Motorweek; 1804

Do. This time on Motor Week. All roadster rematch. Like I want it to make over and fifty years of NASCAR driver with us next. Move to. TV's original automotive magazines brought to you by Castro super clean always cleaner the cleaner that has brick dust and grime from all types of wheels on contact no matter what age your car Castrol super clean all wheel cleaner and by Michelin. Makers of the zero pressure Michelin. Designed to let you drive up to 50 miles at 55 mph with out air pressure.

Just what you expect from Michelin. Your hopes for Motor Week. John Davis. Oh and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. It's a great time to be a sports car enthusiast with more open air roadsters available now than at any time since the 1960s. But how do you choose which one is right for you. Well last spring we took on the very thankful task of comparing a trio of German sports cars the Porsche Boxster the BMW 3 2.8 and the Mercedes-Benz SLK. While each car has a different personality the one big mechanical difference was that the Z3 in the Boxster had manual shift gear boxes as you would expect in a true sports car. Well the SLK used an automatic transmission. But what we didn't know at the time was that for 1999 Mercedes was preparing both a manual transmission for the SLK as well as a more aggressive sport package. So is this then

the SLK sports car fans have been waiting for. And how does it now fare against its rivals. Our trio of drop tops are the best examples of classic roadsters since the hay days of the 1950s and 60s. And while they all wear German badges they are each unique. When it comes to traditional run engine rear drive sports cars the Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 compressor and the BMW see three two point eight qualify for consideration while the mid engine Boxster represents the preferred approach of Porsche files. At a glance the SLK 230 bears a close resemblance to the big SL class roadster. It is actually based on the C class sedan. The interior is retro chic two tone accented with vintage chrome and ivory faced gauges for 1999 the most notable interior changes a new boat stereo the clever folding steel hard top remains the same making the SLK the only true or seasoned convertible in

our tests. But the biggest difference between the SLK and its competitors is in the drive train while the Z3 2.8 and Boxster supports six cylinders. The SLK is powered by a two point three leader super charged and N are cooled four cylinder engine. This force fed core is compact yet it pumps out a hefty 185 horsepower and very usable 200 pound feet of torque. When we initially put it our three roadsters against each other last spring they also was the only one without a manual transmission. All the automatic did the find the foot hand co-ordination required by a manual gearshift is a good degree of the enjoyment of a sports car. Twelve thousand nine hundred ninety nine while the engine remains the same the way it delivers power has changed. OK now comes standard with a high speed manual gearbox. In addition the experience can be enhanced with a new sport package option. The sport package provides a more grown up lower front with projector beams glanced around hugging

side cladding and a similar treatment at the rear. In keeping with other Mercedes sports packages tires and wheels are upgraded. Larger 17 inch wheels support serious 225 45 tires on the front and even better to 45 40 tread on the rear. While there are no other suspension changes mounts the SLK on a sophisticated multi link suspension. And David tricks needed features like a sophisticated traction control and abs with new 499 electronic brake assist. Yes make sure all the SLK stopping power is used in an emergency. For a price of forty thousand dollars. Even to start with the sport package adding another three thousand nine hundred ninety dollars. I test car also had metallic paint for a total of forty five thousand one hundred eighty five dollars including brake. Next up the BMW C3 2.8. Clearly the most faithful to the classic roadster tradition the addition last year of a two point leader in line to the

entertaining three. The American made BMW far more inviting with its blanks hunched over low profile tires and gaping the Z3 two point eight looks quite the Bruiser set up with a big leader straight six crammed tightly under the hood. It makes 189 horsepower and 203 pound feet of torque manual an automatic two points are available. Limited edition m roadster stirs things up further with a larger three point two leader six delivery 240 horsepower and two hundred thirty six pounds through a manual gearbox only 3s interior is as purposeful as the drive train drivers as businesslike and tight a cockpit is that of an alpha. But with more of the modern touches BMW owners expect. But you do have to make choices. Can I live with the standard manual drop top or pay for a powered one. Regardless spend it above the road buy a 3 series in rear trailing arm suspension. Man cost.

Oh about thirty six thousand seven hundred seventy dollars to start a metallic paint in our test car totaled thirty eight thousand four hundred forty five dollars. The M roadster is pegged at forty three thousand two hundred seventy dollars. The third of our trio is the only one with the engine behind the cockpit. The Porsche Boxster all the Boxster skin was clearly inspired by the 550 Spyder mechanically it is a very different breed from passports. The most critical changes the boxer's flat 6 engine which is now water cooled and for the first time since the 914 was cancelled in 1976 the engine is mounted amidships ahead of the rear axle. Displacing 2.5 leaders and cranks out 201 horsepower at 180 one pound feet of torque through a 5 speed manual or feisty tiptronic automatic. While the whole twenty eight hundred twenty two pound packets the lightest of our trio rides on a capable MacPherson struts suspension. The rest of the Boxster offers a fine selection of modern upgrades such as a surprisingly

comfortable interior and efficient dash. The power soft top fold quickly and stores flush with the body. It's pure Porsche with a good dose of modern conveniences. For a price of forty one thousand dollars to start however adding typical options like cruise control and compact leather trim 17 inch wheels and metallic paint and you're at the forty seven thousand one hundred eighty three dollar level of our test car the Boxster is not a 9 11 but it's not cheap either. But price usually influences the decision of which car to buy. It's performance that is the strongest motivation for sports car enthusiasts. With that in mind we had the track specifically the road course at Pennsylvania's Pocono International Raceway. First up is raw acceleration launching easily thanks to its excellent clutch the lightweight boxer posted a 0 to 60 time of six point seven seconds. Better 6.3 seconds to 60.

It's pushing it. We were pleasantly surprised at the second time despite having the smallest and the most substantial longer throws than this. But it also allows you to work the gearbox with more determination as a super charged engine keeping the revs up is a little harder than with the automatic. But the big boost in driving. Into curves However the mid engine portion move to the front better balance than any rear engine Porsche ever did. Manners are nimble and steering is short but power is concentrated in a fairly narrow band of 4000 rpm which required plenty of work. Three two point eight on the other hand was all torque. It's Big Six launching it out of corners with minimal use of the gearbox. Front plow is more pronounced but it's muscular feel pleased many of our drivers who compared it to classic roadsters want to try up TR

6. Surprisingly the revised suspension of roadster adds little to the overall handling experience but it is the easiest to slide around the corners despite being the most luxurious roadster of the group. We've consistently been impressed with the SLK he's handling now with a combination of more gear control and more tired can be seriously considered by sports car purists. We found the steering feedback continues to be excellent and better than the Z3 two point eight not having too much weight over the front wheels also gave a rock solid stability. Yet you can't point the car accurately with a massage of the pedal. Our conclusion that each of these cars is a valid interpretation of the roadster legend and that they are different enough not to overlap an appeal. The Porsche Boxster is everything we can think of in a modern car that retains the Porsche spirit. It is fast forgiving and fun to drive but its purist nature will also make it the car most likely to remain garaged in winter or for that slow boring commute into the city.

The BMW Z3 two point eight reminds us most of the traditional long short roadster of yore in looks and in performance. It also is Highway manners that require the most skilled a master but once done so it is the kind of car you see driving with the top down on a 40 degree day. With its steel retracting topped a Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 was our pick as the best year round roadster in our comparison. In our opinion on that is stronger than ever. It has the best ride the most comfort and a lot more luxury and convenience features then you have a right to expect in such a concise machine. Now with the 5 speed manual and support package the SLK adds the sports car needs to be taken seriously. What's great about these three cars besides the fact that they exist at all. It has remained true to the personalities of their brands. Even blindfolded you won't mistake a Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 compressor or a BMW to point a car either one poor Porsche Boxster. They are if you please. True to their school.

We think that individuality is why each car is so successful and why so many wide eyed applicants are standing in line to learn what the classic roadster experience is all about. Coming up celebrating 50 years of mass car. Our car of the week is a Japanese sports car classic. It's a 1979 Mazda Arik 7. Owner Duran Donaldson of Temperance Michigan received the car as a gift from his wife in 1079 and after driving it for 10 years undertook an eight year restoration that resulted in this stunning example of Japanese automotive brilliance. You know if you have a special course admittedly to good color photos to offset motorways Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. 1998 is a special year for American racing fans. It's the 50th anniversary of NASCAR the sanctioning body that transformed stock car

racing from a rough and tumble small town rodeo into America's biggest richest and most popular sport. Now to celebrate their special year Craig saying hoss headed to the heart of NASCAR country. Florida's Daytona International Speedway to see how the folks who started it all are commemorating their first half century. Where will Cale make us what. He's. Richard. Like. Ever since the first part of the century racing and juiciest have flocked to Florida's Daytona Beach to celebrate the need for speed

and as NASCAR commemorates its 50th anniversary once again fans from all over the world gather at the world's epicenter for motor racing. The famous Daytona International Motor Speedway and its interactive museum and reception center Daytona USA USA opened in the summer of 1996 and the reason it was built and it's just. They started coming when the race is going. And so we finally figured out there is something here and fans want to be here every day something for us to do. We're the official traction NASCAR and there is nothing like us anywhere in the world. I think that's because we take fans who already love a sport dearly and we put them as close to it as they possibly get hands on and interactive so the fans really like the closer to their sport than they've ever been before and I think that's what makes it so special. Talk about hands on anyone who's ever seen a NASCAR pit crew in action

and said I could do that. Well. Your chance. To real do you. Think you do. The rough. Stuff going. On right now for. The next month.

Now if driving is your forte. There are plenty of interactive video driving games and if you've ever had fantasies of announcing the big race nearly 40 years right pappy. Wonders why the second place. That. I mean. I mean. This is a lot harder than it looks. Of course much of Daytona USA is dedicated to the rich history that is Daytona itself from displays the earliest beach racers and their Stanley Steamers to Sir Malcolm Campbell land speed record setter the Bluebird Daytona USA is a product of a fabric that makes up the rich tapestry of American motor sports. The fun thing about this time line is no matter when you came to Daytona for a race we've got something in that timeline from the year you were here and the race you were here. And on any given day you can come down here and see moms and dads and grandparents and grandchildren so it's everyone from little tiny people to seniors who literally remember racing on the beaches in

Daytona. It's one of those sports that seems to be a shared past generation to generation. And generations to come from the winners circle here at Daytona USA. I'm racing us hoping to see you taking the high road. The Chevrolet Prizm and it virtually identical twin the Toyota Corolla top motor wait list of most recommended vehicles year after year. The reasons are simple. The PRISM is American made with imported attention to detail and that includes impressive quality. In the six months we've been driving this prism it has been very close to mechanical perfection. Our only problem is a malfunction light with a side airbag system. It's being taken care of as we speak. Otherwise we're reduced to nit picking about a clutch that engages rather abruptly at an outside mirror that shakes when the stereo is cranked up. We're really stretching here but the prism is a car that won't stretch

your budget to buy or operate after 12000 mostly commuting Miles we're getting an impressive thirty three point two mpg with more than enough power to pass safely on the interstate. And while this is not the largest five passengers today and you can buy it is one of the safest with those optional side impact airbags and anti-lock brakes and standard shoulder belts for even the middle rear seat occupant. Plus as the sportiest of prisms is more fun to drive than you'd ever expect. So even as we drove this 1998 Chevrolet Prizm for the last time we thoroughly enjoyed it. Next week we turn our attention to the Audi A6 Quatro and another motor week long term road test update. We now move from a veteran of our long term fleet to the latest and up and comers. Here's Lisa barrow with all the latest motor news with a firm grip on the midsize sedan market. Toyota had only one direction to go looking to break new ground with its all new 1999 Camry So Lara and that road led them directly into sport

territory an area charted somewhat unsuccessfully by the previous generation Camry coupe. And even though the new Camry Solara does ride on basically the same platform as this a man. This time this alarm has its own distinctive styling. It starts at the front with a new headlight and grille composition that flows into two well-defined beltline creases that stretch down the sides to the rear where one disappears while the other follows the top edge of the trunk lid encircling the car. To create a tighter more responsive platform than the Camry sedans. There's a large towers were crossed raised and rear transom substantially reinforced strut in spring rated both front and rear were increased and suspension mounts driven. The power steering assembly was redesigned to provide a tighter heavier feel available in two trim levels. Se and S L E. The salon also offers two engine choices both borrowed from the sedan as the grades will come with a choice of either the 135 horsepower two point two leader Twin Cam inline 4 banger or this 200 horsepower 3 liter Morecambe 6 cylinder order the SC and you'll get your choice

of a 5 speed manual or a four speed automatic transmission while the top of the line SLA will offer the V-6 an auto trans exclusively. Inside this alarm is nearly the same room and all the comfort found in the sedan top great SLES comes Dandan with a perforated leather trimmed interior automatic climate control and a 200 watt eight speaker JBL premium sound system available in showrooms now. Pricing ranges from eighteen thousand six hundred thirty eight dollars for a four cylinder se to twenty four thousand nine hundred eighty eight dollars for an S L E v 6 and that's it for this week's Motor News. And a family sedan market dominated by the likes of Camry accord and Taurus Mitsubishi's Golan has always fought an uphill battle for attention. Now this was partly because the Glock was smaller than its competitors and didn't offer a V-6 engine. Well the folks at Mitsubishi realized that they had to change so they had designed an all new 1999 go on. Maybe they go on its more successful

competitors should finally start looking over their shoulders. You'd better believe it. And what they'll see approaching rapidly in their rearview mirrors is a Mitsubishi Galant that's larger more powerful and completely redesigned with the U.S. market in mind. The 1999 elegant new appearance serves a twofold purpose that brings it more into line with the upscale and at the same time separates it from its more homogenous competitors. But the Golan has been training hard and it's now finally available with 20 borrowed from the Montero Sport as it pumps out 195 horsepower and 205 pound feet of torque. And while it doesn't quite match the 200 horsepower it's an extra 10 pound

feet of torque is available at a lower RPM standard scrappy little with 145 horsepower and 155 pound feet of torque. How big is not only the Camry and Accord but the 66 and Ultima as well. Think of it as the Jack Russell terrier. Of course. Now we took it quicker callup. When you have missions to the track where we ran to 60 and nine point three seconds and on past the quarter mile and seventeen seconds to the tune of 84 mph. Not overwhelming but certainly good enough to be very competitive through the slalom turn ins were sharp but the overall feel of the steering is somewhat understeer was obvious as was body roll. But neither was excessive. The MacPherson struck suspension with the front stabiliser bar is to specifically for the U.S. market. The Golan three or multi links setup has been improved with a more rigid cross member and stronger upper and lower control our models also carry a rear

stabilizer bar lightly toher sports model is also available. The four wheel desk ABS equipped brakes Tester did an excellent job of bringing us down from 60 in an average one hundred twenty four feet. Back to the pedal was enough to let us know the system was working without being obnoxious. The moderately saw front suspension setup however did allow more than we'd prefer the highway expansion joints and other minor irregularities were nonexistent. Unfortunately nonexistent also applies to a manual transmission speed manual will be along later in the year on the work and or six cylinder engines delivering nearly seamless. The total volume was designed in the US with American tastes and desires a top priority

luxury model. The driver gets attracted to the right controls for the AM FM are now at the top of the stack they're within easy reach and same can be said for the climate controls just below and the rear head leg and hip room are up slightly. Shoulder room is down which puts the pack with the other US built Japanese bad competitors. There is no split C but the center of the seat back on the right does pop open to reveal a small pass through to the trunk which now pulls like a lot of rest of its competitors with 14 cubic feet up from twelve point five last year. Base price in the as tested price for our 1999 to let you go on LS. There are one in the same twenty four thousand six hundred seventy dollars but a well-equipped entry level DD model can be had for a mere seventeen thousand four hundred ten dollars. The

GTC goes for twenty four thousand four hundred seventy dollars with 2 4 cylinder and 3 6 cylinder models to choose from the 1999 Mitsubishi Galant is a serious contender as the ideal every mans car. Unlike you you probably won't mind when your neighbors remarked how nice your New Deal Monte look sitting in your driveway. I hope you'll join us next week for more motorways. Well test the all new Honda Odyssey minivan. Lisa Barrow checked out the classics along America's most expensive street while Pat dog shows us what's new in his tool box. Another long term road test update and all the latest Motor News. I'm John Davis. Well see that. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit us at PBS online at the Internet address on your screen. Motor Week has been brought to you by Castro super clean all wheel cleaner the cleaner that releases brake dust and road grime from all types of wheels on contact

no matter what age your car Castro super clean all wheel cleaner. And by Michelin. The makers of the zero pressure Michelin. Designed to let you drive up to 50 miles at 55 mph without air pressure. Just what you expect. From Michelin. To order a video cassette of this program call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0 6 4 4 send 1095 plus 495 shipping and handling to this address. This. Evening.