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December IO. 2008
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P o r tla n d O L se rv e r A u to
e v ie w News and reviews on new motor vehicles
2009 Mercury Mariner Premier 4WD Mercury Mariner shows mediocre merit
leum-based products, round out
the changes. With a bump in
power and fuel efficiency (now
that the four-speed automatic is
history), the fully refreshed Mer­
cury M ariner is now better
equipped to take on its formi­
dable competition for another
couple years.
That's due in part to the new
six-speed automatic, which re­
places last year's antiquated four-
speed gearbox. The four-speed
wasn'tadeal-breaker; it upshifted
smoothly around town and kicked
down to third on the highway for
easy-enough passing perfor­
mance. The six-speed isn't as well-
mannered in its upshifts, but its
highway responsiveness is just
as good — and it has shorter
gears for quicker passing-lane
bursts, with none of the old
drivetrain s droning exhaust.
Among a vast sea of competi­
tive models, we haven’t been ter­
ribly impressed by the Mariner in
recent years. It’s a fine vehicle,
but the materials, engines, and
lack of innovative features have
left us wanting, especially when
compared to younger alterna­
tives. The 2009 model’s boost in
power and refinement wit 1 address
these issues head on, though a
complete redesign might’ve had
the best chance of propelling the
Mariner to the front of the pack.
Specifications: 3.0-Liter, 240-hp @ 223 Ib-ft. torque, DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine; 6-Speed automatic transmission; 1 7-City,
24-Highway MPG; $32,795. MSRP
thirst at the pump, and it had too Mariner comes witha 171 -hp, 2.5L
K athleen C arr
The 2009 Mercury Mariner has many low-rent plastics and seat­ four now mated to a six-speed
been mechanically overhauled, ing annoyances inside. The automatic transmission - that's
on the heels of a total redesign for changes for 2009 move the Mari­ two speeds and 18 hp more than
2008. New four-cylinderand V-6 ner from average to appealing, before. Customers looking for
drivetrains produce more power but not decisively so. It still has a more power can order the op­
with better gas mileage, and ride few flaws, and lined up against tional 3.0L V-6 with 240 hp — 40
quality and braking performance competitors the Mariner doesn't more hp than last year’s six. The
extra power from the updated V-6
have improved. The cabin also stand out.
For2009, "Part 2" of the refresh results in a 0-60-mph time that
has some interesting new options.
Those are all good things, be­ of the Mercury (and the Ford Ford claims is a substantial 1.7
cause the redesigned 2008 Mari­ Escape twin) begins with more sec quicker than the 2008 model.
The 2009 Mariner also ben­
ner left me lukewarm. Its accelera­ powerful and efficient powertrain
tion was too modest to justify its options. The entry-level 2009 efits from retuned suspension and
by
steering systems. The Electric
Power Assist Steering, along with
low-rolling-resistance tires and
the addition of front bumper and
rear tire spoilers, help Ford and
Mercury eke out 1 more mpg from
the SUVs. The Mariner is now
closer in fuel economy to the com­
pact SUV class sales leader, the
HondaCR-V.
A capless refueling system and
seat fabrics that Ford claims are
"ecofriendly," with soy-based
foam taking the place of petro-
W H m M M R IM M M n
happy but don’t know how. -
Joel; Omaha, Neb.
Dear Anonymous:
There may be more to the story of
why she got evicted in the first
Dear Joel:
place. If you value your sanity
Shut her down, close your wallet
and possessions, help her plan
and take the credit cards immedi­
her next move. Be mature and
ately. If your wife w on’t work,
have a discussion without plac­
then you need to make her an item
ing the blame on the children and
on the budget and give her a express your desire to reclaim your
monthly allowance. Once her
space. Have a few applications
money runs out, then oh well, available and some cash to speed
she’s stuck until the next cycle or
until she gets ajob. This may not
make your wife happy but at least
you’ll still be around to see her.
the process. This approach
should save your friendship and
also get the tiny terrors out the
door quick, fast and in a hurry.
Ask Deanna is written by Deanna
M. Write Ask Deanna! Email:
askdeannal @ yahoo.com or 264
S. laC ieneya Blvd. Suite 1283
Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Website:
www.askdeanna.com
C o m p u te r R e p a ir
Real People, Real Advice
Ail advice cola am known Jar
its fearless approach to
reality based subjects!
Dear Deanna!
I work two jobs because my wife
got laid off. She's never satisfied
and when I think about it, I’m
breaking my neck and she spends
money left and right. I don’t have
a problem with this, but if she
wants to have her glamorous
lifestyle, she needs to get a job.
When I approach her, she claims
she can’t find work but she’s not
looking. I’m tired and want torest
but also want to keep my wife
W e F ix L a p t o p * & D e s k to p s
Dear Deanna!
I made the mistake and tried to
help a friend that got evicted
from her apartm ent. She has
three children and I feel as if I’m
living in a tornado. These kids
have no home training, con­
stantly spill food and are al-
w aysdirty. I’m really losing my
mind because you would think
they were d eaf the way the tele­
vision is on full blast. The way
my home looks and the stress I
feel makes me willing to lose the
friendship if I kick her out. What
do I do? —Anonym ous; Jack­
sonville, Fla.
of three.
Currently 258,600 households
(approximately 499,000 individu­
als) receive food stamps in Or­
egon, or about 13 percent of the
Oregon population.
michael @ bridgetownrealty.com
Please call me, your neighborhood
specialist, for any of your Real Estate
needs. My success is built on a
commitment to quality service.
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Food Stamp Workers Hired
The Legislature has approved
a request from Gov. Kulongoski
to immediately hire 60 new work­
ers throughout the state to meet
the increasing demand for Food
Stamps.
The need for Food Stamps has
grown 13 percent in Oregon since
October 2007, and in some com ­
munities the increase is as high as
25 percent. The new positions
will be targeted in the communi­
ties that have shown the greatest
increase in Food Stamp applica­
tions.
"We need to be sure that every
Oregonian who is eligible for as­
sistance through the food stamp
program has the opportunity to
ben efit from it," said G ov.
Kulongoski. "With therisingcost
of food and other basic expenses,
we must do al I we can to make sure
that families in our state are not
going hungry.”
Oregon's food stamp benefits
are distributed through the "Or­
egon Trail Card." which works
like a debit card. Many working
families turn to these benefits
when their monthly income does
not cover rent, health care, fixxl
and other basics. Benefits are
determined on a sliding scale, from
$ 14 to $463 per month fora family
Michael Tillery
Broker
503.975.8004
Let me help you with legal questions
-Attorney Sona Joiner
at 503-241-1113
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