Motorweek; 2805

Aston Martin spots its way into our hearts with the exotic performance of the fated speedy trial the latest from Double 0 7 favorite Mark next on motorway. I'm Madoff's car selling at a price this time I'm Goss's garage I'm gracing auction this week something from GM that really fly and keel box the SUV treads with the radio. So come drive with us now. Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine brought to you by cars dot com. Let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research. OK even contact your dealer. My idea of a symphony a Pistons playing the tune my right foot to a bell feeling

100 percent feel like a lush and all the places people have been part of the company that has lost people. If you do these things here so you can get there. You accuse your host from over a week. JOHN DAVIS One homeowner won't come again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. Before James Bond drove on screen in a Q modified Aston Martin D B5 few Americans knew of this venerable British Mark. But since that 1964 screen debut a lot of intrigue has surrounded the brand itself being sold twice before ending up with Ford and now back as a standalone car maker. But thanks to Ford Aston Martin Xscape this turmoil with their best cars ever. And this week we test their latest update the vantage V8. With us.

The 2009 Aston Martin Vantage V8 is the British grand entry level car from parts in the world of Aston Martin. Entry level still means a solid six figure price tag. But you don't have to break the bank in Monte Carlo to recognise the sheer beauty and strength of our test vantage coupe and its companion roadster unchanged from its 2005 debut are the sleek distinctive lines that epitomize understated English style and sophistication from their traditional Aston grille to the slip ups with tail but beneath its lightweight aluminum composite and magnesium skin expands one of many technical upgrades for 2009. Up bored and stroked Jack Ward arrived Twin Cam 32 Balbi eight at four point seven leaders it is exclusive to Aston pumping out four hundred twenty horsepower and three hundred forty six pound feet of torque. That's 40

horses and 44 pounds feet more than the previous 4.3 leader to harness that power the fan it's good to revive six speed manual with lower mast fly wheel or artist car sports chip which uses the same rear transaxle but adds an automatic clutch along with comfort and support throttle. Think new sports chip software uses steering and other inputs to determine whether to ship in fast corners and on down hills or just hold the current gear. The extra power and trick your box allows the 3500 £95 vantage to hit 60 in a rapid 4.7 seconds. The sports shift that show comes in sport mode would help bring your changes on the Lazy Song. But the band had to be a really comes alive when the road becomes challenging. The coupe has a reworked suspension including stiffer springs and new Bilstein shocks some beefier parts from the roadster were also imported. The result is a grand jury coupe that delivers a

true sports car experience wheels our new design 19 inch 20 spoke alloys wider 5 spoke wheels with even stiffer shocks and a revised where anti-roll bar are part of the optional sports pack. But be prepared for racetrack ready rod even in wet in windy weather appropriate to its English origins are standard fitment advantage be a proved to be both comfortable and remarkably sure footed the standard electronic stability control and traction control minimise will spin without intruding on the driving experience or vice suspension bushings help deliver sharper steering as well like other Aston's we have driven there is a touch of front push on corner entry but a blip of the throttle restores the superb balance. While a stab of the brake pedal delivers serious diesel or a ship with plenty of feedback from the 14 inch front disc and radio mount for piston caliper the one wrinkle and then its performance is in fuel economy government fuel economy ratings are 13 city 9000

highway on premium gas. We manage thirteen point six MPG so bad its drivers or advised to steer clear of Sierra Club meeting. But wow unmistakable looks and performance are entering parts of the Aston appeal. A healthy dose of interior luxury is also important. The low roof and seats mean that entry for the tall or wide requires a bit of acrobatics. But once in the 20 leather buckets all of our drivers found superb support and long haul comfort. A redesigned center dash now largely shared with the DV 9 percent more organized control layout. It centers on a port for the new glass and stainless steel electronic ignition key. Naturally there are plenty of goodies like automatic climate controls a somewhat confusing satellite navigation system even of pin holder but there is only enough luggage space for a weekend getaway a mere 5 cubic feet.

Still that is big enough to hold one hundred nineteen thousand five hundred dollars in winnings which is the vantage V8 coupes base price. The roadster starts at one hundred thirty two thousand five hundred dollars but the sky is the limit with options so win big. And finally yes driving the vantage V8 makes you almost feel like double 0 7. That is invincible and revered by all police. The call is no fantasy. Time now for a stop by Goss's garage who are parents ready with money making tips on selling your dream car. John if you own a car sooner or later you're going to have to sell a car. And here to give us some pointers is Kelsey maze Kelsey is a car buying and selling expert. Welcome to Goss's garage. Thanks for having me on Pat.

All right now we've got years of service out of the old bus and it's time to part ways. What are some of the things we do to sell our car. Well the truth of prepping a car for sale is that it starts the day you buy it if you ever thinking of selling or trading that car and you're going to have to make sure you keep records of everything you do in the meantime. OK. So we're going to make up a portfolio of all the records what about owner's manuals and so on. You definitely need one of those if you bought the car used and it didn't come with one. Go down to the dealership get them to order one for you it'll be well worth the money you spend on it. All right. Next step in getting rid of it. Well you want to make sure it's clean before you place and that we're not just talking about putting the car through a car wash. You want to make sure you detail it with a fine tooth comb or pay some peoples money to do it professionally. You know the professionals can do a lot of things you'd never even think of really make the cars stand out. OK so now we've got a cleaned up what do we do next. Well you're going to want to place an ad you can do that in the newspapers or on the air that you can go online and look at values Bluebook values to see what other people are paying for this car and price your car

accordingly. From there you can start to take some pictures and place your ad in and always be realistic about the price. Yeah absolutely. All right so now we've got it listed We've got pictures but you know a lot of people take pictures that are far too specific pictures about things that only interest them. Yeah your buyers don't really care that much about the new $300 stereo you put in. They want to see things like wheels doors body panels and bumpers. OK. So we want to make the pictures appeal to the mass market not to the niche market unless it happens to be a totally new car. Yeah. OK so now we've got all of it done and we've advertised it we have a prospect coming to look at the car. Well they've probably given you a call first you want to be real honest about the condition of the car and why you're selling it. Once they show up you can want to do a walk around and again. Honesty is key. You want to show them what you think of the car what's important about the car and even what the little dings and scratches might be. All right. Road test. You can really get in

trouble there. Yeah. Always make sure you go along with them on the road test. Don't accept what little collateral they might give you an exchange take your car. You may never see it again. Yeah a phony driver's license doesn't count for much you know. OK now we've got all of that. What's our next step. Well next step is you're going to want to talk money and finally when you get to the transaction don't accept a cashier's check because those can be stopped by the bank. What you want is a registered certified check from the bank. Better than a personal check. Better than a bag full of cash. It might mean they're up to no good. Yes. So if you follow all the rules you can get rid of the old bus and do it painlessly and wind up with money you can actually spend rather than funny money. Exactly. Thank you. And if you have a question or comment write to me or send me a DVD-Video of your question and you might see yourself on TV. The address is Motor Week always Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7.

When you think of torpedo bomber I bet General Motors isn't even a blip on your radar. But they had a hand in building one of World War 2. Meanest most accurate aircraft the TBM Avenger and wars in Avengers had sunk nearly 60 enemy ships including the world's biggest battleship. But after one proud aviators plane fell from the sky he made it his mission to find and preserve one in its honor. And our own Craig saying Oz takes us on the journey of its fate above the high road. With with the United States and three in the world we're kids. America's automotive industry became part of the arsenal. Love democracy at General Motors one of their greatest contributions to the war effort was the production of the key beat em Avenger torpedo bomber. Originally designed by Grumman aircraft most of vendors were actually assembled by the Eastern aircraft division of General Motors. One particular

TBM was of great personal interest to this man Mr. Jack Casca. You see Jack Lew one TBM story World War Two. And while he's much too modest to mention it he was a highly decorated naval aviator. I got assigned to a Torpedo Squadron. Well I thought I'd died and went to him. And so from there my love of the airplane just kept going on. It took me out there brought me back except we crash one time on the Barrier Island. Will we survive. Airplane was pushed overboard. I got a few pieces of the memorabilia and life went on. Life went on for over half a century. But Jack never forgot that airplane or all his buddies on the USS Langley. And just as the 20th century became the 21st. Like an old friend from the past a much used and abused TBM Avenger became available to be restored and had no turret ices.

You know where is the rest of the airplane. So we finally did purchase it and started to take it apart and by that time the word got out because I'm a member of the Glenn L. Martin air museum and here comes the volunteers. Just about everyone ex-military or air force and or navy and or members I used to work at the Martin plant. So we all had the common desire and over a period of six and a half years over 25000 man hours. We put it back together and only had to be a flying airplane. No static displays which is fitting because TBM were great flying machines with its 900 horsepower radial engine DBMS were capable of 300 mph and they often carried over 2000 pounds of bombs torpedoes or rockets. This is one General Motors vehicle that could really deliver a knockout.

Today the restored TBM is lovingly cared for at its permanent home and mid-Atlantic air museum in Reading Pennsylvania. Each year at the museum's annual World War Two weekend the restored TBM attracts hundreds of visitors to come see a real piece of history and hear its story from one who was there. Most of the radio compartment only chrome played a piece on the airplane. Now I know this is your office door in the wars that is being grossly out in the summer I sat and planted in a room all kinds of Mumbai care and all my radio gear is up on that shelf. That's an original transmitter hair net. I was able to get my hands on this TBM Avenger survives today as a tribute to the tenacity bravery and can do spirit of World War 2 generation. And it's that same spirit

that keeps this remarkable piece of history alive and flying today. Both of this week's long termers are nearing the end of their stay with us. So it's a good time to check in on issues of wear and tear after 10 months in over 18000 miles. Our 2008 Honda Accord showing little sign of age. That's commendable given its short hop use and a cloth interior that is more likely to stain. We occasionally hear the steering wheel scraping plastic as it turns but we've had no mechanical hiccups since the air conditioner died in May. The Accord continues its quiet and efficient duties are 2.4 leader four cylinder automatics twenty five point six per gallon economy on regular gas is consistent. That's a good result for any full size car generation Honda Accord is another winner for the brand.

They clearly understand what American families need and want in a roomy five passenger sedan. Hi Rumi seven passenger 2008 Hyundai Vera Cruz crossover is also holding up very well despite the harder use that seems to come with any utility. Now its luxury fit but has not kept our staff from sloshing coffee around the interior and using the floor mats for God knows what but stains aside surfaces clean up quickly. The interior is mostly quiet thank controls continue to respond with precision. After 11 months and nearly twenty one thousand miles the three point eight leader V-6 is stronger than ever with fuel economy inching up to a just acceptable 18 miles per gallon of regular Still for their first attempt to take on Lexus and other luxury brands and the people mover business. The Hyundai Veracruz is living up nicely to its marketing pitch. We'll see how two smaller crossovers the Kia Rondo and Nissan Rogue are

wearing on the next motoric long term protest update. Next up Jessica choccy with all the latest Motor News. Our energy future is a critical challenge we face as a nation. With that comes the need for major changes on how we power our cars. So with the likelihood that renewable hydrogen will be a part of that driving future the question is. Change From cannot be done to when will be done with the 1.2 billion dollar presidential commitment for the hydrogen fuel initiative. The US Department of Energy and its partners and government industry and academia including the National Laboratories is focusing on the potential of hydrogen technology for consumer transportation use. Significant progress has already been made as we witnessed on the Washington D.C. stop of the hydrogen road tour sponsored by the geo We U.S. Department of Transportation. California Fuel Cell Partnership a National Hydrogen Association. The tour was a 13 day cross-country trip.

They gave Americans the chance to see what the future holds by demonstrating the progress towards a commercially viable hydrogen and fuel cell powered vehicles. The 2A green track spanned 31 cities and 18 states. Stretching from Maine to California making the journey were hydrogen concepts from BMW Dai Miller for GM Honda Hyundai Nissan Toyota and Volkswagen. A few hydrogen transit buses made appearances at certain stops along the route each stop provided the public and the media a hands on experience with hydrogen vehicles as well as regional hydrogen related programs. And because few areas have hydrogen fueling stations available as of yet the Torah brought along its own mobile hydrogen fueling station which allowed people to experience I'll say easy and clean it is to fill a vehicle with hydrogen. The National Hydrogen road tour literally drove alternative fuel education to the public sending the message that hydrogen along with biofuels and hybrids is one of the many alternatives that

must influence our future energy portfolio. Elsewhere on the auto scene shortly after pictures were prematurely leaked on the Internet. GM gave the world an official look at the production Chevrolet Volt. Well this advanced plug in hybrid has lost some of the concepts sleek lines it still looks quite futuristic. The Volt is designed to go 40 miles on electric power alone. Well I have more details on the Volt soon. And that's it for this week's Motor News. High gas prices have taken a big toll on the sales of traditional body on frame SUV. But while many of their former fans have downsized and moved on to lighter crossover vehicles there are still some who crave tough trailer towing sports news and for that crowd Kiya has designed their new Borrego perfectly well the full frame strong V-6 and V-8 power trains. The brake go can go where crossovers fear to tread. But with the ever uncertain gas prices is the Borrego filling a niche that may soon not

exist. With the most need utilities tending to be more efficient and less adventuresome car based crossovers he is 2009 Borrego is a head scratcher indeed. This seven passenger body on framer is as traditional an SUV as they come using and a cross member frame. The mid-sized brake go has a 114 edge wheel base with an overall length of one hundred ninety two point one inches that's a foot longer than Ikea Sorento and just shy of a Ford Explorer to match its frame Borrego tells a rugged in truck like appearance above a two tone bumpers it's a wide Three Bar Grill bordered by a large flared back headlamps. The whole thing back in features an expansive rear glass wrapper around brake lights

and standard toe hit. Hoping power comes from an engine lineup shared with the new Hyundai Genesis sedan by three point eight liter V-6 yielding 276 horsepower and two hundred sixty seven pound feet of torque for our trucks 4.6 leader V8 rated it three hundred thirty seven horsepower and three hundred twenty three pound feet of torque towing capacity is seventy five hundred pounds. The V-6 makes to a five speed automatic transmission while the V8 joins us six speed automatic either will feed an available full time drive system featuring downhill brake control and Hill star to set us on the straight R 40 £600 for a go V8 hustled from zero to 60 and seven point four seconds and completed the quarter mile run in fifteen point seven seconds at 91 mph it was a little sluggish off the line but once it got rolling momentum took over the bur a go is supported by a familiar double wishbone front suspension but the rear is a multi link and dependent

setup still somewhat novel for a body on frame SUV electronic stability control and traction control are standard. The IRS contributed greatly to the Broncos competent handling abilities Understeer is manageable as weight transfers are remarkably smooth. Indeed body motions are well controlled even when bombs want to throw you off. Steering is light on feedback but it's resistance level was good. Stopping power comes from four wheel ABS this brakes are average stop was slightly longer at 135 feet from 60 but straight as an arrow off the beaten path the brake go operates like a true adventure machine with eight and a half inches of ground clearance through already approaching departure angles and standard skid plates. This SUV comes well outfitted to tackle the while the Borgo may be rugged on the outside but within and it exhibits up polish in city 5 3 row cabin.

The chunky dashboard tells us straight forward gauges in well-organized switchgear the lever wraps steering wheel has audio and cruise control materials however don't quite match he is luxury plane. Our upper level Borrego E X had supported front bucket seats with power for both sides seat heat and leather are optional. The 60 40 split second row has an armrest available climate controls and good room for three. The smaller section tilts and slides for quick access to the two person split third row. That is truly suitable for adults. That's just as welcomed and unusual as the hard surface cargo floor provided by folding the second in third row seats. More I expected our government fuel economy ratings for our parade go be a four by four. A 15 city 20 highway on regular gas. We managed a respectable eighteen point nine mpg in normal driving. Barbara goes in her GM packs core is a thirsty twenty point one barrels of oil consumed per year with a high carbon footprint

of ten point eight tons of CO2 emitted per year. Pricing for the bright go starts at twenty six thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars for an El XP six and thirty one thousand seven hundred forty five dollars for an easy expiate with a 100000 mile power train warranty. But with rivals offering discounts of 25 to 40 percent or more even those reasonable sounding numbers may not count her current buyer resistance to body on frame SUV. So we don't know if the key of the radio has a future or not. It's a sound new product in every way. It's just right now it may not be a product that anyone wants but if it has staying power and what goes around comes around. The utility market just might come around to loving Dicky up the radio. Oh I hope you'll join us here next week for more motorways.

When will test BMW speedy spin on a crossover utility. The accent for some more and curable the six hour Dodge Challenger se. I'm John Davis. Well see that. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit PBS daughter or to order a DVD or VHS copy of this program call 1 800 8 7 3 6 1 5 4. Motor Wake has been brought to you by cars dot com. Let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contact a dealer cause dotcom. Some guys like to relax in a leather recliner but do others. There is nothing better than cardboard on concrete Valvoline 100 years younger than

me I guess. I love seeing all the places people have to go. I love being part of the company that helps most people get their you know beautiful thing here so you can get there good. This program was produced by American Public Television which is soley responsible for its content on PBS.