Twas the Night Before Christmas - Hoonigan Style

'Twas the Night before Christmas---Hoonigan Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the shops

Not a creature was stirring, not even old Pops;

The mufflers were sitting by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would hoon there;

The children were nestled all snug in their Vette beds,

while visions of super cars drifted in their heads;

And mamma in her leathers, and I in my T,

had just returned home from a winter hooning spree,

When out on the street there arose such a cloud,

I sprang from the bed to see what was so loud.

Away to the window I ran like The Flash,

Ripped open the window to see if he'd crash.

When, what to my wondering eyes did I see,

But a fat little man, in a Shelby GT,

Now that old driver was so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

Well 650 + horse power he had to tame,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called it some names;

"Now, light up those tires you spicy young Vixen!

Traction control off cause these tires we're Blitzen!"

As he hooned around trees I thought "that thing can fly,"

His driving finesse you just can't deny,

So house to house, man he just flew,

Delivering car parts and tires to the hooners that were true.

As I ran to the shop to see him come round,

Through the man-door he crept without making a sound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to lead foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with gasoline and soot;

A bundle of goodies he had slung on his back,

I could only hope that one was my Tach.

He had a hot rodders face and a racer's beer belly,

I thought for a moment he had swallowed a Pirelli

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old hooner,

My only wish was that I could have met him sooner;

A wink of his eye and a nod of his head,

Let me know that I got some new tire tread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to the bench,

And laid out new tools; and finished off with a wrench,

He sprang to his Shelby, as he hit the gas hard I heard the supercharger whistle,

And away he launched as though in a missile

But I heard him exclaim, as he hooned out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good-Night."

2013 Ford Taurus SHO & 2013 Ford Flex

 2013 Ford Taurus SHO & 2013 Ford Flex

what car fits your needs best?

a very classy sedan indeed

Let’s just say WOW to both of these great vehicles. The Taurus SHO was able to capture my eye with its aggressive styling while the Flex impressed me with its un-natural road handling characteristics and performance.

there is no denying this is not a minivan

 

look at this

That being said I found the Flex very underwhelming in the looks department...it bears so many similarities to the late 80's Ford F-150's with a canopy option, that I can't bring myself to see anything else.

 

now look at this

What I can say about the Flex is that when I was selling cars people would ask me for them specifically, if they had one they wanted another, if their friends had one they wanted one for themselves...it seems to be a replacement for the minivan! It's totally understandable when you consider that this is still a seven passenger vehicle with the ability to swallow a baby hippo in the back, and what’s really impressive is that if you don't have any wasted space with the tops being angled in...It’s virtually a squared opening back there. Someone thought that out quite well.

 
Now the Taurus SHO...that was different story. I have had my eye on one of these for a while and to actually get up close and personal with it...well let’s just say we shared some good times.

 

Taurus SHO is such a prtty girl

This car looks so striking to me. I'm not sure if it was the high belt line or the huge 20" wheels, or even that appealing front fascia...but it all worked well together. The SHO package totally changes the dynamics of this car though, in a world where most performance packages consist of stickers and wheels, Ford nailed it with this one. They have added a massive set of brakes to slow you down after the incredible acceleration this 3.5l ecoboost engine will show you. As if that’s not enough, this car has a great new technology they call Torque Vectoring and a specially calibrated power assisted steering, and a true off setting for stability control (not recommended for the faint of heart). The SHO package delivers!

 
So two very different cars for very different buyers...but are they really that different? They both have the hugely impressive 365HP 3.5l ecoboost engine backed by 6 speed automatic transmissions. Both are AWD and both are wonderful performers, both are intended for family usage and both are in huge demand!



look at the headroom in the Flex

 That’s right, the Flex has some of the same capability as the SHO, but it looks much less intimidating. Rest assured though, that when you have it loaded with six passengers and you stab the throttle you will ignite a symphony of surprised screams and when you toss it into corners they will shriek sweet nothings in your ear. Don’t let its looks fool you, this car has the agility of a scared cat.

 

Taurus trunk is huge

With the Taurus you get all of the swinging room you could want in this full size beauty. Loads of adjustment in the seats lots of leg room in the back seat and a trunk that you could utilise for hauling a cord of wood home for your fireplace.

 

Let’s just say that if you are in the market for a very sporty sedan than the Taurus SHO should be high on your list to look into, if on the other hand you are wanting something very practical looking that doesn't feel practical at all when you’re driving, then the Flex is your ride.

 

SHO Interior

They both serve a purpose and they also share the same techy gadgetry...it will both amuse and confuse. The latest MyFordTouch system is both simple and complex...it takes some learning and then it becomes almost natural...like getting a new phone...first day you play the rest of the time you just show off. They also had adaptive cruise control which is quite nice when on the highway, you don't need to worry about coming up on slower traffic and having to hit the brakes, instead it will keep you a chosen distance behind and when you get the chance you change lanes and resume your speed without touching anything. Both had great sunroofs, but the sky view you get in the Flex was amazing. Park assist feature was there and keyless entry for both.

 

 Ford has done great things with both of these cars, they seem to be on fire with what consumers are wanting these days!





Cars were provided by Ford of Canada

2013 Ford Escape

2013 Ford Escape Titanium 4wd

When I first saw this vehcle at the auto show almost a year ago, I knew it was special. The old Escape had lost it's appeal and this was a noteworthy replacement. The Escape still had big shoes to fill as it was taking over from a a former leader in its class. Others had stepped up their game with refinement and driving experience, this was Ford's turn at bat, and they knocked it out of the park!

What they have done is redesigned the Escape from the ground up. They have made a very attractive, and also intuitive SUV that the market will eat up. After attending the Escape with Us For The Day put on by Ford of Canada I learned so much more about the inner workings, turns out beauty isn't only skin deep.

I saw first hand the how well this vehicle can think. AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) keep this thing stable at all speeds -if it's accident avoidance or emergency braking it will assist when you need it most. They introduced what is called Curve control which will slow the vehicle when you are going into a corner too hot, and Torque Vectoring Control for when you want to be accelerating out of a corner, it can make you look like a professional race car driver! If that seems like an extreme way to show your friends your skills then just hit the Park Assist button and let them watch you slide into that stall virtually hands free.

Also, they took into account how one might use the hatch and made it so you can open it while your hands are full, just a quick swipe of the foot under the bumper and up it goes....well done! With safety firmly in mind Ford has included the latest version of  MY Ford Touch so your hands and eyes can do what they are suppose to while all it takes is your voice to activate most functions.

The Escape rides and handles more like a car, something I think most buyers look for. It has the space of an SUV and the comfort and drivabilty of a car....Boom Baby...this has both! Get this with the available 2.0 litre EcoBoost and you will enjoy many a road trip. It provides ample power at 240hp and can get some very respectable gas mileage with the 6 speed auto backing it up, you will be looking at a reported 9.8 L/100km city or 6.9 L/100km. What I found was 11.0 L/100km but it is winter, cold and snow will do that. Now that winter driving has been brought up, this SUV was very confident and well behaved even on ice....put another feather in it's cap.

All of that sounds great, but it still gets better. The interior feels so spacious and the cargo room is phenomenal for an SUV this size. With easy-fold rear seats, I was going to slide by the zoo and bring a baby elephant home for my kids birthday, but turns out they don't rent them there. The seats were quite comfortable as I did both short and long hauls in it and was not fatigued at all.

The children enjoyed the back, and when I pulled back the cover for the sunroof and it went all the way back joy filled the whole vehicle.

It was not without it's downfalls though very minor. I could not find a place to set my phone when I plugged it in. I could leave the phone in the console compartment but I would be sure to forget it when I step out.

Something that caught me off guard was when I was in my driveway and put the Escape in reverse it didn't matter what was behind me, it almost always screamed at me, The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) would let me know someone had driven behind me. I think I sullied myself slightly the first time it happened, it got easier as I heard it more often. But the BLIS system has so many benefits that far outweigh my little issues. I love that you can just look in a side mirror and tell if someone is in that lane, I highly recommend you get one with the BLIS option.

The Escape I had sported Ruby Red Metallic painted Titanium series and it was plenty attractive. They start off at a base price of 22,470 and this one with all of it's extra equipment chimed in at $43,349 almost perfect for the compact SUV class it is in. If you chose to buy one, I know you will enjoy it, it might even get you wanting to Escape for a mountain getaway.

Thanks to Ford Canada for providing the Escape

                                                                                                                                                                   

2012 Regal eAssist & Regal GS

2012 Regal eAssist & Regal GS

I have been an admirer of Regals for decades, but many of the last platform models made me feel slightly cheated. I base my judgement on having owned a couple of amazing Buick Grand Nationals but as with any make of vehicle you can't be at the top of your game all the time. But at last the Buick Regal is right back where it was and more, now not only do they have a performance version the GS, but they are catering to those who look for more of an economical version with the eAssist. That's right, they are playing both ends of the rink, and might I add doing a fine job of it.

First they developed a great defence line with the Regal eAssist. That's right this is the car that is designed to keep the team alive and shut out the competitors from scoring, and in this class they are doing it up right with a 2.4l engine and backed it up with a mild hybrid system. A 15 kW motor-generator is connected to the engine instead of an alternator, with a 0.5 kWh battery all tucked neatly behind the back seat. Start stop technology is added so this car seems like it is running silent when you stop, and technically, it is! Add to that a silky smooth 6 speed automatic transmission and the ability to generate its own power to recharge the battery while braking, you have the makings of what seems like a real winning combination.

The fuel consumption for this full size car rang in at an average of 6.5l/110km and made me do a double take, that's something you do not expect from it when you get in.

When you get in is another story. This is what I have always loved about Buick's, they make you feel like royalty when you climb inside, I guess that is why they call it a Regal! You enter into a very well appointed  cockpit surrounded by all the bells and whistles you would expect, and wrapped in a comfy leather lounger...this was fit for a king. With the Harmon Kardon 9 speaker Intellilink system in here, it makes you want to take the long way home every day.

To look at this vehicle on the exterior is very pleasing to the eyes, not extreme, and yet not understated, it all seems so practical and it is. Designed to deliver everything Buick customers have enjoyed for years, easy entry to both front and rear seats, great visibility for the driver, and enough cargo room to haul groceries or luggage around.

Now that we know Buick has a great defensive player, they are going to need a hard hitting fast moving forward to get them some goals...In comes the Buick Regal GS...the offense they needed. This car was built for speed right from it's 270hp 2.0l engine, that's right 270 hp, that equals 135 hp/ l quite a feat. And for doing this the engine was awarded one of the top ten engines of the year from Ward's Auto.

With all that nastiness going on under the hood, they needed to back it up and they chose to do so with an incredibly smooth six speed manual transmission, and althugh they have added the option of an automatic transmission, the real fun is in the manual. Add in a great suspension and a cool set of  Brembo brakes and you have the makings of a real street fighter. This car was purpose built to compete with some of the heavy weights that have been playing the game for many years...mission accomplished.

For this predator, they have fitted the cockpit with all of the usual amenities, and then a few extras. There is a cute little button on the dash that says GS...press that to make the magic happen. Throw the car into some corners and feel what an incredible hold the car has on the road, and how well you are held into the slightly bolstered seats. Feel free to grab the gears with the nicely appointed leather shifter and the aluminium racing pedals to make you feel like a true race car driver. The brushed aluminium trim inside completes that look and you may just want to find a track to show off. After all this car is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, Right from the 20inch wheels to the hood portholes to the tastefully done rear spoiler...this says drivers car all over it
.
The sum of these two talented and different players on the same team equals a narrowing of any preexisting short comings. This team now has it all, and leaves the choice up to you as to what position you want to play, quite smart in my opinion. I did find a couple shortcomings in both but it was mostly because I like to hover my arm over the console resting on the shifter, when I did this sometimes the stereo would change stations, after I figured out that I just needed to keep my arm away from the console mounted stereo control all was fine. My love for Regals has been reignited, I can't see how you can make a wrong choice here...in the end it is up to you!




 Both of these vehicles were provided thanks to GM Canada

She Buys...He Sells

2012 LINCOLN MKS

From The highly attractive waterfall grill to the tasteful flowing body line...this car screams "Class Act"

Performance & Handling

(HS):
This is an incredible example of what the Ford team is capable of...They have taken it to the next level with this luxoliner! With the twin turbo 6 (SHO Taurus engine) in there this thing was all about the rock N roll. Handle the road nicely, the suspension took the bite out of harsh roads and it was so quiet inside while doing so. I liked driving this car so much it was close to causing marital disputes...did I mention the massaging seats in the front. That's right, you can be out laying waste to a set of tires and get a back rub and butt massage in the process, something very few wives can compete with.

(SB):

This car was a pleasure to glide…. I mean drive. It handles like a dream and was uber comfortable. I thought it had lots of get up and go.

 This car sits higher up than I am used to and I think it will appeal to someone coming out of an SUV or who doesn’t want a small car feel.

Build Quality

(HS):
 Better than average is a bit of an understatement, they took the time to get this car very tight and functional too. Materials were fantastic, fit and finish were all taken care of, and the colour s used were very pleasing to the eye...not my eye.but most eyes.

(SB):

Very solid and great quality feel to this vehicle. It felt like it was built to last.

Misc

(HS):
If you are looking for luxury but not willing to part with the money it costs to get yourself into a Rolls Royce Ghost you are going to find this more than adequate. Did I happen to mention that it has seats that will rub you the right way all day everyday...borderline wife replacement. You definitely know you stepped up to the big boy party when you climb inside this subtle leather engulfed cockpit, the combination of wood and brushed aluminium completes this luxoliner.  The complete roof lets the sun shine in if you chose, or you can close it and hide yourself from the sun along with a rear window shade to keep the light off relaxing eyes. I loved every minute with this car and could not find any faults that would stop me from recommending it to someone.

(SB):

I wasn’t near as taken with the clutch and grab massage feature, although I can see how the lower back massage feature might come in handy on long trips if you have a back that is prone to getting sore.

I loved the distance pacing cruise control feature – I took it for an hour and a half open highway run and it worked like a charm. Was great not to have to be constantly stepping on the brake, then re-engaging the cruise control every time you came upon a car doing a different speed.

A couple of things I found odd was that there is no digital speedometer – it stayed old school and I couldn’t find a thermometer for external temperatures.

Also, like the MyFord Touch, I found that the MyLincoln Touch chose to put emphasis on unusual things. For example, the gas gauge is less prominent than the temperature gauge. I don’t know about you, but I check how much gas I have left much more than I check to see if my car is overheating!

Practicality

(HS):
This car is the epitome of what every high class business type person needs, it drives well received great gas mileage and if needed you can cram 4 sets of clubs in the trunk to head off to the coarse with your business partners to work a deal. All will be comfortable as they can enjoy a laid back chauffeured feel out back while the driver and passenger can set the seats to cool and did I mention ... the seats will make you feel like you have a new mistress.

(SB):

The trunk is HUGE in this car. You could easily pack a family of suitcases in there and still have room for a last minute hitchhiker.

The back seat has lots of legroom and a cushy pull down console that holds a couple drinks. The console so cushy, our son fell asleep using it as a pillow.

There are plenty of drink holders and a nice cubbyhole for charging cellphones.

Final Word

I know I could easily justify buying this car to anyone....Male, or Female...I just have to put them in the seat and hit the massage button! Other than my favourite feature I have mentioned a few times, this car does everything well and after hearing that Lincoln has been voted #1 in American customer satisfaction, how could I not hold this one high on my list of recommendations. You have a winner here Lincoln! 

This vehicle was supplied by Ford of Canada

She Buys....He Sells

2012 Cadillac SRX 

The king of bling for a soccer mom. Chromed up with everything and a colour that just pops. This was the top of the line model priced at

Performance & Handling

(HS):

A great ride and a smooth transmision, but a bit disappointed with the power.  I may have just expected more from the high line GM

(SB):

Very comfortable ride, definitely felt like you were driving luxury – at least once you managed to wiggle in. The doors had such a slant on them that I had to back into the vehicle at the widest part of the door in order not to hit my head. Very annoying and surprising in a high end SUV.

Build Quality
(HS:)

The sunroof that almost gave you a feel of a convertible was a great touch, excellent. Very nicely finished and felt very high end.

(SB):

Absolutely no complaints about the quality of this vehicle – once you manage to get in. Did I already mention that?

Practicality

(HS):

The back seats were comfortable but the legroom wasn’t quite there for me – others said it was fine, I'm a bit leggy!

Headlights were just awesome. They turn with the vehicle and that was an over-the-top feature and takes the vehicle to the next level.

The rear organizer is a very nice touch – no one wants to hear their luggage banging around while entertaining up front and very easy to use.

I did not enjoy the fact that I had to learn how to enter the vehicle in order to not clip my large melon on the roof.

(SB):

Was great. Once you got in. Seriously though, who makes a vehicle that a 5’6” woman has trouble getting into? I had my 6’4” ex try to get in – just for a giggle.

Misc

(HS):

The navigation screen that moves up and down as you start the vehicle was enough to make me crazy – it was almost Volvo-ish the way it pops straight up from the dash.

Great sound system and easy to operate, everything was as it should be.

                         (SB:)

I thought that in addition to being very good quality, it was also one of the more visually attractive interiors that I have seen in a while. Nice curves and lines that somehow made you feel almost… peaceful.

Final Word

This is a very stylish vehicle and is going to get lots of attention without a doubt a crowd pleaser on many levels. If your looking to get yourself into a stylish SUV that says "I've Arrived" then this is the one for you!




This Vehicle was provided by GM Canada

She Buys....He Sells

2012 Ford Fiesta SES

He Sells (HS)

She Buys (SB)

Performance & Handling

(HS):
It handles really nice and I quite enjoyed it.  It was really nimble, although you could definitely tell you were driving a roller skate – but a very obedient one!
(SB):
A nice zippy little car that definitely could almost go anywhere. Was easy to drive and relatively comfortable.

Build Quality

(HS):
Not the best, but on par for a car at this level. You can tell it is an entry-level car in a lot of the fit and finishings that are used.
(SB):
One of the things I don’t like about smaller cars is that you sacrifice quality for size. Unfortunately, this car was no exception. The build quality was what you would expect of an entry-level model.




Practicality

(HS):
For a Car that starts at $12,500 it's quite reasonable, the one we had rang in at a steeper $25,500....well, not overly sure where the extra $13,000 came in, but it's there somewhere.
 Got excellent gas mileage –  6.5l/100km
 Very nice and easy to park – if you can’t park this baby, you don’t deserve a license!
 For an entry-level runabout, it fairs very well in all areas – great storage capacity, seats fold where they need to, there is ample room inside and has great sight lines.
(SB):
This would be a great little city car. Lots of zipping in and out, great mileage and a decent stereo. I think it would be ideal for a student or first time buyer.

Overview

(HS):
Surprisingly good stereo for this level of car, although I found the placement of some buttons were a bit awkward.
No navigation system was included.


I really liked the shape and look of this car, although the eye-popping red and tattoo-decal was a bit much for me – and for me to feel it is over-the-top is saying something! But then if you want over the top, try one of the other bright colors available on these cars, Ford definitely has the market cornered on cool colors!

I was dissapointed to get in the car and find out I wasn't driving Ken Block's Fiesta, but then, it's a great place to start for a clone....not trying to give anybody ideas though!
(SB): Who the heck is Ken Block????

2012 Ford Fiesta SES provided by Ford of Canada

Harley Davidson F150 vs. Harley Davidson F150

Old vs. New

                                                        

This is a comparison between the original 2000 Harley Davidson F150 and the current 2012 model. Two beasts with the same name… but totally different?

The 2000 model consists of a 5.4l Triton V8 engine, 260 hp. The 2012 version is now sporting a 6.2l, 411 hp monster.  But their differences go beyond what is under the hood. Their appearances are also drastically different.

Although many have their preferences as to what body style they like, the old style is much more laid back and aerodynamic looking while the newer model has a much more aggressive look to it.

The older model has nice polished 20” wheels which at that time were the biggest wheels Ford ever put on a vehicle. It also has a hard cargo cover that is fit on top of a flare side box.  Another reason it looks so sleek is it is a two-wheel drive and it was available only as an extended cab.

The new one gets its aggressive looks from the bold front end, the high and mighty stance and the set of polished and painted 22” wheels.

As we move inside, we find the older brother has a lot of the modern day Harley Davidson treatments – there are badges galore from the dash to the seats to the console cover, everywhere you look, it is Harley Davidson. The dash has a much cleaner look than the newer version – nice and smooth and only the gauges you need, nothing extravagant. However, the factory stereo does need an upgrade.


The newer version has every conceivable option you might want – MyFord Touch, gauges that will tell you what angle your truck is sitting at and a great stereo system that is unrivaled by most. Although the power running board option can be scary at times, when you are parked and you pull the door handle, there is a thud as they lock into place. You would be forgiven for thinking someone hit you.

As far as drivability, the older model is quite an easy vehicle to handle - it almost drives itself.  The new one can’t be stopped by too much. It is 4-wheel drive monster that is incredibly comfortable to drive. You don’t know you are driving a 4-wheel drive, you just know you are higher than other drivers and you feel powerful.

We won’t compare gas mileage because when you drive trucks like this, it really isn’t a consideration.

Suffice it to say that the owners of these trucks didn’t purchase them because of their practicality - they bought them for their looks and they both have looks in spades. Although both of these trucks are monochromatic black beauties, the older version features a stripe of fire down the side whereas the newer one accents itself with a very large tribal tattoo on the cab.


In the end, I wish I could blend these two trucks. I would like to take the looks and styling of the older one, the power and the open box of the new one and create the ultimate Harley Davidson truck.

2001 Ford Harley Davidson F-150 supplied by Arlo Lehman - Upholstery By Arlo
2012 Ford Harley Davidson F-150 supplied by Ford of Canada