2011 Ford F150 Raptor: Serious Off-Roader

By Lary Coppola

When I first saw the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, the first thing I wanted to do was emit a manly grunt ala Tim Allen.

Except for commercial uses, trucks in America generally are never used to their full capabilities, but serve a few basic purposes — like hauling stuff for weekend projects or towing RVs and boats. And while engineering has taken the rough edges off most trucks, driving them daily usually means compromising on ride quality, tolerating a huge turning radius and parking issues, along with awkward handling compared to your average car.

This is truly a guy’s truck — and not for wussy guys either. But in spite of it’s manly appearance, to truly appreciate the Raptor’s capabilities, you’ll need to drive it fast over rough terrain, because flat out is how this truck is engineered to be driven.

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2011 Honda Fit: Fun to drive and practical too

By Lary Coppola

I confess that cars like the Honda Fit aren’t my usual or preferred fare to drive or review, but that said, the Fit is a sporty subcompact that I found surprisingly fun to drive, as well as both practical and economical.

Originally debuting as a 2007, the Fit was redesigned for the 2009 model year, resulting in a more upscale appearance, with higher quality materials and seats inside. It also benefitted from a new 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine giving the Fit slightly more horses and torque, while chassis and suspension upgrades improved the overall ride and handling. Larger standard wheels didn’t hurt either.

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Redesigned 2011 Dodge minivan gets new V6, and “sporty” R/T trim

By Lary Coppola

Chrysler is acknowledged as the creator of the modern minivan, and the company has re-staked its claim as leader of that market segment with major upgrades to the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country family haulers. The overlap between the Chrysler and Dodge minivans is gone as well. Clearly defined marketing strategy aims Dodge at the under-30, under $30,000 crowd, while steering bigger spenders toward the Chrysler nameplate, which starts at about $31,000 and goes up.

Behind the new Ram-like grille, sits a smooth, gutsy 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which is now standard across both the Dodge and Chrysler lines, and replaces the previous three V-6 engine choices — none as powerful as the Pentastar. And the upgrades are targeted where buyers will notice it most — on upgraded materials in massively improved interiors.

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Old and New Collide at Silverdale City Automotive

By Lary Coppola

What’s old is new again at Silverdale’s newest auto dealership, Silver City Automotive. Silver City Automotive is unique from the run-of-the-mill dealerships because its added a touch of nostalgia to the pre-owned car buying experience.

Owned by longtime car dealer Rick Hern, who for most of his career has been associated with his family’s business, the Courtesy Auto Group in Poulsbo, a visit to the dealership will take you on a stroll through years gone by. Experience the atmosphere of a 1950’s era soda shop, complete with hot dogs, pop corn, and classic memorabilia.

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Redesigned Kia Sorento SUV more car-like than ever

By Lary Coppola

The Kia Sorento has been completely redesigned from the ground up for 2011, resulting in a much more car-like vehicle than before. That’s because the previous-generation Sorento was built on a rugged body-on-frame truck chassis, while the 2011 Sorento rests on a modern, lightweight, rattle-free unibody frame.

The Sorento is larger in every way than the prior version, offering 15-percent more cargo room than its predecessor, and is now available as a three-row crossover that seats seven.

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2011 Jeep Liberty: An off road star — as you would expect

By Lary Coppola
The Jeep Liberty is one of the best, most capable vehicles in its class, with Jeep’s legendary off-road prowess and tall, angular styling reminiscent of the popular 90-era Cherokee. It rides smoother than the Cherokee, while maintaining the ruggedness by which Jeep has always been defined.


Jeep has refined the Liberty, adding premium options, such as available full-time all-wheel drive in addition to the standard part-time system. Both are aided by Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.
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2011 Infiniti G25 a tough competitor

By Lary Coppola
The introduction of Infiniti’s G25 sedan shouldn’t come as a big surprise. While its powerful G37 has been a big seller, the 2.5-liter V6 G25 expands Infiniti’s presence to the entry-level luxury segment by offering a challenging new alternative to the BMW 328i and Lexus IS 250, as well as some domestic models. It shares the same dynamic exterior, interior and chassis as the G37 Sedan, but with a smaller displacement engine and better fuel economy.


It’s aimed directly at people who want a luxury sedan, but might not require the higher levels of luxury and performance provided by the more powerful, and more expensive, G37 — specifically women, male and female buyers at both ends of the age spectrum, and empty nesters.

Featuring both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, three sedan models are offered: the base G25, starting at $30,950 the G25 Journey priced at $32,350, and the all-wheel drive G25x, which stickers at $33,950. And pricing is where Infiniti shines, significantly undercutting both Lexus and BMW on similarly equipped IS 250 and 328i models. Read More