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.
BMW 335i COUPE - $40,900
Some cars just create a racetrack mentality with their lightning quickness and superb handling. Add good looks and you have the all-new BMW 335i coupe, with a 300 horsepower, inline 6-cylinder, turbo-charged engine – only the third use of a turbo by BMW in a gasoline-powered vehicle. This rear-wheel drive dynamo uses a new 5-link rear suspension to put road feedback into the seat, not the steering wheel, and comes with high-performance brakes, stability control and rack-and-pinion steering for extra-ordinary driver control and balance. The outside profile, with a hood powerdome, is low, sleek and incorporates traditional BMW features. Options improve performance and interior comfort. The cockpit is snug and comfortable; the trunk spacious. Red radio station displays disappear while wearing sunglasses. Two spring-out cupholders are too shallow for many coffee cups but driving this jewel requires two hands on the wheel to go with the driver’s smile.
LIKES: Handling, quickness, profile
DISLIKES: Cupholder design, audio display
BOTTOM LINE: Pure driving pleasure, and enthusiast’s dream.
LINCOLN MKX AWD WAGON - $35,770
Lincoln adds the MKX crossover this year to provide more luxury than the typical SUV and compete at a lower base price with Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX and Lexus RX. Built on the same platform as Ford’s Edge, MKX costs more and may find the Edge its main competition. But those who love luxury will revel in MKX’s standard leather seats with wood trim, 18-inch wheels on 14-spoke chrome rims and monochromatic look set off by stylish chrome touches outside. Versatility is a strong point with easy to fold-flat/restore rear seats. MKXs come only with automatic transmission and either front or all-wheel drive, our tester. The comfortable, not sporty, ride comes due to a four-wheel independent suspension system. Seats are supportive and built for pleasant, longer trips. Standard safety features are strong: roll-stability, traction assist, dual-stage air bags and anti-lock brakes.
LIKES: Ride, space, comfort
DISLIKES: No manual transmission option
BOTTOM LINE: Versatile wagon for long trips, Ford Edge may be main competition.
KIA AMANTI - $25,495
Amanti, Kia’s flagship sedan, redesigned for 2007 its look, upgraded the engine, improved gas mileage, reduced weight and now uses regular, not premium, gasoline. The sole Amanti edition uses an automatic transmission with Sportmatic (for manual shifting), a 3.6-liter aluminum engine with 64 more horsepower (now 264) and 40 ft-lb. more torque (now 260). City gas mileage increase from 17 mpg to 19, highway went up from 25 to 26 mpg. Despite improvements, the base price is only $500 more than the 2004 Amanti. Options added stability control, heated front seats in leather, upgraded audio system, sunroof, and 17-inch tires. Amanti won the 2005 J. D. Powers customer satisfaction survey and its luxurious-looking exterior and comfort-designed interior make it a contender again in the premium mid-size category. The automatic transmission doesn’t react as quickly as the Sportmatic. Made for comfort, it exhibits slight lean in turns and has most standard safety features.
LIKES: Outside/inside design, safety, power
DISLIKES: Lean in turns.
BOTTOM LINE: Improvements make it a more formidable competitor.
JAGUAR S-TYPE R – $63,335
The Jaguar S-Type R is tops among the three S-Types, using a supercharged 4.2-liter engine to provide more power and sports-car performance than the S-Type 3.0 and S-Type 4.2. Hopping off the line with 400-horsepower from a 32-valve, V-8 engine, this four-door sedan enters sports car territory reaching 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. A computerized suspension system, which adjusts to road impurities, angles and speed, makes the rear-wheel drive Type-R a thrill to drive. Race-inspired Brembo brakes on 18-inch wheels help correct over-enthusiastic maneuvers. A voice-activated navigation system takes training to master, then performs with accuracy and ease. Ground clearance is 4.1 inches to help the aerodynamics but the front fascia can run up on concrete bars in parking lots. Back-in parking is needed. Handling, ride and high quality fit and finish are top notch.
LIKES: Performance, looks, Jaguar envy
DISLIKES: Price, ground clearance
BOTTOM LINE: If you can afford it, there is no reason not to buy it.
Did You Know?
AAA’s Car Buying Service can help you locate the exact new or used vehicle you are looking for. We’ll even deliver it to your home or office! Call 1 (800) 231-0338 today!
Tom Crosby is Vice President of Communications at AAA Carolinas. Contact AAA Car Buying Service at (800) 231-0349 or AAA.com/carbuying. |
