Shopping for a new car?

Are you ready to get behind the wheel of a new car, truck, SUV, or minivan? If you would like to know more about what's in store for you before you take a trip to the local dealership, check out Beth Stein's reports. She gets right to the point, giving you an honest review on the newest models available.



2002 Ford Explorer
Now, here’s a fresh approach: An article on the Ford Explorer that has nothing to do with nasty tire recalls. In fact, the only finger pointing you’ll get in this piece is a thumbs-up for this brand new Explorer that gets a truly remarkable makeover for 2002. And not a minute too soon, I might add. Barring any conclusive proof that the previous model was at fault in the rollover scandal, Ford is more than ready to put this controversy behind them. The all-new Explorer gives them exactly what they need to do that. This generation is very different from the old one in all the right ways. It’s bigger, quieter, more substantial, more accommodating, friendlier, easier to drive: All the things that inspire driver confidence. I recently spent a week in a 2002 Explorer Eddie Bauer, which tops the Explorer’s four trim packages. Read more




2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD
They look at me funny when I write a check in the grocery store and put down not simply the wrong month or day like normal people, but the wrong year. I come by this confusion honestly (or so I mutter to myself). Here we are, at the midpoint of 2001, and already my driveway is peppered with vehicles marked “2002 model.” This Jeep Liberty counts itself among that fold. It bears the distinction of replacing the vehicle that started this whole sport utility craze, the Jeep Cherokee. Read more




2002 Audi allroad quattro
It used to be there were cars, trucks and the occasional station wagon. Now, we have to decipher whether it’s a crossover, hybrid, sport utility, sport activity, recreational, minivan or any of many other concoctions available today. Even distinguishing between car and truck (the PT Cruiser, for example) has become challenging. If those of us who cover automotive trends are confused, Ms. Average Reader must be bewildered. So I’m not going to attempt to pidgeonhole this Audi allroad quattro, except to say it is one of my all-around favorite vehicles of recent test-drives. Of note: Like the word “quattro” which refers to Audi’s all-wheel-drive system, Audi does not capitalize “allroad.” I presume they intend it more as adjective than noun, more as description than statement. Whatever their quirks, I like their wagon, um, crossover, um, sport … oh brother. Read more




2002 Volkswagen Golf GLS
Perhaps the excesses represented elsewhere in my automotive stash illuminate what a fabulously fun, compact five-door this is for the money. Or maybe it was the mischievous delight on my husband’s face as he fed me dust, tires chirping, at red lights late one night in this squatty VW. I was beside him driving that wicked Benz and wasn’t about to take the bait. Whatever the motivation, I really love this unassuming, but quick, little car. Read more

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