Hybrids. Second, it's a bit more expensive than some of the other options out there. Finally, I've heard that it doesn't get quite as good gas mileage as other Hybrid options.
2010 HUMMER H3 4WD 4dr
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
I really, really hate Hummers. When I see someone driving one, I make numerous assumptions about them - and none of them good. I mean, basically the only reason that you'd buy this vehicle is to try and show off how cool you are. There's no reason for this kind of vehicle unless you're living in some kind of war zone. Driving it to the grocery store? Give me a break! I don't get why people would deal with the pain of filling up on gas every 10 miles or having to drive around forever trying to park this beast. As someone who's totally committed to the green lifestyle, I really think they should make these things illegal.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Where should I start? Well, obviously they need to make them more fuel efficient. It's like someone just thought to themselves, "What's the least responsible vehicle we can possibly release for the American people?" and this is what they came up with. These things just look aggressive and scream "I am trying to compensate for something!" I try not to be a judgmental person, but owning a Hummer seems like you're making a pretty big statement about yourself.
2009 MINI Cooper 2dr $23,900
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
OK, what is it with these cars and their owners? I had a friend who was a perfectly normal dude, laid back, easy going. Not insane! Then he and his wife bought a MINI Cooper. A few months later they bought another one. Why? So that they could become completely insane and join a bunch of weird MINI enthusiasts groups. They now go to meetings, annual drives and are basically totally obsessed with these cars. I have ridden in the thing a few times and I don't get it. It's really really close to the ground, as tiny inside as you'd imagine and is just basically uncomfortable. I don't think I'd take this car if it was free - and they're really expensive! When I see someone driving one now, I immediately assume that they're a little crazy.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Honestly I'm just anti-MINI and I don't think there's much that could make me like these cars. All of the problems I have with them (the design and size) are the reasons that other people like them. This car is a total miss for me.
2010 Toyota Camry 4dr Sdn (Natl)
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
I really like Hybrids and have driven most models. However, a friend of mine is REALLY into Hybrids! He even works for a dealership, so he really gets into doing the research. He recently bought this car and can't say enough good things about it. First of all, it straight up looks like a Camry. I don't really like that aspect of it (I'd rather be an annoying show-off and choose a car that everyone would know was a Hybrid!) but I know a lot of people were kind of held back from Hybrids because they thought they looked goofy. He also tells me that this car actually accelerates, which is not something I've seen a Hybrid do! I haven't driven it yet (he's too in love with the thing to let anyone drive it) but from everything I've heard, it's a great car.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Well, I guess this car doesn't get QUITE as good of mileage as other Hybrids do. I would guess that's probably why it actually accelerates. Though, obviously, it still gets much better mileage than non-Hybrids. His only other complaint has been that the trunk is a little small for a car of its size.
2010 Toyota Prius 5dr HB II (Natl)
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
I'm big into Hybrids and have driven quite a few of them. One of the things I like about the Prius is that it's really recognizable. A lot of Hybrids now look just like their non-hybrid counterparts. I get that this probably pleases a lot of people who just want a standard car that's going to get awesome gas mileage. However, I think the fact that the Prius looks like a Hybrid is an advantage. Driving this car is kind of like making a statement that you're working to help save the environment. I've know quite a few Hybrid owners and when they met another Hybrid owner, it's like something to instantly bond over. I've also noticed that the Prius has more trunk room than a lot of other Hybrids.
My suggestions for improving this car:
This car didn't really accelerate as quickly as I would have liked. I've noticed that's the case with all of the Hybrids I've been able to drive, so I guess that must just be an issue with Hybrids. I also have heard that the repairs on these can get really expensive. I guess that's probably just because they're a fairly new type of car and there aren't a lot of used cars to take parts from, so hopefully the cost of repairs will go down.
2009 Volvo C30 2dr Cpe Man
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
I've been a big Volvo fan for a long time. I always make a point of test driving the new Volvo models, even though it only frustrates me that I can't buy a new car right now! This model was one of the better ones I've driven. It's size was just right for me. It's pretty small on the outside and is easy to fit into parking spaces. Yet inside it feels pretty spacious. I was also happy to see that stuff like Bluetooth and a trip computer came standard. There were some cool upgrades they were offering too - like the multimedia package. Overall if I were going to buy a new car this would be on the list.
My suggestions for improving this car:
As far as I've seen, Volvo hasn't really gotten on board with the green revolution. Gas mileage is really important to me, not just because gas is expensive, but because I try to be environmentally responsible. If I were actually going to buy a new car, while this would be on the list, the gas issue would probably keep me from buying it. I read somewhere that Volvo was going to come out with a Hyrid in 2011 or 2012. I hope that's true because I'd like to buy a Volvo someday.