-=- Always Half Empty -=-

Colorado Review

2008-05-17T05:32:00.000-07:00

I recently got a chance to drive the Chevrolet Colorado. First impressions for the exterior was the bold front end. It has a real rugged look that also appeals to both the working class, as well as customer truck modifiers. Also, the Colorado is larger than the S-10 it replaces in Chevy's line up. The interior has a good amount of space. However the interior is very much a truck, no unnecessary extras, very basic GM. The Colorado come standard with a 2.9-liter, 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine. A 242-hp, 3.7-liter five-cylinder engine is optional. Both these engine combos link up to either a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual gearbox. Chevrolet offers Z85 heavy-duty and Z71 off-road packages that add a torsion-bar front suspension with heavier-duty shocks. There's also the street-oriented Xtreme Package, which features a lowered, performance-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels and performance tires, and cosmetic modifications. Until 2007 the four-cylinder engine displaced 2.8 liters and made 175 hp, while the five-cylinder was a 3.5-liter good for 220 hp. Also, some personal reviews I found question the reliability of this truck, so be warned.

-Pricing

$15,195 - $25,100

-Personal Note

It's a fun to drive aggressive looking work, or sport truck. Although lacking in the power front and with no V6 option, it's not going to kill it on the track. This truck can get the job done for light duty work, The interior is no thrills as compared to other trucks in it's class. However the price is right in my mind, I would not mind owning this truck.

Mazda 3 Review

2008-05-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

This car is great buy. In comparison to Volkswagen the Mazda 3 gives you more bang for the buck. They come sporting either a 2.0L 4 cylinder with 148 hp, or a 2.3L with 156hp. Available in 2 different packages an 'i' package which is the base model with a 4 speed manual gear box, or the 'S' Package which comes with the 5 speed automatic. Also available is a 5 speed manual. The 3 comes complete with an amazing sound system. And for the price range of about $13,282 - $20,196 you can't really go wrong.

Oops, did I forget? The 3 is also available as the Mazdaspeed 3, with 263 turbo charged 2.3L engine. Look out over priced GTi's, this car can move and handle. Not to mention the 6 speed gearbox will put a smile and anyone's face lucky enough to drive it! Zero-to-60 time is published to be 5.9 seconds, and top speed is a governed 155mph. The bottom line on the 3 is $26,870.

-Note
With 81,000K on my mazda 3, I can speak for the reliability first hand when I say this car seems to last!

10th Birthday for the Bug!

2008-05-13T12:48:00.001-07:00

As you may or may not know. It's the new Beetle's 10th. The New Beetle was released in 1998, removing the Cabrio from the product line. Many people were thrilled by the return of the bug as sales have shown. With total U.S. sales exceeding 500,000 units as of April 2008. The Bug has also seen updates as this time passed, with the 07 release of the updated Beetle sporting a 2.5L engine and new styling ques and bolder lines.

The DSG transmission

2008-05-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

The DSG transmission was developed by VW & Audi. This is an amazing transmission. It delivers more power to the wheels than a standard automatic transmission. That is mostly due to the fact, it's not really an automatic transmission at all. The DSG is actually more like 2 3 speed manual transmissions in one. There is no clutch on the DSG transmission it's controlled electronically. When starting from idle the transmission is in 1st and 2nd gear, however the clutch is engaged on second gear. The vehicle takes off in first gear and when it is ready to go into secondary gear the clutch is applied to the first transmission and automatically swaps to 4th gear, as the 2nd transmission is engaged. The result of this technology is a faster gear change than any human can do. According to Audi, the A3 runs 0-60 in 6.9 seconds with a 6-speed manual and 6.7 seconds with the 6-speed DSG. When down shifting the DSG transmission the transmission goes into neutral with clutch applied and matches engine speed according to road speed then engaged downward gears flawlessly. The automatic feature has a regular drive function for normal driving. As well as a sport feature which lets each gear rev out longer, important for vehicles such as the 2.0T GTi, since the turbo is more effective at higher RPMs. To shift the DSG gear box into manual feature you slide the gear selector over to the right, and either use the slap shifter feature, or the paddle shifters located on the steering wheel.

- Personal Thoughts

With a transmission like the DSG, why would any sports enthusiast still want a regular manual transmission, the DSG is faster at the track, and more convenient around town. Some people will still prefer the manual transmission to have more say to the vehicle's input but the DSG has it covered. It's very fun to drive vehicles with the DSG, flawless shifts, and a lot of fun with the paddle shifters. Great Transmission!!

Eos Review

2008-05-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

The name Eos refers to the Greek goddess of Dawn, daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia. Siblings of Eos are the sun god Helios and the mood goddess Selene. Eos rises each morning and rides ahead if Helios ' journey across the sky in her own chariot to announce the day. With the newest convertible. You can ride embracing the sky's of day and night much as the goddess Eos, in your chariot. The Eos is a hard top convertible. Retracting the roof is as easy as pushing a button. The Eos is built at the Auto Europa factory in Palmela Portugal

-Specs
The Eos is available with 2 engine options. The standard 2.0 FSI Turbo sporting 200hp. Or the much more sporty 3.6L 250hp engine with throaty exhaust note. Transmission options include tip tronic 6 speed automatic of the sport 6 speed manual gear box. In addition to the standard safety features the Eos has to offer. included is the roll over protection in the rear seats. In the event of a roll over the roll over bars extend from behind the rear headrests to maintain a safe cabin for the occupants. A wide array of auto equipment is also available including navigation and the amazing Dynaudio sound system

-Personal Thoughts
Very fun car to drive. Seats four people comfortably. The Eos sports a very fun loving suspension with great ride quality, very stable for a convertible thanks to tons of work done from the R&R department in chassis rigidity. Typical interior that, again I could do without, but some love it. As is my biggest complaint with most of the VW line up... The price tag. I mean VW is "the peoples car" but this is one person who can't afford it!

-Pricing
Pricing for the US market will run about $28,990 - $38,100 depending on options

The optional 3.6L engine with 250 hp.

Aries Spears At Stress Factory

2008-05-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend 5/09 and 5/10 Aries Spears Will be at the stress factory in New Brunswick NJ. Aries Spears was born in chicago and raised in NJ. He is most known for his rolls on Mad TV portraying characters such as Bill Cosby, Jesse Jackson And Mike Tyson to name a few. He was also in countless films. If you are intrested in attending.

click here for more information.

Tiguan in action

2008-05-08T17:28:00.001-07:00

Here is a clip of the Tiguan in action just to prove it's more than just another non-functional wanna be SUV...

VW Pickup?

2008-05-08T17:09:00.000-07:00

It appears that Volkswagen is looking to launch a new pick up truck, North America however is uncertain. A few possible names include Robust and Taro, nothing has been confirmed however.

Tiguan review

2008-05-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well, it's finally come. As you may or may not know, I'm a Volkswagen tech. As such I've been anticipating the release of the Tiguan to the dealership. Today it happened, we got 2 versions of the new Tiguan. For those of you who are not familiar with the vehicle, it is a smaller, more affordable version of the Toureag. It fits more into the category of sport activity vehicle, with competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Acura RDX, Mazda CX7.

-Specs

The Tiguan is powered by a 2.0L Turbo engine producing 200hp. Coupled with either a 6 speed automatic or 6 speed manual gearbox. As well as your choice of 4 motion or front wheel drive. Push button emergency brake, and auto hold feature which keeps the car stationary without brake input from driver. A 2.0L turbo diesel should be available soon. Sticker price as from what I've seen seems to vary from $25,000 for front wheel driver model to 30k+ for 4 motion with nav.

-First Impressions

To me the Tiguan seems to be yet another over priced vehicle. Looks a little more like a mini van in the rear than it's bigger brother the Toureag. However, I find the front end to sport a very aggressive look which I really liked. Sports the same power train as a standard passat. Interior is basically what you expect from the new model vw's, you either love it or you could live without it. Storage space seems to be lacking.

- Personal thoughts

Some people loved it, some didn't . I wasn't too thrilled with it, but maybe it will grow on me. Personally, it's a passat on steroids, I'd rather opt for it's bigger brother. But go test drive it, maybe it's the car for you!!

I think I could pay my mortage easier if...

2008-05-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

This little blotter from The Sun of San Bernardino caught my eye "Angel Wayhang Kou, 30, of Rancho Cucamonga was booked into jail on suspicion of cultivating marijuana, maintaining a residence for drugs, theft of utilities and conspiracy" It appears a bank emplyoee was inspecting the forclosed property. During the inspection the employee stumbled on an estimated 4.5 million dollars worth of pot. The authorities were then notified of the find. Most would think with 4.5 million dollars worth of anything inside you'd be able to pay a mortage. With all that illegal activity, I would think you would be a little more careful to keep current on payments, it just seems logical...

New Job

2008-05-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

I work as a Volkswagen tech. Recently at work another tech told me about a job interview he was going on. He said if I was interested he would put in a word for me. The manager was intrested in meeting with me so i took off work today and went down to philadelphia for an interview. Next thing I know i'm leaving there with a job making more money than I am now. Looking forward to putting in my notice..

Why is the glass half empty?

2008-05-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

Like most americans would say; I'm under paid and trying to make ends meet. Having a mortage seemingly big enough to own the white house, yet only leaves me with a tiny cubical suspended 3 stories in the air. Mistake or a unforseen stroke of good fortune. Struggling is my middle name, so for numerous reasons I choose to view the glass as half empty. So stay tuned because you never know if the water level will rise or fall...