Short review of 2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500
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Alabama-built Mercedes got the wonderfully flexible V8 from S-Class, however, the cracking noise from switchgears inside told you “its far from a true Mercedes”. That sweet 5L V8 deserves to stow in a far better truck. Leather still feels worse its own-house MB Lex leatherette. Other than exterior styling, hard [...]
Short review of 2002 Mercedes C32 AMG
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Amazing, wonderful, great, almost perfect are descriptions I can think of this beast. 3.2L Kompressor engine and stiffer suspension tuned by the genius at AMG, along with the comfortable and supportive bucket seats. With this kind of dynamic qualities, I don’t even give the cheap interior a dim. [...]
Short review of 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5S/3.5SE
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Altima is truly a remarkable car for Nissan. It combines sporty dynamics, excellent motors, spacious interior, Avantgarde styling at a great price. Best of all, it finally brings customers back into Nissan showrooms. However, the very cheap interior that consists of ill-fitting plastic and poor panel finishing have killed [...]
Short review of 2002 Lexus IS300 5 M/T
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Superb chassis that got improved with stick version’s sportier suspension. There’s really not a lot of pet peeves except for usual tacky chorological instrumentation and light clutch that lack of feel. However, it still can’t match German for driver connection.
Overall rating: 4/5
Short review of 2002 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro
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This already great car finally got the performance the chassis deserves. 220hp 3.0 really improves the once “dog like” 2.8 V6. It also measures up to its chassis exceptionally well. The choice between A6 3.0 and 2.7T is getting tougher.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Short review of 2002 Acura TL/CL Type-S
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I didn’t expect this platform with 250hp can get so little torque steer through the front wheels, another prove of Accord global platform is stiff. It handles relatively well although understeer is pretty serious. The drawback is these cars can’t motive any emotion through driving as with its German [...]
Short review of 2003 VW Golf CL
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Golf CL is basically a decontented GL. It shares the same proven 2.0 115hp engine as the GL. The major difference between GL and CL are the color choices and optional moonroof. Driving exprerience remains typical Mk4. It got the usual Teutonic driving feel but stuck with Mk4’s softly [...]
Short review of 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6 M/T
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Coupe’s sports suspension has given it better handling, better steering feel and response without sacificing the ride comfort. The sports seats are exceptional, providing great side and back support through corners. The dynamic stability control doesn’t have the instrusive sudden kick-in feel as in the sedan. The [...]
Short review of Volvo S60 2.5T AWD
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This has to be the most balanced package of all the S60, until rocketship R arrives. This engine application works in harmony manners thanks to decent low-end torque and never run out of breath on top end. Steering provides decent feel although it lacks the sharpness of some of [...]
Short review of 2003 Land Rover Range Rover
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This is as best as an SUV can get. Capable off-roading. Excellent on-road manners. Along with that beautifully sounded 4.4 V8 sourced from BMW, it has to be one of the most refined ute you can find anywhere. Interior fit-and-finish is top-notch. The material feels expensive while all [...]
Short review of 2003 Saturn Ion-3 sedan
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A vehicle that supposed to be a replacement for the seriously aged S-Series. However, this car’s overall execution is nothing more than a disappointment. The handling feels mushy. Engine noisy and rough. Interior is cheap. Ergonomics are nothing more than lame. The seat fabric feels like something came out [...]
Short review of 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS
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Another important car in the newly arrived Mitsubishi product range in Canada. The 2.4L feels sluggish off-the-line while the manumatic tends to shift rather roughly. The handling is more than capable. Plenty of steering feel and response is decent. Interior is the strongest of Outlander. The aluminum trim is [...]
WELCOME TO DIRECTSHIFT
I am Thomas Chan, the host of this website, Directshift. I graduated from marketing management diploma and I am a driving enthuisast. I have been participated in one of A4.org (which is currently known as Audiworld) stories on comparison test and posted reviews in VWVortex. I created this page because I would [...]