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Lee Dodge - Lee Dodge NEW YORK - Lee Dodge of Commack

BY leedodgecars leedodgecars | 06-12-2009 | 11:41 AM

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

Lee Dodge New York New Cars
Honda Civic Hybrid:

Unlike the Prius, the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is one of several
hybrid vehicles that looks just like its non-hybrid sibling. While that
may appeal to a buyer who likes to fly under the radar, many hybrid
buyers are looking for something that looks a little different. For
them, the 2010 Honda Insight will essentially share the Civic's hybrid
technology, but will be more affordable and have that futuristic
space-pod look that Prius buyers have flocked to. The non-hybrid Honda
Fit should also be considered, with its spacious interior, fun-to-drive
demeanor and still-impressive fuel economy, if you're not dead set on a
hybrid.

BMW 328i

Function

In typical BMW fashion, the analog gauges are a model of
simplicity, though the real-time analog fuel economy gauge is a bit
gimmicky. Unfortunately, the stereo and climate controls are anything
but simple — the radio is operated via a series of identical-looking
buttons, and in another nod to BMW tradition, the only way to turn off
the climate control system is to press and hold the fan-speed "down"
button or tap it repeatedly. To make matters worse, we found that the
stereo display becomes illegible when viewed through polarized
sunglasses. At least we didn't have to contend with iDrive, though
there's no way around it if you want the navigation system.

Test Drive: 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro

The new A4 offers plenty of cargo space. With a trunk capacity of
16.9 cubic feet, we fit a large suitcase, a set of golf clubs and
various smaller bags and backpacks without a problem. With the
60/40-split-folding seats down, we had a full 34 cubes available, which
means we could have stuffed in a second set of golf clubs and another
couple of bags.

Lee Dodge New York Old Cars
Pontiac Vibe GT

The 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT doesn't win the statuette for enthusiasts'
favorite in its category. That honor still belongs to the Mazda Mazda3,
which has long delivered world-class driving dynamics that are
unmatched in this price segment. Still, the Vibe GT's performance is
incredibly engaging relative to most others in its class, and it trumps
the 3 when it comes to cargo room and passenger space. The hardworking
Pontiac Vibe GT deserves a starring role, but whether it's an ideal
pick for you will depend on which attributes you value most in a wagon.

2009 Kia Borrego V8 4WD: Design/Fit and Finish

Materials inside the 2009 Kia Borrego are more luxurious than one
might expect. The understated cabin is simple and refined and a
well-placed, logical dash layout keeps features relatively easy. The
leather seats, while not on par with a fine Italian handbag, contribute
to a more upscale feel. The cabin is unavoidably filled with plastic,
but the combination of colors and textures do a good job of keeping any
one element from sticking out like a sore thumb. Beware of the
headliner, however — it feels a tad like a felt-covered egg carton if
pressed too hard.

Test Drive: 2008 BMW 328i

Who Should Buy This Vehicle

At our test car's $41,550 sticker, no one. For a couple thousand
less you could get a base 335i. But if you pare down the options to
just one — the $1,700 Sport package — you can enjoy every ounce of our
tester's performance, as well as standard features like a sunroof and
that superb sound system, for about $35,000. At that price, the 2008
BMW 328i almost seems like a bargain for the driving enthusiast who
needs four doors. However, those who prefer feature content to dynamic
excellence may find competing models more satisfying.

Lee Dodge New York Cars :

Test Drive: 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro

The new A4 offers plenty of cargo space. With a trunk capacity of
16.9 cubic feet, we fit a large suitcase, a set of golf clubs and
various smaller bags and backpacks without a problem. With the
60/40-split-folding seats down, we had a full 34 cubes available, which
means we could have stuffed in a second set of golf clubs and another
couple of bags.