Used Cars - Articles - Zimbio

Kool Whip of the Week…2005 Porsche Cayenne S

Sun, 24 Dec 2007 02:10:03 GMT

posted by emiltsch

If you don’t already own a Porsche and you buy this, I’d call you adventurous. If you do own one already, and you purchase a Cayenne S, then you’re just “Porsche Greedy.” And that’s not necessarily bad wanting more of such a good thing.

Most Porsche drivers wish they had the ability to stash their family, or three of their friends, into their 911. The Cayenne S lets you do that and still have room to transport the dog, a week’s supply of groceries and a bunch of suitcases. Good luck doing that in your little mid-life crisis coupe.

The Cayenne S is the middle sibling of the German Super-SUV models; it comes with a 340hp naturally aspirated V-8, a sunroof and an in-dash CD player. No expense was spared in creating the luxurious stock leather seating arraignment. Passengers have a great wide open view of everything - back seat passengers also have a great view of where they’re about to quickly arrive.

The S version delivers all the power needed from the V8 engine. Upgrading to the Cayenne S Turbo may not be the best use for the Benjamins in your wallet. The 340hp S gets this portly Porsche moving and may even let you forget, for just a moment, that your kids are in the back seat.

You’ll feel completely in control as you cling to the leather steering wheel. Porsche was considerate enough to create quick access buttons that rest within a finger’s reach right on the edge of the wheel’s center cluster. You know good times are ahead before the throaty engine is fired up - you can’t miss the two oversize “Oh-Crap” handles on both sides of the center console. Your co-pilot will thank you.

Surprisingly enough, the reviews all rave about the Cayenne’s off-roading prowess being top-notch. Although, I don’t believe there is any documented consumer proof of a Cayenne owner going off-roading other than parking on the lawn at a house party or creeping into a Sunday afternoon tailgate party at the stadium.

MSRP is over well 55k; KBB price on this model is approximately 47k. The sharp used car buyer can easily locate a used 2005 Porsche Cayenne S for under 36k. If you’re intent on buying the Turbo S version, you could pick up two of these and still have plenty left over for your kid’s college fund.

Porsche Greedy can be a fun thing…

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Kool Whip of the Week…2006 Hummer H3

Mon, 4 Dec 2007 03:59:30 GMT

posted by emiltsch

Had enough of the green-hybrid-smart car marketing juggernaut?

If so, laugh in the face of soaring gas prices and start enjoying some consumer grade military action. Lighter, sportier and a whole lot cheaper (read: less expensive)

If the H2 was just a big rugged box, then the H3 is a slightly smaller, cooler box with some really awesome touches. (It’s about the size of the Chevy Trailblazer) This box clearly acknowledges it’s rugged ancestry while showing off it’s well-honed driveability.

The 2006 Hummer H3 starts at a retail whacking of $29,995 and comes equipped with a 220hp Vortec engine, GM’s Stabilitrak control system. (This brakes individual wheels rather than all four) and a traction-control system with tire-pressure monitoring.

Ergonomics aren’t what draw people to the H3 - that’s the Nissan Murano’s job. The H3 is like putting on a new pair of expensive leather loafers; you love how they look & how they make you feel - but you wince when sliding into them. Be careful - people tend bump their head on the H3’s roof sill when overshooting the entry.

In side by side spec comparisons with other SUV’s, the H3 falls in the middle of the road. However, it does come up strong with the addition of torsion bars up front, stronger approach/departure angles and it has an improved flexible transfer case. It can also traverse a 16 inch vertical scale and hunker though water 24 inches deep. The H2 only handles 20 inches.

Thirsty for rugged times and taking a break from the biodesel, hydrogen fuel and electric movement? Snag one with low-miles and sip from the petrol pump in a 2006 Hummer H3. (You may have to take a few extra sips - but you’ll enjoy it.)

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Kool Whip Of The Week…2001 Plymouth Prowler

Thu, 12 Oct 2007 02:35:05 GMT

posted by emiltsch

The Prowler is one of those concept cars you hoped would make it to production - and actually did - and still looked like the original spy photos.

Did you know the first year it was made, in 1998, all 3000 of them were plum purple?

The Prowler’s purpose: Bring back the excitement and intrigue of the classic hot rod. I’d say they succeeded - about 75% of the way. 218 horsepower doesn’t necessarily invoke hot rod images in my mind, however the outlandish styling, exposed front wheel housing and huge, gigantic 20-inch rear wheels do a fine job.

I’d call it hot rod-light; perfect for the guy in the office who has the extra time in his schedule for some top-down cruising, at least one friend and no little people under 11 years old to drive around on the weekend.

The comfortable cabin, high-tech panel cluster and extras like premium sound and adjustable shock absorbers improve the ride quality.

Countless number of people still to this day point and ask, “What’s that thing called?” Plenty of people are bound to say the same because Chrysler didn’t even sell 15,000 of these pseudo-sexy attention-getters.

Looking for something that epitomizes a big-boy toy? A used Plymouth Prowler should fill that void.

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Who Makes the Best (Used) Cars?

Tue, 27 Jun 2007 18:33:01 GMT

posted by emiltsch

Who makes the best cars? All depends on who you ask. Everyone has a friend who will tell you their Chevy kicks the snot out your Honda. A lot of people have shifted their buying preferences to Japanese cars - but that’s not a guarantee for better performance, and most importantly, better quality. (Sorry Mazda)

The same goes for people wanting American made cars. Sure, some are good - but some still don’t keep up with the competition. (Sorry Chrysler)

Consumer Reports compiled more data and research than you can fit into a Hummerzine and created a nifty little Automaker Report Card.

In a nutshell, the highest Average Test Score went to VW/Audi (81) while the lowest Average Test Score went to Chrysler (51) Interesting fact: A high average score may have helped the name, but the number of tested vehicles Consumer Reports actually recommend is where the real info is - recommendations were based on reliability, satisfaction and despreciation. All items you should consider when making your next used car purchase.

Here’s an alphabetical Average Test Score list including the percentage of recommended test vehicles . Good luck on your used car search….

BMW:

Avg. Test Score: 77
Recommended Vehicles: 63%

Chrysler:

Avg. Test Score: 51
Recommended Vehicles: 21%

Ford:

Avg. Test Score: 65
Recommended Vehicles: 54%

GM:

Avg. Test Score: 57
Recommended Vehicles: 36%

Honda:

Avg. Test Score: 78
Recommended Vehicles: 100%

Hyundai/Kia:

Avg. Test Score: 66
Recommended Vehicles: 42%

Mazda:

Avg. Test Score: 75
Recommended Vehicles: 73%

Mercedes-Benz:

Avg. Test Score: 77
Recommended Vehicles: 0% (Yea, that’s a zero)

Mitsubishi:

Avg. Test Score: 60
Recommended Vehicles: 43%

Nissan:

Avg. Test Score: 75
Recommended Vehicles: 59%

Subaru:

Avg. Test Score: 72
Recommended Vehicles: 100%

Toyota:

Avg. Test Score: 70
Recommended Vehicles: 85%

VW/Audi:

Avg. Test Score: 81
Recommended Vehicles: 45%

Volvo:

Avg. Test Score: 65
Recommended Vehicles: 40%

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Kool Whip Of The Week…2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

Mon, 19 Jun 2007 16:50:37 GMT

posted by emiltsch

The Auction Direct USA Kool Whip of the Week is this fun little 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT

The aggressive organic stance of the top lines and the front scoop grab your eyes right away…it looks ready to jump off the line. The extra 3.3 inches added to the width & the 360lbs. help beef up the stance.

You can tell right away this one has more power than previous models - 25% more power actually. (3.8-liter MIVEC 263-hp, w/a McPherson sport-tuned suspension, compared to older 210-hp models.) Someone at Mitsubishi fell asleep at the wheel when they designed the older models; unless you’re a tuner-geek, it was getting difficult to tell a ‘99 from an ‘04 model.

The model reviewed had the 5-speed Sportronic feature; anti-lock-brakes, 17-inch wheels, cruise control, power windows and split folding rear seats are all standard on the GT models. Other GT options include a 6-speed, aluminum pedals, heated leather seats & a sunroof.

The chunky steering wheel, snug supporting seats and easy to read dash controls make both short spins down the road and long hauls thrilling and comfortable. The clean, smooth lines of the instrument controls - especially the palm-fitting, short-throw shifter - add to the openness of the cabin. The GT’s available premium-sport package includes a powerful Rockford Fosgate audio system with a 6-CD/MP3 in-dash changer and nine speakers (including a 10-inch sub)

Kelley Blue Book on this model is priced at $25,490; Auction Direct USA has a Buy It Now price of $21,970. With only 8,115 miles, you’re almost getting a brand new whip. (An automatic 2006 model GT, without any extras, has a dealer invoice of approximately $23,262)

If you’re looking for something different, (this orange paint is wilder than a jail-free Paris Hilton) something fast and something hot for this summer - this is it. The other sporty/performance model class best buys includes the Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, Scion TC, Acura RSX, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z and the Pontiac GTO & Solstice.

My nod goes to the newly designed Eclipse GT. Enjoy.

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