Dallas Car Dealer Ryan Binkley

Smart fortwo Passion: Function

Cargo capacity is listed at just 8 cubic feet, but if it's just you and
your Costco spoils, you can fold down the passenger seat to increase
that considerably. You golfers will be pleased to know that your clubs
will fit in the Smart Fortwo, but only if you plan on hitting the
driving range solo or meeting up with your foursome at the course.
Tossing the clubs into the car effectively reduces it to the "Forone,"
as the passenger seat must be flipped down flat to accommodate your
Pings.(Ryan Binkley Profile)

Pontiac Vibe GT Function

The car's high beltline brings compromises when it comes to visibility.
A significant blind spot means that neck-craning is an absolute must
when orchestrating a lane change. Another more minor shortcoming
concerns the wagon's adjustable cupholders, which are flimsy and
difficult to maneuver.

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Test Drive: 2008 Lexus RX 400h - Spa Car
Vehicle Tested: 2008 Lexus RX 400h 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Pros: Plush and quiet ride, strong performance, fine build quality, excellent fuel-efficiency.
Cons: No third-row seat, no auxiliary audio jack, squishy brake pedal feel, can get pricey fast.

For some folks, spas are a necessity. Regular visits to these purveyors
of posh pampering keep the upper crust relaxed and ready to resume
their moving and shaking lifestyles. Here, people de-stress by way of
warm stone massages, serene surroundings and new-age music. For those
looking for an equally soothing and environmentally responsible luxury
crossover SUV, there is the 2008 Lexus RX 400h. A hybrid SUV that
provides strong performance along with conscience- (and wallet-) easing
fuel economy, the RX 400h also treats its driver and passengers to as
quiet and unruffled a way of getting around as possible.

The Lexus RX 400h debuted for 2006, and though it hasn't changed much,
we felt it was a good time to revisit this old friend given the fact
that gas prices are nearly double what they were back then and it
remains the only hybrid choice among midsize luxury SUVs (although
there's now a Cadillac Escalade hybrid for those wanting something a
bit bigger).

Happily, the current RX 400h is handling midlife in fine fashion
(Toyota and Lexus models are typically redesigned every five or six
years). The styling still looks contemporary, the cabin remains
handsome and impeccably finished, and with a sprinting ability that can
challenge sporty cars, this hybrid is still firing on all cylinders
(and batteries) when it comes to pleasing its target market's desire
for gusto without guilt. Whether it's navigating the asphalt jungle or
running effortlessly through scenic countryside to that out-of-the-way
haven, the 2008 Lexus RX 400h is comfortably competent.

Of course, all this luxury and leading-edge fuel-efficiency costs a
pretty penny — about grand in the case of our loaded test car. But if
you go easy on the options and realize that you're getting the luxury
of a touring sedan, the functionality of an SUV and the fuel economy of
an economy car, maybe that's not too dear for such a well-rounded
vehicle.

Bio Ryan Binkley : Toyota Venza V6 2WD Performance

The 2009 Toyota Venza is available with either front-wheel drive or
all-wheel drive, and there are two engine options: an all-new 2.7-liter
four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6. Our V6 2WD test car was powered by —
you guessed it — the ultra-refined six-cylinder power plant, which sees
action in numerous other Toyota products. It cranks out 268 horsepower
and 246 pound-feet of torque in this application, driving the Venza's
front wheels through a smooth six-speed automatic transmission with
manual shift control. According to Toyota, the approximately
3,900-pound Venza V6 2WD will scoot from zero to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds,
and we don't doubt it. The Venza's V6 feels stronger than its output
rating suggests, as this family hauler really leaps forward when you
give it the gas. Blog Ryan Binkley

Test Drive: 2008 BMW 1 Series

Function

With its tall greenhouse and relatively low beltline, the 135i's
visibility is excellent, with none of the subsequent overwhelming feel
provided by the Infiniti G37's hunkered-down, high-beltline cabin. The
simple, red-glowing instruments are indicative of just about every BMW
produced in the past 30 years, proving once again that if it ain't
broke, there's no need to fix it. On the other hand, the 135i's stereo
controls should have followed that mantra, as several functions are
needlessly complicated. Also, the dual-zone automatic climate control
lacks an "off" button and a driver/passenger temperature sync button.
These are minor quibbles, but when a car is this good, one usually must
resort to quibbling.

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