Quick Drive: 2011 Honda Civic

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Kia Optima Turbo

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2012 Fiat 500

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Infiniti G37 IPL

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Track 3.8

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Adam Moore

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! Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2012 Acura TL

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Kia Forte 5

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Nissan 370Z Nismo

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

Quick Drive: 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Hemi

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Adam Moore

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. Continue reading →

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