Chris Martineson

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Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 SLT

Performance

Having aired our two main complaints, we should hasten to add that
the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 is really a pleasant truck to pilot. Although
its transmission has only five speeds, a big V8 doesn't really need six
gears anyway, and Dodge's five-cog unit works effectively and
unobtrusively under most circumstances. Our test truck was a bit soft
accelerating off the line, but the V8 was a model of refined
muscularity once we found its midrange sweet spot, whisking the Ram
past slow-moving traffic with remarkable ease.

Nissan 350Z Performance

In our tests, that amounts to an impressive 0-60-mph time of 5.3
seconds and a quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds at 103.6 mph. That's an
awfully close second to the Nismo's 0-60-mph time of 5.1 seconds and
its quarter-mile run of 13.6 seconds at the same speed. The Enthusiast
coupe also zips through the slalom at a respectable average of 68.4
mph. Braking performance is quite good, with a 60-0 stopping distance
of 112 feet. Fuel economy was disappointing, however. Against the EPA
combined figure of 20 mpg, we averaged 15.5 mpg. Chances are you'll do
better — we must admit that we're fully enjoying that muscular V6.

Chris Martineson Article
Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew

But these days, steep gas prices have caused many people to
reassess their needs. New pickup purchases are more likely to be from
those who actually tow or haul things on a semi-regular basis. As a
result, at the 2009 Ford F-150 press event that we attended, the Blue
Oval boys boasted about the revamped truck's strong work capacity,
improved fuel economy and better overall performance. In addition to
the normal, scenic on-road drive loop, the event included a friendly
competition pitting the F-150 against its peers, consisting of towing
and hauling exercises. Any guesses on which truck prevailed?

Lincoln MKS AWD

Performance

Brake feel is another low point, as the 2009 Lincoln MKS has the
same long-travel, soft brake pedal that plagues the plebian Taurus. Our
Lincoln was also fighting some power steering gremlins, as the power
assist would sometimes drop off dramatically while we turned the wheel
at a stop. Furthermore, it was too easy to "get ahead" of the power
steering system under these circumstances — a quick tug at the wheel
would defeat the power assist altogether.

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Dodge Challenger SRT8

Yes, the $40 grand that the top-dog Challenger SRT8 commands isn't
chump change, but that's a mere pittance compared to what the originals
are going for these days — and those aging brutes simply can't compete
with the SRT8's everyday drivability. The only good reason not to buy
one might be for another Challenger — the new-for-'09 Challenger R/T,
which lists for $10,000 less and still sports a 370-hp Hemi.

Dodge Challenger SRT8

Comfort

Even though the SRT8's suspension is tuned more for sporty handling
than plush ride comfort, it's supple enough to handle the bumps and
ruts of poorly maintained city streets without ruffling passengers.
That's all the more impressive considering the SRT8 rolls on 20-inch
wheels with low-profile tires. For the most part, the cabin is
impressively insulated from wind and road noise; only grooved freeways
cause the latter to filter through.

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