TESTING THE 2010 MINI CONVERTIBLE AT 2009 RUN TO THE SUN-PHOTO COURTESY NWAPA
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to drivetime-radio.com. this is where you'll find an archive of new
york vinnie's popular vehicle review radio feature drivetime. vehicle
reviews with a northwest slant and delivered in a real person to person
style. it's all here for northwest car lovers...auto and truck
reviews, news and information. check back often as news and reviews are
being added constantly. also listen for drivetime on a radio station
near you! contact vinnie at... vinnie@drivetime-radio.com
HYBRID-DIESEL-ELECTRIC FIND THEM ON THE GREEN PAGE-CLICK ON THE TAB ABOVE
Ford hit the nail on the head with it's european based TRANSIT CONNECT. not only will you see legions of these quirky looking vehicles running around town delivering everything from flowers to people, but i think that it is just versatile enough to become as cool as the VW bus was in the sixties. surfers, garage sale fans, campers and people looking for room to haul the family around town in something a little different are going love the TC. great seating postions, easy access in and out for both passengers and cargo and mid twenties gas mileage are just some of the bonuses that come with the TRANSIT CONNECT. is a Peter Max version on the way?
a most impressive effort by BUICK, the LACROSSE has style, quality and comfort all at a great price. you have to throw out all of what you thought you knew about BUICK because the LACROSSE represents a BUICK that wants to go toe to toe with LEXUS, INFINITI and ACURA. sure your grandma will still like her BUICK but this one is aimed squarely at her grandson who hasn't stopped by a BUICK showroom in a long time!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE GET 2010 OFF TO A FAST START WITH THE MAZDASPEED 3 HATCHBACK!
A PIT STOP AT THE U-TOTEM IN ELLENSBURG
those folks at MAZDA have built themselves one mighty fine little sportscar in the MAZDASPEED 3! a perfect confluence of comfort, performance, practicality and good looks the MAZDASPEED 3 never disappoints. winding out the six speed manual you feel the thrill of what putting a sportscar through it's paces is supposed to feel like and you still have room for that trip to the nursery or lumber yard. this car makes you want to drive! zoom-zoom!
quite quirky looking is the HONDA CROSSTOUR wannabe suv but you have to think that honda fans who are looking for what amounts to an accord station wagon are going to love this hauler. it gives you the car feel but also allows you to carry more than the sedan without having to drive an suv. the commercials for the crosstour are groovy and come to think of it the crosstour is too!!! click to the left for vinnie's review.
if you know about cars you know about AUDI. they are some of the best built fun to drive luxury cars on the road today. the new A4 continues on that theme and takes it to the next level with the new 211 horsepower TURBO QUATTRO edition. when you talk about "northwest types" of cars you have to give this one a long hard look. it's handling in wet or slick weather is among the best i've ever driven and it's responsiveness when you hit the gas is phenominal! AUDI gives you the whole package in the A4! click on the icon to the left to hear my review!
make no mistake about it...the ram makes no apologies about what it is, a big ass pickup truck. if you are buying this truck you aren't thinking about gas mileage...you're worried about loading, pulling, towing, and getting the job done right way before you are thinking about whether or not this truck gets as much milegae as a prius! well the RAM delivers big time. click to the left to hear my review.
SEATTLE AUTO SHOW 2009...AN AUDIO LOOK
CADILLAC CONVERJ COUPE
while there are plenty of cool new cars to see this weekend at the 2009 seattle auto show including the corvette sting ray and cadillac converj concepts, a lincoln concept with suicide doors, the fisker karma and acuras newest crossover that looks like a bmw crossover, the thing i have dug since i was a kid was listening to the model-spokesmen/women talk about the features and improvements on all of the hot new cars. so this session of drivetime is a tribute to them...the men and women of the turntable!
like kermit the frog once sang...happiness is bein' green (although van morrison did a great version of that song as well)! i find it tough to imagine that anyone that spends some time in the new lexus greenmachine the RX450h crossover would be anything but happy with this fine technological wonder! from the subtle changes on the outside to one of the most comfortable, driver friendly, technologically advanced interiors lexus has crafted yet another great luxury vehicle this time with the enviroment and the public's insatiable taste for anything thats green in mind.
soul can mean a lot of things...your inner spirit, great music, chicken and waffles, you get the picture. now soul also means a fun, boxy little car from KIA. check out vinnie's review of the 2010 KIA Soul by clicking the link on the left.
2010 JAGUAR XF PREMIUM SEDAN
jaguars new xf premium sedan is one incredible car. modern lines but with the classic jaguar feel this jag does not disappoint on any level. loaded with high tech stuff it's right in the middle of the 21st century but holds on to the bloodlines of the great jags of the past. power, luxury, grace and just enough tradition makes it one snarling cat! click to the left to hear vinnie's review of the jag that everyone is stopping to look at!
jaguar takes it in a whole new direction with the XF. luxury, speed and a lot of trick stuff make this sedan not only fun to drive but on the top of the high tech heap as well! listen to vinnie's review by clicking on the left.
THE LATEST EDITION OF DRIVETIME TV
a million and a half bucks on four wheels! the tires cost 20 grand! thats the Bugatti Veyron. 1000 horsepower with all wheel drive, zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds. it's the definition of a supercar and there are just 200 in the world. vinnie finds one here in seattle and takes you on a quick tour.
A FIRST PEEK AT TWO NEW SUBARU'S AND A LINCOLN
a busy week as we give you a first look at subaru's new legacy sedan and outback wagon and a look and ride in lincoln's new MKT crossover.
previous reviews
A LABOR DAY TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S HARDEST WORKER...THE PICKUP TRUCK
it may be America's best worker...it carries massive loads, gets through all kinds of weather, doesn't have to take the day off when it gets a scratch and only drinks five quarts every 5,000 miles....oh and it is the best in the world at what it does...it is the pickup truck. listen below as I pay tribute to this big part of most blue collar working folks lives!
maybe porsche drivers don't wave to each other like corvette owners do...probably because they are so absorbed in what might be the perfect road machine...the carrera s. it's a lot of money...it uses a lot of gas...but believe me it's a lot of car!
KIA'S completely new FORTE packs a lot of value into a small package. standard equipment includes steering wheel controls, bluetooth connectivity,traction control, abs, and a bunch of other safety equipment and all at under 20k. click below for vinnie's review of the KIA FORTE EX.
lexus' sporty IS 350 sedan has a lot to like and its own personality in a crowded field of great cars. two long trips in the 350 gave me a better understanding why lexus owners are so loyal to the brand!
