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Summer Drive Buys
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| Summer fun and sun in the best new cars |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:22:48 |
| Rating |
 16 ( -2 -12.5% ) | | Author | Brian Chee |
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Description:
Ah, the joys of summertime. And few things evoke joy from June through September than a sporty convertible. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face as you race along the coast, a mad getaway dash to points unknown...Mmmm.
Or maybe your idea of a great summer car is the kind of hauler that packs away everything -- and leaves plenty of space between Mom, Dad, and the 2.5 kids in the back. What is it, honey..I can't hear you... Perhaps a sexy new minivan is the order of the day, then, or an SUV -- DVD required, of course. Or maybe something you can practically live in and not have to worry about, an all-in-one beach-going multi-purpose vehicle with a little flair.
Whatever you think is the perfect car for summer adventures, there's one out there for you -- and probably, given the great sales and rebate specials that abound this time of year, at a very reasonable price. Here are 10 we think fit perfectly into the fit and feel of summer:
BMW Z4
MSRP Range: $33,100 - $40,250
Availability: At dealerships
Say goodbye, Z3. Though you were quite a fun little roadster, you won't be missed -- not with BMW replacing you with the Z4, an improved two-seater starting at $33,795. Two Z4 roadster models will be available in 2003, both featuring in-line sixes; the Z4 roadster 2.5i with the 2.5L, with 184-horsepower power plant. The Z4 2.5i goes from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds with the standard 5-speed manual; the Z4 3.0i needs just 5.9 seconds using the standard 6-speed manual.
Chrysler Crossfire
Estimated MSRP Range: Mid-$30s
Availability: Mid-summer
Some say it looks like a Mercedes in American clothes, and for what it is -- a true American coupe borrowing a refined German power plant -- that's high praise. Built with a 3.2-liter 90-degree V-6, 18-valve SOHC engine available with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, the rear-wheel drive Chrysler Crossfire will churn 215 horsepower, 229 ft.-lb. torque, offer electronic stability control and all-speed traction control. Price has not yet been released, but look for a mid-$30s price tag and a waiting list.
Ford Thunderbird
MSRP Range: $36,340 - $39,885
Availability: At dealerships
The Ford Thunderbirdd is about cruising, not pinning your ears back and going for broke. People looking for a racer will be disappointed, even though the Thunderbird has a powerful engine. Bust past 80 and the car loses confidence; it seems to float and wander a bit. Hard braking gives the nose a little dip and wiggle, and while it pulls up nicely when the reds come on, the Thunderbird's extra girth (3,775 lbs) is noticeable in stopping and accelerating. Not that it matters, at least too much. The Thunderbird is a cruiser, after all, and as such it has a creamy and powerful ride, especially on long jaunts. In traffic, it settles down into a nice tempo, giving enabling the driver to easily get in step with the flow of traffic. Seating, with up to 43.7" of legroom and 37.2" of headroom, is roomy and comfortable. The instrument panel is intuitive, including the convertible switch and passenger seat air bag switch, in case you decide to bring along a kid.
Honda Element
MSRP Range: $16,100 - $20,850
Availability: At dealerships
The Honda Element is one of the coolest vehicles to debut in 2003. Why? Innovations such as a hard flat floor like a pickup, an enclosed rear area like an SUV, side cargo doors that open "out" (commonly referred to as suicide doors), will make the Element popular with Generation Y and Generation X. Element is available in two trim levels, the entry DX and the fully loaded EX. The EX models add alloy wheels, ABS, air conditioning, cruise control, power mirrors, audio system and more. The Element is powered by Honda's 2.4-liter, i-VTEC, 4-cylinder engine with 160-horsepower and 161 lb.-ft. of torque, coupled to either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. Pricing starts around $16,000.
Honda Pilot
MSRP Range: $26,900 - $32,520
Availability: At dealerships
Judging from the debut model, GTOs -- at least the 14,000 or so they plan to build -- will be in very high demand. Buy the red, and stay away from the yellow model -- that may wind up looking too much like a very cool Impala. One thing's for sure -- it won't sound like an Impala, not with a specially tuned LS1 5.7-liter V-8 aluminum-block engine currently estimated at 340 horsepower, with an appropriately tuned Pontiac exhaust note. The GTO shares the same basic engine configuration with the base-level Chevrolet Corvette, but has been modified with a high-lift camshaft and increased airflow induction to create greater horsepower and low-end torque than the Holden Monaro.
Hummer H2
MSRP Range: $48,065 - $48,065
Availability: At dealerships
The 2003 H2 seems to be a complete package of off-road capability, in-cabin comfort and technological advancements from chassis to tranny to its rearview mirror. Wrapped in a skin that is undeniably Hummer, this new SUV offers the cache of 4x4 without the rough-and-tumble experience of many safari-mobiles. Under the hood, H2's technology makes it a super-SUV. A GM Vortec 6000 6.0-liter V8 delivers 316 hp at 5,200 rpm and 360 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the motor is supported by an all-new, driver-selected, electrically controlled, full-time four-wheel drive system. Base price for the Hummer H2 is $48,880.
Nissan 350Z, and Z Roadster
MSRP Range: $26,269 - $34,079 -- Roadster: mid-$30s
Availability: Summer
Few cars enter this world with as much anticipation as the new Nissan 350Z. Fewer still live up to the expectations as the 350Z has -- from inside to outside. Nissan's affordable sports car has zippy power, great torque and superb handling. The interior is a bit austere, but you won't buy this for plush seats and cupboards -- this 2-door, 2-passenger sports coupe is all about performance. Available in 5 trims, ranging from the Coupe to the Track, the Z is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 287-horsepower engine that gets 20-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The Nissan 350Z is priced starting under $30,000, but good luck getting it for MSRP. Coming in the summer of 2003: the Nissan 350Z Roadster.
The Z Roadster offers the same 287-horsepower V6, same handling and the same styling as the Z Coupe. The top is fully automated and, according to Nissan, takes 20 seconds to put up or down. It also features a glass rear window, wind deflector and will offer a "ventilated" seat design. The new Z Roadster will be available in two models when it goes on sale this summer.
Nissan Quest
MSRP Range: Not available
Availability: Summer
The Quest, which will be the first car built at Nissan's new plant in Canton, Miss., will compete with other top line minivans, such as the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. The Quest has several features, including a curvaceous exterior, skyview roof panels -- a nice innovation -- and a sliding door that's four inches longer than the competition. The interior is much larger and refined, with the plastic feel of the previous Quest replaced by state-of-art materials and instrumentation. The interior also features flat-folding 2nd and 3rd row seats -- the 2nd row is easily lifted in order to gain access to the back row. Powered by a 3.5 liter 230 horsepower V6 engine, the Quest is certainly different. The Quest will be available this summer.
Subaru Baja
MSRP Range: $21,995 - $23,995
Availability: At dealerships
Subaru's engineers created a thoughtful suspension design that works in concert with the boxer engine, which allows room for placement of a strong front cross member directly under the engine, and for equal-length axle shafts. The 2003 Baja is a 4-door, 4-passenger compact pickup, available in one version only, the LDT. The Baja is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, H4, 165-horsepower engine. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. Pricing starts at $23,995.
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
MSRP Range: MSRP Range: $20,000 - $26,000
Availability: At dealerships
At long last, a convertible version of the New Beetle will hit our shores. According to early reviews, the soft top Beetle will be worth the wait. In order to get sun in your face, however, New Beetle drivers will have to give up some back seat space, and shell out more dough for automatic top operation. All in all, however, the New Beetle Cabriolet looks to be a winner in style and fun. Body reinforcement should improve the ride. |
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