vLane Blog

Articles Matching “community”

• Community Review: 2001 Ford Escape

  Banovsky on November 10, 2009

  Especially with car buyers trying to save every last penny, our vehicle reviews are an invaluable resource. Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane. This time, it's a Ford Escape.

  Reviewer csqrd loves the driving position in her 2001 Ford Escape :

  With the Ford Escape, I can sit in the driver’s seat and my leg can touch the ground. Although it does sit lower, you still have that “off the ground” feeling while driving.

  We're happy that she uses the Escape as it was intended to be used:

  We have hauled everything from people to landscape timbers. The back seats fold down flat, so you have ample space to work with. The back seat is split so you can still have a passenger in the back with some of the seat folded down for cargo. The seats are very easy to manipulate, and it only takes seconds to fold them down.

  Even better? The Escape has been reliable:

  I have had very few problems with this car, and no major mechanical problems. I am religious about getting the oil changed and keeping up with tire maintenance, etc. At 90,000 miles I had a full tune-up done, and it required new spark plugs and a couple of new hoses. It is about time for another full-tune-up.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under SUV, Ford, vLane, community, 2001, Community review, Escape

• Viral video victim gets new Hyundai

  Banovsky on November 4, 2009

  YouTube users: don't try this at home. Canadian Hyundai Elantra owner Todd Jamison exited his local gym after (presumably) a rigorous workout — only to find his car completely smashed, trashed, and inoperable.

  

  The video of the incident and Hyundai's response is after the jump

  As the resulting video (after the jump!) proves, he was a victim of both a terrible parking job and a soon-to-explode Internet meme. Within hours of the incident, the video was uploaded to YouTube — and to date, 1.6 million people have watched the carnage unfold over Todd's beloved car.

  What to do? Well, Hyundai Canada's marketing agency saw the video and pitched Hyundai: Why not be a good corporation and give this guy a brand-new car?

  As you'll see after the jump, that's exactly what happened. Bravo, Hyundai Canada.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Video, WTF, Wagon, Hyundai, Advertising, collision, community, LOL, Elantra

• vLane reviews: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

  Banovsky on November 2, 2009

  Here at vLane, we've got the opportunity to sample some pretty amazing machinery. But none have been more polarizing in the last year than the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. We've all driven both the V6 and V8-powered models…and our opinions couldn't be more split. Take a look at what I'm talking about…

  

  vLane's take on the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro:

  Herman says: "Starting with the cashier at the airport Park-N-Fly where I was picking up the vehicle, everybody had something to say or ask about the Camaro. She had been looking at the car sitting on the lot all day, and had come up with a dozen questions to ask me. I hadn't driven nor even seen the Camaro yet, so I didn't have much to say about the car at that point. As the valet pulled the car up and handed me the keys, he immediately started asking about the car's performance, though he had driven the car more than I had (all the way across the parking lot). It had been a long time since I saw so much interest and curiosity about a new vehicle…I was excited." link

  Michael says: "And trunk space? Those sexy, sculpted, naughtier-than-Sasha Grey rear fenders come at a price: there isn’t much trunk space. The opening is too small, the trunk itself is too shallow, and — though the rear seats fold down — the pass-through isn’t American Tourister (let alone Parisian Tourister) worthy." link

  Stergios says: "Personally, I prefer the looks of the 1LT base model: understated, mild mannered, and polite, for the every day driving experience. The SS2 Bumble Bee paint schema was a bit much for me to handle on a day-to-day basis, but something that would have much more appeal if this were my weekend ride." link

  Fred says: "All-American car companies are looking for the way out of this mess they are in, and we think that developing modern, efficient cars with great performance, handling, and looks are the way to go." link

  Derek says: "The Camaro is a synecdoche, a symbol of the new, vastly improved GM. But like the GM of old, the Camaro engineers forgot to put in that last little bit of effort that would make the car great." link

  Want to read more? Click on the links above to read each review.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Review, Discussion, Chevrolet, Camaro, 2010, vLane, community, Community review

• Community review: 1998 Toyota RAV4

  Banovsky on July 15, 2009

  Especially with car buyers trying to save every last penny, our used car reviews are an invaluable resource. Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  Reviewer Leah Young-Chung says of her 1998 Toyota RAV4 that:

  I have learned to love my little SUV. It is nice and compact and a breeze to park. Being so small and light the gas mileage is pretty nice.

  Her RAV4 has even facilitated some interesting…um…situations:

  In Santa Cruz I would pick up hitch hikers (going to class) that were hesitant to catch a ride with me for fear that their bikes wouldn't fit but my little car fit their bikes perfectly fine even with the seats still up.

  But even though the vehicle was gifted by her grandmother, it sometimes feels unstable:

  The only complaint I have about this vehicle is the weight. It is very light and catches the wind very easily. Taking sharp freeway turns sometimes it feels like its going to tip over.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under SUV, Crossover, Toyota, Advice , Review, Discussion, Social Media, SUV, vLane, community, Cash for Clunkers, Car Allowance Rebate System

• The New GM: Do we have a say?

  Banovsky on July 14, 2009

  This is a guest post prepared by John B. Rogers, Jr., CEO of automotive startup Local Motors. Local Motors is an American hyperlocal car firm a few months away from launching their first vehicle, the Rally Fighter.

  

  John B. Rogers, Jr., Local Motors CEO

  As GM customers, when it comes to new product, will we be “talked at” or “listened to”?

  The early indications of what is going on at GM sound like a lop-sided parent-child conversation:

  When you fill out a Christmas wish list, would you prefer your parents fill it out instead and sign your name?

  Maybe they should blow out your birthday candles?

  Strip the petals off of your daisy?

  Make a wish on your shooting star?

  No, No, No, and No.

  You didn’t like it when your parents didn’t listen, and you shouldn’t now when your companies don’t either.

  Since we are all small owners of the largest percentage of GM stock (now 61 per cent), we have a duty to ask and to examine our Company’s way forward. Asking these questions is especially important now that the Government appointed car czar, Steve Rattner, has vacated his post leaving former steelworker union advocate, Ron Bloom, in charge of government oversight.

  The bankruptcy may have been record quick, but we all should care more about the eventual results and the ultimate change and not the overall speed of bankruptcy.

  Read on for more…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Government, Industry, Future, Concept, Crossover, Misc, Advice , Discussion, Local Motors, Detroit, community, customers, John B. Rogers, Jr., Opinion

• vLane's 4th of July Car Show Listing

  Banovsky on July 3, 2009

  We love cars. And there's nothing better than taking a stroll past some of the great classics that owners show during some of our nation's classic car shows.

  

  Gotta spend the holiday looking at cool cars!

  This year, since July 4th is on a Saturday, there are a ton of amazing car shows across the nation. If we were a little closer to Gulfport, Mississippi, we'd be at the Motorsports Rods & Hawgs Party — which sounds like a great time. Thankfully, the Cash for Clunkers legislation won't be touching any of these beauties!

  Take a look at some of the shows, and if you have any more that we can add, email us at editorial [at] motomozo [dot] com with the subject line, "Car Show" or leave a note in the comments!

  Click on for the listings!

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Event, drivers, News, Classic, Feature, History, Misc, Convertible, Coupe, This week, drivers, US, community, Cash for Clunkers, July 4, July 4th

• Community review: 1997 Nissan Altima

  Banovsky on June 30, 2009

  Every now and then, we like to highlight community reviews…positive or negative.

  Reviewer jenh says of her 1997 Nissan Altima that:

  This car is a piece of crap.

  And it doesn't get much better from there…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Sedan, Nissan, Discussion, vLane, community, 1997, Altima

• Community review: Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible

  Banovsky on June 23, 2009

  Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  Reviewer Maria says of her 2005 PT Cruiser that:

  Cosmetically, it was everything I wanted. It has bucket seats and a rumble bar! There were compartments there that were needed such as a drawer under the passenger seat, a pocket behind the seat, drink holders, storage on the doors and even a pen holder! The leather seats were also was a great addition! It was overall perfectly designed for a woman.

  She likes that her car is rare, too:

  It is so cool to be the only PT Cruiser Convertible driving around most of the time. It makes the ride even sweeter because it represents my individuality and creativity.

  But unfortunately, there have been a few problems:

  The paint started to chip and started to rust even though Rust Protection was placed on the vehicle. More than likely within two years, it will need a complete new paint job.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Convertible, Chrysler, Social Media, vLane, 2005, community