THE ULTIMATE CAR GUIDE

THE ULTIMATE CAR GUIDE

Lexus sedans. One for me, one for my dad, and one for my mom. It may not ring a bell but Lexus, in my observation and opinion, target those who want luxury without the bling. Understated luxury, that is. Lexus owners are those who appreciate value and quality, hence their smooth lines and reliability. Plus, their dealerships would treat you as if you were in your home. Facing the battle with the Philippine market BMW 5 Series and Mercedes Benz E Class, the GS was introduced to Filipino consumers in January 2009 amid the economic crisis. Our market received the updated model, sold elsewhere since 2008. Until March 2012 you can buy one brand new. A trip to Lexus' pre-owned section reveals that this sedan is a bargain, especially you can get one for P3,000,000 or less. Why go to the pre-owned section then? These units are inspected and a warranty is given.

Expect high maintenance costs since a V8 engine resides under the hood. I know this is cliche, but for your information (and also your benefit) Lexus Manila (or any dealership worldwide) has a comfortable ambiance and exemplary service. The L-finesse styling was first applied to the GS, and the execution is flawlessly done. It may have some resemblance to the 2006-2012 Camry but it shows more usage of concave and convex angles that contribute to a more machismo styling. Curves are everywhere and the result is a sharp looking sedan, unlike the previous model which lacked character. Leather here, leather there, it is everywhere inside the cabin from the seats down to the dashboard. Wood trim comes standard, which I think, does not fit the sporty personality of the vehicle. Dominating the center console is a touch screen monitor that displays information for the radio and air-conditioning. Controls are placed accordingly and of high quality, which is a good thing.

Other luxurious items added include a front sunroof and a Mark Levinson sound system with 14 speakers (yes, you read it right) and a cassette player. While it seats five, four is recommended for maximum comfort since the center console hampers the middle passenger's comfort. But then, this is no LS which is the king in passenger space. The local distributor brought in a monstrous 1UR-FE 4,608cc V8 gasoline which pumps out 322hp at 6,400rpm and 440Nm at 4,000rpm. It is one sleeper, the V8 is rev happy and encourages you to drive harder. Bulky as it is, the GS is one fast vehicle. For the inexperienced driver who wants something with a V8 engine, a traction control (which can be deactivated anyway) comes standard to ensure you are still alive. Have some side sliding fun and the traction control kicks in to provide enough stopping ability and a heavier steering. Apart from that, having eight gears to play means there is a gear set for each power setting. Fuel economy is more than decent, thanks to the transmission's numerous gears. Cabin isolation, as expected in Lexus vehicles, is excellent. Definitely not close to a Bimmer in the driving experience but the GS comes close. Still a great choice for people who want something low key while having a smile on their face. The dealership experience is a bonus, too.

The jist of the vlog is that I found the Mercedes-Benz C200 AV is super refined and comfortable. It is softly sprung compared to the very sporty feeling C300 AMG-Line. The 184hp and 13hp EQ Boost 1.5liter turbocharged engine is quite a unique engine. It may be small in size but it makes up in refinement. It does feel smooth to the redline if you push it but you know it is only making the best from its small capacity 1.5liter engine. The air suspension in the C300 makes the car just feel so resolved over bumpy roads yet still have coenering ability when needed. A complete sports sedan in the traditional sense. One can tour long distances in this. This is the most fun you can have in a Mercedes-Benz, not Mercedes-AMG, mind you. Definitely recommended if you want a blast down a countryside road. Don't think any Mercedes-Benz in Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's stable is this good in terms of a pure rear wheel drive type of feel - drive to the rear wheels and having an steering uncorrupted by power. You may need a C63 S to feel more thrills per minute. I will get the review for both out shortly. Ah, only two hands and ten fingers. So many things to do at once.

For decades, Saab produced some of the most interesting and just plain weird designs of the automotive world. Sadly, Saab went bankrupt in 2011, and despite rumors of a comeback, it doesn't appear that we will be seeing new cars from Saab anytime soon. However, its distinctive cars can still be occasionally spotted out on the street, and this quirky 9-5 sedan, while not common and certainly not normal, stands out among an increasingly sea of similar-looking cars. At the front, an upside-down, trapezoidal grille with chrome surround looks clean and sensible, and a silver cross-grille bar and headlight trim round out the look. The placement of the Saab logo on the hood with the word "Saab" in the grille is reminiscent of the hood ornament and logo placement used by luxurious companies like Mercedes-Benz. The headlights have a strange blueish hint to them, and feature a handsome arrangement with an upscale xenon unit. But what is most unique about the front of the Saab sedan are the vents connected to the inside of the headlights. The vents look a bit out of place, in a cool, kind of zany way.