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2004 Saturn Ion

February 4th, 2010 No comments

    If this were 1994, the Saturn Ion would be praised as a fabulous new car with an advanced suspension, innovative styling, and refined interior.  Too bad it’s 2004.
     While it’s far from awful, the latest Ion seems to lack the quality, refinement, and precision found in its Japanese rivals — and even a few Korean ones. Sure, it has some one-of-a-kind features and a dent-resistant plastic body, but it still feels like a cheap rental car. Read more…

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2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV

February 4th, 2010 No comments

     If Cadillac’s mammoth Escalade isn’t big enough for you, take a look at this brute.
     It’s the giant Escalade ESV, one of the most overindulgent vehicles available today in terms of size, power, and electronic gadgets. It has the same fabulous engine and luxurious amenities as the regular Escalade, but those three magic letters — ESV — make a world of difference in roominess.
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2004 Jeep Wrangler

February 4th, 2010 No comments

     At a time when SUVs are becoming more like cars with each passing year, it’s refreshing to drive one that hasn’t lost touch with its off-road roots.
     Driving the 2004 Jeep Wrangler feels like piloting a mountain goat — a capable, noisy, bumpy, unrefined beast that’s more at home in the wilderness than in the city. It stands in stark contrast to the cushy, modern SUVs that seem like sissies with their quiet cabins and spongy rides.
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2004 Nissan Quest

February 4th, 2010 No comments

     Let’s face it. Minivans have gotten a bad rap.
     Despite their undeniable practicality and family-friendly features, it’s just not chic to drive one because they’re seen as mind numbingly boring. And ugly. And slow. And soccer-momish.
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2004 Infiniti G35

February 4th, 2010 No comments

     When you think of a luxury car, what comes to mind?
     Most people would envision a huge Cadillac, Lincoln, or Mercedes-Benz that floats down the road like an ocean liner, its geriatric driver pointing his nose at the sky. This stereotypical luxury car is probably something quiet and smooth with snooty styling and a mushy suspension that makes the road feel like polished glass.
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2004 Volkswagen Touareg

February 4th, 2010 No comments

     Well, the folks at Volkswagen have finally gone off the deep end.
     Or maybe they’re just marketing geniuses, because the new Touareg — the largest, most expensive vehicle ever to wear the VW badge — represents one of the biggest strategy shifts in automotive history. It’s quite a gamble for this German company, which for decades made nothing but low-priced economy cars and faces an uphill battle to change its public image.
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2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4

February 4th, 2010 No comments

        

Want to see what happens when you pump near-lethal doses of steroids into a Dodge Neon? Then step inside the SRT-4.
     This 230-horsepower monster is the second fastest vehicle in Dodge’s stable as it sprints to 60 mph in a lightning-quick 5.8 seconds. Only the super-expensive Viper is faster. Read more…

2004 Dodge Durango

February 4th, 2010 No comments

     When the Dodge Durango was introduced in 1998, it was perfect for Goldilocks – not too big, not too small.
     With a spacious cabin, rugged performance and valuable third-row seat, the Durango quickly gained a following for its just-right proportions that neatly filled the void between midsize and full-size SUVs. It was a perfect fit – for a while. Read more…

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2004 Audi S4 Cabriolet

February 4th, 2010 No comments

      Holy crap!
     German engineering, 340 horsepower, a lowered suspension, six-speed manual transmission, gorgeous body, and a convertible top that lowers with the push of a button — it’s got everything, plus a relatively comfortable back seat. What else can you say about a car like this? Read more…

2004 Suzuki Reno

February 4th, 2010 No comments

        Remember Daewoo? It was the Korean carmaker that tried selling low-priced cars here for about three years before going kaput.
     Or so we thought.
     Thanks to the global tentacles of General Motors, Daewoo is undergoing a resurrection of sorts in the United States, only not under its own name. Chevrolet sells one Daewoo model as the entry-level Aveo, Suzuki sells another as the midsize Verona, and now Suzuki is selling a third Daewoo derivative called the Reno. All three are decent cars with incredible price tags. Read more…

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