chaparral wrote:
On the other hand, some of them nail the utility/economy/handling/AWD compromise that automakers have been trying to hit for the last 25 years. GM (Traverse) and Mazda (CX-7) certainly got it right.
GMC Terrain FTW! loads of space, the right list of features, does not inspire sticker shock, and (though it can be polarizing) does not make me puke in the back of my mouth when I see it - I actually dig the boxy styling and big fender flares - looks great IMHO. It has a good stereo, some wizbang stuff like heated seats and nav bits, but not so many that you forget about driving. I have yet to drive it in snow, but driven in anger, its actually pretty fun, and the somewhat uncommon these days hydraulic power steering is remarkably crisp and provides decent feedback for a crossover. Its big enough to feel spacious, small enough to paralell park downtown, and is AWD (although not full time) without driving like a tank .
The only downside to it that Ive found thus far is braking - I think Im going to upgrade the brakes or at least the pads. Ive never driven something this heavy as regularly as this, so my thoughts may be a bit green compared to regular SUV drivers. In traffic, youre kinda on the brake pedal a lot, and modulation is kinda wonky. Youll be approaching a stop light and youre scrubbing some speed, and you find youre not scrubbing it fast enough, so you have to really get on the pedal to haul the thing down. Weve got the 18" wheels so theres room for some bigger hardware down there, but the thing is too new I think for the aftermarket to have anything out there yet. New higher performance street pads are in order for sure.
the last Acura Id want to own would be a previous gen TSX/RSX. Early 2k's TLs are on that list too. The new breed of Hornbilled Acuras need to meet an early and expeditious demise.
