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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 1998)
CHRVSLCR 199» N o t so long ago, dealers would soap showroom windows to heighten anticipation for the magic m om ent in tall when the new model cars and trucks were unveiled. Times have changed, and these days autom akers are likely to launch their new prod ucts whenever they’re ready, as in the case ot the 98 H onda CR-V, which rolled into show rooms last February. However, there are still sev eral reasons to remain excited a b o u t the sta rt o f this new model year, which officially be By A A O W Editors: gan O ct. 1. Paul Eisenstein, Jacqueline Mitchell, W hether you’re looking for som ething practical, sexy or Randi Payton, W inijred Cross luxurious, there are plenty o f new p ro d u c ts, such as th e T oyota S ienna m inivan and O ldsm obile’s sleek Intrigue sedan, to choose from. Some flagship models, like the ever- popular H onda Accord, Chrysler’s style-setting Concorde and Intrepid sedans and Cadillac s sporty Seville are am ong a long list o f totally redesigned products debuting this fall. And dozens o f other models have had makeovers, from subtle cosmetic changes to the addition o f more features and im proving performance, ride and handling. Even Fords Taurus r e d e s ig n e d just two years ago, gets an extensive facelift. T he crossover trend continues, with nearly half of all buyers likely to opt for minivans, pickups or sport-utility vehicles. Look for Subaru’s new Forester and Volvos V 70 XC AWD, two more entries in the newly emerging car/truck hybrid segment. Typified by the H onda C R -V -w hich boasts a sport-ute body m ounted on the same platform as a Civic sedan — these vehicles are rugged enough for all but the roughest boulder climbs, yet yield significantly better fuel economy and a less truck-like ride than their fatter cousins. In addition to a dizzying array o f new products, there's another trend for new car owners to cheer about. Having watched sticker prices rise significantly faster than the rate o f inflation in recent years, the industry is finally heeding consumers cries o f “Enough!” Despite many improvements, the ’98 Accord will cost about the same as last year s m ode . And Ford has announced th at it has cut prices on many o f its 1998 models. Industry expens predict fierce com petition will benefit buyers who are likely to find even more lucrative incentives in the com ing months, w hether as rebates or cut-rate leases. For today’s savvy consumer, the operative word is value; not just a lower price tag. Consum ers are dem anding safety and performance features as standard equipm ent, even on entry-level products. T he New Beetle, Volkswagen’s anxiously-awaited replacement for its legendary Bug, will com e w ith side-impact airbags, a feature once found in only the AUTO REVIEW The New Model Year Is Something to Cheer About most expensive luxury cars. ■ • l Buyers can be reassured that steady improvements in quality over the past decade have led to an average o f less than one defect per car after assembly, compared to three a decade ago. T he latest, highly-revered J.D . Power and Associates Initial Q uality Survey showed less than half o f all new car buyers reponed any problems during the first three m onths of ownership. . For all too many m otorists, buying a car is a process w ith about as much appeal as a dental visit, a perception car companies now realize they must change. Given the trem en dous gains in quality in recent years, custom er service may be key to differentiating one brand from another. , Certainly, there has been a growing effort by many auto dealers to do away with high- pressure sales tactics and bait-and-switch advertising. So, while tall may not bring the same level o f anxious anticipation it once did, there s still a few surprises for buyers as the 1998 model year gets underway. There’s a lot riding down the assembly line these days at Chrysler’s Bramalea, O n tario plant, production site for the completely redesigned Chrysler mid-sized ‘L H ’-cars. T he Concorde and Dodge In trepid sedans, with their stylish, “cab-for ward” shapes, earned a reputation for cut- ting-edge design w hen introduced in 1992. But five years is a long tim e by auto-industry standards and Chrysler is ready to prove that those first cars weren’t just a flash in the pan. T h e ’98 updates com pete against the m ost popular cars in America, like the Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus and H onda Accord, so the pressure is on Chrysler to improve quality while keeping those LH cars looking fresh. Chrysler engineers made quality their top priority and initial road tests indicate the ’98 sedans are quieter and more roadworthy, thanks to new V6 engines w ith 25 percent more power, re d u ced em issions an d im proved fuel economy. Chrysler has temporarily m othballed its Eagle Vision, the third sister in the LH car trio, along with the luxurious Chrysler GCNCRAl MOTORS G M ’s Cadillac luxury division, the self- proclaimed standard o f the w orld, is de term ined to prove it hasnt lost its touch with its completely new version o f its high- performance Seville sedan. This redesigned ’98 Seville, described as “a muscle car in an Armani suit,” due largely to its N orthstar V8 engine, is undisputablv one of the most powerful luxury sedans on the road. T he new Seville is three inches shorter than the older model, a strategic move by Cadillac to make the car more marketable overseas. O ther key changes include improved ride and handling and a cleaner, more world- class appearance, particularly in the pas senger compartment. O ldsm obile turn ed 100 this year, a b ir th d a y so m e th o u g h t th e a ilin g automaker wouldn’t make. But Olds is out to prove itself as a nameplate with vitality with products like the all-new Intrigue, a stylish and sophisticated mid-sized sedan. G M C goes upscale with its new Denali, the luxury version o f the Yukon. It boasts curvaceous flaring fenders and hood, a grand oversized grille and one very big engine. W ho says macho isn’t sexy? nest nets Used Cars The used car market isn’t what it used to be, so tossing out the lemons to find the best buy requires a bit of work. The 1997-98 edition of the “Used Car Book," compiled by Jack Gillis, offers good tips. So, if you are looking for a car for a teenage driver, or like a particular model, but can’t afford to buy it brand new, then take a look at this list. Subcompact • Nissan Sentra, 1996-97 • Subaru Impreza, 1993,1996-97 Compact •Audi 80/90, 1992 • Buick Skylark, 1996-97 • Chevrolet Corsica, 1993 • Dodge Shadow, 1993 • Geo Prizm, 1996 • Honda Prelude, 1992 • Oldsmobile Achieva, 1996-97 • Plymouth Sundance, 1993 • Pontiac Grand Am, 1996-97 • Toyota Corolla, 1995-97 Intermediate • Dodge Spirit, 1992-93 • Ford Taurus, 1994 • Honda Accord, 1992-93 • Mercury Sable, 1994-95 • Plymouth Acclaim, 1992-93 • Toyota Camry, 1993,1995 •Volvo 700 series, 1991-92 Large •Audi A6, 1997 • Buick LeSabre, 1996-97 • Buick Riviera, 1993 • Cadillac DeVille, 1994-97 • Chrysler Fifth Avenue, 1989 • Dodge Diplomat, 1989 •Lexus ES300,1993-96 • Lincoln Mark VIII, 1994 • Lincoln Town Car, 1993-94, 1996-97 • Oldsmobile 88, 1993-94, 1996-97 • Oldsmobile Toronado, 1991 • Plymouth Gran Fury, 1989 • Pontiac Bonneville, 1993-94,1996-97 • Toyota Avalon, 1996-97 Minivan • Chrysler Town & Country, 1995 • Honda Odyssey, 1996 • Isuzu Oasis, 1996 Sport-utility • Ford Explorer, 1996-97 By Paul Eisenstein AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEELS 17 20 AFRICAN AMERICANS ON WHEELS
