Monthly Archive for November, 2009

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The Safest Cars in America: IIHS Top Safety Picks for 2010

Published on November 19, 2009 in General and Industry Update. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

Since 2006, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests each car model for sale in the United States in several crash scenarios.  They run them into walls, barriers, other cars, poles, all the major accident types.  Speeds range from 5 mph to 40 mph, and all of the results are analyzed and finally tallied.  The vehicles which earn “good” ratings in each of the 4 tests are added to the “Top Safety Picks” list for that model year.  This year, the IIHS added a “roof stability” test, which pushes a metal plate at a constant speed into one half of the roof of a vehicle.  How well the car sustains this crushing force determines its score.

With this new test, recent winners such as Toyota, BMW and Mazda were left out in the cold.  Chrysler modified its seats and head rests in order to garner better crash ratings for its vehicles, as did GM to get its Malibu on the list.  Read on after the list to see how each manufacturer did.

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Hot Car: Ford Fusion wins Motor Trend's COTY award

Published on November 18, 2009 in Hot Car - In Dealerships. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Every year, Motor Trend announces its Car Of The Year (COTY), the car they think is the best car on the new-car market that year.  Recent winners include Nissan’s GT-R (2009), Cadillac’s CTS (2008), Toyota’s Camry (2007) and Honda’s Civic (2006).

This year, it’s the 2010 Ford Fusion.

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Fun Stuff: Drive your car with an iPhone

Published on November 17, 2009 in Fun Stuff. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Source: Waterloo Labs

Apparently the iPhone can do everything! As the YouTube video below shows, the guys at Waterloo Labs converted their Oldsmobile into a remote control car.  For the mechanically inclined, it doesn’t look too difficult.  For the rest of us, it just looks like a lot of fun, but don’t actually try this at home unless you know what you’re doing!

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Review: 2009 Lincoln MKS

Published on November 16, 2009 in Reviews. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

In the interest of full disclosure, this review was completed on the author’s own 2009 Lincoln MKS.

2009 Lincoln MKS ProfileIn mid-2008, Ford introduced the 2009 Lincoln MKS.  It is to be Ford’s halo car in the American car market.  Built off of a modified Volvo S80 platform, which is also shared with the 2010 Ford Taurus, the MKS is the technology-laden car that is supposed to pull Lincoln into the 21st century.  While some will argue that it is the successor to the Lincoln LS, which was discontinued after the 2006 model year, I believe that the smaller Lincoln MKZ actually follows more in the LS’ footsteps.  That begs the question of where in the Lincoln lineup the MKS is supposed to fit.  It’s got front wheel drive, unlike the Town Car and LS.  Unlike the MKZ, It also has comparable front seat room to the Town Car, while being a few inches shorter in the rear leg room department.  Rumors abound though, that the 2010 or 2011 model year will be the Town Car’s finale.  Add to that the sporty intentions of the MKS (with optional 20″ wheels), and it is a true quandary as to where exactly it fits into the Lincoln lineup.  For right now though, the MKS is Lincoln’s flagship car.

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Review: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

Published on November 9, 2009 in Reviews. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , .

2010 Mustang GT FrontWhen I began the process of setting up this site and creating a schedule of which cars to review, I wanted to take an in-depth look at one of the most iconic American cars, the Ford Mustang.  Introduced in 1964, the Mustang broke sales records in its first year of production.  The Ford Mustang has a distinct shape to it, and throughout the years it has developed a cult following, even outliving its competition.  Each iteration of the Mustang has continued major design themes, based on the original’s short-trunk lid/long hood design.  When Ford redesigned the Mustang for the 2005 model year, they melded visual attributes of the 1967-1969 Mustangs with modern running gear and electronics.  Now the 2010 model has been introduced, with some very visible changes from its predecessor both inside and out, but do they make it better?

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Car Tech: Ford/Microsoft SYNC

Published on November 5, 2009 in Under the Hood (In Depth). 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

SYNC Logo (Small)

To some, the names Ford and Microsoft make people cringe.  Those of you who remember the Pinto, and more recently the Explorer/Firestone fiasco, may not trust Ford.  Windows Vista was enough to give Apple an almost 10% market share in the world of personal computers.  In the past few years though, Ford has spent a lot of time, money and energy in order to make its cars competitive with domestic and foreign rivals.  One of the things they needed to accomplish was increasing the amount of technology in the vehicles they manufactured.  Starting in 2008, Ford offered a technology called SYNC, which they developed in cooperation with Microsoft.  SYNC is a voice-activated in-car communications system.  It integrates into the radio, phone, climate control and optional navigation systems.  It allows the driver to control most in-car features, which normally would require looking away from the road.  After the jump, we’ll jump in and take a look at its features.

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