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My Car Reviews
2009 Dodge Viper 2dr Conv SRT10
Updated 3 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
On the whole, American cars suck. The Viper though? Come on. This baby is beaauuuutifulll. Even the short-lived cheesy TV series with this car couldn't hurt its image. It's just that good. I doubt I will ever have the 80k this baby costs but if I did why the hell wouldn't I buy it? This is akin to great artwork on wheels.
I know some people would say,"oh look another middle aged loser looking to pick up girls." Whatever kind of loser can own a car costing 80k is the kind of loser I would have no problem being. Anyone that says they don't think this is a cool car is just jealous of anyone able to buy it. They can't handle the truth.
The 2009 model looks so sharp I almost cut myself just from looking at the picture.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Would you tell Leonardo Da Vinci he got the Mona Lisa wrong? I wouldn't. This bad-ass rocks. If it ain't broke...
I guess the only thing here is that they could make it cheaper so people like me could buy it but that ain't gonna happen.
2010 Ford Mustang 2dr Cpe
Updated 3 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
Even the new model looks as cool as the old ones do. My brother has a classic. What can you say about a mustang? Its actually better on gas than most sports cars. Definitely the chick or guy magnet today as it always has been. The price isn't bad either considering you are buying a part of car history with this animal. The new model is soaked in the tradition of the classic, even in its appearance.
What is not to like about this all-American wind-in-your-hair car? Granted Osama bin Laden probably wouldn't be caught dead riding this one but I'll bet good money most Taliban would kill for this bad boy.
My suggestions for improving this car:
You just can't improve on classic tradition like this baby, no siree. Of course it could get better mileage but hey, its still a Mustang.
2009 Honda Element 2WD 5dr Auto LX
Updated 3 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
I know some reviewers get down on this car just because of its small box glued on top of slightly bigger box shape. That's just not fair. This car is a bit elevated for people like me who prefer to be above the low riders. It also has a spacious interior with luxurious leg room both front and back.
The backseat folds down so, while it ain't no pick up, it can still haul some decent sized furniture from the antique auction back to the house. The steering action is definitely decent and almost handles like a small car. For an SUV-type vehicle it's relatively sparing on gas consumed.
Now for me the biggest bad in this one is the fact that the back seat is designed for two people only. You can sit a third in the middle on the hump but for long trips its a literal pain in the butt. There's enough space but I guess the designer was some kind of prude who discourages back seat threesomes.
Now the other thing is the front and back doors open from the middle so you need to have front seat and back seat coordination if you hope to get the doors closed. I suppose that helps with team building in the family.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Stick a freakin' third seat in the middle so the fifth wheel doesn't feel like they don't fit in just stuck on the hump for a long trip building butt blisters. The 5th seat belt would be a nice gesture as well.
2009 Nissan Maxima 4dr Sdn S
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
I never realized how many Nissan's I have driven until just now when I flash-back to the Nissan Maxima. My aunt Donna had this car. One time when I was visiting her in Florida she let me use it most of the time I was there. It's a solid, respectable car. Definitely nothing flashy or exiting about it in any way. It used to have a chunkier look that it does today.
This car has always been a notch above the Altima and is much sturdier. But I think the high 20s-low 30s is a lot to ask for in this car considering that there are other cars equivalent to the Maxima for less money from Hyundai and Kia. The Korean names may not be as well established yet but they're proving to be pretty good cars and definitely better priced.
My suggestions for improving this car:
This pricing just seems wrong to me. I urge the women and men at this great company to reflect, repent and revalue.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse 3dr Cpe Man GS
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 I have never driven the Eclipse I think it is one of the closest to the Mirage that has out now; I loved that car. It belonged to my parents it was black and just all around awesome looking. It was hard sometimes to get it away from my mom even for a few hours. I'm not even sure what years those were - definitely during my long, drawn out, in and out of college career which was maybe 7 years in all. Ahhh if only they had lasted longer.
Anyway I just remember how alive I felt driving that sporty little car. This is not a car for parents that don't want their kids taking it out for a spin because this has got that race car feel (or at least it did to me). It was a big change from my own deceased VW bug that sat sadly and irreparably on the side of the house for 2 years.
It hands down defeated the goofy yet sporty Dodge Omni I had been allowed access to in the interim. To me, the Mitsubishi Mirage was my first really cool looking (and feeling car) that I was ever delivered the opportunity to drive.
I get the idea that the Eclipse is pretty similar only a lot more modern now than it was back then and frankly I'm surprised their not asking more for this sporty little family car.
My suggestions for improving this car:
If it handles like the Mirage did then this is really one sweet car, the price is right and it doesn't do bad on mileage. There's not much to improve. Its not about a bunch of frilly extras but the car that counts.
2010 Toyota Camry 4dr Sdn I4 Man (Natl)
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
This is your basic generic Toyota. It gets the job done. Its not in any way glamorous yet its sufficiently comfortable and handles great. I have driven this car many times from rental agencies while on the road. I think its the perfect rental on business trips.
The only problem I ever had and actually it happened a few times, that this car is so low the exhaust pipe broke loose. I don't know if the latest model is higher off the ground but thinking back, many a time I had to find a coat hanger and tie the tail pipe up to the back of the car in the middle of a trip to stop it from dragging.
If I was going to buy one of these I guess I would want to make sure its not prone to easily lose the tail pipe as it used to be.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Raise the tail pipe or the car a couple of inches if it still scrapes so easily. That used to happen to me all the time, especially when traveling with others and filling the trunk.
2010 Nissan Armada 2WD 4dr SE
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
Powerful and rugged in its look, perhaps capable and functional as most any Nissan, I just can't take this car seriously enough to even want to hitch a ride. I mean come on, "Armada"? How can I feel mildly interested in a single car named after a Spanish sea-going fleet. Do I need gold deblooms to buy it or will they take a check? I mean like, was Nissan overcompensating on this name or what?
I guess people that drive it like it. They've been using this hackneyed handle as model name for a bunch of years already but I just can't get around it long enough to get my foot in the door. Generally Nissan's are respectable but really this time I think they went too far.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Change the name, then maybe I'd be willing to take it for a ride and we could talk afterward.
2010 Toyota Corolla 4dr Sdn Man (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:
Frankly, I have not had the pleasure yet of getting behind the wheel of the latest Corolla but these babies just get better with each year. Reliable, good on gas and always a smooootttthhh ride. I have driven many a Corolla in my day and despite being a low lying, huggin' the road vehicle, something I have become adverse to in recent years, these little ladies still always rock. Steering doesn't get any more responsive and tight than it is in this car.
The engine is always ready to race up hill like its no effort at all. I've said it before but the Japanese auto industry rules. Is it any wonder that the big American car companies needed to get bailed out? I don't think so.
My suggestions for improving this car:
If Toyota could add just a tiny bit more trunk space without upping the gas consumption that would truly make my day. Other than that they should just keep the Corollas rolling off the assembly line year after year!
2009 GMC Savana RWD 1500 135" $28,475
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Owned itMy review:
A friend of mine convinced me to go in on an older GMC van a few years ago. We fixed it up and (eventually) sold it but we drove it some for the short periods that it would run without electrical problems. I can't talk that much about the new model. However, even then the interior was awesome. There is spacious seating for the driver, the navigator. and plenty of room in the back. This is comfortable for 10-12 people. Be that as it may, it totally handles like a freakin' boat.
Now the one we had required a ritual ordeal to get it warmed up in the morning. I can't imagine the new model has that problem still. Even so, there are plenty or reasons to stay away from this large lemon.
What seems to still be a persisient problem is that this monster burns gas like a California heatwave burns Malibu hillside homes to the ground. It has a huge gas tank since it takes like half a gallon to move this thing a few blocks.
People who like this car rode around in one when they were kids. They already know about the headaches that come with it but don't care out of nostalgia. No one else would want to be cursed with this whale.
My suggestions for improving this car:
This vehicle is spacious and comfortable. It can make a great clubhouse for kids but please take that gas guzzling engine out already. Just sell it as a big old novelty paperweight.
2009 Suzuki XL-7 FWD 4dr Premium
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
Frankly I have not driven this car and don't know much about it. Ever since the Suzuki Samurai would flip over frequently on the roads I am surprised that this company has managed to stay in business.
This car doesn't look particularly unique. Its not great on gas. I mean, it isn't bad for the class of vehicle but doesn't stand out or catch my eye. Nothing about it to make me forget the somersaulting Suzukis on the road when I was young.
I just don't trust this auto manufacturer. Sorry.
My suggestions for improving this car:
I think Suzuki should have hung it up a long time ago. I would suggest that they do so now. They don't really add much of anything to the selection of vehicles out there. It's a Japanese name that makes American quality cars. That spells loser to me.
2009 Nissan Frontier 2WD King Cab V6 Auto LE
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
One of my brothers had one of these but he needed to get a bigger truck eventually for work. I drove it a few times. The Frontier is strong. When I drove it I really felt the difference between my Nissan Hardbody (which was older) and this car. This baby has serious power under the hood.
The interior was spacious and it's way off the ground, which is something I prefer. I like to look down on those low riding sedans and coupes. I feel like I get a better picture of the road around me from up high.
This is a work vehicle for sure and yet it's mighty comfortable for the family too. This car is ready to go anywhere with its kicking engine and 4 WD. It also has a kinda classy look for a work horse species of car. I really liked the steering on this car as well.
My suggestions for improving this car:
There's not much room for improvement here. This car s safe and strong. It's not the best on gas but no cargo-hauling vehicle like this one is. Kudos to Nissan.
2009 Volkswagen New Beetle 2dr Man S $18,290
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
When VW brought the Beetle back I was tickled pink. My first car was a red,1967, semi-automatic bug. She was 20 years old when we met. I was slightly younger, in my second year of college at Rutgers University. Despite being more elliptical and less round, a move to modernize the appearance, the new shape still captures the classic bug body.
Back in the day, I knew if I would ever have a serious accident in a car practically made of paper mache I would be minced meat. The new car has numerous safety precautions including an actual body built of stronger stuff than its forefathers. Now, it seems a little pricey for a bug but maybe that's just cause mine was a hand-me down way back when.
I don't know if it's as maneuverable as the old bug. Man, I loved to parallel park in spaces that non-VW drivers thought required a can-opener to get in or out of.
Today, I would probably lean toward something a bit bigger for the price of the Beetle just out of the shop. It's just reassuring however, to know the Beetle came back and can be a first car for my kids just like it was for me. Kinda makes MY engine purr all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Lower the price already. It's still a bug after all. Back in the day they were more economical on the MPG, granted cardboard and paper mache-like substances back then were lighter to propel than the actual metal Beetles on the road today. Nevertheless VW should see what they can do on this.
2009 Volkswagen Rabbit 4dr HB Auto S
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
The new Rabbit has a much cooler rounded look than the car in a box shape it had back when I occasionally drove one of these. Back in college a friend of mine had a Rabbit which I would drive once in a while. My dad had one also at one point. They always had excellent pick up and great maneuverability. Of course, VW is famous for its turning radius which while not as tight as in the Beetle was still a strength in the Rabbit. You feel zippy driving this thing. I guess VW knew what it was doing when they first picked the name for this one.
The 2009 Rabbit promises to be a car that will last based on its predecessors. I would definitely consider buying one. It's spacious for passengers and has cargo space. Its always a good family car (as long as there are no more than 4-5 people in your family). The gas mileage could be better than it is however, but its not bad at all.
My suggestions for improving this car:
This car could be a little more economical on the gas. Work on it for 2010 and no doubt Rabbit sales will hop.
2009 Jeep Wrangler 4WD 2dr X
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
Unlike some lines of cars that get all changed around and modded up with the new versions, the Jeep Wrangler has still got that adventurous army transport wannabe look from back in the day. When I was in College I knew somebody with one of these cars. Man I would've loved to get her to toss me the keys and and let me take her for a spin!
Now the problem with these, aside from the poor gas performance, is safety. I can't imagine this is nearly as safe as a heavier 4WD vehicle when it comes to off-roading it. And then there's the problem that if you have a hard top and take it off the top stays home and you can't leave anything in the damned car. Of course a soft top anyone can slice open with a knife. Either way your screwed if you leave stuff inside.
I guess I'm too urban oriented to have a car so easy to steal from. I still love the looks on this one though. Maybe if I moved out to the country or near a desert I could buy one of these babies.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Do something about the MPG. This vehicle barely ways anything so what's the big deal about its engine sucking down so much fuel? Is it just me or does that make no sense?
2009 Hyundai Elantra 4dr Sdn Man GLS
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Driven itMy review:
My brother has this car. I was with him when he bought it. He was looking at Hyundais as well as Mazdas at the time.
I have got to say when he first was looking at it I was skeptical of Hyundai vs a Japanese car BUT man this is a much better deal than a similar car from other brands. It also gets great mileage. Plus there is an awesome factory guarantee - that's really the kicker and definitely the part that convinced my brother in the end to go with the Hyundai.
Don't laugh Hyundai off (or the Elantra) if you're shopping around. I have taken it on short drives and I would definitely consider buying one of these cars. Granted its a simple sedan. Nothing too flashy or fancy but its a good deal.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Its pretty much as good as it sets out to be. Better mileage would be great BUT it already is at the heard of the class for economics in gasoline engine sedans,
2010 Toyota Tundra Reg 4.6L V8 6-Spd AT Grade (Natl) $27,705
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Know about vehicleMy review:
Now this is one tough mother of a truck. I have to admit I have not driven the latest model but it has to be the same workhorse as any Toyota pick up. One look at this model and you may not know it means business but get behind the wheel and you will feel her power. Now, having said that, one problem is this sucker sucks down fuel.
But what the hey - a powerful pick up has a voracious appetite. It just comes with the territory. Now if they start running this baby on electricity or sunlight we would really be talking bargains.
All said and done if you need a workhorse of a car that will take you anywhere you will not complain with this one.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Its all about the MPG. Making this mama more economical would waste the competition.
1989 Nissan Hardbody Truck 5-Spd $11,899
Updated 10 months ago- F: A failure
- D: Unsatisfactory
- C: Satisfactory
- B: Good
- A: Delightful
My familiarity with this car:
Owned itMy review:
I had an ’89 king cab model of this car. Well I had it for my job but I could take it home, use it on weekends, the works. First of all anything manual is what I would rather be driving. I like to keep busy when I’m on the road. And this car well, its 4 wheel drive is manual so you have to make sure you switch it on before you get stuck in a mud hole. Where I used to drive was pretty important to keep in mind since I was working with rural communities in El Salvador, Central America.
You definitely feel on top of the world at the wheel since it pretty elevated, which I like; I hate feeling like I’m sitting right on the ground when driving. This car, like mine was, is starting to get old so it might have the same kinda loose steering wheel. It’s definitely not meant to turn on a dime. Also you’re not going much over 60 climbing a steep hill but that’s the price to pay if you like ridin’ high.
I should also mention that this is a long bed pick up so its good for moving all kinds of stuff. Even with the king cab version I moved a sofa, love seat and arm chair I had just bought in one easy trip.
My suggestions for improving this car:
Well hopefully its been worked on since 1989. Definitely te steering was on the loose side back in the day. Also I believe the 4WD is already switched on from inside the car so there's not much to improve.
2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser RWD 4dr Auto (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 drove this car for maybe a block or 2 a few years ago. My uncle Manny has one. First I should say I’m a big fan of Toyota. I mean the Japanese know how to build cars, let’s face the facts. When I first saw this car I thought it was pretty cool looking. It almost looks like something you can take for a spin around the moon as long as you avoid the craters.
The problem though is actually driving it on Earth. The feel is fine. And while its bad on gas, well my uncle doesn’t seem to care, he’s a retired real estate loan shark who can afford to go out and drop a couple of hundred bucks in one night to impress a girl. For me though, well I want economical.
The thing that really got me though was that it has got a BLIND SPOT you can drive a truck through. Like I said I just took it for a short spin but I would go nuts sticking my head way out the window before switching lanes. The only thing I’ve ever driven with a bigger blind spot is the Kia van with NO windows behind the driver!!! As far as I’m concerned its safety last in cars like this.My suggestions for improving this car:
Well the first thing is to pry the stupid foot long metal panels covering rear visibility off the freakin' walls!!!
The next thing would be to put it on a diet or something so it stops glurping gas like a guzzler. Then we can talk.