The Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Review

Too small and uncomfortable.. That more or less sums up what I think of the Mercedes SLK 350.

I have always enjoyed Mercedes cars and my SLK experiences started with a 2002 SLK 320 Manual. It was bright red and my, so called, friends referred to it as a "hairdressers" car!

Looks aside, it was not a bad car, the gearbox was a bit notchy and the suspension was not very sporty but on the whole I quite liked it. So when I first took delivery of my SLK 350 auto with the F1 style front end and the more powerful engine I was excited, I like to drive fairly quickly and I enjoy driving for drivings sake. The new car looked better than the old model and the interior felt more up to date.

My first drive of the 350 was quite interesting. As I pulled away, with far too much throttle, the rear wheels snatched at the tarmac for grip and the car snaked it's way up the road. My first impression was positive, I like a lively drive and this certainly felt quite lively. But my initial impression did not last for very long. I discovered that if I drove the car with too much vigor that the gearbox would soon start to mess about, it would refuse to change up and hold the car in a gear for far too long. On one occasion I arrived at a t-junction which was on a fairly steep incline; the car would not move! it just sat there with it's engine revving away. After what felt like an age a gear was found with a bang and away we went.

I continued my drive in a far more sedate manner and the car behaved as it should, but this experience had tainted my view and I was never particularly happy with the car's performance.

Another problem with the SLK 350 Auto is one of having a very slow gearbox when it comes to selecting reverse gear after drive. If you are driving along a busy high street and spot a parking space you pull up just past the gap and select R on the auto box and then wait.......it feels as though it's going to take forever. The only thing I will say about this is that it's a problem with ALL modern Mercedes auto's and the SLK is not alone.

The Interior cabin of SLK is quite well appointed, if a little on the small side. There is a distinct lack of accessible storage and trying to find find somewhere to put your house keys, mobile phone and pack of gum is quite a challenge.

The folding roof is quite superb and should be a standard feature on all cars. The only small problem is the amount of luggage space space left when the roof is folded down.

The cars performance on a nice wide open, smooth, bump free road is very good. The car accelerates well and stops well. The engine feels a little harsh when being driven in anything other than a docile way and I have already given my opinion of the gearbox.

The car's suspension is very hard and is set up in such a way that hard driving into corners will produce a little initial under-steer followed by very controllable over-steer. The suspension is, in my opinion, just too hard for everyday use.

In conclusion, The Mercedes SLK 350 is not my type of car. It's not an exciting drive in the sense that a Caterham or a TVR is exciting and it's not comfortable like some of it's bigger brothers. I think this car is targeted at the 50+ female driver who does not want to drive quickly and is more interested in the look rather than build quality and performance.

Colin Mather Business Entrepreneur and Trainer http://www.colinmather.com tel: +44(0)7545 091838 email: colin.mather@colinmather.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Mather

The Jaguar D Type

The Jaguar D-Type was built between nineteen fifty four and nineteen fifty seven, a total of three years. The D type shared the same engine design as the previous C Type Jaguar, although this was the only similarity between the two cars, with the D Type having major changes made from its predecessor. The most notable change was the monocoque chassis, which was highly innovative and drastically improved aerodynamics and efficiency, a large feat for a competitive racing car. The car originated as a competitive racing car, but once Jaguar ceased racing the D-Type was converted for public sales.

The Jaguar XKSS was the road car created from the left over D-Types. An additional seated was added to the car, a full windscreen, a passenger door, and other changes to make the car more practical for the general public.

Unfortunately for Jaguar, a fire destroyed nine of the twenty five cars which were either completed or close to completion on the twelfth of February nineteen fifty seven. The market for high performance European cars was highly profitable in that time, the main reason for converting the unused chassis into production cars to gain back some of the investment.

The design on the D-Type really mirrored that of an aircraft, with the innovative introduction of the monocoque body style. The fuel for the car was within bags within the cells of the chassis, another design aspect which mimicked that of aircraft engineering. The aircraft style like engineering was down to the work of Sayer, a former Bristol Aeroplane Company worker, who successfully brought his innovative design to the table.

From a mechanical standpoint, the D-Type shared many attributes with that of the previous C-Type. The engine was unchanged, and the disc brakes kept. The major changes came from the work of Sayer, who managed to make the car much more aerodynamic and efficient. The body style was so successful the Jaguar E-Type maintained many features as the successor of the legendary D-Type.

Bonhams auction sold a first factory production D-Type for £2.2m in the summer of 2008 at their popular auctions.

Classic Cars For Sale has Jaguar cars for sale. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Webbed

The best 1950 Allard J2

If you have been looking for a stunning sports car that exemplifies the best of English and American technological innovation and design the 1950 Allard J2 tops the list. These cars were produced during the 1950s and they were incredibly popular during this time period. What was even more amazing is that the cost of these cars was quite moderate. These cars enjoyed a popular appeal in both Europe and America when they were first produced and still today they are one of the most highly sought of older sports car models. This roadster was only produced as a limited series of 99 vehicles between the years 1950 and 1951.

The J2 Allard gave a driver an impressive amount of speed and performance and the handling was smooth enough to make them suitable for highly experienced or novice handlers. When the 1950 Allard J2 was put onto the racing circuit the sporty vehicle quickly earned first place listings in race courses on both continents. Sebring and Bridgehampton were only two of the places where this little speedster earned its reputation. Today these well built coupes are perfect specimens to be used on road rally courses and of course the cars are highly desirable by people who only want them placed in show competitions.

One of the best known construction features of the 1950s Allard J2 is the split I- beam axle used in the front end design. This gave the cars that fiercely distinct elongated nose; but it also made it possible to attach the special telescopic shock absorbers and heavy coiled springs that created an exceptional ride. There was a track rod at the rear of the split axle design and it was fashioned from three separate sections. In addition there were two idler arms at the rear and two radial arms which were also attached to the axle beams. To give the vehicle additional stability and suspension assistance there was a de Dion axle connected to the axle at the rear with the same style of coils and telescoping shocks that were used at the nose assembly. The incredible power of the J2 Allard in 1950 was made possible by a special Ford torque tube which was very much different from what other similar speedsters were using.

When the very first of the 99 1950 Allard J2 vehicle models were being rolled off the assembly line they were made with the souped up V8 Mercury flathead engines. These engines gave the cars incredible power and speed but as the racing legend of the Allard J2 models grew the increased need for even better speed was a must. This need was answered by installing new V8 engines in the Allard vehicle line including the Ardun OHV flathead and the Chrysler Company's powerful Hemi V8 model.

The chassis of the original 1950 J2 Allards all had exceptionally deep sides and these were interconnected with four big bore tubing assemblies. The cars transmissions had more bracing than just the four large diameter tubes and this gave the vehicle outstanding stability but still the overall weight was quite light. This made these roadsters one of the speediest sports car designs on the road.

The lightweight bodies of the 1950 Allard J2 sports coupes were constructed from featherweight aluminum sheets that were molded and then attached with specialized bolts and fasteners. The fasteners were designed for quick and easy release and together the bolts and fasteners made stripping the car easy and fast. This meant that if the cars needed to be worked on by a mechanic, upgraded, or repaired it could be done in the shortest time frame possible. Even road, in-house or mechanical testing on the vehicle was able to be accomplished in unusually fast turnover times due to the innovative engineering and design of the cars.

There were some specific 1950 Allard J2 vehicle models that were only built for competition on the racing circuit. These powerful workhorses were equipped with the strongest V8 engines and tanks designed to hold 40 gallons of racing fuel. You could always tell one of these cars because the place the spare tire is mounted is not at the tail end of the car but on the side midway between the driver cockpit and forward fender.

A J2 Allard in 1950 was an amazing machine with some superior statistics including a 331 cc Cadillac V8 engine. This powerhouse could knock out 300 horsepower without flinching, and remember this was almost 60 years ago. The automotive engineers were forward thinking and highly innovative when it came to creating power and speed for the 1950 Allard J2 cars. In addition to a 331cc engine the Allard used triple, double barrel carbs and meticulously designed camshafts that combined to deliver some of the most powerful roadsters of the mid 20th century. Sports car enthusiasts pay dearly whenever they have a chance to purchase one of these rare cars from the 1950s.

Find the best buy and sell autos and read the latest auto reviews at vehicleride.com.

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The 2007 Volkswagen Jetta

After graduating college I was looking for a new car to replace my worn out Honda that had little to no life left. The price I was hoping to pay was around $20,000 giving me plenty of options to choose from. After test driving several different models, I decided on the Jetta. My experience has been mostly positive, but the car is not without faults.

Acceleration: My car has the 5cylinder engine with 150hp. It moves the car around sufficiently enough, but the car is not fast by any means. Luckily the transmission is a 6 speed to ensure you are always in the optimal gear. If you buy a brand new Jetta, the car should feel a bit more peppy because it has an extra 20 horsepower. Overall I'd give the car a 7/10 for acceleration.

Transmission: The transmission is a 6 speed automatic which is unheard of in this price range. It is very smooth. I'd rate the transmission a 9/10.

Handling/Steering: The car steers accurately and provides just the right amount of feedback. Handling is pretty impressive and the car always feels in control. Overall I rate it an 8/10 for handling.

Ride: The car rides firm, but is comfortable and controlled. I prefer a firmer ride to the soft mushy feeling you get in a car like the Toyota Camry. Overall 8/10.

Seating: There is plenty of room front and back. for passengers and the seating is firm, but comfortable. There are plenty of adjustments for the front seats including lumbar adjustment. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes making it easy for anyone to find a good driving position. Overall 9/10

Trunk: The trunk is huge, and is bigger than most. In addition, the car has hooks for you grocery bags so they stay in an upright position. It's touches like these that make this car special. 10/10

Exterior Styling: The car looks classy with its chrome grille treatment, but the car is a bit too tall for my tastes. Some of the exterior views look a bit too Japanese for my taste, including the rear which has tail lights like the Toyota Corolla. Overall 7/10

Interior Styling: The interior looks more expensive the anything in the class. The materials are rich and surfaces feel high quality. 10/10

Safety: This car has airbags galore including two front, two side, and head airbags as well. 10/10

Reliability: I haven't had any major problems with the car, but it only has 33,000 miles on it. The transmission kicks down sharply sometimes and some of the interior elements have come loose. Also, the passenger door has been sticky ever since I bought it. People have to pull the door handle twice to open it. Overall I'd rate reliability a 7/10.

Price/Value: Considering its features, quality, and space the Jetta offers good value for the money. 8/10

Overall: Overall I have been pretty happy with the car and would rate it an 8/10. If Volkswagen adds a bit more power (which it has recently done), give the car more German styling, and fix some of the reliability problems, I just may purchase another Volkswagen Jetta in the future.

http://toursalesdirect.com http://sightseeingworld.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Foust

2010 Ford Taurus

Ford is always looking to improve their car designs; any good car manufacturer does this. Each car in the Ford stable has a different look and appeal. The 2010 Taurus is the large sedan from Ford offering a more chiseled shape than its predecessor and has that European look. The front is more dynamic too, with its sleek headlamps, pronounced front fenders, three-bar grille, broad upper chrome bar, and sportier stance.

In addition to having a flashy exterior, what lies under the hood of the 2010 Taurus is also quite impressive. It has a new EcoBoost V-6 Duratec 3.5L engine with 263hp and 249 lb.-ft. of torque. It is front wheel drive but has an all wheel drive option and is said to be one of the more powerful sedans in its class without sacrificing fuel mileage. As for safety features, standards for the Taurus include: anti lock brakes, traction and stability control, automatic high beams, rain sensing wipers, collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert systems, six airbags, rear and side aiming radar alert, and 911 assist enhancement.

Among other improved features in the 2010 Taurus, the interior has been enhanced and sophisticated. Inside, appealing finishes, high-tech frosting along with surrounding lighting, and outsized room for tall drivers. The Taurus is a large sedan that seems even larger after you open the doors, and it has great space in the back for six-foot passengers, as well as their knees. Another copious quality is the Taurus' large trunk due to the high profile of the rear fenders and the tall deck. Although the 2010 Taurus has many improvements to its earlier models, the biggest advancement is in the quality of the interior.

The 2010 Taurus goes on sale this summer. Visit Orange County Ford to view their inventory online. Also Best New Autos has review and info on new cars.

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About Kia Motors

The Kia motor company has the distinction of being South Korea's oldest car company. Kia did not start out as an automobile manufacturer at all. Kia actually began in 1944 as a manufacturer of steel tubing and bicycles. Originally called the Kyungsung Precision Industry it changed its name to Kia when it began producing motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, trucks and cars.

Today Kia Motors is a subsidiary of Hyundai KIA Automotive Grove and is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer. Its CEO is Chung Eui-sun and has its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. Kia Motors also maintains a presence in the United States as Kia Motors America and on October 20, 2006 broke ground for its first United States assembly plant in West Point, Georgia. Kia Motors has enjoyed tremendous success on the European market and is currently the fast growing car company in the United Kingdom.

The name Kia was derived from the Sino-Korean word ki, which means to come out, and the word a which means Asia. Translated it means to arise or come out of Asia or rising out of Asia.

Starting in 1986 Kia entered a partnership with Ford to produce several Mazda based vehicles for sale in South Korea and to be exported into other countries.

Kia officially arrived in the United States in 1992 however; it would be 1994 before the first Kia's would be sold in the United States. The first ones were available at four dealerships in Portland, Oregon. The first Kia models to be sold on the United States were the Sephia to be followed shortly by the Sportage.

Kia suffered tremendous loses in 1997 as a part of the financial meltdown experienced by Asia during that time. The company was forced to file bankruptcy and was acquired by Hyundai Motor Company. Because Ford had owned a portion of Kia since 1986, it also tried to acquire the company however, Hyundai was able to outbid Ford and Ford lost all but it's previously owned interest in the company.

Today Kia Motors has reorganized and now offers vehicles through 640 dealerships throughout the United States. Kia has enjoyed a fair amount of success in the North American market and in 2008 recoded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. Market share.

Kia has enjoyed quite a bit of success in the European market as well. It began importing cars to Europe in 1991. The Pride would be the first model to be offered there and proved quite popular with buyers. Kia maintains a presence in Europe as well. The Kia Motors Europe group is the European sales and marketing division of KIA Motors Corporation. It is now located adjacent to the Messe in Frankfurt, Germany.

Kia Motors has been in the European market for just over 16 years. Kia has certainly come a long way since its first offering of just one model. Today, Kia has expanded through midsize and full size sedans to the larger SUV's. The Sportage, Kia's SUV has been popular across Europe since its launch and with the introduction of the Sedona, the cheapest full-size people carrier in the United Kingdom, it is difficult to image a slowdown for Kia anytime in the near future.

About the Author

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at SW Engines. He writes about purchasing used Kia Engines as a cost effective alternative to costly car purchases.

The 2009 Toyota Prius

If you are looking for dynamic styling, advanced technology, spacious interior, and true fuel economy, then check out the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius, an intermediate sedan, is powerful, accommodating, efficient, and responsive. You could almost say it is a dream to drive, as it moves stealthily along the roadways.

The Toyota Prius comes in two models, the Prius Hybrid, and the Prius Hybrid Touring, both featuring the Toyota Synergy Drive. The basic model, Toyota Prius has a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder - 110 @ 5000 HP / 82 @ 4200 torque engine and price out for around $22,700.00, although it has several purchase incentives available that can save you some additional cash.

The Toyota Prius features, based on the 1.5 liter 4 cylinder, basic model, includes front wheel drive, 6 speed automatic transmission, solid rear disc brakes, anti-lock braking system (ABS) power assisted, electronic brake force distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA), front ventilated disc brakes, electric power steering, all season radial tires, temporary spare tire, 8 way power adjust driver's captain seat, power lumbar support and heated, 4 way passenger seat adjust, 60/40 fold down rear seat with center armrest, remote release in cargo area, cloth seats with leather seat surfaces, wood grain trim, chrome door handles, air conditioning, dual zone climate control, tilt and telescoping steering column, am/fm/cd/mp3/wma/xm satellite radio, in dash 6 disc cd changer, auxiliary input jack, 6 speakers, cruise control, power window and power door locks, smart key system, front center console box, front seat back pockets, front and rear cup holders, and 19" aluminium alloy wheels, wheel locks, power adjust heated mirrors, variable intermittent wipers, windshield de-icer, halogen headlamps, fog lamps, advance air bag system for drivers and passengers, 3 point lap and shoulder belts, anchors for child restraints, child protector rear door locks, and many more. . .

So, next time you are looking for a great car to roar the open roadways and transport your loved ones safely on vacation or to your neighborhood school, check out either model of the Toyota Prius, at LemonFree. You will be glad that you did!

Dan is a automotive enthusiast and is part of the development team that runs the website LemonFree Used Cars.

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A Quicker Than a Porsche Boxster?

There are certain things in life that will always catch you off guard. It's these little surprises that often make life worth living and I would strongly suggest embracing them. Often the mundane aspects of everyday life get on top of us and can weave a bit of disillusionment. That said, when something comes along that completely alters your perceptions, it makes you sit up and take notice...maybe even take stock of your life. Anyway, I'm waffling now, let me explain what has white-washed me with this existentialist guff.

It begins with a day at the races; a track day at Oulton Park in the North of England. In time-honored test driving tradition, me and my colleagues take as many vehicles to these events as possible and review as many as possible in a short space of time. We squabble over who gets the glory of driving the Lamborghini Gallardo (my colleague wins), who has the distinct pleasure of driving the Golf R32 (I win) and finally an argument over who drives what in a 2 lap race between a Porsche Boxster and a Honda S2000. After I draw the shortest of two straws, my colleague chooses the Boxster (naturally) and I trudge despondently to the S2000.

As we rev at the starting line my thoughts are obviously negative; driving skills aside, no one would expect a Honda S2000 (at least £5,000 less than the Porsche) to keep up. As the flag is waved I put my foot to the floor and hope for the best. This is where things went against expectation.

Not only did the Honda S2000 scream off the line with more aggression than the Boxster, within the first left-hander it had about a 25 feet advantage on the Porsche and held itself perfectly, neatly kissing both the inner and outer rumblestrips from entry to exit of the corner. After this first corner I started laughing hysterically. Essentially, what I was driving was a wolf in sheep's clothing; a beast dressed as your Gran.

I won the two lap race as convincingly as I started it and as a result feigned my win as a total triumph on my abilities as an exceedingly good driver. In my heart I knew that my success was entirely dependent on the S2000's unexpected and frankly harrowing performance on the track.

It's not only quicker than the Porsche Boxster, it's a lot cheaper. So bear that in mind next time you're drooling outside a Porsche dealership.

Pete Ridgard is a writer and a car enthusiast. Here he discusses the power and performance of the Honda S2000 - Successor to the NSX.

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