The big news this week was Toyota, Toyota, Toyota. Reports of unintended acceleration topped the list of our most-read stories. In fact, the only non-Toyota story comes from our reviewer David Thomas, who is documenting his “long-term test drive” of the Subaru Outback. Check out all five stories below.
A reader wants to know the pros and cons of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner Limited versus the 2010 Ford Edge Limited, and Ask.cars.com makes the comparison. Then, PickupTrucks.com has spy photos of the Mopar Ram Power Wagon. Finally, MotherProof.com has a tour around the momosphere, which includes an interesting take on the Oscars.
It seems the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking for more power to regulate the automotive industry. The head of the agency said to a U.S. House panel yesterday that NHTSA needs to regulate “in a way that allows the auto industry to build and sell safe products that the consumer wants to drive."
Many lawmakers lambasted the agency for not moving fast enough and posited that brake override systems could also become a mandatory safety feature, and fines could be increased. In 2006, NHTSA proposed mandatory additions of black boxes or EDRs – electronic data recorders – to all cars. That rule will go into effect in 2012. Toyota and other automakers have asked for a one-year extension on that deadline.
“Disappointed Acura Owner” from Washington, D.C., has a few kind words for the 2010 Acura TL, but found it lacking overall. Read the full review to find out why the TL let this owner down, and why he thinks he’ll be trading it in for something else in the near future. There are plenty of competitive vehicles in this segment, including sport wagons that have more room. After getting the lowdown on the TL, write a review of your own car here.
“First, I give major kudos for the technology side of the car and cockpit feel. Having owned a 2005 TL, I was looking forward to upgrading to the all-wheel-drive TL with Tech.
“Disappointments:
“1) The shape of trunk opening: not very functional. The angled edges makes larger boxes difficult, if not impossible, to get in. it’s a serious let down for the exterior design.
“2) Rear seat pass-through only: Even the TSX has a 60/40-split folding rear seat for greater utility. I don't see why the TL can't have one, too. Most sedans in this class offer this either standard or at least as an option.
“3) Bucktooth beak: I can't take it anymore. The previous style was classy or at least not so extreme.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the 2011 TSX wagon looks and performs. If it is available in AWD V6 Tech package, I will be probably trade in the TL.
“Overall, if you need all-wheel drive and practical functionality combined with performance, I recommend waiting to compare the TSX wagon with some sport wagons or at least all-wheel-drive sedans that don't have the limitations mentioned above.
“Some possible options include the Cadillac CTS (and wagon), Infiniti G37, Audi A6 (and Avant), or BMW 5 Series (plus GT and wagon). It depends how much performance and function you need.
“But I am disappointed with the TL and will be trading it in.”
Ford just unveiled its replacement for the aging Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which has been a law enforcement staple for decades. Taking the Crown Vic’s place in your rearview mirror will be what we know as the 2010 Ford Taurus — a particularly awesome version of the Taurus in police spec, if you ask us.
Police departments across the country won’t be piloting just any Taurus off dealership lots. Ford says approximately 90 percent of the interior has been redesigned for police use. Some features you won’t find in a regular Taurus that your local police department will have include:
Anti-stab plates built into the front seatbacks
Column-mounted gear selector
Heavy-duty brakes
Heavy-duty alternator
Larger radiator and purpose-built cooling system
Vented wheels for brake system cooling
Back door hinges that open an additional 10 degrees
Vinyl rear seats
Like the Taurus you currently see on the road, the interceptor version will feature a 263-hp V-6 engine or a high-output 365-hp, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 with all-wheel drive.
You can expect to see the Taurus Interceptor patrolling the streets in late 2011 when Crown Victoria production is scheduled to end.
The Mazda5 inhabits a strange place on the minivan landscape: It’s really a microvan. Far smaller than a standard minivan, it occupies a niche, but is anyone interested in that niche. Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder sizes up the 2010 Mazda5 to find out if it can find its place as an alternative to larger, roomier competitors.
Honda takes aim at a very specific niche with the dog-friendly 2010 Honda Element. Cars.com reviewer David Thomas has his dog Roxy test out the $1,000 worth of doggy amenities, such as a rear-cargo kennel and all-weather floormats, and they get a big thumbs up. Still, the dog will never have to drive, so we have to ask: How will humans feel about it?
Otis Raring of Austin, Texas, went shopping for a minivan on Cars.com and found a 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring with only 2,600 miles on it at a dealership in Riverhead, N.Y. This already sounded like a great deal before the salesman said that the minivan had just been returned on a two-year lease by Jerry Seinfeld.
For anyone who doesn’t see the absolute majesty of this story, there is a classic episode of “Seinfeld” in which George Costanza buys an ’83 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country because he thinks it used to belong to actor Jon Voight. (Turns out it belonged to a dentist named John Voight.)
Despite living in Texas, the barely used Odyssey was too good a deal to pass up for Raring — whether it was owned by Jerry Seinfeld or Gerri Seinfeld.
So he flew out to New York and used uShip.com to cut down on his traveling expenses. Through the site, Raring hooked up with a couple of people and agreed to transport a few items on his road trip back for money. We’ve heard many stories of users flying to pick up a car, but this is the first one mentioning this creative way to help offset the cost.
As icing on the cake and proof that it was once Seinfeld’s car, the GPS unit had the comedian’s Hamptons address still programmed in.
For the record, Cars.com does not claim it can find more celebrity minivans, though we hear Ted Danson’s Sienna may still have a lightly chewed pencil in the glove compartment.
It’s been 55 years since road deaths were as low as they were in 2009. Fatalities in 2009 fell 3,300 from 2008 to 33,693. That’s the least amount of deaths since 1954, and traffic deaths have fallen nearly 10,000 since 2005. Not only did the total number of deaths drop, but the rate of fatalities is at its lowest level ever, at 1.16 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and others attribute the drop in deaths to the recession and folks driving less. But because the rate is also lower, it’s likely that safety improvements to new cars are another reason. Others have pointed to safety campaigns for wearing seat belts and drunken driving prevention as well.
The 2011 Nissan GT-R supercar will start at $84,060. With the 2011, you get 485 horsepower from a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that's paired with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
This represents a bump in price from last year’s model, which started at $80,790.
The price range for the competition is vast because base models can start relatively low but skyrocket when you start adding goodies. For instance, the 2010 Porsche 911 starts at $77,800, but the price climbs rapidly once you start moving up the trim levels.
The 2010 Chevy Corvette Z06 has a starting MSRP of $74,285, but it can hit north of $100,000 just as easily as the GT-R or 911.
The 2011 Nissan GT-R can be found at select Nissan dealers.
“Disappointed Acura Owner” from Washington, D.C., has a few kind words for the 2010 Acura TL, but found it lacking overall. Read the full review to find out why the TL let this owner down, and why he thinks he’ll be trading it in for something else in the near future. There are plenty of competitive vehicles in this segment, including sport wagons that have more room. After getting the lowdown on the TL, write a review of your own car