Motorweek; 1401

Next on motorways a new soft talk from Stuttgart. A new coupe from Detroit and three will be to come drive with us next. TVs automotives magazine. Your host for Motor Week. JOHN DAVIS Well hello and welcome to the start of another new season of Motor Week. TV's original automotive magazine. We're glad to have you with us. It was in 1951 that the first Porsche 356 cabriolet arrived on the world automotive scene. Since that time many auto enthusiasts have considered drop top rear engine forces to be the pinnacle of open air

motoring. But when Porsche revamped its 911 last fall this coupe arrived first. They equally advance cabriolet it seems was not quite yet perfected. Well now it is. And not a moment too soon for our drooling Motor Week stamp. After experiencing the stunning 95 Porsche 911 Perera coupe. We were anxious to see if the Camry ole could live up to our admittedly high expectations styling was never in doubt. The latest open 9 11 is the best looking ever but a clumsy top design could have spoiled the cabriolet Slyne. Fortune knew this and produced a fully automatic powered top that perfectly mimics that of the Coupe. And after only 13 seconds it fools to take up half the space of earlier models. This makes it quite literally a snap to install the soft touch no cover. So with the top down the 911 cabriolet is the slickest rear engine drop top. That Porsche

has built since the original 356. Of course the 356 never offered modern features like our test cars that 17 inch alloy wheels automatic retractable rear spoiler or the latest version of Porsche is rightfully classic 3.6 leader flat 6 engine that now produces two hundred seventy horsepower and two hundred forty three pound feet of torque. And in our test car routes power through Porsche is optional tiptronic automatic transmission which has been upgraded to match the more gutsy 95 engine. As expected this allowed our test car to scoot to 60 in a scant seven point two seconds on a very hot and humid summer day. The quarter mile ended in fifteen point three seconds at 97 mph. The scintillating Toppin blast that forces are famous for could be made at least a second shorter with a short throw manual gear change. Handling was also exactly what we expect if the reports show thanks to one of the most rigid convertible platforms ever built.

Grip and feedback are tremendous far exceeding that of most hard top sports car. We can now say with total confidence that the Camry Olay handles every bit as well as the 9 11 coupe. With the same sophisticated multi link rear suspension and aerodynamics which reduce wind buffeting and noise in the cockpit. An optional win blocker takes the ruckus down even further. Cabriolet is the most refined open air Porsche that we've ever experience and one that stops like a Porsche should averaging only 101 feet from 60. Now pedal to kick back and the antilock brakes was a little harsh. But stability is on par with the world's best. Once we'd finished admiring the 9/11 cabriolet sexy lines and sophisticated chassis we turned our attention to the supposedly equipped interior and found the efficient but wonderfully retro design that sets the latest 9/11 apart from all other cars. The pattern of large circular gauges looks very vented but still works quite well especially when

viewed from bucket seats that are German firm and super supportive. Standard dual airbags protect you once seated and perception switches from power mirrors to the eclectic automatic climate controls are easy to use as our handy storage compartment like this audio cassette holder. The rear seat however is to put it politely a bit tight but the up front trunk is surprisingly roomy. Thanks to a 20 percent space increase for 95 EPA mileage numbers for tiptronic. Models remain unchanged however that 16 city and 23 highway we averaged 20 miles per gallon. But the ever important price numbers are actually down a bit for a 95 model 911. The cabriolet now starts at a base price of seventy one thousand three hundred fifty dollars that is $6000 less than its predecessor. And it pays for a car with a full set of safety features. The 911 Karrar cabriolet offers dual airbags antilock brakes seat belt pretention hours 5 mph bumpers and meets 97 federal side impact standards.

That's in addition to offering an unparalleled driving experience one that combines freedom refinement and that classic Porsche punch. We bided our time as Porsche assembled in 1905 911 call where a cabriolet hoping that it would be as exhilarating as our experience with the career promise. Our conclusion not one second was wasted. It is motor week's top ranch Pat Goss is asked tough questions about everything from water pumps to engine computers and he always has the complete answer. But this week he's promised to be brief. John I get a lot of interesting questions that don't really warrant an entire segment so I've got some quickies for you this time. First David Bach of Springfield Illinois he wants to know about using a larger oil filter on his car. I wouldn't recommend it because many

times there is more that is different in an oil filter than just the external size. Some of them have checked valves others don't. You could get in a lot of trouble on that one. Then one to read of Hortense Georgia. She wants to know about using automatic transmission fluid in her power steering. Well that's all right I guess if it's an older car but why bother. They make power steering fluid specifically for power steering systems. It is always the best thing to use then France incur of Santa Cruz California he wants to know about engine warm up. Well I'll tell you the engine warm up is a very bad thing to do. Never let a cold engine warm up for more than 60 seconds then drive it gently until it reaches normal operating temperature. It will actually make the engine last longer if you do it that way. Next just from Richard trust of Spring Hill Kansas he wants to know about using a bra on the front of his car to protect the paint. Well if you do everything right it might give you some

protection. But many times the bra can actually cause damage. You may wind up with a situation after it's been on there for a while that hey the paint has faded around the bra and now you've got a different color underneath it so when you take it off the paint doesn't match. These things can also collect dirt if you're not real careful with them. And it can act like sandpaper to take the paint off of the car. Now the next one Richard Khaleesi of Bergenfield New Jersey wants to know about pouring hot water on the windshield of the car to get rid of the ice when it gets cold in the winter. Well I tried it a little bit ago here. You can see what happened. This windshield it cracked. And that can happen out there in the real world as well. Don't do it. Scrape the ice off. Now this next one Brian Murphy Denver North Carolina he wants to know about using a pressure washer to clean the engine in his car. Well when a car is new like this when you don't need to do it. But as the car gets older and it's greasy and dirty and everything. Here's a good way to do it that is the pressure washer. Big thing though. I

know something about the under the hood of your car. Know what needs to be covered up and what doesn't need to be covered up. That way you don't do any damage to anything in there. You might need to talk to a technician in a dealership to figure out what is appropriate. I last one this is from Ashley go ruffian and she is from Springville California and Ashley is 7 years old and actually would like to know what makes a car go. Actually I haven't got the foggiest idea. And if you find out please let me know and I think that qualifies you for two T-shirts actually. And if you have a question or a comment write to me. If I use your letter I'll send you a motorway teeshirt the address Motor Week. Always Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. 0. Our car of the week is a rare white on white 979 bokes wagon Beetle convertible that was restored by owner Jim Klees of Charleston South

Carolina. If you have a car that you brought back to life. Submit good color photos of it to motorway. Always Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. One of the great old traditions of the automobile is how it brings fathers and sons together. Spending hours in the garage or out on the open road. Well now it's the 90s. Lisa Barrow has an F y i report on a father and daughter and the unusual vehicle that brought them together. For those of us buying a new vehicle requires shopping around till we find something we like. It's sometimes finding the right vehicle requires a lot more than that it requires a special design. And finding that design can have a profound effect on the quality of someone's life. It's just a kind of a freedom and freedom of being in the land of the food and you know God's open country you.

Know to feel alive. I was involved in a car accident on September 30th of 92 and I consider that the miracle that I was still alive last week when I was all right down south right. I looked up I saw the sign I got hit in the face by a raindrop I was just a sense of being alive. There was there was just a tremendous high. You know I want to be back in the wind. Larry Rodriguez has returned to the wind in the open road thanks to this powerhouse three wheel and the American thunder trike fired by a Chevy 350 engine. It rips through 0 to 60 in just over three seconds available as a kid or fully assembled American thunder Tigers based out of Santa Fe New Mexico. Their standard two seater is designed as an open air cruiser poor husbands and wives but they need a few special adjustments on Larry's vehicle.

That we could do something with handicapped people. To open up their lives a little bit more. And we found that when I was sitting at the desk one day in the office and I could see a few windows through the set up you're there sitting there I could see in the chest that he's the guy you first saw the. Couple. Back to. Going to back to. It's like an adrenaline rush all the time. There's a second reason going back to myself was with my first prisoner of love. One was world. War Ii wanna stick around and still watch her grow and she's still got a lot. To drive. She's not. Keeping busy or not fighting over supper. I have this to get onto it just to get a month forget about. You are a good person. You don't want to know. What they have

done their homework. So where is Larry headed next. I don't know. Wherever the wind rose you know. And what about Louise. What does she think of the ride. When. Windy is right. And that's just how it should be. The end. Of the road. And the open sky. Like Larry since it makes you feel alive again. Lisa enjoyed preparing that story about some very special and motivated people. But that doesn't mean that she's lost her interest in hardware. Here she is again with all the newest machines and this week's Motor News. The Protege four door sedan has been Mazda's biggest seller in the U.S. And now there's a new one just out in dealers showrooms this latest protege is almost all new. It's also now one of the biggest cars in its class with over three inches more

lengthened four point one inches more will base its aerodynamic styling is derived from its luxury relative the midsize millennia the larger exterior also translates into a millennia sized interior. One of the biggest in the economy car glass. However the protege comes into thorns dx and Alex models get a new one point by leader four cylinder that makes ninety two words power a sporty E-S model uses a refined version of last year's 1.8 leader Ford that makes one hundred twenty two horsepower. Protegee prices start at eleven thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars for a dx radar's thirteen thousand three hundred ninety five dollars will secure you in L.A. while the sportier E-S carries a price tag of sixteen thousand one hundred forty five dollars. And word is that like its predecessor the latest protege will also serve as the basis for the next Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer due next year and that's it for this week's Motor News. Hi I'm Craig Singh Haas and this week's Roadside America takes us to Las Vegas

Nevada home of the Imperial Palace on a collection. Occupying one of the entire top floors of the Imperial Palace casino. This collection of over 700 cars ranges from exotic sports cars to the largest privately owned collection of Duesenberg in the world. In nature the collection shuns any real theme and instead has cards to appeal to just about everyone. There was a time when large personal luxury coops were an important part of every domestic car makers product line and one of the most legendary of those coops was the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. But in the late 80s demand for big two doors dropped. In the last Monte Carlo rolled off a Chevy production line in 1088. Now it's the 1995 model year and big coops are in again and so is the Monte Carlo. And in a big way Kimberly already has more orders from 95 Monte

Carlo than it ever sold of last year's Lumina. Which is good news for the folks at Chevrolet who admit that in recent years they had all but abandoned the midsize coupe market. Both the base Monte Carlo ls and are sportier Z 34 taskbar are sisters the Chevy's redesign Lumina sedan we tested in June but where's a similar modern gently rounded styling that we're told is more than ready to go NASCAR Winston Cup racing and both two and four door body style share the same one hundred seven point five inch wheel base and chassis the zero decibel mirrors designed to eliminate wind noise and a slick wire wrap radio antenna to alleviate annoying antenna wind whistle. Monte Carlos we're styling is a bit upright with a very wide seat fillers and a huge rear glance as with alumina you'll find a shoddy bow tie tapered tail lights and 5 mph bumper out back. See 34 Monte Carlo power comes exclusively from this dual overhead cam 24 about 3.4 leader B6. Output is a very hearty 210

horsepower and 215 pound feet of torque. Now last Monte Carlos good GM series 230 186 engine with 164 cars the only transmission available for both is the smooth 40 64 speed automatic RC 34 was refined a power train teamed up to speed the 30 400. The pound group and zero to 60 in only eight point seven seconds. Power delivery was good throughout the riband helping us to a quarter mile time of sixteen point five seconds ending at 86 mph. On the other hand fuel economy is good too. Returning 25 on our economy with. Standard on Z 30 fours are the 16 inch body color cast wheels and fat 60 series performance tires they help take us through our slalom exercise without sweat. There was a tad more body role than we expected. See 34 is get the sport to f 41 suspension. No money for lawyers have stretch at all four wheels with a new trial and design at the rear. Monte Carlo speech or front disc rear drum brakes with

an anti lock system standard average stopping distance from 60 was a good 100 1000 feet. Faith was M.. So were interior noise levels a very low 65 decibels Monte-Carlo is right is quite refined. The Monte Carlo has cabin features a low luster plastics good quality fabrics and lots of standard features including power windows. There's also an air bag for the driver and front passenger the eddy law gauges are large and legible. If a bit sparse optional power seat controls and the standard tilt wheel make comfortable driving positions easy to find three simple rotary dials control the standard CFC free air conditioning system also easy to use are the large buttons of the standard AM FM stereo cassette. The rear split folding bench seats to adults in reasonable comfort and provides a pass through to the trunk and has this clip to adjust rear seat belts to better fit smaller members of the family. The trunk itself has long flat with a very generous fifteen point two cubic feet of low lift space.

Monte Carlo prices are pretty low too. The LS starts at sixteen thousand seven hundred seventy dollars and there's a 30 for it eighteen thousand nine hundred seventy dollars. Our test car's few options brought it stickered a 900 thousand four hundred sixty six dollars. That's excellent value for a stylish mid-sized soup with lots of important standard features echoing our earlier feelings about the new luminous sedan. So refined with high value Chevy is clearly back in the mainstream family car race with both alumina and. Monte Carlo. We are genuinely glad we test nearly 150 new cars in trucks every year on Motor Week. With so many introductions it's all we can do to keep up with the latest models. But just because a car or truck isn't brand new doesn't mean there's no demand for information about it. That's why we're introducing a new segment motor week's road test by request and which we bring back some of our most popular recent road test for an

encore. This week we respond to those horse power addicts who wanted one more look at a pair of modified Japanese sports cars the kind of machines that even make us look forward to driving to work. As luck would have it both of these winged Warriors showed up at the motor weak offices the same week. So some interesting comparisons were inevitable Mazda's third generation are x 7 debuted in 1902 where this would be curves boundless Griffon rocket sled acceleration. It seemed like a barely disguised race car for the street. As the man in charge of preparing cars for Mazda's entry into the Bridgestone super car racing series the task of stripping off that then disguise filled up Peter Farrow a feisty New Zealander rally ace and more recently MC A Fire Hawk champion. That experience has spawned a Peter feral super cars offering our x 7 performance and appearance upgrades and complete limited edition packages like our test car. This screaming yellow Zonker started out as a 1903 Harek seven our one

being a road racer Peter naturally fiddled with the suspension first fitting adjustable shocks progressive right Springs stiffer sway bars racing brakes and larger B.F. Goodridge tires on alloy wheels. The result surprisingly is a ride almost equal to that of the softer touring package Alric 7 with handling and high speed poise far superior to the car. On the exterior changes include new front and rear spoilers that improve aerodynamics and add an eye catching flair to the package. But there's more to the CFS machine than meets the eye. More efficient intercooler and air intake less restrictive exhaust and a racing clutch coupled to a short throw shifter. Give this our x 7 some serious bite but the most impressive feature is the programmable engine management computer using this keypad the driver can recalibrate fuel ignition and boost parameters even while driving at its optimum settings the p f s or x 7 generates 360 horsepower 300 pound feet of torque.

With all systems go the PSR x 7 can see 60 mph in a short 1.5 seconds and leaves the quarter mile and twelve point eight seconds and 114 miles per hour. However an error in programming kept our time slightly. The page. The complete package adds thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars to the price of a new R x 7 and it's legal in 49 states with California approval expected soon. While that our x 7 was patterned after a race car this Nissan 300 z x is a race car. It was built by veteran racer and tuner Steve Millen to compete in the 1993 one lap of America rally and was driven to a second place finish by our friend Billy had words and his partner TV star and want to be racer Tim Allen. The most obvious addition is the monstrous rear wing but the front facia and side slits are a bit more low key especially in our test cars. Violet Blue paint color power gains are accomplished with the help of Turbo experts from HK s larger turbos the freeflow exhaust and reworking of the injectors and

intercooler resulting in a whopping four hundred sixty five horsepower. That's 50 percent more than when it left Nissan's hands. Like the Arctic seven the stilling driver can adjust performance levels just flip open what was the glove box and you'll find more gizmos than into Malins tool belt gauges for exhaust temperature and turbo boost monitor performance. The computer has buttons to select preset power levels or TM's favorite volume knob for more power. Extensive suspension work keeps the power in check. Shock Springs anti-roll bars wheels and tires have all been upgraded and they make for a firm but very enjoyable street ride for the big payoff isn't high speed handling cornering grip and confidence is first rate. That's maneuvers are effortless. Nissan engineers work to develop the next generation 300 cx. We hope to take a long hard look at this set up. Still you'd better have both hands on the wheel when you want to especially when the turbo school up a. Quarter mile runs. Over. Thirteen point.

Four seconds and you get 110 mph. Zero to 60 sprints to go only four point nine seconds. I'm assuming you've already purchased a 300 C-x. The still and easy package will set you back an additional nineteen thousand eight hundred forty three dollars. Neither of these cars is cheap but both still in and Peter Farrelly super cars will let you choose items on a cart. If your budget allow. High performance is addictive and whether it comes from the factory or gets added on later. One thing's for certain it's steamy efforts like these that make us understand all the more why we love the test cars. Join us next week for more motorways and a road test of Oldsmobile as a new flagship the Aurora Pat Goss talks turbo Greg saying hoss meets today's king of the Hot Rod and our long term test cars racking up the miles. I'm John Davis. We'll see you then. To order a video cassette of this program call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0

6 4. Or send twenty nine ninety five plus $4 shipping and handling to this address. An expanded version of motor week's How to buy a car is now available on video

cassette. The tape includes information about selecting a new or used car and negotiating and financing your purchase. It also highlights the newest domestic and imported cars for 1994. To use your credit card call 1 800 4 2 2 0 0 6 4. Or send twenty to ninety five plus $4 shipping to this address. Oh I am John dates on the next edition of motorway drive

Oldsmobile has come back flagship the only royal heir learn how to take care of your turbo charger from that dog racing heart beats the king of the modern hot rod and will bring you the latest trials of our long term test weight loss will have all the latest Motor News. So don't you miss the next motorway.