Cars

Mitsubishi is touting its thoroughly redesigned Eclipse as a "coupe for all ages." I guess that makes me dead.
While old and young alike may appreciate this 2006's pretty new body and long list of features for the money, I struggle to justify the cross-generation appeal. This Eclipse impresses me as a young person's car through and through. Call me crazy, but something about tires prone to squeal and gigantic subwoofers prone to attract noise pollution citations gives me this idea.
There is nothing wrong with youth appeal. Quite the contrary. Expect massive interest from the newly licensed and/or newly employed. It will be the car to have among the young, restless and stylish.

But, given that the Eclipse appeared to be maturing there for a few years with larger dimensions and more comfortable ride characteristics, I am surprised by this '06. Mitsubishi is calling this ground-up redesign a "full-fledged Grand Touring coupe." But I think of that designation as applying to the most dignified among coupes. On the contrary, this Eclipse seems to have abandoned its former kinder, gentler direction for an edgier attitude and rollicking good time. Some will be delighted with this turn of events; others will not.

When I heard Honda was introducing a redesigned Civic for '06, I thought, "That's nice." When I saw the redesigned '06 Civic Coupe sitting in my driveway, I thought, "Wow, that's nice."
And after I spent a week behind the wheel of this 8th generation, I thought, "That's really, really nice."
I am apparently not the only one feeling this way. Motor Trend Magazine awarded the Civic its prestigious Car of the Year honors for all four models: the coupe, sedan, hot Si hatchback and four-door hybrid with an upgraded engine.
My spin was limited to the EX Coupe, but it was a good introduction to an impressive rebirth.

One might think some of the initial excitement surrounding BMW's Mini Cooper would have worn off by now. After all, the little four-seater is everywhere these days, such that you would suppose some of the "Oh, isn't that CUTE!!!!" reaction would subside. I am here to tell you it hasn't. I just spent a week with a Mini Convertible and received almost as many endearing looks and comments as when I first drove one back in 2002. Of course, it could have had something to do with the test car's "Hyper Blue Metallic" color, the fact that November was experiencing a euphoric warm snap so the top remained open and/or the two golden retrievers perched in the back seat, tongues wagging and ears flapping in the breeze.

Do you get sticker shock at every gas pump, but don't want to sacrifice your people- and cargo-carrying space? Are you now resigned to ever-higher fuel prices, but not ready to take the hybrid plunge? Mercedes-Benz, the company that invented the diesel passenger car, suggests that the time is right to consider a switch to new clean diesel technology. Read more

The time is right for a deluge of sport-worthy compacts. Gasoline prices hovering in the stratosphere. Manufacturers lusting after the youth market. Buyers continuing to place a premium on performance. Backlash off the big SUV craze. Europe must be wearing a wide grin at all this. These issues have driven their automotive market for decades, with the exception of the SUV thing. They know how to build cool little sporty cars that placate both the fuel economist and the enthusiast. The 2006 Audi A3 is proof of that. It represents this expanding breed of compact wearing upscale nameplates and higher levels of luxury and performance. Acura has long enjoyed success in this segment here in the U.S., and Volvo’s S40 sedan and V50 wagon have recently entered the market. Now Audi joins the fray, and BMW is expected to follow.

When Mercedes entered the sport utility fray back in the late 90s with its M-class, reaction was all over the place. Some embraced the boxy roller-skate shape as appropriately fresh; others found it awkward and devoid of classic appeal. Some accepted its relatively truck-like ride and handling as befitting a sport utility; others deemed it unacceptable for a Mercedes of any ilk.
Read more

"It's not you," my friend called across the parking lot shaking his head as I leaned on the red 2006 Cadillac DTS I was test-driving. "Maybe in about 25 years," he added, laughing.
Such is the plight of the big Caddy sedan. No matter how edgy designers make its lines, no matter how much horsepower engineers pump under its hood, no matter how solid it may be for the money, image of a large Cadillac sedan remains that of a ride for those heading over the hill.
Read more

When people ask what kind of car I am testing and the answer is, "a Hyundai," their response is often a blank stare.
It’s not that they dislike the Korean carmaker. It’s just that, well, they were hoping to engage in lively conversation about cars, but the word “Hyundai” catches them out of the loop.
Read more

The idea of an all-new BMW 3-series sedan for 2006 ignited excitement in the hearts of many driving enthusiasts, as well as a little fear. Because BMW has endured criticism for its sedan styling in recent years, fans of the popular 3-Series had to wonder if the 3 would be the next unfortunate victim. Read more

As the old saying goes, everything is relative.
Step out of a new rumbling, roaring Mustang GT into the equally new HEMI-equipped Dodge Charger R/T and the first impression is, "What's all the fuss about?" Compared to the Mustang's bluster, the Charger's quiet, smooth, family sedan image seems tame by comparison.