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Friday, May 30, 2014

Richmond Review · Page 19

DrivewayCanada.ca

I’m extremely tempted to use the word cute. But I won’t. It’s small, which definitely contributes to its c-word factor. Alexandra Straub

Visit the Nissan Micra gallery at DrivewayCanada.ca

Photos courtesy Nissan Canada

Bargain priced Nissan Micra returns to basics Montreal, QC. - Even though the with the same peppy powerplant. days of roll down windows, no air Okay, I realize that “peppy” is a relaconditioning or fancy features aren’t tive term here. There’s 109 horsepower that far behind us, it’s tough to find a and 107 lb-ft of torque generated back-to-basics car in today’s market. from its 1.6L, 4-cylinder engine. But in Enter the 2015 Nissan Micra with a the city and on the highway, it’s still a price tag under $10k. decent amount. As its name suggests, Three trims of Micra it’s not a full-size SUV. are available: S, SV, What it is is a front and SR. Each can be engine, front-wheel paired with either the drive, five-door vehicle. aforementioned 5-speed It’s diminutive in size manual or an available but not lacking in the 4-speed automatic. The personality department. mid-grade SV trim can The Micra Not at all. also be paired with a is affordable You’d think that with a Convenience package starting MSRP of $9,998 transportation with (available both on the for the Micra S (with the amiable drivability, MT and AT). manual transmission) Looking at it, I’m exan easy-on-the you might get shorttremely tempted to use eyes interior and changed on the fun the word “cute.” But I overall a bubbly factor. Again, not the won’t. It’s small, which personality. case. definitely contributes to In fact, of the four modits c-word factor, and Alexandra Straub els I drove (there are comes it some bubbly eight models available) colours, as well as acit happened to be my favourite. cent colours. For example, the SV with The 5-speed manual transmission has the automatic I drove had a white a springy clutch, a gearbox that shifts exterior with purple accents. up and down smoothly, and a personInside, you and your four passengers ality that is waiting to be unleashed. will we greeted with cushy cloth seats. It might not have air conditioning, The driver will then have access to a Bluetooth or a rearview camera (on centre stack that is easy to use and this trim, but they are available on organized ergonomically. other models), but those aren’t deal Describing its aura could best be debreakers for me, nor are they for fined as “welcoming.” And despite its people looking to buy a great car at a size, even taller individuals shouldn’t great price. feel claustrophobic. With a driving What’s more, each Micra model comes partner who stands 6’2”, he still had

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headroom and some room to stretch out either piloting or co-piloting the Micra. Under hard acceleration, primarily from the 4-speed automatic, the Micra is quite vocal. You can really hear the engine noise intrude the cabin. It’s not a performance machine like the Nissan GT-R, where you want to hear as much ruckus as you can. However, when cruising at highway speeds – without the lead foot acceleration – my driving partner and I noticed how quiet the cabin is. Wind noise is kept at bay and it’s serene. Furthermore, it was an incredibly blustery day when we took these pint-sized four-doors out. Needless to say, you could feel the swagger of the car at highway speeds. But in its defense, larger vehicles felt the wrath of Mother Nature’s blow, too.

While very affordable, the Micra isn’t “cheap” in execution. Even the knobs on the roll down windows have a soft touch to them. And there are metallic accents to break up the otherwise bland black interior. I certainly wasn’t disappointed when captaining the Micra. Even though that might sound like a backhanded compliment, it’s not. As far as small cars go, it’s functional, funky and has great value. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle that gets you from point A to B – minus all the options – or said vehicle with a few extras, the 2015 Micra might be the car for you. Summed up, the Micra is affordable transportation with amiable drivability, an easy-on-the eyes interior and overall a bubbly personality. alexandra.straub@drivewaybc.ca

Question of the Week: Alexandra Straub tests the back-to-basics 2015 Nissan Micra, with a starting sticker price under $10,000. Seems like a good second car option for many families; would you consider it as a possible first car? Go to DrivewayCanada.ca to submit your answer…

QUESTION OF THE WEEK!

Safety Tip: It’s Bike to Work Week in B.C. and more and more people are taking up cycling as a commuting option. It’s important for cyclists to pay attention to vehicles turning at intersections. As a driver, before you or one of your passengers open a vehicle door, always check for oncoming cyclists.

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Page 20 · Richmond Review

Friday, May 30, 2014

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Go getter Jetta without premium price tag by Bob McHugh Volkswagen introduced a bigger and made-in-America Jetta for the 2011 model year and in doing so it profoundly altered its sales position. It was no longer the“Golf with a trunk” but a mainstream stand-alone model. Moving to Mexico allowed VW to slash the start price for the 2011 Jetta by a whopping $6,300, in Canada, compared to the previous year edition.

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mated to either a five-speed manual or an optional sixspeed (Tiptronic) automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 9.1 L/100km in the city and 6.0 L/100km on the highway. The other trim levels are Comfortline, Sportline and Highline. A 2.5-litre (170-horsepower) gas engine was optional on Comfortline and standard with Sportline and Highline. This five-cylinder engine is available in numerous VW products and has good low-end power, but sounds a little ragged at the high end of its speed range. Fuel economy is rated at 9.9 in the city and 6.2 L/100km on the highway. The TDI edition is a popular choice with Jetta buyers. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine and came in Comfortline and Highline trim levels. Like all diesel engines the torque and fuel economy figures are impressive. It’s rated at 236 ft-lbs @ 1,750 rpm and can sip diesel fuel at a rate of 6.7L/100km in the city and 4.6 L/100km on the highway. Jetta’s big news story for the 2012 model year was the introduction of a high-

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And it has certainly paid-off in terms of sales. Last year (2013), VW Canada sold more than twice as many Jetta models than it did in 2010 and the Jetta’s sales position jumped from eleventh to sixth in the highly competitive small car segment. Used Jetta buyers should also benefit by getting to choose from a larger pool of previously owned Jetta models on the market. On the downside, this generation Jetta has lost some of its Germanic-built prestige, in the eyes of VW purists. The redesigned 2011 Jetta’s longer wheelbase allows extra passenger space inside a cabin that boasts best-inclass rear seat legroom, plus its 440-litre trunk is larger than both Honda Civic and Mazda3. Even a base Trendline edition comes with power windows and door locks, 60/60 split folding rear seats, six-way manually adjustable front seats, a heightadjustable telescopic steering wheel, anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability control system. The entry engine is a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, that can produce 114 horsepower and

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is more fuel frugal (8.8/6.1 L/100 km - city/highway) than the other gas engine versions of Jetta. However, it likes premium fuel. The 2013 model year brought numerous minor trim changes to Jetta, but a new Hybrid edition was the big introduction. Jetta Hybrid is powered by a full-hybrid system that can run in a pure electric mode. Its E-driving range is limited to about 2 km, but if used wisely, such as stop-n-go traffic, it’s a terrific fuel saver. Jetta Hybrid’s city/ highway fuel rating is 4.6/4.2 L/100km respectively. Although the 2011 and 2012 model years of Jetta received “Top Safety Pick” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it got a “marginal” rating in a new small overlap frontal crash test introduced by the Institute for 2013 model year vehicles. This crash test is designed to replicate an offset collision with another vehicle or an object like a tree or a utility pole. Overall, a near-new Volkswagen Jetta can be an excellent purchase for buyers who want a compact sedan that offers Euro style, performance, heritage and flair, without a premium price tag. Price Check: 2011 - 2013 Volkswagen Jetta (May 2014) •2011 Comfortline, expect to pay today: $13,000 to $17,000 •2012 Comfortline, expect to pay today: $15,000 to $19,000 •2013 Comfortline, expect to pay today: $18,000 to $22,000 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.

Safety Recalls: 2011 to 2013 Volkswagen Jetta: 2009/2010/2011/2012: The fuel injection lines may crack and cause diesel fuel leakage, on vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TDI (diesel) engine. Dealers will install vibration dampers on the fuel injection lines and replace them, if necessary. 2011: The converter box may be protected by the same fuse as the horn and the anti-theft alarm system. If this fuse gets blown, the converter box may shut-off applications such as the engine management system, lighting system and wipers. Dealers will separate the wiring for the horn and the theft protection horn from the power supply of the converter box, and route the wires to separate fuses. 2011/2012: Stainless steel exhaust tips, sold as overthe-counter accessories, may extend beyond the original length of the factory-installed exhaust pipes. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the exhaust tips with updated versions. 2012: Jetta GLI models may have been equipped with a Daytime Running Light (DRL) system that can be deactivated. Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module. 2013: Jetta hybrid models equipped with the direct-shift gearbox may experience electrical shorts and blown gearbox fuses, as a result of corrosion inside the gearbox due to incompatible gearbox lubricant additives. Dealers will replace the existing gearbox lubricant with an updated formulation. 2013/2014: The factory installed block heater may overheat while in use and potentially result in a fire. Dealers will replace the block heater and advise owners to stop using it in the interim. bob.mchugh@drivewaybc.ca

Friday, May 30, 2014

Richmond Review · Page 21

driveway

Drivers feel gouged at the gas pumps by Keith Morgan

Mazda3 achieves mainly top marks by Zack Spencer The traditional one week in a media test drive car offers a good chance to get to know it but two weeks is even better! Recently, I go a chance to spend a week in the base Mazda3 and a second week in the higher performance Mazda3 GT. This real-life experience driving each day solidified my positive thoughts on many parts of the car but also highlighted a few shortcomings. Looks Mazda has done a great job of producing a compact car that looks stylish and upscale in both the sedan and hatchback forms. The hatchback version, called Sport, I test drove was the middle GS trim, which is where most people in this segment will typically shop. The GS starts at $19,695 for the sedan and $20,695 for the Sport (hatchback) version. The top GT sedan I drove is much more expensive, starting at $25,855 for the sedan and $26,855 for the Sport. There are some nice upgrades to the GT, like LED marker lights and tail light, Xenon headlamps, bigger 18-inch alloy wheels, versus 16-inches on the lower trim levels. Then there is the added power from the larger engine. A fully kitted out GT runs up to the $30,000 mark. Yes, compact cars have more features then ever but the price has moved up accordingly. Inside The interior of the middle GS and high end GT trim is worth the extra cost, over the basic GX, as it features a centre mounted screen on the dash for things like radio, telephone and navigation features. This is activated by a controller in the centre of the two front seats and is easy to master. The radio reception I found was rather weak, the FM signal faded in and out, as did the volume and treble. Both versions of the Mazda3 performed this way. The higher end GT model comes with a few extras like automatic climate control, a small heads-up display in front of the driver’s position and optional leather seats. The back seats are comfortable but the doors are high and the side windows small, making outward visibility a problem for kids. Drive At the heart of both the sedan and GT is the same great “Skyactiv” platform developed by Mazda that is lighter than the previous car and can be matched to two powerful and fun to use engines. The base engine is a 155hp 2.0L direct injection engine. This engine surprised me with the amount of very usable mid-range torque. The bigger 184hp 2.5L version of the same engine has more grunt but I’m not sure it is worth the added money, the smaller 2.0L is that good. Yes the GT comes with the bigger wheels and tires, plus a sport button to make the automatic transmission livelier but this is the only gearbox offered on the GT, no manual. For the car with more power and road-handling prowess, I’m surprised the manual is not offered here, it’s only offered with the 2.0L engine. Verdict I have mixed feelings about the Mazda3. I do like the engineering that went into this car, the lighter platform, the impressive direct injection engines, great styling and comfortable cabin. The dash and interior looks upscale and in some cases is expensive. The FM radio reception needs to be fixed and that back seat is claustrophobic for small children. I’m usually drawn to more powerful cars like the GT version but in this case, the base 2.0L is so good, you might want to save a few dollars and get the cheaper car. If you want the best Mazda has to offer, the GT will not disappoint zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca

PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT: Offers valid until June 2, 2014. See toyota.ca for complete details on all cash back offers. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between Toyota prices, rates and/or other information contained on toyotabc.ca and that contained on toyota.ca, the latter shall prevail. Errors and omissions excepted. 2014 RAV4 Base FWD LE Automatic ZFREVT-A MSRP is $25,689 and includes $1,819 freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy, battery levy and air conditioning federal excise tax. †Lease example: 3.9% Lease APR for 60 months on approved credit. Semi-Monthly payment is $139 with $1700 down payment. Total Lease obligation is $18,380. Lease 60 mos. based on 100,000 km, excess km charge is $.10. ††Finance example: 1.9% finance for 48 months, upon credit approval, available on 2014 RAV4. Applicable taxes are extra. 2014 Corolla CE 6M Manual BURCEM-A MSRP is $17,544 and includes $1,549 freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy, and battery levy. *Lease example: 2014 Corolla CE 6M with a vehicle price of $17,269 (includes $275 Toyota Canada Lease Assist, which is deducted from the negotiated selling price after taxes, and $1,549 freight/PDI) leased at 0.9% over 60 months with $0 down payment equals 120 semi-monthly payments of $87 with a total lease obligation of $10,715. Lease 60 mos. based on 100,000 km, excess km charge is $.07. **Finance example: 1.9% finance for 84 months, upon credit approval, available on 2014 Corolla CE 6M. Applicable taxes are extra. 2014 Tacoma Double Cab V6 4x4 Automatic MU4FNA-A MSRP is $33,289 and includes $1,819 freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy, battery levy and air conditioning federal excise tax. ‡Lease example: 3.9% Lease APR for 60 months on approved credit. Semi-Monthly payment is $165 with $3,150 down payment. Total Lease obligation is $22,890. Lease 60 mos. based on 100,000 km, excess km charge is $.10. ‡‡Finance example: 0.9% finance for 48 months, upon credit approval, available on 2014 Tacoma. Applicable taxes are extra. ‡‡‡Up to $1000 Non-Stackable Cash Back available on select 2014 Tacoma models. Non-stackable cash back on 2014 Tacoma Double Cab V6 4x4 Automatic is $1,000. Applicable taxes are extra. Down payment, first semi-monthly payment and security deposit plus GST and PST on first payment and full down payment are due at lease inception. A security deposit is not required on approval of credit. Non-stackable Cash Back offers may not be combined with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) lease or finance rates. If you would like to lease or finance at standard TFS rates (not the above special rates), then you may be able to take advantage of Cash Customer Incentives. Vehicle must be purchased, registered and delivered by June 2, 2014. Cash incentives include taxes and are applied after taxes have been charged on the full amount of the negotiated price. See toyota.ca for complete details on all cash back offers. ‡‡‡‡Semi-monthly lease offer available through Toyota Financial Services on approved credit to qualified retail customers on most 24, 36, 48 and 60 month leases (including Stretch leases) of new and demonstrator Toyota vehicles. First semi-monthly payment due at lease inception and next monthly payment due approximately 15 days later and semi-monthly thereafter throughout the term. Toyota Financial Services will waive the final payment. Semi-monthly lease offer can be combined with most other offers excluding the First Payment Free and Encore offers. First Payment Free offer is valid for eligible TFS Lease Renewal customers only. Toyota semi-monthly lease program based on 24 payments per year, on a 60-month lease, equals 120 payments, with the final 120th payment waived by Toyota Financial Services. Competitive bi-weekly lease programs based on 26 payments per year, on a 60-month lease, equals 130 payments. Not open to employees of Toyota Canada, Toyota Financial Services or TMMC/TMMC Vehicle Purchase Plan. Some conditions apply. See your Toyota dealer for complete details. Visit your Toyota BC Dealer or www.toyotabc.ca for more details. Some conditions apply; offers are time limited and may change without notice. Dealer may lease/sell for less.

The 2014 Mazda3.

Two thirds of BC residents say gas price increases have caused hardship in their household, according to a new Black Press/Insights West poll. And 55 per cent of those polled say they now drive less than usual due to high gas prices. Gas taxes are too high say 85 per cent and 77 per cent claim they are unfair for 77. A whopping 91 per cent assert drivers are gouged at the pump before long weekends. Those comments were the results of a scientifically conducted poll but it remarkably reflects many sentiments expressed in response to our unscientific Question of the Week, which we posed before the long weekend. We asked if high gas prices would stall planned driving vacation plans and a massive 560 of you were moved to answer online. Specifically, we asked “Would a

optimum level, pack all luggage inside the car to reduce air drag, and not drive aggressively. The time to scrimp is during day-to-day use: don’t drive when you could walk or cycle.” Debbie, in Abbotsford, claimed: “It’s cheaper now to fly to Vegas or California, than to drive.” BC tourism’s loss is the United States’ gain; with many saying cheaper gas in down south made it a more economical drive vacation destination, even with the current inferior exchange rate. Sandi, of Vancouver, said: “We cancelled our Christmas trip and will not be travelling this summer. . . . groceries are my first priority.” Rodney, of Vernon, also did some math: “A good modern vehicle can get a fuel economy of about 10L/100km (about 28MPG, for us old folks). So a 3,000 km driving vacation would cost $417 in gas at a price of $1.39, and the same trip would cost $447 in gas at $1.49.” keith.morgan@drivewaybc.ca

10 cents per litre increase in the price of gas at the pump cause you to cancel a driving vacation?” A categorical ‘no’ was the response from 131 readers, a similar number said ‘yes’ but most wavered, saying the increase would have to be more substantial or they might consider shortening their route or holiday’s duration. Shawn, of Maple Ridge, set the tone for those undeterred by the assault on their wallet: “Money isn’t the main focus when it is a welldeserved vacation.” Kay, of Coquitlam, warned: “I would not cancel . . . however I may change plans and go to the USA instead of Canada.” Renay, of Richmond, said: “I would still take the vacation and just have to re-adjust the budget to include the increase.” Murray, in Vancouver, has some good advice: “I would minimize fuel consumption by keeping the car maintained, keep tire pressure at the

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