I’ve never been a fan of vehicles that look like a 4WD, but do not provide all the capabilities of a 4WD. The Toyota RAV-4 is one such vehicle, with car-like underpinnings and all-wheel-drive. But as I drove it back-to-back with a full-blooded truck-based 4WD, namely the Chevy Tahoe Z71, the strengths of the crossover conundrum became all too obvious.
Last weekend we had absolutely no cars to test. This week we have two 4WDs. We just picked up a Toyota RAV-4 for a two-day test. So effectively, our four-day Chevy Tahoe Z71 will still be with us when we return the RAV-4.
GM came through for us this weekend, and home-delivered this brand new Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, as seen in Chevy’s own press photos. We might actually be the first one to churn out a review of this off-road-packaged beast after our four-day drive, unless it already appeared in one of those local magazines that we never read.
So we were supposed to get a Hummer H3 for last weekend. Then we hear the previous reviewer damaged it. So GM offered to give us a Chevy Tahoe in the final hour. But then at the last minute they said it broke down or something and did not call us back to reschedule. So we went ahead and arranged a Ford Edge for the beginning of this week. Today morning we find out the previous reviewer struck again, leaving big scratches on the Ford.
We picked up this BMW 335i Coupe for our latest test, after BMW was the only company to grant our request for an extended 4-day test on this weekend slot. They even home-delivered it, which no one else does. And we have to say, this thing is seriously cool. Flame surfacing may have ruined the looks of other Bimmers, but it works perfectly on this one.
I received the following email today from someone (whose name I shall withhold):
Dear Sir/Maam
Let me first say that I am very impressed at your site. Its accurate details have been of great benefit to me when purchasing any automobile in the U.A.E.. Unfortunately I have been offended by some of the remarks posted as they do not siute my clients or the people I work for. The cons on the Buggati Veyron 16.4 that “Priced for rich MORONS, practicality, needs oil well to run”, is a bit too hostile even unprofessional as I know two people who own the legendary vehicle.
So we drove our rental 2007 Honda Civic for eight straight days and returned it. Later I find out there is a speeding fine on it. Except that I did not step out of the house at the time of the fine, let alone be anywhere near the location listed for the speed camera. I’ll have to waste a morning clearing up this nonsense now. This is not the first time that the wrong fines have ended on my lap. Thank you, Dubai Police.
Update: Wasted a morning. As expected, got the runaround. Will have to waste a second morning to see if anything is solved.
For almost a year, we begged for a test drive of the 2006 Civic from local Honda reps. Heck, these cars were never even in stock at local dealerships. So we never drove one, even though we got tons of requests for it to be reviewed. Well, my own car just got temporarily incapacitated, so I figured I’ll go rent out a Civic for a week.
We’ve acquired a 2007 Lexus LS 460 L to cruise the weekend. Unlike the previous deadweight LS, this one has the ability to have electronic nannies turned off completely to allow more play value with its increased power.