test driving new cars

The Ford Taurus made its debut to much fanfare in 1985 (as a 1986 model). It was perhaps a risky move for Ford. Not only was it Ford's first big foray into midsize front-wheel-drive cars, the styling was like nothing else. In an era where crisply folded lines were the norm, the "soft" styling was decidedly different. So different, some pundits declared it would prove to be an outright sales disaster. They couldn't have been more wrong.

Like with the original Taurus, Ford stylists broke new ground: Front fenders are pronounced, with headlamps and markers that wrap around the flanks. A deeply chiseled character line runs from the wheel arch to the end of the back door. This deeply cut character line makes another appearance aft of the rear wheel arch. Like the headlamps, the taillights swathe around the body sides. The deck lid incorporates a subtle hump, almost as if there's a restrained spoiler built in. The roofline is lowered and somewhat reminiscent of the first chiseled-look fastbacks Ford pioneered way back when in 1963. Most interesting though is the wheel placement. Rolling stock is pushed to the edges of the body sides. That provides the Taurus with a brawny, extremely capable, athletic look.

Open the door and immediately you know this is a driver's car. Bench seating is banished. Instead, the office is based upon a dual pod dash layout that recalls Mustang from almost every generation. The center stack slopes downward into an integrated console, effectively creating a five-passenger sedan. Get behind the wheel (which includes an array of fingertip controls) and it's clear this car was built to use. Controls are logical and fall quickly into place. The shifter is offset toward the driver. The large high-tech, ambient lit speedometer is flanked by a large 7,000 rpm tachometer on the left and a combination temperature gauge-fuel gauge-gear indicator on the right. The front seats are deeply bolstered. An integrated armrest on the center console together with a deeply sculpted door panel locks the driver firmly in place.

Standard SE-equipped cars feature a six-way power, manual recline and lumbar driver seat. SEL models include dual zone climate control, SIRIUS Satellite radio and an anti-theft perimeter alarm. On Limited Series models, the seating moves to perforated leather seating surfaces and 10-way power with integrated lumbar controls for both driver and passenger. On all models, the split folding rear seat is a three-passenger bench (in truth, a pair of deeply formed near-buckets with an occasional passenger seat between them). Using Ford's newest (optional) signature Intelligent Access with Push Button Start arrangement in our test car to bring the base engine to life, we knew we were in for a treat. The standard Duratec 3.5-liter V-6 produces a healthy 263 horsepower along with 249 pound-feet of torque. The new Taurus is front-wheel drive, with all-wheel-drive available as an option. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission offered while SEL and Limited versions include a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shift activation. One of the factors that pushed the original Taurus to the forefront in sales was the inherent value, perpetuated by a long list of standard and reasonably priced optional equipment. The 2010 model follows that value leader blueprint by incorporating items such as six standard airbags, AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control traction control, ABS brakes, rain sensing wipers, projector beam halogen headlights and other technology-laden hardware as standard equipment.

Additionally, the SYNC voice-activated communication and entertainment system includes a 911 Assist enhancement that will place a call to a local emergency operator in the event of an airbag deployment. Twelve-speaker, premium sound systems from Sony are available along with a SIRIUS Satellite radio system, as are heated and cooled seats, an adaptive cruise control and a power rear sunshade.

Ford offers a number of technologies on the Taurus that are definitely exclusive. MyKey is an easily programmable system that can limit the car's top speed to 80 mph, and/or limit the stereo's volume up to 44 percent of maximum, and set a series of sustaining chime if the seat seat belts aren't in use. With BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), when another vehicle takes a position within the mirror blind spot, a light flashes on the A-pillar warning you not to change lanes. It works by way of a small digital camera mounted beneath the sideview mirror that continuously monitors the blind spot area and through use of a computer, calculates changes between frames. With Adaptive Cruise Control, the driver selects a desired interval to follow traffic along with the desired cruise speed. When slower traffic is encountered the ACC alters the Taurus speed to maintain the desired interval. Speed is controlled by ACC with moderate braking when needed. When traffic clears, ACC resumes the desired cruise speed. The driver can override the system by braking at any time.

AutoMedia.com boasts over 60,000 pages of original articles, including over 2,100 features researched and written by leading automotive experts, covering car buying, maintenance and technology. For automotive advice you can trust, read more about the 2010 Ford Taurus, including pricing, rebates and incentives and photo galleries along with details on all Ford Models.

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For the consumer looking for inexpensive automotive choices the 2010 Hyundai Accent should definitely be at the top of the list of vehicles to look at. The quiet cabin, surprisingly good stereo, and great warranty are just a few reasons to consider this car. New this year are enhancements to the 1.6 liter engine that have enhanced fuel economy over last years model and a new trim level called the "Blue" for the really budget conscious customer. All models are front wheel drive and come standard with a five speed manual transmission. A four speed automatic is available as an option except on the "blue" model. There are four trim levels this year and the Accent comes in a sedan or a two door hatchback although the sedan is only offered in the GLS model. Below is an overview of trim levels and specs.

Blue-This base model two door hatchback comes with a six way adjustable driver seat, reclining 60/40 rear seat back, and 14 inch steel wheels. Options are pretty much limited to air conditioning and a stereo. The engine is a 1.6 liter four cylinder that puts out 110 horsepower and 106 pound feet of torque. According to their online auto brochure the mileage is rated at 27mph city and 36mpg highway. Standard safety features include front seat side impact airbags, and full length head curtain airbags.

GS- This model adds body colored outside mirrors, tilt adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning, a rear wiper/washer, and remote hood release. Options available are keyless entry, alarm, power accessories, six speaker CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio and USB jack. Mileage is rated at 28mpg city and 34mpg highway. ABS brakes are optional and all other safety features are the same.

SE- This model adds the optional features of the GS as standard equipment. Other standard features are a sunroof, fog lamps, 16 inch alloy wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel, firmer suspension, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and ABS brakes. All engine and standard safety features are the same.

GLS Sedan- This model offers the same standard and optional features of the GS but is offered in a sedan body style. ABS brakes are optional and all engine and standard safety features are the same.

Bluetooth is optional on all models.

In government frontal impact crash testing the Hyundai Accent scored a perfect five stars for front occupant protection. But it did not do as well in side impact testing. It scored four stars for front occupant protection and only three stars for rear passenger protection. The Insurance institute for Highway Safety gave the Accent its second highest rating of "acceptable" in frontal offset collisions and their worst rating of "poor" for side impact tests.

Please visit http://www.onlineautobrochure.com for other great articles and reviews. You can download an online auto brochure PDF for all the latest models on the market. Great site for research before you purchase your next vehicle. Thanks.

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When you see a Lamborghini on the streets, your first reaction is usually to take a closer look at the car. Your second reaction is usually to take a closer look at the driver. You want to know who's driving it. Is it a wealthy business person? Is it a rich lotto winner? Even better, is it somebody that's rich and famous? That brings me to my real question - Why do the rich and famous drive Lamborghinis?

OK, that's not fair because not all rich and famous people drive Lamborghinis. Some of them do, though. For example, Jay Leno has one in his fleet. So does Nicholas Cage. Chris Mills (NBA player) does too. That's just to name a few.

Then why do some rich and famous people drive the car? I honestly don't know. That's because I would never drive one, no matter how rich I ever get to be. I've sat in one before and, let me tell you, they are not comfortable. It feels like your sitting in a coffin. There's not much room in there. Maybe they drive the car because they like the exhilaration of driving fast - They are fast cars, you know? That's a possibility.

But perhaps some rich and famous people drive Lamborghinis because they want to be noticed. Perhaps they just want people to stare at them in awe. That could be a possibility. After all, a lot of these people have big egos.

How about you - Would you ever drive a Lamborghini? If so, ask yourself why and maybe that's why celebrities drive them as well.

Did you know that most of these lotto winners could afford to buy a Lamborghini? Yet, very few of them, if any, actually did buy one.

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After years of waiting to see the newest muscle car addition to the automobile world, Chevrolet's Camaro (new and improved) doesn't just live up to all of the hype but it definitely shows what a muscle car can be if done with excellence.

The new Camaro is powerful regardless if it's equipped with the standard direct-injected V6 or the upgraded V8 option. The V6 powered Camaro is able to get up to 60 mph in about 6.0 seconds. The reason is primarily due to the 300 horses it has. But the V8 upgraded model can jump to 60 mph in a blazing 5.0 seconds, thanks to the 426 horses it packs. And the handling of the new 2010 Camaro is superb, able to handle turns and curves while going over 60 mph.

When it comes to the body trims, Chevy made it their purpose to give buyers several options to choose from. The 2010 Camaro comes in five different trim levels, which includes: base LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1SS, and the 2SS. The V6 comes in the LS, 1LT and the 2LT trim levels, while the V8 option will be found in the 1SS and 2SS trims.

The LS standard equipment is loaded with front bucket seats with power-reclining seatbacks, cloth upholstery, keyless entry, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, air-conditioning, a CD/MP3 system and 18-inch black steel wheels. And yes, the CD/MP3 audio system does have satellite radio equipped with an auxiliary audio jack. The 1LT comes with added foglamps, a six-way power driver seat and 18-inch alloy wheels. The 2LT adds a little more equipment with heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, a USB audio system with Bluetooth technology, auto-dimming capability for the driver-side and inside mirrors, heated power front seats, as well as a Boston acoustics audio system with the controls located on the steering wheel.

The 1SS has SS-exclusive interior and exterior styling with 20-inch aluminum wheels. It also comes with Brembo brakes, and the engine is a 6.2-liter V8. The 2SS combines the 2LT's standard equipment and the 1SS's sporty style and performance hardware.

Available with the new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro are two optional packages. With the 1LT model you can add the Convenience and Connectivity package. This package adds a USB port, a cargo net, remote start, Bluetooth technology, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and mounted audio controls on the steering wheel. The other package is the RS package, which is available on all V6 models excluding the LS model. The RS package adds a spoiler, 20-inch aluminum wheels, xenon headlights and other enhancements on the exterior. More options available on all except the LS model are options for special graphics on the exterior and a sunroof.

The new 2010 Camaro is a sure thing for drivers who are attracted to muscle cars. It's powerful, attractive and has a host of equipment that will definitely satisfy. It can give luxury performance vehicles a run for their money, thanks to its raw power, superb handling and incredible suspension tuning. The price for the V6 model is a bargain at around $22K and it produces great speed and a sophisticated feel, while the V8 is priced thousands more, it'll deliver at full throttle the classic roar that you would expect from a muscle car.

But even with the performance and power, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro still handles quite well around town and on the highway when it comes to the comfort of the ride and noise from the outside. There's no doubt, this Camaro is a winner on so many levels.

Dan Legal is a member of the web team that runs the website LemonFree.com cars. LemonFree is a car search engine which currently over 1.8 million new and used cars for sale.

If you're interested in purchasing a 2010 Chevy Camaro; give LemonFree a test drive today!

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