Motorweek; 2115

This time on motor week a new benchmark from Lexus we track just the 0 6 and dealing with car repair. So come drive with us next. Little. TV's original automotive magazine brought to you by Pep Boys. No matter what you're driving at voices over 27000 items in stock virtually any part for any car with all the name brands you know plus service space staff with a a c certified technicians Pep Boys parts tires accessories service and to buy. Conflict with. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. If any

car embodies the near luxury sedan class the Lexus ETF 300 is it for a modest premium over a well outfitted family sedan the S-300 as the essential luxury and prestige elements of the Lexus brand. But being a benchmark also means being a target for competitors albeit a moving target as this is the all new 2002 S-300. It's larger and even better appointed. So is the S-300 still near luxury or is it right on the mark. Like many judgments in this often subjective automotive business we work in the answer to that question depends on your perspective. And perhaps a better term to describe this but you're waiting and sometimes hard to define segment of automobiles would be entry level month 3 rather than. Year 1. Because while the 2002 Lexus vs 300 doesn't totally match the refinement offered by its upscale stablemate the

LS 430 it does do an excellent job of giving buyers more than it. Used to the brand. Alone luxury treatment. The S-300 styling sleek and more refined than its predecessors received mixed reviews from our staff most like the new wedgie phase with its more bold bus can I headlamp the flow smoothly into the fenders. But others thought the higher and more sharply defined belt line makes the car look too slab sided while at the rear only a slight differentiation in the taillight design separates the S-300 from its engineering can the all new Camry all agreed however that the redesign platform with its two inch longer wheelbase. Now at one hundred seven point one inches and the two and a half inch increase in body height. Fifty seven point three versus fifty four point nine are big pluses. The Lexus Mark established its reputation in part by offering a superior big car ride quality and its midsize sedan and the S-300 continues that tradition. The S-300 rides on an independent cast chart. Pearson struck

suspensions with stabilizer bars. Our tester came with the optional adaptive variable suspension system that alters each wheel's damping rate according to road conditions controlled from the cockpit console. Abs offers four individual settings ranging from a soft comfort to a stiffer sport mode with intermediate settings in between and unlike some adaptive systems there is a noticeable difference in the two extremes. But we were disappointed to find that the stiffer modes also increased the amount of suspension noise coming from the rear of the car especially on rough surfaces at the track a trip through the low speed slalom revealed no real surprises understeer on turn in is moderate and transitions are predictable but the engine speed sensitive rack and pinion steering unit did have trouble keeping up with rapid and repetitive switchback. Our tester came with the optional vehicle skid control which also includes traction control and the VSC earned its keep throughout the exercise. What was surprising was the steering system also lagging behind in our over and back high

speed lane change. This unusual occurrence made this avoidance test a little more dramatic. Taking extra muscle to steer the car back into the proper lane. There was no drama however when it came to stopping the S-300 Horwill disc with ABS and electronic brake force distribution brought us down from 60 and an excellent 150 feet. Brake assist is also included as part of the skid control option. The S-300 get up and go is supplied by an updated 3 leader Twin Camp 24 of LV 6 that in addition to variable valve timing with intelligence also features a new electronic drive by wire throttle. Output is 210 horsepower and two hundred twenty pound feet of torque. Smooth power trains are another but essential Lexus Hallmark and this one is no exception. Zero to 60 came in seven point six seconds in the quarter mile past and fifteen point nine seconds had 90 MPH out on the highway we found plenty of power on reserve for brisk passing and the new high speed automatic transmission isn't ideal.

But unlike most of its competitors there's no manual shift mode. Unlike the new Camry we tested earlier we noticed an occasional shutter in the transmission when releasing the throttle between 40 and 50 mph. Another cornerstone of the Lexus brand is a plush and well-appointed cabin. And again in this regard the e S-300 doesn't disappoint. Tasteful genuine would Tremont on our car. Soft leather upholstery greet you as you open the door. Buyers will also find heated front seats with 10 weight power adjustments for the driver wait for the passenger and for the safety of all occupants. There's front and side impact airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags for their enjoyment our tester came with the available Mark Levinson audio system that includes an index CD player and a six dist changer in the console. Its touch screen controls share space with the optional single desk DVD driven navigation system. Using the system was harder and more distracting than the industry's best. But there were no complaints about

audio quality or the comprehensiveness of the Nav maps or the easy to use tools on climate control. The rear seat room garnered rave reviews especially from our taller staff members for its more spacious head and leg room and for the available sunscreen of fourteen point five cubic feet of cargo space is pretty accommodating too. Like most of its competitors the S-300 carries a base price in the low 30s. Thirty two thousand eighty dollars to be exact. And like the others factor in the options in that price quickly escalate. So our tester went out the door for a not unreasonable for its class thirty nine thousand nine hundred thirty five dollars. That's where the forty eight hundred sixty dollars package that includes navigation Marc Levinson audio leather and seat memory and fact when you compare it to it's similarly equipped German rivals the S-300 undercuts them by several thousand dollars. And that's the Lexus trade. We like the mux. With its genteel and not acrobatic road manners bill but power trade and

plush accoutrements the Neue S-300 easily maintains its leader status and the price sensitive segment it helped define. But the 2002 Lexus vs 300 deliver so much of what most people look for in a luxury car it's hard to say it's near or entry level or any other term that indicates it has a way to go. It's already here. Do antilock brakes always reduce your stopping distance in emergency situations. A new government study concludes that except on loose surfaces like sand and snow all panic stops can be shorter with anti-lock brakes than without shorter on wet pavement. And shorter on dry pavement. Remember ABS works best when you stop the brake pedal stay on the brake pedal and steer where you want to go. Coming up how to avoid. Auto repair. OK. Now let's take a peek under the door at Goss's garage and see what kind of advice our top tech

has for us this week. John when the weather turns cold and you get some ice and snow on the windshield of an automobile drivers do some pretty strange things. First they go out. They start the car turn the defroster on the maximum heat and maximum blower. That way they're going to get the car warmed up and are going to get rid of the ice. Well they might get something they don't expect and that is that little stone chip Well it might migrate into a great big crack because of the temperature differential. The hot air inside that cold ice and snow on the outside so you really don't want to do. But then even if they don't do that they take the ice scraper and they're going to get rid of the ice. And the best way to do that is they take the corner of it and they really started leaning into the ice. Well that cuts the ice. No question there. But it also many times scratches the windshield and also never use an ice

scraper on an outside mirror. You see these mirrors are also very easy to scratch and they can be very expensive to replace. So don't use the ice scraper there. One way to help control ice and snow on the windshield is to use Rain-X. This will keep it from Ed hearing is tenaciously to the glass as it normally does. Makes it a lot easier to get rid of it. Another thing that you can do a windshield cover. You put it on at night you get up the next morning there's some ice and snow you just peel that windshield cover off and away goes all the ice and snow with it works quite well. But once you've done that you need to drive the car and it may be snowing and as you drive snow builds up in the wiper blades and it just gradually distorts them until they just barely touch the glass and you have to stop and knock the ice and so on. Well this is a winter wiper blade. It has a rubber covering on it to keep ice and snow from building

up in the framework. They work very well but remember take them off in the summer the sun just totally destroys the rubber coating. Right here we have blizzard blades. Now these are rather interesting because they're heated wiper blades. They come with an adapter to plug into the cigarette lighter. Or one where you can hardwire It even has a switch to turn them on and off. Quite effective. OK. So now we've dealt with the snow and ice and so on. But you know maybe we weren't even able to get into the car in the first place because the door locks were frozen. Now why did they freeze they froze because there's more Easter in the locks. Why did the moisture get in there well because you didn't early in the season. You didn't use a graphite lock lubricant. That's what keeps them from freezing. So whenever they do freeze you can use a lock deicer but remember that the deicer typically has alcohol in

it and that will wash the lock lubricant away. So every time you use the deicer gotta follow it up with the graphite lock lubricant and that is the very best thing to use on locks in Iraq. If you have a question or a comment write to me. If I use your letter I'll send you a motor week T-shirt. The address is Motor Week howlings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 0 1 7. Our hour of the week is of 1971 Dodge Challenger convertible. It belongs to buzz Mitchell of Baytown Texas. But new in 71 this I can't top as a company. The Mitchell family from Virginia to Hawaii to Texas now are stored in semi retired. It still hits the road on weekends and always gets a thumbs up from everyone who sees it. If you have a special car like this submit at least three good color photos and a description of the car. Do we always Mills Maryland to 1 1 1 7.

1/2 reminds us every week. There's a lot more to owning a car than just putting gas in the tank. Sooner or later even the best car is going to need service often from a dealer and that's when some folks think their headaches can really start but they don't have to. Now why i reporter Jennifer because novice has done a little digging into taking the fear out of dealing with car repair. When you take your car in to get service do you expect the dealer garage to be professional and not try to rip you off. Most of the time you have nothing to worry about but occasionally there are a few bad apples in the bunch. But there are some things you can do to protect yourself. Whether it be routine maintenance or major body work. Taking your part of the dealer service center can be one of the most stressful experiences mainly because of ignorance. I think it's an issue of communication. Cars are complex they're the second largest purchase people make and people don't know enough about when they are going to get their. Maintenance work done or repair done so therefore they're at a

disadvantage when they walk in that door. Prevention is the first step before taking your car in for service. There's a lot you should know. First and foremost know your car. You want to take a look at the owner's manual you want to review the service procedures outlined in that owner's manual. Importantly make sure the shop and mechanic are AIC certified is a not for profit organization that tests and certifies the competency of technicians doing the repairs on the vehicle. Other guidelines include following the service requirements of a new car warranty. It's good advice to have a dealer service your car as long as it's under warranty. If your car is out of warranty then if you wish start getting referrals for independent garages and then you want to take a look at the area around you. Ask your friends and family. Find a place that they've had work done that they feel comfortable with. You want to maybe cruise the parking lot of the repair facility make sure they're repairing the kinds of cars that you want. You don't want to go to a shop that's not doing a vehicle that is like yours.

Also check with the Better Business Bureau to find out about the shop's reputation and reliability and if the work is specific. Try to find a shop or dealer that specializes in that type of repair. Always get an estimate Do not let the shop begin work without your consent. You also want to maybe do a test run. You want to take something in there that's not so complicated perhaps an oil change. Maybe take a look at your brakes and do a safety inspection before you bring in a major major repair. That way you can kind of get a feel for the place as clean as it well-lit. Do they have a nice waiting area are they respectful towards you. You'll be better able to make an informed decision at that point. And when you do pick up your vehicle after it has been repaired have the service manager explain what has been done to the car. Better yet have them show you. That way you can see it firsthand. You can even ask to see your old parts but if you feel you have been taken for a ride there are ways to approach the situation. The first time. I recommend is to go back to the shop and talk to the service manager talk to the owner go as high as you can within the repair facility. Again if it's a question of

communication or something minor most quality repair shops most shops that have a good community based feeling they're going to make it right for you. Obviously you're going to tell 10 more people what a bad experience you had they don't want that to happen so a good shop is going to do the best they can to make sure that it's resolved. But if that gets you nowhere then there is the Better Business Bureau auto line which handles complaints dealing with automotive repair. When you call the hotline number make sure you have your name and address VIN number make and model of the vehicle and a description of the problem ready. Another alternative is to call the manufacturer customer lines most every one of them have a number to call after you have exhausted all of these avenues legal arbitration may be the only option. If you follow these tips However chances are that you'll drive away happy and won't be seeing an attorney. A dealer or a repair shop any time soon. You have to hand it to Suzuki. They march to their own drummer. While most everyone else

has gone off and built pseudo SUV with a car like unit high chassis and all whether or not all terrain four wheel drive they've been true to their school their latest the Xcel 7 is still built body on frame still uses rugged Hi-Lo four wheel drive and is at home on any surface that can support its weight. But that isn't to say the Xcel 7 isn't innovative it's the first small SUV with seating for seven albeit seven small fries and it's the six powered while most of the competitors use for Bangor. We're in our 10th month with the Xcel 7 and the overall response from our staff has been very good and has the solidity of a truck and ride comfort that is firm but not harsh but it is sensitive to the process. Interior fittings are also durable. If they lack the finesse in appearance and operation of a Toyota or Honda reliability is so far without question. We're also impressed with its economy for a tall boxy seven passenger truck like SUV. Twenty one point three mpg that are fourteen thousand six hundred seventy

six miles is extremely good. This is icky Xcel 7 is as straightforward as an SUV comes and it delivers exactly what it promises to distribute. And Mitsubishi Montero are two more SUV These are police and it's their turn for scrutiny on our next motor week long term road test update. Now for cars even newer than the ones we test each week. Here's Jennifer because not just with all the latest Motor News. It's been 12 years since the last new Maharani the buy Turbo was available in the U.S. The good news for the faithful looking for its successor is that the wait is almost over. That's because the new Montserrat the spider is headed for our shores and its arrival also makes it the first modern Roddy to hit U.S. soil since the company was acquired by Ferrari in 1997. Motivation for the spider comes from a front mounted for point to leader V8 that produces 390 horsepower and propels the spider to 60 in under five seconds to achieve optimum weight distribution and balance

a transaxle is used at the rear and offers a choice of a six speed manual gearbox or a six week electronic can be of course a gearbox that's controlled by steering wheel mounted paddles and includes normal sport and auto modes. The independent double length front and rear suspension offers a choice of either fixed setting gas dampers or an electronic variable damping system called sky hook that makes real time adjustments to the suspension based on driving conditions. The new Spider also features a push button electro hydraulic top similar to the one found on 360 mode in a spider. The 2002 spider goes on sale here coming this march with the manual transmission model priced at eighty nine thousand dollars and the can be of course a price that ninety three thousand dollars and Miles Radi promises it won't be another 12 years before we can expect a new model. The coupe version of the spider will arrive this June with a four door sedan coming in 2004 and that's it for this week's Motor News.

While not everyone has environmental concerns at the top of their list we know plenty of average car buyers that do so for those interested in environmentally responsible motoring. We recommend reading a green book the environmental guide to cars and trucks before buying your next new vehicle written by John de Chico and James Cleese and published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The green book is full of interesting and useful information on subjects ranging from hybrids to hydrocarbons and it's easy to use rating system makes of the snap to separate the green from the mean. So enlighten your mind and free your lungs. Check out ACS green book before you bomb. Evaluating a family car for Motor Week is usually pretty easy. You take it to work take the kids to school and do the weekly grocery shopping. All pretty straightforward stuff but testing a high performance sports car like the Chevrolet Corvette is another matter entirely. Where can you go to test its limits without getting

arrested. Well fortunately for us that turned out to be easy too. And a whole lot of fun in the process. We'd already put the 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Scio 6 through its paces on the street and on our normal test course and found it to be a serious sports car that was as drivable as many family sedan. But along comes the even more impressive 2002 Zio 6 and we knew we just had to ratchet up the action and tackle the serious twists and turns of West Virginia's Summit Point Raceway. We see it is our duty to find out how much total performance Chevy engineers can pack into their performance leader. As any fan will tell you. Chevy's all aluminum 5.7 leader pushrod be a dove the LS 6 is serious performance hardware but for 2002 it gets even more so with the power boost of 20 or so hour and 15 pound feet of torque. This race is peak output to a stunning 400 5 horsepower

and 400 pound feet of torque. This super hellish six is coupled with the 12 6 speed manual transmission. It's still the only transmission available and a unique gearbox to the CEOs 6 0 2 suspension changes are more modest. They consist of aluminum front stabiliser bar links and revised were shot belt while the 17 inch aluminum alloy wheels are now cast instead of or just inside the cockpit maintained its fighter plane layout made even more so by the addition of the previously optional. Head Up Display to the standard equipment list and with even more power this iOS 6 takes off like a jet to zero to 60 is a blistering four point two seconds that's three tenths faster than last year while the quarter mile flashes by a twelve point five seconds at one hundred eighteen miles per hour. He has that fast throttle response is instantaneous so much so that you have to feather the throttle to keep the rear wheels from spending. The first three years and with maximum torque at only 40 800 rpm

it's still pulling like the proverbial freight train at its sixty five hundred RPM redline. But according to our test drivers it handles more like an extra large go cart with its quick speed sensitive rack and pinion steering the tight short and long arm double wishbone suspension with composite leaf springs and a second generation active handling system with a competitive mode that allows you to selectively disengage traction control the news iOS 6 is tight precise and defines the term agile and feedback to the steering wheel the pedals and even the seat of your pants is first rate. My driver's felt connected to every inch of the track surface which allowed them to push the 0 6 to the absolute limits of its sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. And that deal is also absolute under hard braking with big four wheel disk and four channel abs. This iOS 6 slams down for cornering and core are 60 to 0 test in an average distance of only 170. Even over

bumpy patches there's no loss in stability when braking from triple digit speeds. To quote our test drivers this is another Chevy that's like a rock skating shaking or darting. You put it where you want to stop and it stops. Need we say more. Well we will. The Corvettes iOS 6 is one of the few street legal sports cars they can truly be considered race ready to stand. Roll cage fire extinguisher helmet. And yet with its exhilarating power and handling this iOS 6 is still very dated a drivable. It won't beat you up on any road and that's quite an achievement. And one that you can own for fifty thousand three hundred fifty dollars. A lot of money but the working man or woman but a screaming bargain compared to cars of similar capabilities from Germany and hopefully. The 2002 Chevrolet Corvette CEO six is a car that looks great on paper. It's still affordable on the installment plan and won't fail to impress you on any street but it takes time on a proper racetrack to prove just how

great this American performance flagship really is. It made us believers for life. It's getting close to that time of the year when we pick our annual drivers Choice Awards and this year we want to invite you to vote for what you think is the best vehicle of the year. To get more details or to make your pick for the 2002 motor week viewers choice just visit the Motor Week website at PBS dot org or America Online keyword PBS. And I hope you'll join us next week for more motorways. When will test Jaguars all wheel drive X-type sedan and Volkswagens not so many Euro van. I'm John David. But see you then. To order a video cassette of this program call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0 6 for. Motor Week has been brought to you by the boys. No matter what you drive Pep Boys Over 27000 items in stock virtually any part for any car with all the name brands you know plus service based staff with a is the certified technicians

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