Cadillac SRX 2004: The Weekly Driver Review

The naming of new cars must be a curious process. Animals are popular choices for various makes and models, and those selections often make sense.

But in recent years it seems manufacturers have one only criteria -- the more obscure the name, the better.

Volkswagen has its Touareg and Phaeton. Toyota has the Prius. Pontiac has the Vibe. Oldsmobile has the Alero.

So when Cadillac introduced its first car-based SUV this year, couldn t it have taken the lead from either the name traditionalists or the new breed of name-makers?

The Cadillac Deville, Seville and Escalade are well-established vehicles, but who s going to remember the SRX?

Fortunately, an odd name is about the only thing not right with the new Cadillac. It may be the most comfortable, well-equipped and stylishly appointed SUV available.

For my weekly drive, I tested the 4.6-liter, 320-horsepower, 5-speed, all- wheel drive, automatic transmission SRX. The vehicle s light platinum exterior was well-matched with an ebony interior and the car nicely continues the manufacturer s reputation. In short, the SRX, like other Cadillacs, has a commanding road presence.

More impressive is the vehicle s performance and its features. Acceleration to steering and handling, ride comfort to instrumentation, the SRX has few weaknesses.

With its sizable engine, the SRX moves briskly from a standstill and while accelerating at any speed. The ride is firm and smooth and the steering and handling couldn t be better. Turns are handled with confidence and the steering has a natural feel. The steering wheel, by the way, a combined leather and burled walnut trim, is elegant yet sturdy.

The driver, front-seat passenger and all other second and optional third- row seat passengers have ample head and leg room, and the list of standard safety and performance features is impressive. They include: rear window defogger, daytime and twilight running and fog lamps, power and heated front seats, rear air conditioning, power and heated outside mirrors, AM/FM radio, cassette and CD changer with seven speakers and the Onstar safety and security system.

The base price of the SRX is $46,595. But my test vehicle also included three additional options, The added costs represent the potential downside of vehicle -- financial considerations.

The all-wheel drive transmission, for example, included among standard features on many vehicles, is a $1,900 option. Likewise, the eighth- speaker Bose audio system ($1,100) and third-power seat ($1,000) features, plus a $325 additional for the XM satellite radio, catapults the vehicle s cost past the $50,000 plateau.

The estimated gas mileage of 15 mpg (city) and 20 mpg (highway) are not great numbers, either.

Still, it s hard to find fault with the SRX. It may be the best SUV on the road today, and it would be even more popular -- if it only had a memorable name.

2004 Cadillac SRX

Safety features -- Driver and front seat passenger, front and side impact and curtain side impact and front to to second row curtain side impact air bags. Tire pressure monitor.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 15 mpg (city), 20 mpg (highway)

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Corrosion, 6 years, 100,000 miles; Roadside assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles.

Base Price -- $46,595.00

James Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, Calif., who writes about sports, fitness and business topics as well as the syndicated car review column, The Weekly Driver.

To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver



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GM India and Ford India and their small big problems

The auto industry analysts to leave my job geothaetdamyeon supplierbusiness, I love to work in India multinantional is certainly part of the vehicle manufacturer. It is not about money and gifts to reulwihan work, but I& 39;m sure. Look, India and genetic manipulation of the Ford Motor Company India is perhaps India& 39;s best paid manager in the middle of the encounters. And they are also both lost most of any manufacturer in India. Just click here or simply a correlation between a coincidence? This
well jomboseyo, CEO of the genetic manipulation of praise for the success of the missile & 39; Chevrolet brand in India & 39;. What did they expect? The fact that someone has the hammer? And what I mean is what a successful & 39; ran one in the middle of your 4-digit monthly sales. Finally, the head Ford India also received acclaim applaud a job well done! Ford& 39;s middle-and senior-level
and level managers to maintain and genetic manipulation more than superglue. They were there for several years, most of the index Commendable loyality. Excited by the latest employment market has already churned thirst to perform retail taewoosi the credibility of talent, he is in fact very good. So how many of each pod and genetic manipulation to sell? Their annual sales are still below the market for 10 years beyond the top manmareukeueseo 1000001. And they have more than 10 years, the market now, most of the smell was sent to the consumption of all Honda and Toyota and Hyundai and take at least mention maruti - Suzuki. And the tunnel is not yet any bit of debt and put it in a better way kkeutehageona old maxim, kkeutewa bit of genetic engineering for Ford tractor tunnel - in a trailer carrying a Toyota, Honda hyundais. Ford India to come back to India and genetic manipulation, the two entities to create a habit of this loss is likely. India has seen almost one loss cmplete Ford& 39;s stake in the sweep. India does not do anything genetically engineered one of the big hurry. But both of their parents should be concerned about, and work in India & 39; loss nikeseo probably just a trickle, and nothing important, a full arm and leg off.
deepesh rathore For more information, research editor @ supplierbusiness.com dajin deepesh . rathore genetically engineered to visit India and Ford India www.theautodiary.com



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What s Your Favorite Car?

Have you ever wondered about the differences in the tastes of men and women when it comes to cars? Clearly, men prefer cars that look tough and masculine and ooze power while women prefer cars that are cute and stylish, right? Well, that s true to a certain extent, according to a recent study on car ownership between the sexes. However, what may be surprising to some is that there are areas of common interest between men and women and that both actually share a liking for the same favorite cars.
According to registration records for new 2005 and 2006 car models (January 2006 to the present), men love luxurious, high performance cars, preferably with a horsepower of 367 or more. On the other hand, women prefer cars that are affordable, practical and safe. They also put a premium on design flair in their cars as evidenced by the popularity of the Eclipse Spyder convertible, which had the highest percentage of female registrants of any car on the market. The preferred horsepower for the women s cars were way below the standards of men, with the top five models having only an average 172 hp compared to 367 hp in the men s favorites. It was just like you expected, right?
It was interesting to see the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder on top of the list of women s favorite cars. If you take a good look at it, it does somehow seem like a feminine-looking car. But hold it. The Eclipse Spyder also happens to be the car of choice among 34.2% of male registrants. In fact, the study showed that registration records indicate that men sometimes buy feminine cars but women rarely purchase male-oriented, testosterone-fueled sports and luxury cars.
The thing is, what really makes a feminine car? I mean, I always considered the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder to be a masculine car ever since I first saw it in the 2003 movie "2 Fast 2 Furious," particularly since it belonged to the angry, muscular ex-convict played by Tyrese Gibson.
The next popular cars for women were the Toyota RAV4 sport utility vehicle (SUV) and another Mitsubishi favorite, the hardtop Eclipse coupe. The men s favorites were the Honda Acura NSX sports car and DaimlerChrysler s Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG performance sedan.



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How To Make Money With Used Cars!

One of the most important purchases consumers make is a car. The average consumer purchases another car every several years. With the High Cost of new cars millions of people are opting to purchase affordable used cars.
There is a Massive opportunity to earn an excellent income. Help fill this high demand for quality used cars at affordable prices. When starting out you should focus on cars under the $4,000 range.
Do some research and find out what the most popular best selling cars in your area are. By staying in the lower price ranges with these popular vehicles you will be in a higher demand market since more people can afford these vehicles than higher priced more expensive cars, this will make it much easer to sell quickly for a profit.
You make your money when you buy, this is an important key to your success. You will need to pay wholesale price or below less the cost of any needed repairs, and other expenses ie: detailing, newspaper ads, etc. Once you know the wholesale price, less repair costs and expenses, you will know how much you can pay for a car. If you buy it right you wll be able to sell it at a profit and still give the buyer a great deal.
One of the most important things you can do to purchase a used cars at bargain prices is to do your homework. You should check your local classified ads and see what the asking price is for the type of vehicle that you are in the market for.
Make sure to get the high and low Blue Book and wholesale prices on the vehicle that you are interested in. Here are some excellent sources for getting pricing:
NADA GUIDES - www.nadaguides.com
KELLEY BLUE BOOK - www.kbb.com
EDMUNDS - www.edmunds.com
Other resources to check with is CARFAX. They can supply you with the vehicle history report. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a research area to check recall history on cars. We recommend that you have the vehicle you are interested in purchasing be inspected by your own mechanic prior to purchase.
Newspaper Classified Ads are an excellent place to find cars at well below retail prices. Many of these people will be happy to sell their used cars for several hundred dollars more than what was quoted by the dealer and you will end up with an EXCELLENT BUY!
Online Auctions can be a great place to find bargains. You can shop right from the comfort of your own home. Look for auctions with no reserve, these auctions don t have a minimum price before they will sell.
Public Car Auctions are open to the general public and do not require you to have a Dealer s License. Public auctions can be an excellent place to purchase cars at wholesale prices. Some of these auctions are: Auction Repossessions of Credit Unions, Banks & Lending Institutions. Some public auctions also auction Police and Local Municipalities, City, State, & County vehicles.
Estate and Bankruptcy Auctions can be a very good place to purchase vehicles at wholesale prices. These auctions are usually advertised in newspaper classified section or handled by Probate Estate Auctioneers.
Government Auctions are an excellent source for bargin vehicles. They include vehicles from DEA drug raid seizures, FBI, IRS, U.S. Customs Auctions, Department of Defense, General Services Auctions, Resolution Trust Corporation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and U.S. Postal Services.
Rental Car Companies often sell their fleet of cars by auction. They can be a great source of cars. Contact these large companies and inquire.
Dealer Auctions can be one of the best sources to cars at below wholesale prices. Most of these auctions require that you have a dealer s license. These auctions include lease cars, trade-ins, rentals, and fleet vehicles.
Stay away from used cars that need major mechanical repairs or body work. Look for good, dependable cars, if the pait is a little dull or the rug is dirty, you can detail, polish and wax the car and clean the carpet. Replace the floor mats if needed. By doing a few hours of work, you can make your car worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars more. By having a clean care, inside and out, you will attract more buyers that will be willing to pay you top dollar for your car.
When your car is ready to sell, you can place and ad in your local newspaper s classified section, or you can place your ad on the internet and reach a wider audience. CARS.COM and AUTOBYTEL.COM has a lot of traffic and is enexpensive. Selling cars through online auctions has also become very popular. It has become one of the easiest, fastest, and most cost effective methods to reach your target audience of hundreds and even thousands of people looking at your car. EBAYMOTORS.COM or AUCTIONYOURAUTOS.COM are both online auction sites.
Most states require that you have a Dealer s License when you buy and sell vehicles for profit. Check with your states Department of Motor Vehicles or Department of Public Safety for more information on how to obtain a Dealer s License. It is important to consult with your attorney, insurance agent, accountant, and other government officials to determine what permits, licenses, records, insurance policies, etc., are required.



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