Minneapolis Street Sighting: Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer two door

Back in the early 1990s, when the SUV craze was hitting full swing, many popular models were available in a choice of body configurations; such is the case with Ford's once-popular Explorer SUV, shown here in Eddie Bauer trim. Launched in 1990, the Explorer was Ford's answer to the Jeep Cherokee, a go anywhere, do anything wagon. Howevere, whereas the Cherokee drove poorly, had a not-quite-abundance of interior room, and rode as if you were driving over a trail everywhere you went, the Explorer was geared more toward the town driving that most vehicles on this category did. As such, it was equipped with leather, full instrumentation, and upper-crust models had fancy paint options and road-based tires. Also, since the Explorer was geared more toward leisurely driving, transmission choices were primarily automatic, with a 5 spd being an orderable option. Since Mazda gave Ford the US-spec Ranger, Ford paid them back by using their transmissions in the Explorer, as well as giving them a two-door Explorer for their lineup-- the Navajo; that vehicle is quite rare here, as earlier Fords were prone to severe rust. I don't think I've seen one at all in 2011 so far.
This vehicle, despite the front end damage, is pretty clean. It doesn't suffer from hollowed out rear quarters yet, and it looks like the lower rockers are still intact, too. Even the Eddie Bauer trimmings aren't messed up yet.
Overall, I'd say it's in fair shape for a vehicle of this vintage. This trim in this color combonation is likely my favorite Explorer right next to the Sports, particularly in bright blue. I have loved this bodystyle since it came out (or since I was little anyway), and will likely continue to do so forever.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Dodge Diplomat

This sighting was a bit unusual; first off, I hardly even see any of the 1980s RWD Chryslers anymore, and when I do, they're usually almost run into the ground. This one was different; the paint is impeccably shiny, the "poverty caps" are not only intact, but in great shape. Heck, even the factory trim is completely perfect. It could easily be plucked straight out of a 1980s TV episode of Rescue 911 or Unsolved Mysteries. Since it was night time, I didn't peer inside for obvious reasons, although I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the same condition as the exterior.
The only gripe I have with this car is the political theme that the owner has. Usually, I tend to not make assumptions about the owner unless I have beef with them, but the owner of this classic Dodge tried to say I was invading his privacy, and proceeded to bombard me with typical "Are you gay?" and "Do you have a problem with Repubclians" crap, and then tried to claim that his car was far superior to "dem dere Jappo thingies and way better than dem Queer-eye-ans". Sorry, bucko, but I am almost certain that any modern "Jappo" car will outlast your "Merican made real car" as you called it. Oh well, at least he keeps his car nice. Too bad he was an asshole who likely doesn't understand the concept of globalization.

New Cars 2011: Saab 9-5

There was a time when Saab used to make good, if a bit unreliable products. Quirky swedish design reigned at Saab; it was impossible to mistake them for anything else on the road. In the early 2000s, though, they lost their way courtesy of GM. Saab styling cues were still present, but the cars weren't exactly what Saab used to be; they started trying to go upscale, and GM positioned them where Oldsmobile left off. Styling became an afterthought, and the general quality started to mimick that of other GM brands. Saab (under GM) even delved into areas untouched beforehand, including s sportswagon based on the Subaru Impreza WRX, and a midsize SUV based on the Chevy Trailblazer, Buick Rainier, and Oldsmobile Bravada; these new "Saabs" effectively earned the name "Saabaru" and "Saabrolet" respectively.
Enter the new-for-2011 Saab 9-5. Unlike the previous car, which I forget what it even looked like, this new one stands out in a crowd. Longer than the previous car, and much more of a true luxury car, this vehicle is up for grabs in the same category as the Mercedes E-Class, and Audi A6. In profile, it looks rather long-- it is quite so. From the quarter views, though, the Saab heritage is undeniable. The front houses that Swedish 'airplane' logo grille, and long, slimmish headlights; beautiful, I think. Towards the rear, the roofline when viewed from the front quarter, looks so much like that of the Saab 99 and earlier 900s it's eerie-- but nevertheless a good, crisp, line that harks back to Saab's golden days.
Inside, much of the car packs GM switchgear, but these days that's no bad thing. Gone are the rental-grade plastics, awful seatbottoms, and mediocre color combinations; this interior oozes uppercrust without being too gaudy. The dash is skewed toward the driver, which could pose some problems for the front seat passenger, but overall, the layout is nice. It's not a buttonfest like Mercedes, and it isn't loaded with random tech goodies like most Infinitis either; it's simple, clean, and to the point. Even Volvo could learn from this. While I didn't try out the back seat, front room was remarkably good. I felt comfortable in the 9-5 both will the seat all the way forward, and all the way back. Some of the bolstered seats on newer cars hurt my back and butt area, but these seats are fine. I'd like to take a good ride in one to see if my initial react turns out correct.
All in all, a very nice effort from Saab; they need to make the 9-3 this good, and here's hoping they survive long enough to do so.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Yugo GV Plus

I know I usually don't post cars technically "off the street", but this was too good to pass up. I realize the Yugo isn't really all that exciting, but this could possibly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Launched in 1986 in America as a low-price alternative to most new cars, the Yugo simply didn't catch on with American buyers; it also has earned prestigious awards such as being voted "Worst New Car" in 1987" via the Brits, and an equally disturbing "10 Best Losers" in Car and Driver in 1987. Fit and finish was afwul, even compared to new cars in 1987 and 1988, and most of the interior trim was marred by excessive panel gaps. What did you expect for $3995 though? Honestly.
But in all truth, it wasn't all bad. In Europe and parts of Asia, the Yugo makes a fun budget rally car, and race car. On this model, fit and finish looked pretty decent, given its econobox origins, and from what I understand, the Yugo is a decently reliable car if kept up. Problem is, most folks simply looked at it as a throw-away car, much like the earlier Hyundais and Kias. I certainly am not an advocate of the 'Save the Yugo' campaign, but I do think some need to be preserved; it seems like this little Yugoslavian motor got a bad reception to due to the everpopular "OMG foreign = garbage" idea that most Americans at that time seemed to care too much about.

2011 Minneapolis Auto Show: Best of Show: 2011 Audi TTS

The auto show was a long, thorough process; I admit I did skim over a bit of what was there, though, mainly because I had absolutely zero interest in the product being shown. I sat in, and tried out minivans, crossovers, sports cars, coupes, sedans, SUVs a scant few pick up trucks. I compared Kias to Buicks, Nissans to Hondas, BMW to Mercedes, and a host of others.
While there were quite a few vehicles I liked (as evidenced by my blog postings), there can be only one "Best of Show." Out of the nominations pretty easily was the new Saab 9-5; the only one Saab had on display was not open for public viewing, and I most defintely did not consider the 9-3X. The Volvos were there, too, but I had seen them. Ford had some good product, too, but I didn't really see anything extremely significant, nor did I get an extraordinary feeling once I sat inside. I tried out what seemed like hundreds of cars, and narrowed it down to two finalists. There were two cars that had me coming back for more; Fiat's new 500, and Audi's wonderful TTS. The 500 was a great car in its own right, but, like all cars in this price category, it had some rather cheapish details. Not to say it's a bad car, however.
The car that had me coming back for more is the Audi TTS. I must've stepped foot inside at least four or five times throughout my visit to this year's auto show. I've always liked TT; there's something about it that really captivates me. The lines, the overall shape, the way it can be a sports car when you want it to be, or be a luxury cruiser when the time comes. With the TTS, and upcoming TTRS, Audi is finally giving the TT what its deserved this whole time -- a proper sporting variant. The scrumptious body paired with the exquisite yet functional interior is amazing. On the outside, its just sexy enough to warrant attention from passersby, yet its understated enough to where people not in the know won't bother you at a red light. Being a smaller person, I quite liked the seating position. The radio, and HVAC controls were easy to use, and unlike most nav systems (cough cough Infiniti), Audi's MMI unit is remarkably easy to get used to quickly. Brilliant work if I say so.
I commend Audi for not screwing up the TT for the latter half of its second generation. Since this model is so good, I can only hope the next generation is as good-- or better. I quite loved this car, and I honestly don't know why. It's not new, it's not exactly rare, and I see them by the droves where I live. But somehow the Audi TTS is good enough to win my inaugural "Best of Show" award.

2011 Minneapolis Auto Show: This Year's Big Surprise

To be honest, Chrysler hasn't really been my cup of tea; sure they made cars, but their portfolio hasn't really been filled with jaw-droppers-- till now. Sure, the Dodge Viper is awesome, and the Charger is rear wheel drive, but honestly, aside from that, did anyone gives these guy any kind of look? I did, and that look was a quick glance. Not exactly awe-inspiring by any means. Enter 2011-- every vehicle in the Chrysler portfolio is either all new, or majorly revamped. I'll first start off with my favorites, and wind my way down to the "I shot it because it was there" cars.

Some of you old-timers (sorry!) may remember Fiat for selling either unreliable deathtraps, or cute little sports roadsters that were a joy to drive-- when they ran. After leaving the US in the early 1980s with the unsuccessful Strada, the boys from Italy are back, and this time they have no intention to pack up and go home. Launched in Europe in 2008, the new 500 picks up where the first iteration of BMW's "Mini" left off; it's a small, fuel efficent car with a punch-- and racing history. Not so much the new one as the old one, but still-- a sporty minicar is a sporty minicar. Like Mini, Fiat, too, will be offering multiple variations, including a 500C (a Cabrio-- not a large 4 door), and the much-loved Abarth performance model. Fiat had several on stand, as its the only vehicle they offer so far in the States. I say "Welcome Back" and cue the pictures :) I'm not gonna lie-- and why would I? This was quite possibly my favorite car of the show-- almost! I love this little guy! It's like omgcute.












HEMI is BACK, ALL 392 CUBES OF IT!

If you remember the 1960s and 1970s, you likely remember the muscle car wars; forget miles per gallon, this war was fought to see which car packed the most horespower, and the most cubic inches; and Dodge is reliving the horse-wars now in 2011. This year, they've brought back the famed 392 Hemi. Here it is, in the all new Challenger 392. Quite lovely in this awesome blue and white scheme made famous by the Dodge Viper GTS 15 years ago. Wait-- 1996 was 15 years ago? Really? It certainly doesn't seem like it. Anywhoo, this particular car sits atop the Challenger tree, boasting all of of 470 horses, which are chanelled through a proper 6 speed manual. Since I mentioned MPG, I would like to add that this beast gets.. maybe 12 or 13 MPG combined, if you care about that.








REAR WHEEL DRIVE SAVIOR? NOT QUITE.

Back in 2005 when the Chrysler LX cars were launched, the Chryler 300 won Motor Trend's Car of the Year; great, but what's its like outside the limelight? Honestly, despite these being "cult classics" from Chrysler, they're not that much different than any other Chrysler product once the showroom shine begins to fade. Cheap interior plastics, paint that loses its luster, and an "eye-catching shape" that begins to become bland after awhile due to strong sales. Although motoring critics are acclaiming these cars left and right, to me thses are a simple rehash of the typical Chrysler formula. Sure, the interior quality is drastically improved, and the styling has been freshened up, but in a years' time, how will these look on our streets? I predict the same outcome as the 2005-2010 cars. Nice try, Chrysler, but you have some catching up to do.







FROM JUNKYARD DOG TO SHOWROOM STAR

To be blunt, Chrysler's SUVs, like the car counterparts, have been a big mess; not very attractive, cheaply built, horrid quality, horrid to drive, awful on long trips, but apparently that's change. Quite. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee (The only Jeep I cared enough about to look at) has arrived. It picks up where the old one left off; it's still a town car for yuppies, and yes it does cost more than the old one, but.. the old one didn't look as good as this. The old one's interior didn't feel high end, and the old one surely didn't warrant the $45k MSRP; this does. For 2011, every square centimeter of this perennial best-selling SUV is new or drastically changed. Gone are the turbo diesel, and low output V6. In their place are the new Pentastar 3.6 V6, and the Hemi returns. Sitting inside the new Jeep, your eyes dance around, looking for a shoddy surface-- none. Next, you start to peer into crevices looking for gaps, and uneven texture-- nope, not there. The seats are firm, but comfortable, the driving position and gauge placement is pretty good, almost Land Rover like. And it gets marginally better gas mileage than the old one. Oh, did I mentioned it starts at a lower price than the old one, too?
For 2011, the much-loathed Dodge Durango gets extremely sexy skin. The previous Durangos were nothing to look at, nor were they any good to drive. The interiors were what seemed like acres of grainy, hard plastics, and so-so fit and finish. Like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was impressed -- no, amazed is the right word here. Elegant texture, rich feeling materials, gorgeous color combination, and a definite upmarket feel about it. Outside, my reaction is much the same. Like the Grand Cherokee, this, too, has street presence. I still stop and stare when I see these coming. Definitely can't say that about a previous generation, I'll say that much. So, two big SUVs-- two very good big SUVs from an ailing brand. I gotta hand it to Chrysler for this. Do you think it makes up for the LX cars? Just maybe it does.







Great news-- there is a new Sebring! Wait, I mean 200. Moving on now..