Pathfinder SL 2013

Honey, we have to go back.  We forgot the sleeping bags.

You can call it a minivan.  But because it's 4x4 you can also call it an SUV.  Mostly you can call it a hauler.  I don't have kids and I am paring down on "stuff", but I do haul six or seven bags to upstate and then back down to the City––like every week.  It sounds crazy, I know, but I've got the gym bag and work stuff and food and a suitcase.  So I appreciate the availability of access and storage in a vehicle.  Sure, the minivan lacks sex appeal.  And I know women who feel a little bit oppressed by having to drive a minivan because it lacks sex appeal and I totally sympathize with that.  But at the start of the day, in the middle of the day, during that 4 o'clock slump when you have to pick up the kids, get stuff at the grocery store, drop off the dry cleaning, pick up the dry cleaning isn't it rewarding to have a vehicle that is more of an assistant than a paradigm of sensuality?  I know nary a harried woman who would disagree.

The Nissan Pathfinder SL is a well-appointed, 7-passenger seat van with leather seats and a Latch and Glide system that lets you move seats up and back easily.  The seat split in the rear is 60/40.  It's refined interior won it a place on WardsAutoWorld's ten best interiors for 2013.  It also made Kelley Blue Book's Ten Best Family Cars list (KBB.com).

My vehicle cost $37,945 with about $1,000 worth of options and an $825 destination charge.  Gas mileage is 19 city/25 highway/ 21 combined.

The 2014 model year introduces a new  hybrid powertrain system designed to enhance fuel economy and reduce CO₂ emissions with no reduction of driving performance, passenger roominess or capacity.

The Pathfinder's new Hybrid powertrain option will be available in three fully equipped trim levels – SV, SL and Platinum – when it joins the lineup in late summer 2013. It is expected to be priced at around just $3,000 more than Pathfinder 3.5-liter V6 models.

I didn't get any extra attention in the Pathfinder (as in I wasn't driving a yellow Camaro), but it was comfy and roomy and I enjoyed being in it the whole drive.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Mini Cooper Me

The 2013 Mini Cooper Hardtop in red and black.

It's not a one horse open sleigh but, oh what fun this two-door sedan is to drive.  Little Mini Cooper and I went north last week/weekend clipping along a two lane highway that is in great need of repair so it was quickly apparent that this vehicle is not for soft bottoms.  I don't mind it.  I like a sporty suspension.  If you don't, you'll be looking at bigger cars anyway.

The odometer is the center of the world in the Mini.  Note the toggle switches for all operations except the audio system.

I think what is most appealing about the Mini is the way the instrument panel is packaged with the huge odometer in the center stack and the smaller but still prominent tachometer behind the steering wheel.  All the space taken up by these two dials means less space for the sound system and air-conditioning and heating but Mini has packaged those compactly below the odometer.
The interior look is enhanced by the sharp carbon black, checkered cloth upholstery.  Other than that there isn't that much space in which to put appointments.  But, like, the door handle is cool.  Little things like that.  And none of the touch points felt cheap.
Powered by a dual overhead cam 1.6 liter inline four-cylinder engine coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission, this little two-door was fast off the mark and had plenty of power, uphill or on the flat.  I left several bigger cars in the dust and let's face it, it pays to be small and lighter when you want to go, go, go.  Sport-tuned suspension makes it all the more fun.

Seen from the rear, the Mini is a design darling.

Because I've been down on sunroofs for a while now, I made a point of opening the one on the Mini.  It was open all weekend to the gorgeous weather we experienced in the northeast and the spring air was intoxicating.  But I'd still buy a convertible and if I could not have a convertible for any reason, I wouldn't order a sunroof.  The one on this car is $1,000.  For me, an open sunroof creates too much noise in the vehicle and doesn't provide enough benefit.  That, however, is a matter of personal taste.

I was stumped by the audio system.  I could not get the radio to turn to FM.  Shouldn't turning on a radio be a no brainer?  Yes, it should be a snap to figure out and if it's not I think things are overly complicated.  I even read the manual and still couldn't get it to go to FM.  Then I decided to plug in my (OK, ancient) iPod and the Mini USB wouldn't accept my connector.  Like my USB connector wasn't up-to-date enough to be in a Mini? That's discriminatory.

There's not a lot of space in this cutie.  I can't imagine having to sit in the back seat on a three hour trip for example.  I carry a lot of stuff back and forth. I did put the back seats down and crammed my stuff in the car but if you haul at all, you'll find the space in this Mini very tight.  Other Mini models are bigger.
Base cost for my Mini was $19,700 and with delivery and the extras on my model, it cost $25,600.
Gas mileage is excellent--29 city/37 highway/ 32 combined.

Is this a car or an airplane? It does have wings. And, it's a hybrid!

Winged La Ferrari

-->Ferrari unveiled LaFerrari supercar at the Geneva auto show today. It's gasoline-hybrid engine produces 963-horsepower and is is the fastest, most powerful and most expensive Ferrari model to date.This first gasoline-electric hybrid from Ferrari is powered by the HY-KERS system, which consists of a 6.26-liter V-12 normally aspirated engine that delivers 800 hp combined with a 120 Kw (163 hp) electric motor. Predictions are that it will cost around $1.2 million euros with taxes. Anyone who buys this car will be talking nonstop about 0-60. Here are the impressive figures:
0 to 100kph in less than 3 seconds and from 0-200kph in less than 7 seconds.

Ferrari is going to build 500 cars, expecting sales in China and Asia and the Middle East.Sergio Marchionne says it is already sold out.

A mean machine.

The ideal situation is to have a boyfriend who comes into town only every couple of months who owns LaFerrari.  He calls and says, "let's go for a drive!"  "Great," you say.  You go someplace upstate or over to the Berkshires or out to the Ham . . . no . . . just . . . oh, OK, out to the Hamptons.  He is very rich after all.   But this is great.  You don't own the car or have to garage it or worry endlessly about it. You don't even have to chip in for gas.  You have a lovely drive at 200 mph and it only takes you 15 minutes to get to Montauk or Great Barrington.  You have a nice dinner somewhere and you're back by 6:30 because it only takes you 15 minutes to get home.  I wonder if the NHTSA will categorize this as a plane and try to keep it off the highways.

Talkin' Toyota

Been drivin' a few Toyotas lately––the Camry and the Corolla.  The paint job on the Camry was  "Magnetic Gray" and on the Corolla, a "Nautical Blue."  Makes me want a job naming colors.  These vehicles have New Jersey license plates but many of the cars I drive in upstate New York have Tennesse, Michigan or California license plates.  When law enforcement up north sees a bright paint job on a vehicle with a far away license plate, I am much more likely to be pulled over.  One officer, fresh from State Police school, who stopped me at midnight for going one mile over the speed limit said to me, "In my career (what, all of three months?) I've only seen one other California license plate on this road."  My response:  "It was probably me."

Popularity contest winner in America

Anyway the Camry is the top selling car in America.  And it isn't because it's hot, or expensive or flashy.  It's because it is oatmeal--and I don't mean mushy, tasteless, instant oatmeal.  Think steel cut oats, slow cooked over a low flame.  My Camry came with a 2.5L four-cylinder 16V w/ dual VVT-i engine that produces 178 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque paired with a 6-speed ECT-i (electronically controlled transmission) with paddle shifters.  It's a class leader in fuel economy at 25 city/35 highway, 28 combined.  A 3.5-liter V6 that generates 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque is optional and delivers excellent fuel economy at 21 city/31 highway/25 combined. Enhanced by 17" wheels and sport-tuned electric power steering, the ride and handling is peppy and dependable.  Most of the folks I talk cars with––and that is both men and women––don't want drama.  They want reliability.  And Toyota owners are like pit bulls.  They're never going to let go of their Toyotas.

Nice clear display on this touch screen.

The Camry's 6.1" touch screen displays bells and whistles nicely.  The car is home grown in Georgetown, Kentucky and with optional equipment my vehicle cost $27,586 including delivery.

What I missed on this vehicle, which I think is essential safety equipment, is blind spot detection.  Otherwise it's got pretty much all you could want--no wait, no heated steering wheel.

Need a smaller Toyota?  Several people asked me what I was driving when I took the Corolla for a weekend.  "A Toyota Corolla," I said.  That's a Toyota?   It surprised several people.  Toyota has major skin in the compact sedan game.  The Corolla's been around for 40 years.  Amazing.  But the competitors like the Ford Focus, the Kia Forte, Mazda 3 and Hyundai Elantra have bettered their game and are coming after the Corolla, so, yes, in addition to being trustworthy and dependable, Toyota has to ramp up its styling.  There's a lot of good choices in this class.  Still I was impressed by the reaction I got.  Since its introduction to the U.S. in 1968, Corolla has become the world’s all-time best-selling passenger car, with over 30 million sold in more than 140 countries.

Mine was blue.  Red is always snazzier.

The 2013 Toyota Corollas are powered by a 1.8-L, inline, four-cylinder engine that produces 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a four-speed automatic is optional.  Fuel economy (EPA) is 26  city/34 highway and 29 combined with the automatic and 27/34/30 with the manual.  With gas prices seemingly going down those are good numbers.  Some of the competitors, though, are at 40.

Pretty straightforward instrument panel.  Easy  access.

 I felt at one with the Corolla.  You've had that feeling in a car haven't you?  That you were buddies?  I had a classmate in college that had a Nash Rambler and she was a soprano and had long black hair and her idea of heaven was to travel to singing gigs in her Nash Rambler and sleep in the car to save money.  She called it her "buddy."  Nash called them buddies.  Anyway, I don't want to sleep in the Corolla or travel to singing gigs in it but I did sort of think it as a buddy.  The cost of my vehicle with options and delivery:  $21,729.

Ready to be Sissified

Sleek from the side

I have been known to say that all these assists and luxury options in new cars--like parallel parking assist and heated seats--are turning us into sissies and inadequate drivers.  If I'm going to stick to my guns, I would have to include heated steering wheels like the one I had recently in the 2013 Buick Encore.  So let's just say, I'm ready to be sissified.  I haven't loved an option like I love the heated steering wheel since the first car I drove with blind spot detection, which I place in the must-have-safety-features category versus the I-never-want-to-drive-a-car-again-without-this-luxury category.  It was a raw, cold weekend.  I had to get in a cold car several times over a three-day period.  That heated steering wheel quickly comes to the rescue and in such a nice way.  This feature goes into the I-never-want-to-drive-a-car-again, etc. category.

Looks totally right in red.

Looking at the Encore parked in the driveway,  I was struck by the looks of this small luxury crossover,  available as front wheel drive or all-wheel drive.  It's got a bit of a round bulbous front end but its size and shape are seem very resolved--a nice addition to one's driveway.

The seating is comfortable, the interior room is appropriate for its size but you would have to choose between a fifth passenger and extreme luggage.  I haul a lot of stuff back and forth and I ended up with the suitcase in the backseat.  I could have fit everything in the cargo space if I had made two layers.

Such a nice leathery luxury interior

The Encore's instrument panel is easy to read and quite handsome to look at as you drive along in the very quiet cabin--car makers put a lot of effort into making your ride quiet--a lot of effort.  My all-wheel drive Encore is powered by an ecotec turbo 1.4 liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed automatic.  Fuel economy is 23 city/30 highway/26 combined.  My coach costs $32,975 with $2,500 worth of options including fancy wheels and fancy nav/audio combo.

This is a GirlDriver, USA car.  I was at home in this vehicle and I think they are going to sell a lot of these babies to women.  If you're one of us I encourage you to give it a whirl.  Nice, nice handling.

Subaru Legacy Hits the Middle of the Note

First, apologies for the blank blog.  I couldn't bear to check my horoscope yesterday because it was such a grim day weatherwise and I was feeling punk.  It is clear that I was in a fog when I sent out a headline.

Now to the Legacy: My singing teacher, the amazing Amanda Boyd (www.amandaboyd.com), has instructed me to get out of my throat when I am singing high notes and to place the sound over my eyebrows.  Using that imagery, a singer is more likely to strike directly into the middle of the note.  As I was driving the Legacy last weekend, I thought this car consistently hits the middle of the note, whether you are cornering, accelerating or going straight.  It's a strong, positive feeling, straight on, not ever slightly flat or sharp.

When I asked Michael McHale, U.S. Director of Public Relations for Subaru why the company has grown so much--five straight years of year-over-year sales increases during a recession and a 26 percent increase in sales from 2011 to 2012--he said that the customer no longer had to compromise because they wanted Subaru's AWD, sturdily built, dependable vehicles.  They have a touch of glamour now.  They are roomier and the gas mileage is greatly improved.

I could not have guessed I was driving a four-cylinder.  Subaru's 2.5-liter horizontally opposed (Boxer) engine had the certainty of a six.  (Horizontally-opposed refers to the placement of the pistons that lie flat on either side of the crankshaft--like in a box as opposed to being vertical.)  It is paired with standard all-wheel drive, continuously variable transmission, delivering better fuel economy at a combined 27 mpg.  All-wheel drive typically has unremarkable fuel economy because it adds weight to vehicles and in its mechanization uses more fuel.

The 2013 Subaru Legacy is a five-passenger sedan offered in six trim levels: 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited.

My 2.5i Limited came with foglamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear seat air-conditioning, leather upholstery and wood trim, a four-way power passenger seat, the contents of the All-Weather package, an upgraded gauge cluster and the Harman Kardon sound system, which I loved.

Options for the Limited include a sunroof, the EyeSight driver assist system and a navigation system that includes a touchscreen interface, voice controls, a rearview camera and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Cost for my model with options was $30,977 including delivery.  That's a hell of a package for $30K.

VW Jetta Hybrid

It's a hybrid!  No, it's a turbo!  No, wait, it's both!

Subtle.

VW’s Jetta Hybrid doesn’t broadcast itself as a hybrid except for the

moniker on the rear of the vehicle, so it’s easy to forget this Jetta is a hybrid. The 2013 VW Jetta Hybrid comes with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder and a 20kW electric motor, a combination good for 170 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque. Power is fed to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

The electric motor alone can power the Jetta Hybrid for almost a mile at speeds up to 37 mph. VW says the Jetta Hybrid can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 8.6 seconds.

According to the EPA, the Jetta Hybrid will return 42 mpg city/48 mpg highway and 45 mpg combined using required premium fuel.  At speed you wouldn’t know you’re in a hybrid Jetta unless you check your exceptional 45 mpg gas mileage at every stoplight.  The only other clue is when all goes quiet at stops.   When I took my foot off the brake, I noticed a slight lurching possibly caused by an enthusiastic electric motor.

Shift

I am reminded it’s a hybrid when I try to stuff many bags into the trunk—batteries take up a lot of space.  I get most of my belongings in the trunk with a bit of cramming.  Still it has 11.3 cubic feet of space in the trunk.

The cabin—including the back seat––is sedan roomy, again posing as a normal car and not a hybrid.  The driving dynamics feel dependable—it takes off from a stop brightly and corners well.  It comes with an excellent safety profile as one would expect from VW.

GirlDriver, USA really likes VW interiors, but the interior of the Jetta hybrid doesn’t have the sharpness of other VW models.  It was a little disappointing, more ordinary than VW’s usual executions. There's a lot of cost in mechanics of this car, which is probably why the interior is a little toned down from VW's usual.

It has a touchscreen stereo interface (standard in all SE and SEL models) and also a dial knob so you can choose how you want to access your tunes.

Base model starts at $24,995 and runs up to $31,180 MSRP.