2015 Lexus RX350 Review | Smoothly Uncomplicated
We review one of Lexus best selling vehicles. Typically high volume model make sacrifices watch the review to find out of this is just another mass market SUV.
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Friday, March 20, 2015
2015 Lexus RX350 | Smooth and Uncomplicated
We review one of Lexus best selling vehicles. Typically high volume model make sacrifices watch the review to find out of this is just another mass market SUV.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
2015 GMC Yukon Review
The Monster 2015 GMC Yukon Review
There is no doubt this is a big truck. Suspending our own beliefs in what makes a good car or truck was difficult here, to be subjective given our background in performance driving this was a stretch. But luckily it was almost too easy to get used to the GMC. As soon as we entered the Yukon, aside from 12 MPG, we could see how someone would part with 65k for this beast.
Not only was it comfortable, it handled, accelerated and stopped almost too well for its size. In fact after about a week and a few thousand miles we could find almost no real faults. This is a large SUV at its best. Most of the gripes were small. Feeble MPG, a high brake pedal, interior plastics, and rear cargo lighting were about it.
However, the core elements of the truck were so good here that here if someone wants one of the best large SUVs the GMC Yukon is one of them. For more details review the YouTube Video above for greater detail.
For Large SUV Class:
Engine: 8/10
Trans: 9/10
Handling: 8/10
Towing: 9/10
Ergonomics 8/10
Interior Comfort: 9/10
Interior Storage: 9/10
Cargo Capacity/Usability: 8/10
Infotainment: 7/10
Safety: 9/10
Fit and Finish: 9/10
Fuel Economy: 6/10
Overall Score: 8.5/10
SavageGeese
Pros:
Cons:
Not only was it comfortable, it handled, accelerated and stopped almost too well for its size. In fact after about a week and a few thousand miles we could find almost no real faults. This is a large SUV at its best. Most of the gripes were small. Feeble MPG, a high brake pedal, interior plastics, and rear cargo lighting were about it.
However, the core elements of the truck were so good here that here if someone wants one of the best large SUVs the GMC Yukon is one of them. For more details review the YouTube Video above for greater detail.
For Large SUV Class:
Engine: 8/10
Trans: 9/10
Handling: 8/10
Towing: 9/10
Ergonomics 8/10
Interior Comfort: 9/10
Interior Storage: 9/10
Cargo Capacity/Usability: 8/10
Infotainment: 7/10
Safety: 9/10
Fit and Finish: 9/10
Fuel Economy: 6/10
Overall Score: 8.5/10
SavageGeese
Pros:
- Ride Quality
- Acceleration
- Interior Sound Deadening
- Sound Quality and Tech Features
- Handling
- Tow Capacity
- Cargo Volume
- Prestige Factor
Cons:
- Rear Interior Lighting
- Fuel Economy
- Quirky Lane Departure and Collision Detection Alerts
- Lack of centralized hardware infotainment control
- Brake Pedal Height
Large and Muscular Front End
Large Side Profile, Elegant
The Taken Scene
On the Road, Sunset
Being Followed By Local PD
Again Being Escorted by Local PD
Thursday, November 13, 2014
2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review
The 2015 MX-5 can be summed up by saying it’s simple, agile
and enjoyable to drive.
Non-intimidating like eating a hot dog (unless you are vegan or vegetarian) The third generation 2015 MX-5 tester features a power retractable hard top, limited slip differential and Bilstein dampers. After a nearly 10 year lifecycle most have seen it, heard about it and maybe driven it. The interior is bare bones, simple but heavily dated. Center stack is not much to look and steering wheel is very skinny without proper ergo thumb grips like in Mazda3 and 6.
Non-intimidating like eating a hot dog (unless you are vegan or vegetarian) The third generation 2015 MX-5 tester features a power retractable hard top, limited slip differential and Bilstein dampers. After a nearly 10 year lifecycle most have seen it, heard about it and maybe driven it. The interior is bare bones, simple but heavily dated. Center stack is not much to look and steering wheel is very skinny without proper ergo thumb grips like in Mazda3 and 6.
The exterior with many refreshes still has that unique “Miata”
look as most can immediately identify it by first glance. Interior space is
exactly what you would expect from a small convertible but for those who fit it’s
a comfortable place. Trunk space is something that will handle a few overnight
bags and toolbox. The real magic however
is the driving experience.
The MX-5 has neutral handling, great manual transmission
with short gearing and plenty peppy 2.0L make this light weight car fun to
drive. It’s just as simple as winding it
out over and over again. Chassis
rigidity is not all bad, some cowl shake of course but overall this car just
gives the driver confidence to push. The
only real issue we take is just how rollie pollie it feels. There is just too much suspension lean and
body roll. Looking at the suspension
geometry we can tell this car was setup for motorsports which means you can
lower it and still have plenty of suspension travel without having to fiddle
with bump steer kits, roll center corrections and that maybe why in stock form
the car just seems to roll plenty before suspension sets.
The ride makes it feel less intimidating and edgy but also
makes for an extremely livable daily driver.
Overall if someone is in the market for a small sporty convertible, there are not many options, actually this is it and there is a reason for it.
Mazda Notes:
"Ball joints on the rear give more precise handling than rubber bushings. Rear suspension is surprisingly important for steering response."
·
"The PRHT is softer than the soft top, so those
who want a sharper, stiffer car should go for the soft top club spec"
·
"Miatas always have soft suspension with a fair
amount of roll. Reason is that soft suspension gives better tire contact on
rough roads, and good roads are always rough. The best back roads roads are the
ones without other cars on them, and those roads are always poorly
maintained."
Pros:
- Motor
- Trans
- Neutral chassis
- Suspension adjustability and setup
- Easy to drive
- Lightweight
- Comfortable (If you fit)
- Motorsports heritage
Cons:
- Dated Interior
- Body Roll
- Seats are flat and unsupportive
- Seat Heaters insanely hot
- Center console storage marginal
- Life cycle absurd
- Zero Prestige
Monday, November 10, 2014
2015 Buick Lacrosse Review
Can Buick change perceptions? We soon find out with our latest mainstream review.
When the Buick was dropped off it was one of our last nice days of warmer weather and sunshine. The car's metallic paint really stood out. After driving it the 30 feet it's not really what we expected at all. Sure we saw the press materials and other reviews, but the quality of the interior and sculpted exterior were much different in person. It took about 10 minutes with the car to come up with one description that stuck throughout the test drives, "solid."
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The doors, and trunk deck lid felt hinges and many other details resonated high quality and luxury by most standards. After the initial impressions wore off we continued to drive and drive. And frankly this is what the car does best. The steering, stability and solidity of the suspension and chassis made for a comfortable yet entertaining drive. The 3.6L V6 with DI and VVT makes around 300HP, but with AWD it has 4100lbs to haul around. The acceleration was ample for the the car is and we can see why they stuck with this motor here as it's just about right for the chassis. The Lacrosse has some German underpinnings from Opel in Germany which is immediately apparent when behind the wheel.
Solidity and confidence is exactly what this AWD model exudes. Over almost every surface, drive frantically or smoothly the car just feels balanced and neutral. Now of course it's not all about driving and Buick wants to lead in tech features and that it does. Our tester had about every option you could spec, including cross traffic alerts, blind spot warning, following distance sensors, adaptive cruise control, 4G Hot Spot and the list goes on. If you go the Buick website this car can be customized so deeply we can't imagine someone not finding what they want.
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The interior quality and comfort is about as good as it gets at the 40k price range. There is no way someone large or small won't achieve a comfortable driving position. And even with front seats all the way back there is still leg room for the passenger. Even trunk space is absurd, we were able to fit wheelchairs, luggage, bags, camera gear and much more.
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When we strip all of the good away, our biggest complaint came from all the optional electronics. In a word it was just overbearing, too in your face and everyone we placed in the car complained about it being too complicated. Have to menu jump to many times to adjust this that and the other. The head unit/center stack touch screen sensitivity was hit or miss. It often lagged and sometimes things never even opened. The lack of dedicated ergonomic physical control for the touch screen make it hard to use while driving, too much menu jumping to do what you wanted. Although refreshed, the new capacitive touch controls for HVAC were impossible to use without looking down at where you had to place your finger as there is no tactile feedback, its a guessing game. Standard rotary knobs or a physical control would be more suited here. It looks cool of course but not all that functional.
On a positive note the Bose Centerpoint sound system was terrific. We have heard similar setups on other cars but due to the sound insulation in the Buick you can't really ask for much more.
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In conclusion most of the complaint items are small, as they are optional. At around 40k for the AWD model excluding the pricey electronic options, this car is one to test drive side by side with the likes of the outgoing TL. It drives better, feels more solid and has more for your money. Now the question is can the mainstream buyer look past the Buick badge? That will be the uphill battle for Buick as a brand. If this car is any sign of things to come, we think many people will be cross shopping and buying these cars sooner than later.
When the Buick was dropped off it was one of our last nice days of warmer weather and sunshine. The car's metallic paint really stood out. After driving it the 30 feet it's not really what we expected at all. Sure we saw the press materials and other reviews, but the quality of the interior and sculpted exterior were much different in person. It took about 10 minutes with the car to come up with one description that stuck throughout the test drives, "solid."
The doors, and trunk deck lid felt hinges and many other details resonated high quality and luxury by most standards. After the initial impressions wore off we continued to drive and drive. And frankly this is what the car does best. The steering, stability and solidity of the suspension and chassis made for a comfortable yet entertaining drive. The 3.6L V6 with DI and VVT makes around 300HP, but with AWD it has 4100lbs to haul around. The acceleration was ample for the the car is and we can see why they stuck with this motor here as it's just about right for the chassis. The Lacrosse has some German underpinnings from Opel in Germany which is immediately apparent when behind the wheel.
Solidity and confidence is exactly what this AWD model exudes. Over almost every surface, drive frantically or smoothly the car just feels balanced and neutral. Now of course it's not all about driving and Buick wants to lead in tech features and that it does. Our tester had about every option you could spec, including cross traffic alerts, blind spot warning, following distance sensors, adaptive cruise control, 4G Hot Spot and the list goes on. If you go the Buick website this car can be customized so deeply we can't imagine someone not finding what they want.
The interior quality and comfort is about as good as it gets at the 40k price range. There is no way someone large or small won't achieve a comfortable driving position. And even with front seats all the way back there is still leg room for the passenger. Even trunk space is absurd, we were able to fit wheelchairs, luggage, bags, camera gear and much more.
When we strip all of the good away, our biggest complaint came from all the optional electronics. In a word it was just overbearing, too in your face and everyone we placed in the car complained about it being too complicated. Have to menu jump to many times to adjust this that and the other. The head unit/center stack touch screen sensitivity was hit or miss. It often lagged and sometimes things never even opened. The lack of dedicated ergonomic physical control for the touch screen make it hard to use while driving, too much menu jumping to do what you wanted. Although refreshed, the new capacitive touch controls for HVAC were impossible to use without looking down at where you had to place your finger as there is no tactile feedback, its a guessing game. Standard rotary knobs or a physical control would be more suited here. It looks cool of course but not all that functional.
On a positive note the Bose Centerpoint sound system was terrific. We have heard similar setups on other cars but due to the sound insulation in the Buick you can't really ask for much more.
In conclusion most of the complaint items are small, as they are optional. At around 40k for the AWD model excluding the pricey electronic options, this car is one to test drive side by side with the likes of the outgoing TL. It drives better, feels more solid and has more for your money. Now the question is can the mainstream buyer look past the Buick badge? That will be the uphill battle for Buick as a brand. If this car is any sign of things to come, we think many people will be cross shopping and buying these cars sooner than later.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
AP Racing USA Tour
We talk to Jeff Ritter at Essex to learn more about the distribution and tech side of brakes.
S2000 vs. 86 Platform Part 2 Track Battle
S2000 vs 86 Part 2 Track Review
Welcome back to part two of the S2000 vs. 86 Track Review. Since we already have tested the stock BRZ and FRS on the track we know that it cannot compete in terms of performance with the S2000. But let's pretend for a minute if Toyota and Subaru released a higher performance trim level like a TRD or STI model with the same wheel horsepower as the S2000 how would they compete? That is what we attempt to simulate here.
PART 2:
0:00-1:22 Introduction
1:22-1:51 Disclaimer and Leveling Playing Field
1:52-2:36 Comparing Drivers
2:37-4:52 The FR-S Supercharged Laptime
4:53-5:28 The Mythical TRD/STI 86
5:28-6:36 The real values stock vs. stock
6:37-7:07 The initial results and switching drivers
7:08-10:17 Flat out the Track Comparison
10:17-11:11 The results and impressions
11:11-12:08 Conclusion Not a race car
11:00-12:24 Thoughts on the 86
12:24-14:09 The Winner
14:09-17:03 Outtakes
17:03-17:54 Credits
2005 S2000 Stock:
POWER: 208HP 150lbsTq Dynojet (Wheel horsepower)
Tires: Hankook RS3 225/255
Brakes: Carbotech XP12 Pads
Oil: Redline 10w30
Alignment: -2.2F -1.5R Camber
2013 Scion FRS Supercharged:
Power: 212HP 181lbsTq Dynojet (Wheel Horsepower)
Tires: 235 Hankook RS3s
Brakes: AP Sprint Project Mu 999 Pads
Cooling: Liquid to Air Oil Cooler | Perrin Tune
Oil: Redline 10w30
Suspenion: Ohlins | -3.0F -2.0R Camber
Special Thanks:
CSG for Brake Support
Music: Freesoundproject and
http://connorengstrom.com/ for SF Remix.
S2000 vs. 86 Platform Part 1
We review the S2000 vs. the GT86 (BRZ FR-S) platform stock and with forced induction to compare the differences and to find out which is the better sports car. The most comprehensive review series on these two cars starts now.
Part 2 - Track Comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gluk3...
See our other videos for full reviews of the FR-S
S2000
0:00 - 0:52 Introduction Montage
0:52 - 2:32 The History and Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara
2:32 - 6:07 Under the Skin with Turbowski
6:07 - 9:02 Getting Inside
9:02 - 11:22 Driving Impressions Analog vs Digital
11:23 - 11:43 Learning the Hard Way - RIP
11:45 - 12:17 S2000 Final Thoughts
GT86 - FR-S - BRZ and Supercharged FR-S
12:17 - 14:12 The 86 Platform History with Engineers Tada San
14:12 - 16:10 Interior Overview and Engineering
16:11 - 18:01 Driving the Stock BRZ, FR-S and GT86
18:01 - 19:57 Driving the Supercharged FR-S
20:00 - 20:45 Final Thoughts and Track Review Coming Soon
20:45 Outtakes
The Full 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback Review
We test and review the 2014 Mazda 3 Hatchback. Our new review series starts today.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
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The Vortech Supercharged Track Test
Vortech Track Testing - Install and Final Thoughts - Scion FR-S BRZ - GT-86
Ohlins Suspension Install and Factory Interviews
The interview and install of the Ohlins Road and Track
kit for the Scion FR-S
kit for the Scion FR-S
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The Marginal Scion FR-S / BRZ Review | Chapter 3 Final Review
CHAPTER 3: THE MARGINAL FR-S / BRZ FINAL REVIEW
This is the final review in this series. It will prepare the way for the next series which will take people through the process of installing testing and evaluating forced induction.
0:00 - 3:39 | Dynometer Test: Testing the FR-S on a dyno and issues we saw
3:40 - 9:37 | Test Drive: Comparing S2000 against the FR-S with Harry Cash
9:41 - 16:06 | Autox: Comparing Driver Variable (stock vs. modified)
16:07 - 27:14 | Track Prep: Preparing the FR-S for track use
27:15 - 35:56 | Track Test: At home but far from perfect
This is the final review in this series. It will prepare the way for the next series which will take people through the process of installing testing and evaluating forced induction.
- Street Review: Featuring Harry Cash (Comparing S2000 and FR-S)
- Stock Dyno Test
- Alignment
- Safety Prep for Track
- AutoX: Comparing the Driver Variable
- Track Test: Gingerman Raceway
0:00 - 3:39 | Dynometer Test: Testing the FR-S on a dyno and issues we saw
3:40 - 9:37 | Test Drive: Comparing S2000 against the FR-S with Harry Cash
9:41 - 16:06 | Autox: Comparing Driver Variable (stock vs. modified)
16:07 - 27:14 | Track Prep: Preparing the FR-S for track use
27:15 - 35:56 | Track Test: At home but far from perfect
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