Car Research Update

News and Research
I've been avoiding most of the F1 news in favor of car reviews...particularly hatchbacks, AWDs, soon-to-arrive (or maybe) to the US market, and other related newsbytes.

Just to show you how fickle I am in my research and "wish list" I had my heart set on the 470Z last month, now I've turned towards the Impreza WRX. I've begun thinking that a rally-type car is best eqiupped for the type of urban jungle driving I do on a regular basis.

WRX
The WRX provides everything from all good worlds: sporty, AWD, and a stick shift. It's almost impossible in the US to get AWD and a manual transmission...I don't know why.

Fiat 500
I've also had the pleasure last night of viewing Jeremy Clarkson give the Abarth Fiat 500 a whirl on Top Gear. He seemed to have really liked the little vehicle. This had been on my must-check-out list, but it's so uncertain whether they'll be bringing it over to the US yet... they're after all focusing their energies on Fiat-Chrysler merger and making sure everybody stays afloat and on making some revenue streams happen.

Give and Take
I would LOVE a fiat 500, but I must bear in mind that at least 3-4 severe snow days take place in the state of Illinois each winter (December 5 through March 30) in addition to severe black ice conditions pervading throughout the season...and the further potential for ice storms (particularly early Feb through Mar). AWD therefore, remains a must for my (and everyone around me) driving safety. This of course, translates into not-as-good gas mileage.

The Impreza WRX, for example, is estimated at 18-23 MPG, which is just around where my current car, a tan Mercury Milan, is at. Pitiful if you ask me. Furthermore, I'm looking for more Vs not less... my Merc is V6 and the WRX is V4. I need to study more thoroughly the impact of Vs on power and other elements, versus the other points I've looked at (MPG, AWD, etc.) in order to keep researching a fair replacement for my Merc in a year or two's time. I really hate driving the Merc because it's limp and boaty. Absolutely as much excitement as a benadryl cap.

VW
I'll forever lust after VWs, particularly the R32 and GTI. The way these vehicles include all the top elements such as traction and stability control, 6 CD in-dash changer and more, truly elevate them above the rest for value and return on investment. Alas, they don't come in AWD, unless you start looking at the 4Matic models such as the Tiguan, Tuareg, and I believe, the Passat. The Tiguan I've enjoyed looking at, especially at this past Chicago Auto Show, where I was able to sit inside one and try it on for size. The Tiguan completely displaces the Jeep Liberty--which was my previous ride, and which has been completely disfigured and boxed-up by Chrysler in the latest model.

Resources
My new tools in research fun are CarandDriver.com, Edmunds.com, Autos.MSN.com, and my Twitter and Google Reader automotive feeds.

One thing I've learned in my research is that I've come to understand that the Consumer Reports rankings are about 80-86% reliable, not 100% as I previously though (about two years ago). I need additional information to have a well-rounded and informed opinion on vehicle quality and value. The combination of reviews and test drives on the websites I listed above, as well as hands-on checking-out at the Chicago auto show seem to be a must for creating a strong foundation to work from. I particularly enjoy Edmunds' payment calculator and incentives features, which are free and, actually, worth their weight in gold.