Car Connoisseur

Those that know me know I have never been a fan of sport utility vehicles. I was surprised then, after driving the new Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, that this little SUV was a car I would be proud enough to call my own.

Witnessing the GLK in the flesh for the first time, I was surprised at how compact it was. There’s nothing excessive about the proportions of this vehicle. Yet, inside, there is plenty of room for 5 adults and their gear. Climbing on board, I was greeted with a familiar Mercedes-Benz interior. All the controls were laid out in a logical manner and everything fell to hand nicely. The dashboard was a nice interpretation of the typical C class theme, however, a navigation screen is integrated into the top of the center stack, which is very legible and includes a camera mode on the screen when in reverse gear.

Taking to the road, I could have mistaken that I was in a C350 sedan. The size of this vehicle is excellent for around town maneuvers and the 7 speed automatic is smooth and unobtrusive. The 3.5 liter V6 has plenty of power (268 horsepower) and the steering, suspension and brakes all felt like they would on a Mercedes-Benz sedan. It’s an amazing feat, this little truck. How Mercedes-Benz was able to incorporate typical sport sedan feel into a small SUV baffles me. The one thing which might not be to everyone’s liking is the fact that you do sit rather low for an SUV, but I wasn’t bothered by this at all. It made you feel that you were in a regular car instead of a truck. The GLK can also be ordered with or without 4matic all wheel drive. In my opinion, I wouldn’t opt for the 4matic, as it adds to the weight of the vehicle, increases gas consumption slightly and with electronic stability and traction control, you really don’t need all wheel drive, unless you live in a harsh climate.

At $33,900, the GLK 350 is a bargain. Since Mercedes-Benz is not importing their C class wagon as of yet, the GLK is as close to a small people mover we are going to get from the folks at the three pointed star. If all SUVs drove this well and were this well rounded, this vehicle segment might make more sense.

It came as a surprise today to see a slew of alternative fuel vehicles outside my offices at L’Enfant Plaza in Southwest, Washington D.C. It turns out the Society of Automotive Engineers was holding their Government/Industry Meeting at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel hosted by Volkswagen of America, which recently relocated their headquarters to nearby Herndon, Virginia.

Upon examining their wares, a representative approached me and asked if I would like to take their new Jetta Clean Diesel TDI sedan for a spin. How could I resist? I always enjoy driving other people’s cars. The first thing one will note is how un-Diesel like the TDI engine is on start up. Forget everything you assume about Diesels. This is a new day. The car is so hushed on idle that it is quieter than most gasoline engines I’ve experienced as of late.

The jewel of this vehicle is of course the engine. A 2.0 liter direct injection turbocharged four cylinder engine with 16 valves mated to a 6 speed dual clutch automatic transmission (a manual will be available) motivates this compact sedan with little turbo lag and a definite sense of urgency in the mid range. It also doesn’t sound like a Diesel, but more like a robust gasoline four cylinder engine.

With 140 horsepower on tap and an impressive 235 lb ft of torque, you are not wanting for power. While I only was able to get up to speeds of around 45 mph tops, I had the sense this vehicle would be a competent highway cruiser. Emissions are also handily controlled with devices such as an NOx Storage Catalyst, a Diesel Particulate Filter and a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst.

The rest of the Jetta TDI Clean Diesel is standard Volkswagen fare, which means decent build quality and materials inside and out. For those who have owned German vehicles before, all the controls will seem second nature. I did notice, however, that the driver’s seat was hard for me to adjust in a comfortable position. The cushion, no matter how far down I would adjust it, seemed to be up too high, forcing my legs into the bottom of the steering wheel. Given that this was a pre production vehicle and had been used in fleets, there could have very well been a malfunction with the adjustment which I did not have time to investigate.

On the road, the Jetta feels a bit lighter than the fourth generation GTI I used to own. The German feel is still there, but as is the case with a lot of new vehicles today, you can’t help but things are watered down just a tad to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The outstanding part of this vehicle, however, is the fuel economy. Anticipated mileage is in the mid 40 mpg range in the city and mid 50 mpg range on the highway. While driving around Capitol Hill and the surrounding neighborhoods, the fuel economy meter was hovering in the low 40mpg range, so these figures seem quite realistic.

While Hybrid technology has its strong suits, one can’t help but think that simple, proven Diesel technology is the way forward to a cleaner, more energy conscious planet. And consider this…in ten years time you won’t have to figure out how to recycle those pesky batteries.

If you need affirmation that the GM renaissance is in full swing, visit a Saturn showroom. First introduced as a line of compact vehicles sold by dealers with no hassle pricing, Saturn is now bringing upscale, European hardware to the average U.S. buyer in the form of rebadged Opels. One of the latest Opels, ahem, Saturns to bow is the Astra, a subcompact that has been sold in its current guise in other markets, most notably Europe, since 2004.

Upon entering the car, the first thing you notice is that the door handle and latch have a decidedly Germanic feel to them, much like a BMW or Mercedes. Sliding behind the wheel, the firm seats and ergonomics exude a Teutonic flavor. All of this was a mere prelude to just how satisfying a drive this car is.

Powered by a 1.8 liter Ecotec four cylinder engine, the Astra pumps out 138 horsepower. In this day and age of 400 horsepower sedans, a figure such as 138 might seem meager. It gets the job done, however, launching this car to 60 mph in a respectable 9.5 seconds. Fuel economy is very reasonable, with an EPA estimated 30 mpg in highway driving.

Upon taking off for a drive in the Astra, you completely forget the flimsy feel that was the hallmark of previous generation Saturns. A slightly weighty yet progressive clutch along with a positive feeling, if a bit notchy gearbox reminds one of a small Volkswagen or Audi, yet with a slightly different character. Taking off and merging into traffic is effortless and a nice touch is the one touch turn signal stalks that blink three times, ala Mercedes-Benz.

Driving the Astra around semi-rural Doylestown, Pennsylvania roads exhibited this car’s sporty character. Compliant yet firm suspension along with sharp steering separate the Astra from competitors like the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. This car’s Autobahn breeding is apparent in every corner you take. The styling along with the bright red paintwork also caught a few stares along the way, most of them from SUV drivers wishing they could save a few bucks on gas.

The interior of the Astra is a definite upgrade over American GM products of yore. Rich looking plastics and controls with a quality feel are a departure from what one normally expects in this vehicle segment. Options such as leather, 18” alloy wheels and heated seats give you the ability to push the envelope even further. One downside is the rather claustrophobic nature of the rear cabin in the 3-door, due to the dramatic sweep in the rear window profile. With the 5-door model, this is not so much of a problem.

Around $18,000 will get you a nicely equipped Astra and the pride of owning something just a bit more special than your workaday subcompact. The Astra is a solid choice in a crowded vehicle segment, set apart by its distinct styling, extensive list of features and superior driving dynamics. For those who would have never considered purchasing a Saturn (and I am one of them), it’s time to reconsider.

Over nine months have passed and a little over 5,000 miles under the performance rubber of my 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport Sedan. I felt it was a good time to reflect upon the past year with this machine and provide a glimpse into ownership for anyone considering one of these cars on the used market.

What I like most about this car is the color. Granite Gray Metallic was discontinued on the new C class sedans for 2008, and few C class sport sedans sport this hue. Mercedes could not provide an exact number on how many C230s were produced in this color for 2007, but I’ve only seen two other ’07 models identical to my car so far. With this car, you don’t see yourself coming and going everywhere you look.

The one thing that didn’t please me with the 2007 C230 was the wheels. For ‘05 and ‘06, Mercedes had a classy five spoke style which, to me, looked like a modern day version of the famous Cragar hot rod rims of the 1950s. The smooth style of the rounded spokes fit well with the styling of the car. The ’07 wheels added one more spoke and were much blockier in design. They also stuck out way past the edge of the tire, which, in my book, is a styling no-no. They were simply too “bling” for the car and looked as if they were an afterthought. I worked a deal with my dealer and had them swap the wheels upon delivery. Below is a picture of the original rims for comparison.

Driving wise, this is a very competent machine. It takes off and cruises in typical, effortless Mercedes fashion. Even though the suspension was a stiffer setup than what I was used to in my 1998 C230, I quickly adapted and realized that on the open road and in the twisties, the tighter suspension settings were a bonus. This, in combination with the sharper rack and pinion power steering setup (in contrast to my ’98’s recirculating ball system) makes for an entertaining drive.

If there is one downside with the driving, it’s fuel economy. City driving isn’t the best real world test, but around town I’m pulling 16-18 mpg. Given the premium fuel requirement, this wasn’t the most eco-friendly purchase I could have made. However, on the open road, this car can pull close to 30mpg. The fact that my engine also runs on E85 is a moot point. I don’t believe in the economics of ethanol and it’s not readily available on the Eastern seaboard.

The interior is where the C230 excels. For 2007, Mercedes brought back wood trim to the interior trappings of the sport model, in this case, the dark stained birdseye maple contrasts nicely with the ash colored seats and carpet. The blue tinted windows also set off the bright, airy look of the interior and contrast well with the light blue tone of the paintwork.

All the controls are organized in an orderly fashion, as expected in a German vehicle. They work with a solid feel that is lacking on many vehicles today, both import and domestic. The comprehensive list of features and options, from the power memory drivers seat and steering column to the heated seats and dual zone climate control make long hauls a joy.

One recommendation is to forgo Mercedes-Benz’s all weather floor mats. Unlike their all weather mats from years past, the new mats were made from a defective rubber that causes a white haze when cleaning them. I have seen this problem on other floor mat sets as well, so this isn’t an isolated incident. If you have a desire to purchase all weather floor mats for your Mercedes (or any vehicle for that matter), I suggest consulting Autosport (www.autosportcatalog.com). I purchased their Hexomat custom fit mats and have been very pleased. They are also comparable to the cost of Mercedes-Benz original equipment mats.

In terms of reliability, there has been nary a glitch. Early on, the CD changer had a minor hiccup and stopped playing mp3 recorded discs for a while, but eventually the system reset itself and I have had no problems to date. Keenan Motors in Doylestown, Pennsylvania has been an exceptional dealer in terms of sales and service. It is a breath of fresh air after a battle with American Service Center in Arlington, Virginia over an air conditioning repair on my old Mercedes that proved faulty and wound up costing me double in labor, as I had to return the car to be fixed properly.

All in all, I have been pleased with my ’07 C230 and find that even though it may not be the fastest, best handling or roomiest compact executive sedan, it does everything well and retains Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for safety, luxury and obsessive engineering that has made them popular over the years. For those not used to owning a German luxury vehicle, beware that there are hidden costs for such vehicles, such as higher fuel costs and larger repair bills once the warranty expires as compared to similar Japanese and domestic vehicles. However, for those who appreciate fine engineering and a driving experience you won’t soon forget, a C230 may be the right car for you.

I was about to compile my list of best rides for 2008, but then it dawned on me. There’s A LOT of bad cars out there this year. Let’s take a look:

Acura RL

The Acura Legend of 1986 was a turning point for Honda. Not only did it signal the birth of a new brand, but the arrival of a new V-6 engine as well. Over twenty years later, Acura is still relying on V-6 engines in their flagship model. That alone should sound the alarms.

Acura decided that names were not cool in the mid 1990s and decided to drop the Legend moniker in favor of the RL designation, which was slapped on to a late 1980s Mercedes S class sedan knock off. The second generation RL sedan proved a little more interesting, what with their SH (Super Handling) four wheel drive system, but still, a 3.5 liter V-6 was under the hood.

The 2008 model signals a facelift of the 2005 redesign and well, perhaps Acura would have been better off putting the RL out to pasture instead of introducing this rehashed version with a grille that looks like something with which you would julian carrots and taillights that ape the Mercedes SLR. Acura plans to put this new corporate mug on the rest of its lineup, as well. I’m sure there are plenty of people without taste who will scoop these things up.

BMW 135i

The new BMW 135i is, inherently, a good car. It has one fatal flaw: price. $34,900. That’s not exactly chump change for what is meant to be the starting point in a manufacturer’s vehicle lineup. It is also perilously close to the very handsome 328i coupe. Add in some options, and the price for a 135i can jump to over $40,000. Granted, this car goes, steers and brakes like a true BMW, which leaves pretty much nothing to be desired. It also features the much ballyhooed 3.0 turbo inline six, which cranks out 300 horsepower in a package the size of a Civic. This is a sure fire way to annoy local law enforcement.

If BMW was really serious about creating the 1 series as a descendant of the iconic 2002 from the 1960s and 1970s, this would have been the following formula:

1. Add the fabulous 2.0 liter four cylinder engine from the European market 320si, a model designed as a homologation special to qualify for the FIA World Touring Car Championship. This would bring the car more in line with the simplistic values the 1 is trying to trumpet.
2. Delete stuff from the options list such as leather interior, heated seats, sunroof, upgraded stereos and that horrid i-Drive system. Less weight equals better performance and enhanced fuel economy.
3. Give customers the option for upgraded suspension components, brakes, tires, etc.
4. Bring over the 1 series hatchback that is verboten in North America in limited numbers, to test the waters. Many people who buy small cars don’t like coupes/convertibles.
5. Put in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes and voila. The 120si is born. The TRUE descendant of the 2002tii.

My advice, if you really want a 1 series, the 128i coupe is more than enough. With a starting price of $28,600, it’s a better value and with the 3.0, 230 hp version of BMWs inline six, you’re not going to lose many stoplight battles.

BMW X6

File this one under the “what were they thinking” category. Two BMWs to avoid in one year?!? Surely I jest. However, BMW continues down the path of disappointment for me, as of late, with the introduction of yet another SUV, or rather, I should say, Sports Utility Coupe. Right. Whatever.

The first X6 to appear will include BMW’s 3.5 liter twin turbo inline six, 6 speed automatic and hill descent control. Really? Are you really going to try off roading with 19” rims with low profile rubber? I thought so. So here we have another truck with a low slung roofline for people who like “the idea” of the outdoors.

Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger

Daimler dumped Chrysler for good reason. Why stick around when your acquired brand keeps turning out duds like this? Admittedly, a lot of the Chrysler lineup in recent years is some of America’s best (see 300, Crossfire and Challenger, for example). However, Chrysler never did get it when it came to mainstream, mid sized vehicles. The innovative cab forward LH sedans are long gone and now we are stuck with the Sebring and Avenger, two cars that suddenly make the Communist era, 2 cycle engined Trabant look appealing.

Where to start? Bad build quality, half assed design, plasticky trim and unrefined powerplants are hallmarks of these sedans. While the Sebring isn’t exactly the best looking vehicle on the road, at least it is tolerable. The Avenger, however, is an aberration. Honestly, the only people I think that would find the styling of this car appealing would be the Blockheads from the Gumby cartoons.

I beg of you, avoid this pair at all costs.

Ford Focus

Look up garbage in the dictionary. Beside it, you will see an image of the 2008 Ford Focus. Never one to disappoint, Ford has laid another egg in the small car market. Just because this car has tons of plastic chrome all over it and the Microsoft SYNC system doesn’t mean it’s a winner. It’s the same old song, really. Cheap plastic, sub par build quality and uninspiring performance. While the original Focus was brought to the U.S. virtually unchanged, over the years, it evolved into a caricature of itself. Now we get a cheap imitation of the superb new Focus that is on sale right now in Europe.

If you are really dying for a small car from Ford, wait another year or two until the redesigned, European market Ford Fiesta arrives on these shores. It will prove to be a better drive.

Jeep Compass/Patriot

Not even the best photographer privy to the most beautiful scenery could distract someone from the fact that these SUVs are possibly the most hideous vehicles on the U.S. new car market today. At the end of 2001, Jeep pulled the plug on what was essentially an icon SUV of its time, the Cherokee. The Liberty, its weak kneed replacement, failed to entice and ever since Jeep has found itself trying to capture the magic of the good old days.

The Compass and Patriot share the same platform, which features a transversely mounted engine available in front or all wheel drive. The Compass has more progressive styling while the Patriot tries to ape the original boxiness of the Cherokee. No matter. They both suck. Note the weak powerplants, poor gas mileage and an interior that makes a medium security penitentiary look appealing. Then thank me for saving you from throwing your hard earned money down the drain.

Lexus Hybrids

The Lexus hybrids are for poseur environmentalists, pure and simple. Even the most efficient hybrid in the lineup, the front wheel drive RX330h gets about the same gas mileage on a combined cycle as my V6 powered Mercedes-Benz C230 Sport Sedan. The thing about my Mercedes is that it is faster and can, of course, out corner the Lexus. The most ridiculous of all Lexus hybrids is the range topping, $104,765 (including delivery) LS 600h L. This “hybrid” barely squeaks out 20 miles to the gallon on a tank. Inspiring.

If Lexus wants to start making inroads into the green movement, their best bet would be to follow the tastes of the European market and bring their 4 cylinder IS220D (diesel) sedan here to the U.S market. Diesels have proven to be just as clean these days as hybrids, without much of the complexity. You also don’t have to worry about how to recycle the batteries which the electric drive systems run on. You have to wonder, what are all of these tree huggers going to do when those batteries die? Open up a museum?

Lexus IS-F

Having been distracted by hybrids, Lexus suddenly realized it was missing out on the fun when it came to compact executive performance machines. So welcome the IS-F, a V8 engined IS sedan strapped with an 8 (yes, eight) speed automatic. However, M3 drivers need not apply, since it is not as hard edged as it looks and sounds.

First, the styling. The hood has a hump higher than a camel’s back and the rest of the body cladding is too boy racer for the over $50,000 crowd. The stacked exhaust tips are just plain gimmicky. The interior, while appearing a bit sportier, is still geared towards the retirement crowd set that Lexus keeps squarely in its crosshairs.

What amuses me most, however, is how Lexus responded to an advertisement by Audi which mocked their automatic parallel parking feature (available on the LS sedan), showing an A4 sedan doing a 180 spin into a parallel spot and flashing the phrase on the screen “the luxury car for people who can park themselves.” Lexus downplayed it with a response along the lines of if you’ve got it, it doesn’t mean you have to flaunt it. Now we see Lexus doing an about face, acting like they know everything when it comes to high performance. Pick your battles, Lexus. The Germans have been doing high performance for years, and quite well, thank you. My advice? Stick to hybrids and your constituency in Boca Raton, Florida.

Mercedes SLR Roadster

The Mercedes SLR Roadster, admittedly, is not on most people’s short lists when they are kicking the tires on new car lots. This is a toy for the rich. However much of an engineering marvel this is, I can’t help but think its $495,000 price tag is over inflated, considering there are other vastly superior supercars, such as the fantastic Audi R8 and Ferrari F599 GTB Fiorano.

The SLR handles well, is a demon in a straight line and does just about everything extremely well. However, with and automatic gearbox and luxury accoutrements, it’s not quite the real deal. As a grand touring vehicle, it may pass muster, but even then it is probably a bit too hard edged for that market demographic.

Admittedly, another couple hundred thousand dollars for people who are spending almost half a million on a vehicle probably don’t care that cars like the more enticing and frankly more sporting Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is more than $200,000 cheaper. But on plain performance merits, there are vastly better supercars out there for the money.

Nissan Maxima

The Nissan Maxima soldiers on for yet another model cycle and I still am perplexed as to where it belongs in the Nissan lineup. The Nissan Altima is just about as large and well equipped. The superb new Infiniti G37 is not much more expensive. With the Infiniti, you also get better handling balance with rear or all wheel drive.

The new restyle is, by any standards, bizarre. While the styling is different, different doesn’t always equate to tasteful. There are too many conflicting lines and creases in the bodywork, the optional rear deck lid spoiler is out of proportion and there is just a bit too much front overhang, which many front wheel drive cars suffer from. In sum, the Maxima was, at one point, a fine sports sedan. Advertisements from the late 1980s labeled it as the “four door sports car.” However, it has become too big, bloated and pricy for its own good. It is no longer worth the sheet metal from which it is built.

Scion xD

The Scion brand was created to bring a youthful base back to Toyota. The original lineup included the small and efficient xA hatchback and funky, purposeful and easily modded xB mini wagon. Shortly thereafter, the tC coupe, a fine little pocket rocket, joined these two in Scion showrooms.

With the xD, Toyota lost sight of the plot, which was to prove that cheap didn’t have to mean boring. The xD is a depressing replacement for the fresh looking xB, no matter how horrid a drive that car was. As with every car these days, it seems as if the xD is bloated in comparison to the xB. Much of the interior design is over exaggerated as well. Think of the xD as a less appealing Toyota Yaris for those who appreciate cubism.

Toyota Sequoia

Japan has an infatuation with Godzilla. What else could explain this hideously oversized vehicle?

The Sequoia, much like the Nissan Armada, has shown the Japanese are capable of pandering to fleeting market trends. Now these manufacturers find themselves in a pickle, as rising gas prices and tougher fuel economy standards are putting the hurt on the big SUV business. Perhaps it was the Big Three’s idea to run away with a stranglehold on the big SUV market, con the Japanese into taking their lead and then regress into building the smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles we have seen from them as of late.

At least it makes for a good conspiracy theory.