FC Member Blog

Finest Motors - Luxury cars at low prices

BY Finest Motors | 04-13-2010 | 7:09 AM

This blog is written by a member of our blogging community and expresses that member's views alone.

Finest Motors

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Overview

Introduction

If you tell the average person that you bought a new 2009 Corvette,
they'll likely scrunch up their face, as if they'd just gotten a whiff
from a bad carton of milk. "Really, a Corvette?" they'll say. It seems
there's a certain stereotype associated with America's sports car, one
that involves a midlife crisis and gold chains on exposed chest hair,
possibly accompanied by visions of the hideous Vette Mark Hamill drove
in "Corvette Summer." However, you can reply with this: "Corvette
Summer" was 21 years ago, gold chains haven't come back into fashion
yet and the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette has nothing to do with the
stereotypes -- it's simply a fantastic sports car.

While there are certainly historical kernels of truth in this
stereotype, most of them were excised with the debut of the model's
sixth generation (the C6) for 2005. Last year, Chevrolet made further
improvements, including more power and a better interior. Even the
stats for the base Corvette are enough to drool over. The 6.2-liter V8
cranks out 430 hp, just 50 hp shy of the almighty Porsche 911 Turbo.
The track-ready Z06 model puts out even more power (505 hp) and weighs
less than 3,200 pounds.

2009 Infiniti FX37 Vehicle Overview

Introduction

Infiniti calls its redesigned 2009 FX50 a "radical expression of
sport and utility," and while we're generally skeptical of marketing
catchphrases, this one's pretty accurate. The FX50 is Infiniti's
top-of-the-line crossover, replacing the outgoing FX45, which debuted
along with its FX35 sibling in 2003 as one of the first crossovers to
include high performance and showcar style in its portfolio. Designed
as a kind of personalized coupe with four doors and extra cargo
capacity, the FX45 showcased some segment-leading technology and
delivered acceleration and handling on par with the sportiest
European-brand crossover SUVs.

The original V8-powered FX45 never quite caught on with buyers,
however, partially because it didn't offer much additional power over
the V6-powered FX35. So Infiniti is trying again with the FX50. The
name change reflects the increased size of the new 390-horsepower
5.0-liter V8, which replaces the previous 320-hp 4.5-liter V8. This
translates into serious straight-line acceleration -- try zero to 60
mph in 5.6 seconds.

All that giddyap is gracefully tamed by a new seven-speed
transmission, as well as standard all-wheel drive. If you can live with
the premium fuel bills, the FX50 supplies just about all the driving
thrills that relatively affluent family men and women could want.
Should you find the V8 to be a bit much, Infiniti has also redesigned
the FX50s little brother, the V6-powered FX35.

Finest Motors Cars :Powertrains and Performance

The 2009 Dodge Sprinter Cargo is powered by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel
V6 that generates 154 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This
engine is capable of fuel economy in the mid-20s, which is dramatically
better than that of its competition. The only available transmission is
a five-speed automatic with an automanual mode. Properly equipped, the
Sprinter Cargo can tow 5,000 pounds, and its maximum payload ratings
range from 3,155 pounds (2500 extended length high roof) to 5,649
pounds (3500 regular length standard roof).

Safety

All 2009 Dodge Sprinter Cargo vans come standard with antilock disc
brakes and stability control. Optional safety equipment includes
front-seat side and head curtain airbags, front and rear parking
sensors and a rear parking camera.

Interior Design and Special Features

Other than the Dodge logo on the steering wheel, the Sprinter's
interior is pretty much identical to that of the Mercedes-Benz version
sold around the world. Build quality is notably better than in other
full-size vans, not to mention most other Dodge products. A
tilt/telescoping steering column and four different front-seat styles
with multiple adjustments ensure ample comfort, while the Sprinter's
modern control layout makes it feel more like a midsize SUV than a
utilitarian van.

With so many body styles and a maximum 600 cubic feet of available
cargo space, the Sprinter Cargo is the most versatile work van on the
market. Its High Roof and Mega Roof options -- 76 and 84 inches,
respectively -- enable the Sprinter Cargo to be used as a work space
where passengers can walk upright. Moreover, the Sprinter Cargo boasts
rear doors that open to 270 degrees for ease of access, and its low
step-in height and optional dual sliding doors make your job even
easier. There are numerous available full-width partitions that
separate the cabin from the cargo area, including a full metal
partition, fixed and sliding windows, sliding doors and a C-pillar
partition that allows an extra row of seats.

Driving Impressions

With its huge windshield and truncated front end, the 2009 Dodge
Sprinter Cargo does a pretty fair impression of a delivery truck from
behind the wheel. And at up to 23 feet long and 10 feet high, it could
be one, too. But a reasonably carlike driving position and respectable
handling help make the Sprinter feel manageable around town. Quite
simply, this is the easiest and least cumbersome full-size cargo van to
drive. Around town, the turbodiesel engine offers satisfactory thrust
-- it's only on the highway that its power deficit becomes glaringly
apparent.

Finest Motors Specs

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Honda Fit is a subcompact four-door hatchback available in
two trim levels: base and Sport. Base Fits come standard with 15-inch
steel wheels, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel,
full power accessories and a four-speaker sound system with CD/MP3
player and auxiliary audio input. Opting for the Fit Sport gets you
16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, lower body extensions, a rear spoiler,
cruise control, map lights, a driver armrest and an upgraded audio
system with six speakers and a USB port. The Sport is also eligible for
a navigation system.

Other changes this year include a full complement of standard
safety features and a newly standard telescoping steering wheel.
Combined with increased front seat track travel, the new Vibe promises
a more comfortable driving position for a greater range of body types.
The interior retrains its driver-oriented layout and design, though now
updated with easier-to-use controls, better materials and improved fit
and finish.

If you're shopping for a small wagon or hatchback, there are more
choices than ever, including the Chevrolet HHR, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza
and Scion xB. They share many of the Vibe's attributes, most notably an
impressive amount of passenger/cargo space within a small footprint.
The Chevy boasts cool retro styling and an available high-performance
SS variant, the Mazda is known for its sporty handling and the boxy
Scion has edgy youth appeal and the most interior space. If you don't
dig the Vibe's styling vibe but appreciate its other attributes,
Toyota's near-identical Matrix may fit your fancy. But the 2009 Pontiac
Vibe makes no apologies here. With its peppy performance, solid
handling, low price and high level of practicality, the Vibe is a smart
choice.

Finest Motors :

2009 Dodge Viper Vehicle Overview

Introduction

When it comes to supercars, European automakers typically represent
refinement, couture style and technological advancement, to the point
of sterility. Here in the States, supercars are comparatively raw,
visceral and rugged to the point of brutality. We're the sledgehammer
to their scalpel, the bucking bronco to their show horse and the Bourne
to their Bond. For better or worse, that's how we roll.

The current, third-generation Viper maintains the excitement and
soul of the 1989 Carroll Shelby-inspired concept, with the obligatory
low-slung body, long hood housing a massive V10, comically wide tires
and gruff side exhaust pipes. The Dodge Viper doesn't ask permission
and makes no apologies. Despite technological advances over the past
two decades, the Viper has just enough safety equipment to make it
legal, delegating the remaining responsibility to the hands and feet of
the driver. If the performance numbers alone aren't enough to cause
heart palpitations, consider that traction and stability control are
not available, and circumstances can go from exhilarating to terrifying
in short order.

It is this unfiltered, uncomplicated nature that makes the Viper so
attractive to enthusiasts, hearkening back to eras when drivers were
heroic, rugged and relied on the seats of their pants rather than
electronic aids. For those seeking more comfort, refinement and
everyday driving manners, there are always the Corvette Z06, various
European offerings such as the Audi R8 and Porsche 911, and even
Nissan's new GT-R. However, the 2009 Dodge Viper bests the Z06 in
practically every applicable performance metric and is significantly
less expensive than anything comparable from the Old World. In the end,
it comes down to what you're willing to compromise -- performance or
finesse.

Finest Motors Photos
Powertrains and Performance

The base engine is powered by a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 290 hp
and 264 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded powertrain features a
4.6-liter V8 with 375 hp and 333 lb-ft. Those figures are with premium
fuel; on regular, the numbers are 368 and 324, respectively. A
six-speed automatic with manual shift capability sends the power to the
rear wheels in both models.

For a big luxury sedan, the Genesis is quick -- we timed the
butter-smooth V8 at just 5.9 seconds for the 0-60-mph sprint and 14
seconds flat for the quarter-mile. EPA fuel economy estimates for the
V6 are 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined; V8 estimates
were unavailable as of this writing.

Finest Motors Prices
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

More results:
Finest Motors Prices Finest Motors Performance Finest Motors