By Tom Crosby
These vehicle reviews may help you choose from the more than 200 different 2007 models. Base prices are quoted. For more information, contact AAA Carolinas Car Buying Service at 800-231-0349 or visit aaa.com, click on automotive, new car purchasing and car reviews for more reviews.
CHEVROLET AVALANCHE K1500 4WD - $35,295
It’s rare, but automakers sometimes improve a vehicle and reduce the price. The 2007 upgraded Chevrolet Avalanche, is $2,000 less than last year and can be called either an SUV or pickup truck. With the midgate up, it comfortably seats five and when down, and rear seats tucked away, the open truck bed grows from 5.3-feet to 8.2 feet. Using a 5.3-liter V-8 engine, our test drive also used E85 ethanol fuel, which reduced our average mileage, to less than 16 mpg. Even active fuel management that seamlessly shifted from 8 to 4 cylinders when extra power wasn’t needed, couldn’t improve the gas mileage. Extra safety features, like overhead air curtains for rollovers, are options included in equipment group purchases. The ride is cathedral quiet with the midgate up. Handling is better than average for a vehicle built on a SUV platform.
LIKES: Versatility, interior spaciousness
DISLIKE: Gas mileage
BOTTOM LINE: You can’t help love a better vehicle for less money.
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT SPYDER - $28,269
A convertible named the Spyder was added for 2007 to the Eclipse coupe, which was redone last year and comes in a four-cylinder engine (GT version) or a six-cylinder GT, our peppy and great handling test-drive vehicle. The Porsche-like profile turned heads and a short-throw, six speed manual transmission shifted flawlessly. The cloth top folds away automatically in 20 seconds and the rear glass is heated. The trunk is small, the rear seats too cramped for adults but a Rockford Fosgate audio system overcame wind noise. The black plastic and red leather interior had an upscale look befitting a sexy convertible.
LIKE: Handling, looks, power
DISLIKE: Back seat space, tire noise
BOTTOM LINE: Great profile and performance; a ragtop lover’s delight.
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 4DR SEDAN - $25,900
In 2007 America’s best-selling car, the Camry, was restyled, with a new interior and outside profile, more power, and for the first time, added a hybrid model, our test drive. There are 11 Camrys, the least expensive being the 4-cylinder CE with manual transmission for $18,270. The hybrid’s better mileage (16 more miles per gallon in the city) and cleaner emissions comes at a price, but includes many standard features that are normally options for the lesser priced Camrys. The gas engine and battery power generate a combined 192 horsepower, which is adequate but creates a thirst for more horses. Safety features are strong, fit and finish excellent and handling will please most drivers.
LIKE: Mileage, interior quality
DISLIKE: Lack of power, price
BOTTOM LINE: Hybrid adds another choice to legion of Camry customers.
JAGUAR XK V-8 CONVERTIBLE - $80, 835
Sometimes to get the best in life, you have to be financially successful. Still, XK’s have been Jaguar’s best-selling sports model of all time. A complete redo for 2007 just improved everything - space, speed, style and safety.
Comfortable for front and back seat passengers, a tweaked engine gets 6 more horsepower, the classic and elegant look was refined and the chassis strengthened by 50% but the car is 140-pounds lighter due to aluminum materials, which absorb energy better in a crash. So much fun to drive with numerous technological assists, it feels like leaving a loved one when you park it. The cloth top drops in 18 seconds and there is still modest trunk room.
LIKE: Performance, looks, luxury
DISLIKES: Price, road noise
BOTTOM LINE: Still beautiful, high-performance, legendary, bring wallet. |
