2007 SAAB 9-3 SPORTCOMBI

By: F. Carlton Peeples

Staring down the steering column of a particular higher-end, five-door sports wagon at the road ahead, as I headed down the Southfield freeway. I couldn’t help but think about all the attention I received behind the wheel. Now, I’ve been behind the wheel of everything from a ninety-thousand-dollar Jag sports coupe to an amazingly fuel efficient hybrid that’s knocked my socks off. Each has gotten its respective head nods, triple takes, jaw-drops and bids of approval. However, nothing has garnered the type of looks as the Titan Gray metallic, cul-de-sac destined, suburbanite motoring Saab 9-3 sport wagon.

As a young professional, it’s largely agreed that certain cars serve as stat quo markers. And driving it prompted looks from older professionals that range from, “what does he know about driving a Saab” to “He must be in his parents’ car!” Or at least it felt that way.

By way of comfort and convenience the 9-3 offered several stand out features that really made a difference including a special illumination package that offers rear fog lights, a “Follow Me Home” headlight function and day time running headlamps with an automatic off feature.

Next, an exciting 2.0 Liter, four-cylinder engine performed well under pressure thanks to its turbo powered high output and five-speed Sentronic® transmission under its belt. Together they deliver roughly 20/30 mpg city/highway, which isn’t bad however considering the costs of mid-grade petrol and an annual estimated fuel cost of $17,783 (which most likely hasn’t factored in the more than 20% increase in fuel costs since this model was designed) the SAAB may fall a little flat.

Its leather appointed seating and steering positioning was comfortable and kept everything in plain sight for the driver. Letting us take full advantage of the multi-function Saab Car computer and “Profiler” information display. The leather steering wheel also featured rake and reach adjustability, audio controls which have become more than an optional convenience over the past several years.

There was so much more to the Saab 9-3 including everything from trunk space to its tires. This 60^th anniversary edition included several other exclusive details that you’d come to appreciate including “SAAB” embossed black sport seats with gray inserts and stitching, dark walnut interior trim with matching floor mats and Premium audio sound system that’s fully equipped with XM Satellite Radio, 6-CD in-dash system, and enough pure sound to wake up the neighbors down the block.


2007 SAAB 9-3 2.0T SPORTCOMBI
Engine: 2.0L-16V, 4-Cylinder
Electronic fuel injection
Turbo, 5-Speed Sentronic Trans
MSRP $33,860

I Like to Live On the Edge? 07 Ford Edge AWD

By: J. H. Bell

Now we’ve all seen the hype the Ford Edge has generated, from the catchy commercial jingle, to the all too familiar Edge billboard and high-rise window display at Ford’s home in Dearborn. Is the New Ford Edge everything it’s made out to be? Does it really make you want to live on the edge or does it just add that right amount of spice or let’s say adventure to your life that you’ve been in search of? Let’s take a closer look at this all American Crossover.

The physical attraction on the Edge was displayed in a Pewter Clearcoat Metallic hue, 17’’ painted aluminum wheels, dual chrome exhaust tips, power-heated mirrors with puddle lamps, fog lamps, and a body-colored rear spoiler. Under the hood she harbors a 3.5 Liter V6 engine, 4V Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), fuel injection catalyst, and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Internally the Edge flaunts AM/FM in-dash 6 discs CD player/ MP3 Player and a 4 speaker sound system for everyone who loves to just loose themselves in their favorite artists and or songs during horrid rush hour traffic. The Edge has accessory turn-off delay, auxiliary audio input jack, center console with gear shift, and dual electric auto temperature control. You can rest your fatigued bones in leather-trimmed front bucket seats, and the 6-way power, heated, memory front seats. The fold flat passenger seat is great for those Saturday morning shopping sprees with your best-sista-girlfriend. The leather trim 60/40 rear bench with easy-fold release is a must-have for on the go moms that chauffeur’s the kids and lugs their equipment to their never-ending sporting events. For comfortable driving, the Edge’s provides its owner with an audio/climate control steering wheel and a telescoping steering column for everyone who’s slightly vertically challenged like myself, than our taller counterparts.

Her functional capabilities consists of a 20 gallon fuel tank, convenience group or storage space, 4 power points (providing support for cell phone chargers, DVD players, and portable video games) and power steering which is comparable to it’s main competition, the Chrysler Pacifica.

When speaking of your safety features, she keeps you safe with advancetrac with stability control, anti-lock braking system, child seat tether anchor, occupant classification system, a personal safety system, a safety canopy, side airbags, side impact door beams, height adjustable front seatbelts and a securilock passenger anti theft system. With the warranty package you receive 3 yr/ 36,000 bumper to bumper, 5 yr/ 60,000 powertrain, and 5 yr/ 60,000 roadside assistance. Everything listed above is included as standard equipment and comes at no extra charge.

The test vehicle and optional equipment includes Sirius Satellite Radio, reverse sensing system, 18’’ wheels with chrome appearance, lower cargo management system, navigation system, DVD player, a panoramic roof, all weather rubber mats, and a class II trailer tow package.

With the constant inflation of gas prices, the Edge does an ok job at not breaking your pockets. She gets 18 city mpg and 25 highway mpg for the standard front wheel drive (FWD) and 17 city mpg and 24 hwy mpg for the standard all wheel drive (AWD).

The spontaneity of life is all well and good especially when you have the right automobile at that right time when adventure is knocking on your door. For me, the Edge did not make me “want to live on the edge” but it did give a feeling of having that something new, different and exciting that adds spice to

life.

2007 Ford Explorer Iron Man

By: F. Carlton Peeples

Growing up I can remember my favorite comic book super heroes being the Uncanny X-Men, Silver Surfer and Spiderman. Heck, come to think of it, if it was made by Marvel® I was buying it. Amongst the piles of comics lay one of the gulliest heroes of all time, Iron Man. I mean his alter ego; Tony Stark was a billionaire whose wealth and swag would put Donald Trump and Bruce Wayne (the fictional alter ego of Batman) to shame!!!

And wouldn’t you know it, the designers who thought up the ’07 Ford Explorer must’ve been thinking the same thing when they dreamt of the Iron Man edition Explorer. I mean this truck has it all. Including several trim levels that are a testament to the super hero’s indestructible body armor. There’s the black on black, red on black and orange on black exterior of our test vehicle complete with high powered bright steel wheel well rivets, dual clear coated pearl paint job accented by contrasting bumper paneling and inconspicuous placement of several official iron man logos.

I jumped inside the truck and was greeted by premium leather buckets for the driver and front passenger. New-fangled door interior door handles that were located at the beginning of each door mounted arm rest…so just as your fingertips got comfortable you realize, hey this is how I’m supposed to get outta here!

A Bose stereo system carried crisp sound that was both clear and base laden as to appease more than one type of driver. Power heated-front seats with recline and lumbar support as well as a comfortable napping spot on a really long trip. If you have children or rear passengers that like to back seat drive you can shut ‘em up with a convenient flip down screen DVD player and monitor.

So don’t be alarmed as to what you’ve seen in recent years along the lines of Ford’s longest running SUV, it can handle its own at a mere $40 grand. The Iron Man Explorer is also equipped with a best-in-class V8 engine that’s powerful to the hilt. It almost makes you forget about the Ford/ Firestone rollover fiasco. On the highway the vehicle is dynamic and surprisingly nimble for an SUV. I found myself challenge several smaller well-engined sedans for a green light take off. The Iron Man Explorer’s performance will definitely make you say screw the price of gas, I gotta go!