Extended Test Drive, 2015 Chevrolet Cruze

So Holly has reviewed the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze here and is not really much of a fan, she's had it as a rental many times, this time was the first time I'd driven one.

This is going to be part test drive / car review and part road trip related travel journal.

Extended Test Drive, 2014 Chevy Cruze

Holly here. I had a Chevy Cruze for three days over the course of a business trip.

Extended Test Drive, Kia Sorento

Holly and I had a Kia Sorento LX V6 on a drive from Massachusetts back to Delaware.

Here are some pictures of the rental car:

Skywater, 2014 Subaru Outback Premium

Having test driven numerous Subaru vehicles, originally prompted by my parent's search for a new car, they finally got one!
Introducing Skywater!
Skywater is a 2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium with a 6-speed manual transmission. One of the few that was left in the US. Thank you Hodges Subaru for giving me the US inventory list so I could find her.

It's spacious. The rear seats lean back very nicely and tons of leg room, which is nice on long rides in the back. Heated seats and the adjustable lumbar / seat hug is very nice in the driver seat.
On the negatives though, the infotainment is very basic and connecting a device via Bluetooth is kind of obnoxious as it involves the voice command system.
There is more body roll than I would like, I wish it was more like the 2014 Subaru Legacy I had driven, just flatter with more feel.
Skywater provides a rather cushy ride. It is also very quiet by Subaru standards in terms of road noise.
When you properly rev it you will get the Subaru boxer sound.
It's a good car if that is what you need, probably one of the best. But, owning a 2014 Subaru BRZ myself, the 2014 Subaru Outback is too soft.

Anyways, pictures:
(Photo-bombed by Champ the border collie)

Another (Extended) Test Drive, Volkswagen Jetta

Due to the car damage I'm had a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE since Monday the 17th.

Here are my thoughts so far:

2013 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SE 6-speed automatic

Cagalli Yula (Subaru BRZ), One Week Review

I've owned Cagalli Yula [2014 Subaru BRZ Limited] for one week now.

After driving her for a day I took her on a trip back to Chicago through a blizzard. She's a bit messy, I do not seem to have any coin washes in the area, but I do have one car wash with great reviews nearby, so, hopefully she'll be clean by Sunday.

In terms of driving experience, at first she was very very stiff and bumpy. Now, either I've gotten used to it or she's loosened up some.

Steering wise she is very responsive, you feel everything. I compare driving her and the feel you get as the difference between sneakers and Vibram FiveFingers on your feet. We've had some snow and ice and I have no complaints so far. The Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires are doing their job.

More Test Drives of the Subaru Product Line

While I was at the dealership to get Cagalli Yula's auto-dimming mirror installed I test drove a 2013 Subaru WRX STi.

First, about the mirror, it's nice, and useful. Mainly I got it because I liked the mirror's on my great aunt's Audi A4 (the rear-view and side-view mirrors were all auto dimming). The thing I like most about this is unlike the normal mirrors you do not lose everything except headlights from your view.

Another Test Drive, Volkswagen

These recent test drives, of all the wagon vehicles come from looking for a new car for my parents. But, I figured I'd put my reflections and impressions up for anyone it may help.


2014 Jetta Sportswagen TDI, 2.0 L 6-speed

The seats up front were very comfortable. Faux-leather, heated, adjustable, and better than those in the Impreza. They did not have the side wing adjustment, like the seats in the Outback, Forester, and Legacy. I missed this as it eliminated some of the bucket seat feel.
Technology and standard equipment wise it was well appointed.
The car does not feel big, at the same time I would not describe it as nimble or peppy. It's comfortable but the handling is wholly unimpressive. Simply put I would not take a turn with any enthusiasm unless down in 2nd gear or so.
Driving a diesel would take some getting used to in terms of operational rev ranges and power delivery.
The clutch pedal is as soft or softer than those in most Subaru's, I do not like this as I like enough resistance to definitively know  when I am depressing the clutch or not.
Passing speed and the ability to find an "emergency out" on this worry me, it really was not quick to respond.

Regarding the engine and transmission:
Gears 1 - 5 work fine for city driving, I doubt you would hit 6th.
The dash board has a funny indicator about when it thinks you should up-shift and  down-shift.
Gear 6 worked great for highway cruising.
You need to use more throttle in conjunction with lifting off the clutch in1st gear than I'm used to in most petrol engine car.
There was very little engine braking unless using 2nd gear or 3rd gear from much higher speeds.

General Conclusion:

Efficient and goes well enough.

I was not a fan of the handling or the throttle response.

This is the first diesel car I've driven, so, I'm not sure what my expectations should be.

More Test Drives of the Subaru Product Line

Today I tested more cars offered by Subaru. I went back to Hodges Subaru in Ferndale, MI and was dealing with Danielle again (if you’re looking to buy a Subaru and live in the Detroit area, deal with her, she’s wonderful!). Today I was testing and measuring cars for my parents who are finally looking to replace Harmony (2000 Subaru Outback) or Cloud (1999 Subaru Forester).

A few notes on the Subaru product line before I review the cars. Subaru needs to offer a wagon version of the Legacy that is less bulky looking than the new Outback’s (this is available in Japan and should be here too). Subaru manual transmission vehicles still suffer from very soft clutch pedals, a bit more resistant would just let you know you’re pressing it better. Also, Subaru offers a lot of great diesel versions of their vehicles in other countries that are quite fuel efficient, these should be offered to the USA as well.

On to the cars I drove today:

Recent Test Drives

Recently my girlfriend finally took the Scion FR-S for a spin, I was in the back seat, she was exuberant, and it was fun. Better ask her about it if you want more.

2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i:
I took a manual 5 speed for a test drive. First, having driven both a 2000 Outback (Harmony) and 1999 Forester (Cloud) [Harmony and Cloud are my parents' cars] I was surprised how much farther that 2.5L engine goes in the smaller and lighter Impreza, I liked it a lot.

2009 Subaru WRX:
This car was much faster than the Impreza. It also had very heavy steering. It felt a little heavy but more so the steering was really heavy.

2006 Subaru WRX STi:
Ok, so I'm really glad I did not pick up this car, I would not be able to afford the speeding tickets. It picks up speed so quickly!  The short ratio gear box is wonderful. I really like this car. The handling and braking were absolutely wonderful. The handling was also light and easy to throw into a turn. One day I may end up with one of these, we'll see.

Ceras Victoria (Honda Prelude), Pre-Crash

So... this is Ceras Victoria. A 1994 white Honda Prelude Si. She's been through some tough times.