2011 Honda Civic at the Texas Auto Roundup

If you read our Quick Drive of the 2011 Kia Forte 5, then you really already know what my opinion is about the Honda Civic. My first car was an 88 Civic hatch and I remember the time when the Civic was the car to own because it was cheap and the engine was sporty and almost bulletproof.

I guess the problem could be nostalgia, but the Civic just hasn’t done it for me with its last few generations, and I hear the same around the water-cooler. The Civic now demands a premium on its price, it’s heavier, and the engine just doesn’t feel as peppy or rev-happy as it once did. Worst of all, as manufactures like Kia, Hyundai, and Ford have been making great compact cars lately, it seems like Honda has dropped the ball altogether. The interior isn’t up to par, the ride isn’t up to par, and the sportiness is no longer up to par.

I know the one Civic to drive is the Si and I’m looking forward to getting the chance to drive one, but it still seems that the Civic lost something. I hope that in the next generation or so, they find it again.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

The 2011 Kia Optima Turbo at the Texas Auto Roundup

We reviewed the 2011 Kia Optima a few months back, and I still maintain that for the price, it’s one of the best looking cars you can get right now. We already felt like the 2.4 liter engine in the Optima we drove then was pretty peppy, but I wouldn’t consider it fast car. Now with a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, let’s see what we think.

The turbo engine in this Optima is the same basic setup that you get in cars like the Genesis Coupe and Sonata turbo. This setup pushes out 274 horsepower and is only matched up to 6-speed automatic transmission in the Optima. You also get a slightly different body kit and wheels with the turbo model showing off the fact that you’re in something a little more special.

Basically, the driving dynamics and overall feel of the car haven’t changed, but you do get a sportier feel from the engine. At a price starting at $26,200, it just gives me more reasons to really like this car.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2012 Fiat 500 at the Texas Auto Roundup

After Fiat bought out Chrysler to up its stake in the company, Fiat knows it has a lasting presence in America. The plan is to rollout the entire Fiat line-up to the U.S. market, starting with the Fiat 500. As the ambassador to the brand then, the 500 really needs to be a big hit for Fiat. So what did we think?

First of all, I wasn’t really impressed with the interior of the 500. I know it’s a lower end car, but it reminded me too much of the PT Cruiser’s interior, and that’s not a good thing. There are big plastic panels along the door and the dash, optioned with different colors no less. One more complaint before I move on; I didn’t get a lot of time to try and adjust the seat, so it could be that, but the pedals didn’t feel right against my feet. I was fortunate enough to score a manual transmission, but it felt like my feet were straight up and down while doing foot work. It was actually uncomfortable.

On to the good stuff! The steering in this little car was pretty impressive. It had a nice, direct feel. With the wheels being pushed to the far corners, you get a good sense of weight distribution, which means driving this little thing quickly around corners felt sporty. The 1.4 liter engine pushing its massive 101 horsepower felt peppy and eager. I’d really like to get it up on the highway and see how it handles in mad, Dallas traffic, but we’ll have to do that another time.

In Europe, this car sells on its heritage from the 50’s and 70’s, but buyers in America don’t have that heritage to look back onto. The 500 over here needs to stand on its own and be a good enough car for people to drop the $16,000 necessary to get a base car. In my opinion, it doesn’t do that. The Fiesta is a much better choice at a much better price. The 500 I’m sure will sell well, but if it was my money, I couldn’t buy one.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Infiniti G37 IPL at the Texas Auto Roundup

Our friend at Reflections of the Drive did a real good full review of this car a few weeks before the Auto Roundup. It really got me excited to drive this car and see what’s what compared to the regular G37 and the Genesis Coupe I drive as a daily driver.

First of all, you can’t deny that the G37 is a pretty car. The extras that go into making the IPL, or Infinity Performance Line, just make it look that much more aggressive. Bigger wheels and brakes and the more aggressive body kit let other enthusiast know you’re rolling in something a little special.

The IPL boosts horsepower output from 325 to 348, but the power isn’t the first thing you’ll notice when driving this car. First, you notice the retuned suspension giving this once luxury car a real sports car feel. You stay more flat through the turns and feel much more of what’s happening on the road below.
The real reason for the IPL existing at all is to give Infiniti that M-like division focusing on sports cars. I think it’s worked out for them so far as the G37 IPL is a great ride. At a cost starting at $48,900 and with all the competition out there, I’m not sure I’d shell out my money on this car.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track

Let me start this out by saying, if you are in the market for a rear-wheel-drive coupe that looks great, performs great, and doesn’t kill your pocketbook at least test drive the Genesis Coupe. I did, and bought one. I personally own a 3.8 V6 Grand Touring. I bought that model because everything I read about the Track model said it was too harsh for everyday driving. I’m extremely happy with my purchase and love my car, but can’t help but want to put the Track model on the track!

This yellow coupe definitely stands out from the crowd. I had it in my eyes set on it from the get go and as soon as I saw it open I was going to jump in it. Then disaster, the Genesis was pulled into the garage after running off the track. There was talk about not letting anyone else drive it, but it ended up being ok. Alas it scared the people at Hyundai so much that they restricted it to private roads only, so no track time.

So to the street we go. First things first, yes this car has some tight suspension but boy does it grip and go, staying flat around the corners. The power is the same as my grand touring but the way it’s put to the ground with the limited-slip differential gives you that extra kick. The shifter seems a little more crisp too, this could be because it’s a 2011 and mine is 2010 or it might just have an upgraded shifter, I’m not really sure.

Overall I think I made the right choice with the Grand Touring over the Track model. Its more composed and comfortable for everyday driving, but man do I wish I had an open track to take this car out on.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Acura TL on the track!

We haven’t had much interest in Acura over the past few years, although I owned an Integra back in the day, but we’ve tested a few cars that compare to this so we thought we’d jump right in. Also we drove the new TSX real quick at the Main Street in Motion event and were pretty impressed with it.

For 2012 Acura toned back the styling of the TL, which was a good thing. Inside the Acura was nice luxury and great materials. One thing Acura has been known for is packing their cars with advanced technology. We didn’t get the chance to really sit down and mess with everything packed into this car but we can tell you it was a lot.

The TL was one of the cars we did take out on the infield track. It’s equipped with a 6-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission and features a rev-matching downshift, so we really wanted to check it out. I was not disappointed. The steering was really balanced and although this car did have some lean to it, it was never too much. The shifting and getting the power to the wheels is really where this TL shined on the track. It was by far the best car quipped with an automatic transmission that we drove on the track that day.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta - blue - Texas Auto Roundup

For 2011 Volkswagen has reinvented the Jetta, for better or worse. For 2011 the Jetta is bigger, wider, longer but also cheaper. How did VW do this? Well the suspension components are cheaper and an older design than the previous generation. The quality of materials inside the car is also cheaper than that of the previous generation. It’s hard to see how this is a winning combination but Volkswagen has already seen lots of success with in sales with the new Jetta.

So how did it drive? It was fine. It drove about as well as a Kia Optima or a Chevrolet Malibu, it just didn’t feel special. The looks are okay, but not as outgoing as the Kia and the interior is okay, but not as nice as new Ford or even Hyundai cars that compete with the Jetta. So it’s an okay car, but doesn’t seem as special as its growing competition.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta - blue - Texas Auto Roundup

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Kia Forte 5 at the Texas Auto Roundup

The Forte and Forte Koup were launched in America in 2010 as a direct competitor to the Honda Civic. We have wanted to drive one of these cars for a while now and think that the looks, especially in the Koup, are fantastic. Obviously the 5-door is to suite a special segment by hey the old Civic hatchbacks were pretty popular and the idea of having the extra room is growing on the American consumer.

We actually had the chance to drive the new 2011 Honda Civic right before we jumped into the Forte, check there review, and first impressions never lie. We were left sitting in the Forte thinking this is everything I wish the Civic was. The interior was great all around, and it was still at a reasonable price. The engine was peppy and it was all around fun to drive. The more and more we drive the new Kia’s the more we see that Kia is taking the spot that Honda used to be. It’s a fun, inexpensive, and good looking car for a young buyer. We were impressed.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Nissan 370Z Nismo at the Texas Auto Roundup

I always did like the 350Z and when the 370Z came out and it was much more than just an engine upgrade it made me even more excited. I have been looking for an opportunity to drive one of these for a while now and finally got the chance to, not just drive a 370Z but the Nismo.

Obviously the 370 has Nissan’s 3.7 liter V6; in the regular 370Z this produces 332 horsepower, but in the Nismo they’ve pushed that to 350 hp. This Nismo was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission but it’s offered with a 7-speed auto if that’s your thing. I loved the manual shifter with Nissan’s SynchroRev Match technology. When you push the button to engage the system then down shift into a lower gear, the revs will pop-up allowing you to have maximal power at the right time. Race car drivers do this to keep the revs up around corners so they don’t lose speed, but they do it using a system called heal-toe. The SynchroRev mimics this action and if nothing else is pretty cool.

One thing I’ve always heard about the Nismo is that it’s a fun car but too harsh for everyday driving. I guess this really depends on the individual and where they drive or what they are looking to get out of a car. For me, yes it’s too harsh for everyday. I’ve talked to others and they have been fine with it. One thing I can say for sure is that when you do get an open and smooth road, this thing comes alive! It’s quick and pointed, you are easily pushed into your racing style seat and when it’s time to stop the 4-piston Nismo sport brakes take care of you.

This really is an all out sports car and the only reason I don’t own one is because I need back seats.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Hemi

So it’s got a Hemi, but it’s got a lot of weight to move around too, so it’s still not that fast right? Well no. I haven’t driven the Challenger before today, not a V6 model and not a V8. This new Challenger is stuffed with a bigger Hemi V8, the 392-cubic inch, pushing 470 horsepower and 470 ft-lbs of torque. That puts it at the top of the horsepower race in compared to its pony car rivals. Our car was also equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission with a pistol grip style shifter giving you free will to try and control the power.

Right before we hit the track we had a word of warning from the driver right before us. “Take it easy, I was sideways a lot and almost spun off the track.” Remember its wet out. So that’s 470 hp to deal with on a wet track in a car that we’ve been told is squirrely. There were a few corners that we really let the back end come out but mostly the Challenger seemed composed and quick, a surprise for me. Was it my favorite car out there? No, but it was much better than I was expecting.

Thanks to our friends at Non-Stock Photography for the photos.

Car was driven and reviewed by Adam Moore at the Texas Auto Roundup in conjunction with the Texas Auto Writers Association.