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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | A9
Welcome to the driver’s seat
In a two-hour drive, the only time I dropped the anchors was when one of Amsterdam’s kazillion cyclists cut in front of me. Keith Morgan
The BMWi electric car powered its way with ease around city streets and along picturesque Dutch canals.
KEITH MORGAN
The future is electric AMSTERDAM – BMW has joined the race for the electric car dollar. On the evidence of two days driving the funky-looking all-electric i3 through the narrow streets of old Amsterdam and alongside the picturesque canals of rural Holland, the German manufacturer may have a winner. For starters, it is simply great fun to drive. The lithium-ion battery, encased in an aluminum cage below the five-seater cabin, provides enough instant zap to the electric motor to propel the car smoothly to 100 klicks in less than eight seconds. Left the stopwatch
at home, but counting “one-and-two etc.” to count seconds, my lips barely mouthed “six” before the speedo leapt from 80 to 120 km/h while passing. It handles beautifully at any speed and hugs the road; thanks to the technology-laden aluminum platform, that gives it a very low centre of gravity. Turns on a Euro too, as we found during the many U-turns made on blocked streets. Of course, F1 take-offs will suck the battery dry somewhat more quickly but you need not be a snail in the so-called Comfort mode to achieve the advertised 160 kilometres range on a full
Question OF THE WEEK:
you have a car for the tank, sorry, fully-charged Interior and beyond. Way battery. Plug it in at beyond. As the battery home overnight and you runs low, a two-cylinder, are ready to roar; go for 647cc gas engine, which the enhanced charger sits neatly by the side and raring to go in three of its electric brother, hours. kicks in and generates The remarkable efficiency power to top up the is largely due to two battery. Push it and gas factors. The carbon-fibre The lithium-ion stops will be frequent body is light and regenerbecause only a minuscule ative braking generously battery provides nine-litre tank feeds it. juices up the cells. In enough instant zap However, most folks will a two-hour drive, the to the electric motor get a chance to recharge only time I dropped the to propel the car before too many visits to anchors was when one the pump. of Amsterdam’s kazillion smoothly to 100 There is another hope cyclists cut in front of klicks in less than for those living beyond me. Ruined my score, the eight seconds. Hope. Private companies blighter. are seriously evaluating Accepting the more slugKeith Morgan the supply of fast chargish EcoPro and EcoPro+ gers that top up batteries modes will add 20 and in less than half an hour. 40 km to the range. Eyes will be on the Sea-to-Sky Highway Frankly, in this configuration the i3, is where chargers are now found at Brigood for any daily commute between tannia Beach. And they are popping up Vancouver and Abbotsford and most in parking lots the length and breadth journeys in southern Vancouver Island. of the province as the popularity of The very areas where BMW expects to plug-in hybrid models by other brands do the most business. grows. The i3 offers premium brand luxury for few dollars short of $45,000. Shell out View our BMWi3 gallery and read another $4,000 grand for the unimagmore about the electric car at inatively named ‘range-extender’ and drivewayBC.ca
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’’
7x2 associated TIRE PROCESS 1710 Island Hwy, Campbell River 250-286-6132
We all have a favourite car in our past. What was your best car ever and why? Go to drivewayBC.ca to submit your answer and enter to win a $100 Safeway gift card Post a photo if you have one.
Safety Tip: As drivers, please slow down next week and be extra vigilant, especially around residential areas. Children are always caught up in the excitement of Halloween and can easily forget the rules of the road.
Find more online at
drivewayBC.ca
A10 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
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At the Wheel 2014 Mazda3 2014 Mazda3 Mazda, on a global scale, is a small company, so developing new products is a major undertaking. This is why they shared engineering with the Ford Motor Company for many years but that relationship dissolved in 2010. Instead of modifying existing, co-developed vehicles platforms, engines and transmission, the company took a radical turn in the way they develop new products. I’m sure by now you have seen Mazda’s ads for “Skyactiv Technology”. This is the name for their radical design and manufacturing approach. By engineering vehicles from a blank sheet of paper, Mazda could focus on simplifying the manufacturing process to save money, a crucial part of this small companies survival. This new 2014 Mazda3 is the third vehicle to be built using Mazda’s Skyactiv Technology, behind the Mazda CX-5 SUV and Mazda6 sedan.
‘‘
Mazda went about hand forming the body to produce a style that conveys motion, even standing still.
music, navigation and phone settings but once the car is in motion the screen is only adjustable through a rotary dial controller between the front seats. Mazda places three, easy-to-memories, buttons above the dial for access to the most common functions. On the top GT model there is even a heads-up display that sits right on top of the driver’s instrument cluster, helping to keep the information high enough that it focuses the driver’ s attention on the road. The seats are comfortable and can be fitted with leather on the top model. Even though Mazda lengthened the wheelbase by 60mm, the back seat isn’t long on legroom.
Drive > By developing the direct injection engines, chassis and transmission at the same time, the Mazda engineers were able to shed weight. The lighter platform and powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder with 155hp is a nice match on the base and Zack Spencer GS trim levels, driving either a 6-speed manual or all-new Looks > 6-speed automatic. The top GT is equipped with a 2.5L The platform used to build this all new Mazda3 is a shared engine with 184hp but is only available with the automatic. I’m surprised chassis with the other two Skyactiv products. They elongate, widen or that the manual is not offered with this engine, as driving enthusiast will shorten the platform to suit each vehicle. In this case, it is slightly shorter be attracted to this engine right away. On the road, the steering is very then the CX-5. In fact, the new Mazda3 is lower, wider and slightly shorter quick and the feedback well above average. The previous Mazda3 was at than the last model but the wheelbase has been stretched by 60mm. This pushes the wheels out to the corner of the car, providing a solid stance and the top of the class in terms of driving dynamics and this new model takes it to a whole new level. I’m confident in saying that this new model feels improving interior space. Then Mazda went about hand forming the body to produce a style that conveys motion, even standing still. Sold as a sedan like a much more expensive car. or hatchback, the long hood, sweeping lines and powerful stance make a Verdict > statement in a class that can be rather subdued. The standard features list is strong, including keyless entry, push button start, Bluetooth and USB connectivity for $15,995. If you equip the base Inside > model with air conditioning and automatic transmission, the price jumps to The goal for this latest model was to have a dynamic looking interior, $18,795. The middle GS trim is the place most Canadians will shop and the fitted with materials and features not typically found in a compact car. The range is from $19,695-$22,595 for things like heated seats, leather dashboard is covered with, not only a soft material, rather a plush-feeling steering wheel, rain sensing wipers and more. The top GT with the larger dash. Then there is the dash-mounted communication screen placed in engine, 18-inch wheels, xenon headlamps, Bose stereo and navigation, the centre of the dash. This is standard on the middle GS and upper GT trim; the base GX is not so lucky. The driver can touch the screen to access
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Zack Spencer Zack Spencer is a professional broadcaster, writer and host covering all media, including TV, radio, print and on-line. For over 21 years Zack has been covering every aspect of the new and used car automotive marketplace as an automotive journalist. Many will recognize Zack as the host and writer for the national TV program called Driving Television, which has been running for over 10 years on Global TV. Also on GlobalBC and BC1 are new automotive reviews and automotive product information segments. Driving With Zack Spencer is the name of the national radio program he hosts every week on the Corus Radio Network. On-line is a fast growing part of the media business and Zack has developed his own outlet called www. motormouth.ca where he posts his articles and high quality video reviews of new vehicles. On YouTube, his channel called MotormouthCanada has over 5000 subscribers and millions of video views. This unique combination of electronic media capability and writing has propelled him to be one of the top automotive personalities in Canada. Zack is married with two sons and lives in Vancouver BC. Photography, traveling and spending time with his family along with a full work schedule keep him busy.
BUY, RENT, SELL, TELL...
We’re There!
continued on page A11
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zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca
2014 Mazda3
drivewayBC.ca.
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"The Good Guys" » » » » » » » »
Tune Ups Brakes & Suspension Hitches & Wiring Automatic & Standard Transmissions Import & Domestic Servicing Fleet Maintenance Four Wheel Alignment RV Repairs
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | A11
driveway
At the Wheel 2014 Mazda3
2014 Mazda3 Controller
Driveway 7x14 2014 Mazda3 Navigation screen
2014 Mazda3 Dash horizontal
2014 Mazda3 Front ¾ 2014 Mazda3 -8 Rear side
PROCESS
The Lowdown
continued from page A10
ranges from $25,855-$$29,855. As you can see, the price can ratchet up rather quickly. The upside is that this is a car that can provide solid, fun to drive transportation, wrapped in a stylish package. Higher-end models feel like a much more expensive car, with qualities not found previously in this class of car. So, the price might be justified. I truly believe that Mazda is onto something, this is the best car in the compact class. zack@motormouth.ca
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This is a car that can provide solid, fun to drive transportation.
Zack Spencer
You paid how much!?
’’
Power: 2.0L 4-cylinder with 155hp or 2.5L with 184hp Fill-up: 9.9L/7.0L /100km (city/highway) Sticker price:
$15,995-$29,895
Meet Amy Veloso,
2014 Mazda3 Heads-up display
For all your automotive services, drop in and see us today!
your local Sales Rep for UsedEverywhere.com
Amy@UsedEverywhere.com 778-402-8817 For advertising opportunities
2244 S. Island Highway
$
10
Auto Service
00
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ANY OIL CHANGE
Ask about the Valvoline engine guarantee! WE ACCEPT COMPETITORS COUPONS 100% WARRANTY APPROVED • NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
Plus tax & enviro fee. Up to 5L of Valvoline oil and warranty approved oil filter. Some restrictions apply. Coupon expires Oct. 31, 2013. Limit one coupon per customer. Must present coupon. See store for more information. Campbell River location only.
WILLOW POINT 250-923-4421
1691 Dogwood St., Campbell River 250-286-4288 Mon - Fri, 8:30–5:30, Sat 8:30–5, Sun: CLOSED
The signing on the dotted line did make her heart beat quite a bit faster.
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Alexandra Straub
’’
10
$
OCTOBER 22 -31
US PL
1 000 ,
ON ALL 2014 MODELS‡
LEASE PAYMENT
$ 189
$
$ 159
$
$ 84
BI-WEEKLY
$ AT
BI-WEEKLY FOR 36 MONTHS†
LEASE PAYMENT
AT
BI-WEEKLY
LEASE PAYMENT
AT
1.5%
PLUS
1 000
PLUS
1 000
PLUS
1 000 ≠
,
≠
,
FOR 60 MONTHS†
0
%
≠
,
TO GUARANTEE OUR QUALITY, WE BACK IT
^Whichever comes first. See dealer for limited warranty details.
160,000 KM/5 YEAR
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY
WITH
CASH
BONUS
FOR 48 MONTHS†
0.9%
WITH WITH
Why I bought a minivan
continued on page A13
DAYS ONLY
ND
$
ALL NEW 2014 SILVERADO 1500 CREW CAB 4X4
0 ST
BONUS CASH
ON SELECT MODELS≠
FIRST MONTH’S LEASE ‡ PAYMENT
$
CASH
BONUS
BONUS
CASH
0 SECURITY DEPOSIT ‡
DOWN
$0
BASED ON A PURCHASE PRICE OF $33,817 (1WT MODEL)
SILVERADO LTZ SHOWN
2014 EQUINOX LS
DOWN
$0
BASED ON A PURCHASE PRICE OF $27,895
EQUINOX FWD LTZ SHOWN
2014 CRUZE 1LS
$0
BASED ON A PURCHASE PRICE OF $17,595
DOWN
CRUZE LTZ SHOWN
$
0
PAYMENT
LEASE
$
$
LEASE
PAYMENT
$
$
LEASE
PAYMENT
$
$ WITH
WITH
WITH
DUE AT SIGNING ‡
CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT
(OR EQUIVALENT TRADE)
DOWN PAYMENT
163 $
136 $
2,000 4,000
• MOST AVAILABLE POWER IN A PICKUP: 420 HP, 460 LB-FT TORQUE*≠ • AVAILABLE REGULAR CAB, CREW CAB OR ALL-NEW DOUBLE CAB • BEST AVAILABLE MAXIMUM TOWING IN ITS CLASS: UP TO 12,000LBS††
CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT
(OR EQUIVALENT TRADE)
DOWN PAYMENT
140 $
120 $
2,000 4,000
• A CONSUMERS DIGEST BEST BUY FOR 4 YEARS+ • MULTI-FLEX™ SLIDING AND RECLINING REAR SEAT, OFFERING CLASS-LEADING LEGROOM*† • STANDARD BLUETOOTH® • SIRIUS XM™ SATELLITE RADIO WITH 3 MONTHS FREE TRIAL**
CHOOSE YOUR PAYMENT
(OR EQUIVALENT TRADE)
DOWN PAYMENT
72
$
65
$
1,500 2,500
• 10 STANDARD AIR BAGS • 16” WHEELS • STABILITRAK, TRACTION CONTROL AND 4-WHEEL ANTILOCK BRAKES • POWER WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS AND KEYLESS ENTRY • SIRIUS XM™ SATELLITE RADIO WITH 3 MONTH FREE TRIAL**
10 DAYS ONLY! ENDS OCT 31ST
VEHICLE PRICING IS NOW EASIER TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE ALL OUR PRICES INCLUDE FREIGHT, PDI AND PPSA.
CHEVROLET.CA
Call Tyee Chevrolet Buick GMC at 250-287-9511, or visit us at 570 - 13th Avenue, Campbell River. [License #10780]
ON NOW AT YOUR BC CHEVROLET DEALERS. Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada. ‡/†/**/≠/¥ Offers apply to the purchase of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4X4 1WT (G80, B30, H2R), 2014 Chevrolet Cruze LS 1SA, 2014 Chevrolet Equinox LS FWD equipped as described. Freight & PPSA included ($1,650/$1,600). License, insurance, registration, administration fees and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in BC Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer trade may be required. GMCL, RBC Royal Bank, TD Auto Financing Services or Scotiabank may modify, extend or terminate this offer in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See Chevrolet dealer for details. *Some features advertised are available features and not standard on all models. See your Chevrolet dealer for details. *≠When equipped with available 6.2L EcoTec3 V8. Class is light-duty full-size pickups. ††Requires 2WD Double or Crew Cab with the available 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine and Max Trailering Package. Maximum trailer weight ratings are calculated assuming a base vehicle, except for any option(s) necessary to achieve the rating, plus driver. The weight of other optional equipment, passengers and cargo will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2013 Light-Duty Large Pickup segment and latest competitive data available. Excludes other GM vehicles. Class is light-duty full-size pickups. †0%/0.9%/1.5% lease APR available for 60/48/36 months on a new or demonstrator 2014 Cruze LS/ 2014 Equinox LS FWD/ 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 4X4 1WT, O.A.C by GM Financial. Applies only to qualified retail customers in BC Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Annual kilometre limit of 20,000 km, $0.16 per excess kilometre. Down payment or trade and/or security deposit may be required. Monthly payments may vary depending on down payment/trade. Dealers are free to set individual prices. PPSA/RDPRM is not due. Insurance, license, dealer fees, and applicable taxes not included. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See participating dealer for details. Truck Bucks offer only valid from October 1, 2013 to January 2, 2014 (the “Program Period”) to retail customers who own or are currently leasing (during the Program Period) a GM or competitor pickup truck to receive a $1,000 credit toward the purchase, finance or lease of an eligible new 2013 or 2014 Model Year GMC Sierra Light Duty, GMC Sierra Heavy Duty, Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty, Chevrolet Heavy Duty, or 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche. Only (1) credit may be applied per eligible vehicle sale. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. The $1,000 credit includes HST/GST/QST/PST as applicable by province. As part of the transaction, dealer will request current vehicle registration and/or insurance to prove ownership. GMCL reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Void where prohibited by law. Additional conditions and limitations apply. $3,500 manufacturer to dealer delivery credit has been applied to the purchase and lease offers of 2014 Silverado Crew Cab, and is applicable to retail customers only. Other credits available on select Silverado models. Offer ends October 31st. ≠Offer available to retail customers in Canada only $1000 Bonus cash applies to new 2013/2014 Chevrolet Cruze, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Silverado, 2013/2014 Buick Verano, Encore, Enclave, 2013/2014 GMC Terrain, Acadia, Sierra and 2013/2014 Cadillac ATS, SRX, 2013 CTS vehicles delivered between October 22, 2013, and October 31, 2013. The $1,000 bonus cash includes HST/GST/QST/PST as applicable by province. Price includes freight and PDI but excludes license, insurance, registration, fees associated with filing at movable property registry/PPSA fees, duties, and taxes. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. See dealer for details. ‡Offer valid only to eligible retail lessees in Canada who have obtained credit approval by GM Financial, have entered into a lease agreement with GM Financial and who accept delivery from October 11, 2013, through January 2, 2014, of a new eligible 2014 model. General Motors of Canada will pay the first month’s lease payment (inclusive of taxes and any applicable pro-rata amount normally due at lease delivery as defined on the lease agreement). $0 first month lease payment means no bi-weekly payments will be due in the first month of your lease agreement. After the first month, lessee will be required to make all remaining scheduled payments over the remaining term of the lease agreement. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Limited reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Void where prohibited by law. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. †*Comparison based on 2013 Polk segmentation: Compact SUV and latest competitive data available and based on the maximum legroom available. +The Best Buy Seal is a registered trademark of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, used under license. **Available in select markets. Subscription sold separately after trial period. Visit siriusxm.ca for details.
A12 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 www.CampbellRiverMirror.com
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Amy Lawson, 35, leads an active life.
She likes to be outdoors, to play sports, surf, bake and has a thriving social life.
Professionally, she was recently promoted to be the Territory Manager for Drydock Footwear Group. Her territory covers British Columbia and Alberta.
Being on the road is a sizeable component of her work.
When it came time to trade in her Nissan Xtrail – which she loved to pieces – she was torn when deciding what vehicle to purchase.
“The Xtrail has been a fabulous car, but I’ve outgrown it and need something that can better accommodate all my equipment,” she says.
In the process, she considered SUVs, hatchbacks and crossovers. The Ford Flex, Ford Escape, Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Photos by: AlexAndrA strAub
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | A13
driveway Drive Smart BC The Prudent Pedestrian & 2X14
Why I bought a minivan continued from page A12
Outlander were on her list to look at. Amy states, “When I started to research vehicles, the No. 1 thing on my priority list was interior space. I needed lots of it.” She continues, “I didn’t mind if the vehicle wasn’t sexy! I need functional. Good looks were secondary to me.” Because of her current role, it requires travelling around the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, BC and Alberta with various promotional gear, display units, sample products and more. Not to mention, if she can pack in her sports equipment like her bicycle, snowboard or surfboard in, too, that would be even better. Price was also a factor for her. “I had a budget to work with, and I needed my payments to be around $500 a month,” Amy mentions. “And since I’d be spending a fair amount of time behind the wheel, I’d need something that was comfortable, too.”
When chatting about potential matches, the idea of a minivan came up.
The Diligent Driver
Over the five years ending with 2012 B.C. saw an average of 2,300 pedestrian involved collisions with 2,400 injuries and 60 fatalities. Almost 42% of these were aged 61 or over. Males tend to be involved more often with 35 deaths each year compared to 25 female deaths. While the majority of collision causes are driver related, over 20% of contributing factors were attributed to pedestrians.
I saw the excitement in her eyes.
TYEE CHEV
In her personal life, she is not the typical minivan candidate. With no children to drive to hockey or soccer practice, some people might question her enthusiasm.
It’s probably a risky choice to start an article with a paragraph of statistics. People see numbers, not their community members at risk or the significance of their chances of colliding with a pedestrian. If there is no personal impact (pun intended), readers will skip along to something more interesting. I’m hoping that I still have your attention.
But to her, it seemed like the perfect fit. “I was just so excited about it. Minivans make life so much easier and you can just do so much with them,” she explains. “It made a lot more sense than a pickup and much more sense than an SUV.” A few minivans/minivan-esque vehicles she looked into were the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Mazda5. Though the Honda and Toyota appealed to her, it was the Dodge Grand Caravan that had exactly what she was looking for. It was in her price range and had some handy features that would allow easy loading and unloading of her gear.
Photos by: AlexAndrA strAub
She even really likes its look.
heart beat quite a bit faster.
Amy tells me, “I can fit two mountain bikes inside with people and still have room for more.”
“There’s a lot of anxiety to buying a car. It’s a big purchase and you want to make sure you make the best choice you can.”
The Dodge Grand Caravan that she selected is the Crewe trim, which also came with some extras. She has a towing package, a rear DVD entertainment system (perfect for passing time on ferry rides!), Stow ‘n Go seats, remote keyless entry to the doors and liftgate and more.
And speaking of choices, the biggest question when selecting her chariot of choice?
While she can’t be happier with her purchase, the signing on the dotted line did make her
“Should I get the white one or the black one?!” she jokingly asked. She went with black. When looking back on the experience and looking at her Grand Caravan, she happily says, “What I didn’t think would be very sexy vehicle ended up being the sexiest
to me. And there’s so much space!” Ladies, if you’re looking at buying a new vehicle and would like some suggestions/ assistance, email the Car Girl’s Garage and you could potentially be featured in Driveway. Include your name, email address where best to be reached, a little bit about yourself, what you’re looking for and what price range you need to work with. thecargirlsgarage@gmail. com Twitter.com/cargirlsgarage
Best Classic Cars For Ten Grand Or Less
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There are still plenty of interesting collectible cars out there for under 10 grand.
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Rob Sass
1966 Ford Bronco Most of the focus on the collector car world comes from televised auctions where six-figure cars are the norm, so it’s easy to conclude that the average person is priced out of the collector car world. But the fact of the matter is there are still plenty of interesting collectible cars out there for under 10 grand. Granted, they tend to be from the 1970s and 1980s rather than the 1950s or 1960s, but they’re all fun to drive and relatively easy to live with. Here are five of our favorites: 1. 1985-93 Ford Mustang: The third generation or “Fox” platform Mustang brought affordable V-8 muscle back to the masses. Although it was introduced in 1979, better breathing cylinder heads and a re-designed four-barrel carburetor in 1985 pushed horsepower above 200 for the first time since the early 1970s. The relatively light and simple design of the car made the best use of the newfound ponies. While the oldest are just under 30 years old, the collector world is starting to wake up. Still, nice 5.0-liter V-8 examples of all three body styles (coupe, hatchback and convertible) are still available in LX and GT trim for 10 grand or less.
2. 1966-77 Ford Bronco: The Bronco pushes the 10 grand budget the most and you’ll have to look hard to find an unrusted or unmodified original Bronco in this price range, but they do occasionally lurk on Craigslist. Competition for the likes of the International Harvester Scout, early Broncos look right in the way that early Land Rovers do and collectors have taken a big shine to them lately. Buy now. 3. 1965-69 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa coupe: The poor Corvair. Shunned by Chevy fans and import fans alike, it really is a poor-man’s Porsche, with styling on the second generation cars as nice as anything to come out of Germany, Italy or the U.S. at that time. Corvairs pioneered the use of turbocharging, and later cars could be made to handle quite well with some relatively inexpensive modifications, in spite of what Ralph Nader said. Incidentally, the 50th anniversary of the book “Unsafe at Any Speed” is coming up the year after next. Good reason to buy a Corvair, we think. Jay Leno loves his red Corsa Coupe. 4. 1983-91 Porsche 944 coupe: The vintage Porsche market is on fire right now, with some
cars appreciating 300 percent or more over the last five years. All have one thing in common — they’re air cooled and the engine is in the back. Water-cooled front-engine Porsches have yet to see the love from collectors, and we think that the 944 is one of the best of the bunch. A derivative of the nicely balanced but underpowered 924, the fender bulges and smoother and more powerful balance shaft-equipped twin-cam four was just was Dr. Porsche ordered to make the 944 a credible performance car. Maintenance doesn’t come cheaply (break a timing belt and you’ll wish you hadn’t been born), but the 944 is a bargain-priced precision instrument for dissecting curvy back roads. 5. 1976 Chevrolet Corvette: Malaise-era Corvettes get a bum rap from most Corvette fans but in reality, they’re quite nice and anything but pathetically slow. The move from gross to net horsepower makes it seem as though power was down more than it really was, and mid-1970s Corvettes came in some great colors with nice options like competition-inspired gymkhana suspension and aluminum wheels. Looks weren’t really compromised by bumper standards with Chevy’s solution of hiding the bumpers under body-colored urethane panels among the best of any manufacturer. Hagerty is the world’s leading specialist provider of classic car and boat insurance. Learn more at hagerty.ca
If you are a pedestrian, you can use the sidewalk, walk on the left if there isn’t, cross at crosswalks, look both ways, point your way to safety and wear reflective clothing or use lights. If you are a driver, realize that you must exercise care at all times to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. Think pedestrian when the car adjacent to you slows and stops in an unexpected place and when you approach residential areas, crosswalks, school and playground zones. Whew! That’s a lot of thoughts in only a few paragraphs. Please try to keep them all in mind, both of you. The author is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. To comment or learn more, please visit www.drivesmartbc.ca. Cst. Tim Schewe (Rtd.) DriveSmartBC www.drivesmartbc.ca Twitter: @drivesmartbc
Special
FALL CLEAN UP Car or Truck Package from
5995
$
includes: complete exterior wash, clean/dress dash, console, door trim, tires and rims, clean windshield inside and out, interior vacuumcarpets, mats, seats and trunk
BODY SHOP
*Offer expires October 31, 2013
TYEE
CHEVROLET BUICK GMC
250-287-9511 570 - 13th Avenue www.tyeechev.ca DL#10790
A14 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
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Near New: 2010-2012 Ford Fusion
Price Check 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion (October 2013)
‘‘
Amid lingering global financial turmoil, recession recovery was already in high-gear at Ford, with an over a 40 per cent year-over-year sales gain that made Ford the top-selling automaker in Canada, in 2009. It was also the year it launched an all-new 2010 model year version of its popular mid-sized family car the Ford Fusion. The 2010 Fusion was offered in SE and SEL trim levels with a choice of a 2.5-litre I4 or a 3.0-litre V6 engines and a 3.5-litre V6 powered an all-new Fusion Sport model with all-wheel-drive. Ford also
The hybrid’s battery is a nickel-metal hydride type that’s smaller and lighter than competitors and it’s temperature is controlled by air extracted from the passenger cabin. Claimed city/highway fuel consumption is a very impressive 4.6/5.4 L/100km. Fuel consumption ratings for the other Fusion engines are as follows; 9.4/6.4 L/100 km (city/highway) for the 2.5-litre; 11.1/7.3 (city/highway) for the 3.0-litre V6 models; and 12.7/8.3 (city/highway) for the 3.5-litre with all-wheel drive. A new optional safety feature on the 2010 Fusion (well worth having) was a Blind Spot system that
Edition
Expect to Pay Today
2010
SEL
$11,000 to $14,000
2011
SEL
$13,000 to $16,000
2012
SEL
$16,000 to $20,000
Good reliability, owner satisfaction and low cost of repair ratings.
Prices vary depending on a used vehicle’s condition, mileage, usage and history. A complete mechanical check should always be performed by a reliable auto technician prior to purchase.
Bob McHugh
2010 - A park pawl in the automatic transmission may not fully engage when shifted into “Park” and this could allow the vehicle to roll on an incline, if the park brake is not activated. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park rod guide retention pin.
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2010 Fusion Sport introduced its first hybrid edition of Fusion with an Atkinson cycle version of the 2.5-litre engine and an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).
Year
comes with Cross Traffic Alert, which was a unique to Ford system. Radar sensors in the rear side quarter panels can detect a moving object within a 20 metre (65-ft) range on either side. Great to have when vision is restricted (as it often is) when backing out of a parking stall.
Recalls on the 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion: 2010 - A problem with the manual recliner mechanisms on the front seats may cause additional movement of the seat back. Dealers will replace the seat recliner mechanisms.
2010/2011- The lug nuts on vehicles equipped with 17 inch steel wheels may loosen and this could result in wheel separation. Dealers will replace the lug nuts on all four wheels, inspect the rear brake rotors and replace them as necessary. Drivingwheel@shaw.ca
This generation is also a quieter Fusion. Changes to reduce cabin noise levels include an acoustic windshield, thicker front-door glass, new hood insulators, additional sound deadening in the trunk and a new headliner in the cabin that’s made with an absorption material. An air filter that removes respiratory irritants and toxins from entering the cabin was also a new standard feature of Fusion. A new standard innovation was a fuel filler system called EasyFuel. Not only does it eliminate the need to remove a gas cap when filling up, it reduces evaporative emissions. You simply push the fuel-pump nozzle into a gas tank receptacle and it automatically seals shut when removed. Six standard airbags helped the Fusion attain a top five-star crash-test rating. If an air bag is deployed, Fusion also has a unique emergency alert system
that flashes the hazard warning lights and sounds the horn, to attract attention. An electronic stability-control system with a brake-activated traction control system was a new standard safety feature. The MyKey security system was made a standard feature on the 2011 Fusion, a spotter mirror, to help eliminate blind spots, was incorporated in the door mirrors and the SE edition got standard automatic headlights. No significant changes were made for 2012. Good reliability, owner satisfaction and low cost of repair ratings helped the 2012 Ford Fusion get a “Recommend” rating from Consumer Reports. Ford Fusion buyers also benefit from having a good supply of them on the market and used prices tend to be reasonable. A potentially great value pre-owned purchase.
Powered by wind: BMW gets greener BMW believes there is a big future for wind power in its cars. No, not for the propulsion of the prestige brand’s models but the making of their sleek machines of the future. The energy Long before visitors arrive used is 50 percent at the auto manufacturer’s new hi-tech factory in this of that required economically depressed to turn out a region of what was once communist East Germany, conventional car they greeted with a wave Keith Morgan from four giant wind turbines. Those metal giants will power the production of the impressive four-seater BMW i3, which will roll silently off the production line later this year. Silently, not just because it’s an all-electric vehicle but also because the entire manufacturing process rarely rises above a whisper. The BMW i3 is the first of the manufacturer’s projects for which the environmental sustainability objectives were determinedly set at the same high standards as the economic goals applied to the manufacturing process. To achieve those lofty dual goals, the BMW Group retains close control over the complete production process from the carbon fibre production, which starts in a hydroelectric powered plant in Moses Lake, Wa. Entire noisy and stinky processes associated with manufacturing in steel are gone. Robots screw and bond the important parts together and send the shells on their way, suspended form an overhead rail. Happy workers can actually hear each other chat down on the factory floor, bathed in sunlight and breathing freely courtesy of an efficient hi-tech ventilation system.
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LEIPZIG, Germany:
BMW believes there is a big future for wind power in its cars.
Amazingly, the energy used is 50 percent of that required to turn out a conventional car and 70 percent less water is used. My group roamed around looking for waste, which turned out to be a waste (of time) in itself. The bits and bats and ‘wasted’ trim are gathered up and recycled for use elsewhere along the production line. BMW even boasts the lithium ion batteries that will power each car’s motor will outlive the individual car’s life. They can be used as storage batteries when the car is put out to pasture, sorry, recycled. If one of the eight modules should fail then a replacement easily drops in rather than there be a need for an entire battery replacement. The lightweight body is also designed with a view to quick and economical repair in the event of a collision. Body parts again drop into place
with the minimum of fuss and cost. They say the cost of a fix will likely mirror that of putting a BMW 1-series back on the road after a similar crash. Now we await the car, expected to sell for around $45,000, to see if it lives up to its green promise on the road. BMW boasts the electric motor will generate 170 horsepower and take off from zero to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, and can accelerate from 80-to-120-km/h in just 5.4 seconds – important when passing on the freeway. The i3 offers a driving range of 160 kilometres, which should ease the range anxiety that comes into play among prospective purchasers of electric vehicles. kmorgan@blackpress.ca twitter.com/changegears
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | A15
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Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) FACTS AND TIPS FOR DRIVERS It can be very difficult, if not impossible, to tell if tires are under-inflated just by looking at them. Yet most drivers don’t check tire pressure regularly. Proper tire pressure saves money, fuel consumption, helps the environment – and saves lives. Having TPMS on vehicles helps to keep Canada’s roads safe by giving drivers the critical warning they need when one or more of their tires has low air pressure. Facts on Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure: Saving lives – vehicle safety and performance Under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure2. Even if your tires look fine, they could be underinflated by as much as 20 per cent1. According to a recent study, about 50 per cent of the vehicles on the road in Canada have at least one tire that is either over or underinflated by more than 10 per cent. In fact, 10 per cent of all vehicles surveyed had at least one tire underinflated by 20 per cent1. When your tires don’t have the right amount of air, the sides flex, bend and build heat. Underinflated tires compromise your vehicle’s steering, braking and cornering abilities. Operating a vehicle with just one tire underinflated by 8 PSI can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 km1. Saving fuel and the environment Annually, 643 million litres of extra fuel are consumed by Canadian vehicles because of improper tire maintenance practices. As a result, over one million tonnes of carbon dioxide are unnecessarily released into the environment4. Canadians dispose of 29 million used tires every year, which has a significant impact on landfills. Even modest improvements in extending tire life could have a significant positive impact on our environment as energy used to produce new tires emits harmful pollutants into the atmosphere4. Saving money Fuel consumption increases by 1 per cent for every 5 per cent
of under-inflation. Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 PSI can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 km and can increase the vehicle’s fuel consumption by 4 per cent4. Example: • If fuel costs $1.32/litre and it takes approximately 9.1 litres per 100 km = $12.01 / 100 km. • Increasing fuel consumption by 4 per cent = $12.47/100 km • If you average 22,000 km / year, you would save $100 annually ($2642 vs. $2743) by keeping proper tire pressure Maintaining proper tire pressure could save you approximately two weeks of fuel a year, enough to pay for one full set of tires over the average 9-year life of a vehicle5. Under-inflation also reduces tire life. Driving with tires that are under-inflated by 8 PSI will increase tire wear by 16% (approximately 15,000 km). This will hit your pocketbook as you will have to replace tires sooner than you would if they were properly maintained4. Tire Pressure Monitoring System TPMS will trigger the dashboard symbol to illuminate when one or more tires are under-inflated by 25 per cent. TPMS improves your vehicle’s handling and stability, decreasing your chances of catastrophic tire failure and having an accident. While not currently mandated, an estimated 70 per cent of new vehicles (model year 2007+) sold in Canada are TPMSequipped3. Starting in 2007, TPMS became a legislated feature on all passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. Tips for Drivers: Get in the habit of manually checking your tire pressure at least once a month or before a long road trip. Even if your vehicle has TPMS installed, regular tire maintenance is the best way to increase your safety. The best way to get the most accurate reading is to check your tire pressure before you drive, when the tire is cold.
To determine if your vehicle has TPMS, look for the TPMS symbol on the dashboard when you first turn your key to the on position. Consult your owner’s manual for more information. When installing winter tires or buying new wheels, be sure to have TPMS sensors installed in the wheels. Failure to do this will make your TPMS inoperative. Large temperature drops, usually during winter, can cause the low tire pressure warning to come on. Have a tire service centre properly check your tire pressure and TPMS if this happens. TPMS batteries, expected to last between five and seven years (or approximately 140,000 – 160,000km/year), are encased and can’t be replaced. Since some of the first TPMS-equipped vehicles have now been on the road for more than five years, drivers will soon need to see TPMS specialists for maintenance. Once the battery dies, a new TPMS sensor must be installed. When the TPMS illuminates on your dashboard, it means one or more of your tires may be at least 25 per cent below recommended inflation pressure. Pull over and check your tire pressure. Once checked, if the tires appear normal, proceed with caution to a tire service centre to have them properly inspected. Sources 1. Transport Canada 2. Canada Safety Council 3. Schrader International 4. The Rubber Association of Canada 5. AIA Canada
Drives-U-Crazy… Erratic drivers An early morning drive from Kelowna to Vancouver is normally a pleasurable experience. But a recent a jaunt was made much less so by an erratic driver, whose actions required all fellow travellers to watch his antics with great care and attention. The young guy at the wheel of a late model Honda CR-V constantly changed speed, below and beyond the posted speed limit. If he wasn’t passing and cutting in too early, he was inexplicably reducing his speed and dropping back in the passing lane. Thank goodness, he pulled off at Merritt. What drives-u-crazy. kmorgan@blackpress.ca
Drives
U
Crazy!
?
KIA concept Playful but gutsy, sturdy yet impish – Kia’s dramatic new European concept to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.Although there are no current plans for production, the vehicle’s unveiling will be used to gauge potential customer response for future showroom models.
ICBC SAFETY
TIP
Forgetting the rules of the road ICBC Safety Tip: As drivers, please slow down next week and be extra vigilant, especially
around residential areas. Children are always caught up in the excitement of Halloween and can easily forget the rules of the road.
A16 | CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
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