WILLOW LABORATORIES INC

Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Sport: Function A child safety seat best fits in the outboard rear positions as the center is pinched toward the ceiling and isn't a particularly flat surface. Rear-facing seats require some creative maneuvering of the front seats to achieve a safe fit.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Performance Although the Benz E550 is, without question, a track star during acceleration runs, super-athletic moves on a twisty road are not the car's forte. It's certainly composed — press S1 to firm up the Airmatic suspension's electronic dampers and the 4,002-pound Merc feels capable enough — it's just not as involving as its countryman and competitor, the BMW 550i. Adding to that impression is the precise, well-weighted steering that's nonetheless numb — it lacks the road feel that a Bimmer's would provide.

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Leasing a car: the benefits and pitfalls - Introduction Contract hire and leasing are the two main ways of arranging car finance. Both require the customer to pay a deposit followed by set monthly payments. Many people benefit from this arrangement, because the upfront deposit is typically only around three months-worth of payments, and the subsequent lease rate means that they can fix the costs of having the car over a set period of time.

Mazda MAZDA3 Mazda's 3 is such an athlete, and in a category known for being mostly unremarkable, its trophy-winning game sticks out like a bolt of silk on a bale of straw. Still, the car's enviable performance capabilities are just part of the picture. The 2008 Mazda3 also boasts an appealing list of standard features — pretty sweet for a car at this Wal-Mart price point. Cabin design is also nice-looking — not class-leading, but a step above the typical drab econobox fare.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD CRD: Function The front power seats with memory settings (for mirrors and radio, too) were comfortable and, thanks to a tilt-telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable pedals, it was easy to find the right driving position. Some people might want a more aggressive lumbar control, though. The rear seats are a different story altogether. Limited front visibility might make children feel imprisoned back there, and the legroom is definitely tight. Cupholders in the rear pulled out awkwardly from under the seats and a plastic piece fell off our test vehicle. Interior materials had a nice grain texture but were slightly on the hard side.

Saturn Astra XR Coupe: Performance However, Saturn has tuned the Astra to maximize mpg, which, while a commendable goal, comes at the expense of performance. Even though the engine's specs are competitive, the engine feels sluggish off the line, and tall gear ratios make the hatch feel gutless. Heaven forbid you find yourself changing lanes in front of a car that's going faster than you expected; you just might find yourself on the receiving end of some less-than-friendly hand gestures. Then again, you might not notice, since you'll be uttering your own expletives as you stand on the throttle wondering why nothing's happening.

Honda Civic LX Function The 160-watt, four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system doesn't shake anyone's windows while we wait at red lights, but it does an adequate job of playing our tunes. Auxiliary audio jacks are a must-have feature these days, and the Civic LX comes standard with one. We noticed how a tray in the center console between the gearshifter and the cupholders was the perfect place for our MP3 player to sit while plugged in.

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