All posts tagged nissan

Urban Thinking: Best Compact Cars for Surviving City Life

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/01/22 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Urban Thinking: Best Compact Cars for Surviving City Life

A big, full-size SUV can be hard to maneuver in busy metropolitan areas, and urban dwellers need a small vehicle that does not burn a lot of fuel. Here are some of the best compact vehicles for surviving city life.

Fiat 500 Abarth

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The Fiat 500 Abarth for is for the commuters who desire an extra measure of performance. Featuring Fiat’s exclusive Multi-Air technology, the hatchback’s turbocharged engine produces a satisfying 160 horsepower. Meanwhile, a sports-tuned suspension enables the 500 Abarth to deliver sports car-like handling. The vehicle’s race-inspired styling makes it even more appealing. In terms of gas mileage, drivers can average up to 34 mpg.

Honda Fit

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The Fit is a fun-to-drive hatchback that offers a lot of versatility and tends to sell very fast. The car’s quick-revving engine makes it a joy to drive on an everyday basis, and although the Fit may look small, it actually offers a family-sized interior. If you need to transport extra cargo, the rear seats can be easily folded down.

Nissan LEAF

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With a maximum driving range of more than 100 miles, the Nissan LEAF is an ideal electric vehicle. Drivers can cruise around the city without spending any money on fuel. When attempting to park in a tight spot, the LEAF’s tiny size will certainly come in handy. The best part is that Nissan offers a convenient home-charging system. Up to five people will be able to tag along for the ride.

Toyota Prius C

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Over the past few years, the Toyota Prius C has become very popular. The urban vehicle’s combined gas mileage of 50 mpg will intrigue a lot of drivers, and an Entune audio system provides constant entertainment. Owners will definitely appreciate the Prius C’s low cost of maintenance.

Honda CR-Z

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This is one of the few hybrid vehicles that actually offer a manual gearbox. The sporty two-seater is perfect for the people who don’t need to haul around a family. Honda’s renowned Vtec technology helps the CR-Z’s hybrid engine to develop an exciting 130 horsepower. If you desire a quick burst of performance, you can press the nifty Sport Plus button. Exotic paint colors such as Milano Red and Aegean Blue make the CR-Z stand out from the crowd.

Every vehicle on this list is perfect for navigating the urban jungle. However, only you can decide which automobile best suits your particular lifestyle. For low cost or used options, don’t forget to check out the Autobank of Kansas City to see tons of different models.

Car Shopping Guide: Best Models to Buy New

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/02 in GMC, Honda, Nissan, Subaru with Comments Off on Car Shopping Guide: Best Models to Buy New

Purchasing a new car is a major financial investment for most people. Ideally, you should seek to buy a vehicle that offers long-term value and driving satisfaction. Unfortunately, all vehicles are not engineered with the same level of quality. Here are a few of the best models that are best to buy new.

2014 Honda Civic Si

The Honda Civic Si is arguably the most reliable performance car on the market. The car’s sporty driving dynamics make it a good choice for the drivers who crave excitement on their daily commute. Prospective buyers can expect the Civic Si to deliver great fuel economy, and to maintain an excellent resell value. The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is known to last for at least 300,000 miles without needing an overhaul. The best part is that the Civic Si still delivers over 30 miles-per-gallon on the highway.

2014 GMC Sierra 1500

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The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best pickups trucks for the money. Although there is a V-8 engine offered, the six-cylinder engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy. Unlike some of the other high-tech engines on the market, the Sierra’s 4.3-liter engine has a very simple design. This means that most backyard mechanics will find the engine to be very easy to maintain. Although the towing capacity is rated at a hefty 7,200 pounds, the truck still has a frugal fuel economy rating of 24 mpg on the highway.

Nissan Altima

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Engineered with a well-built chassis and a reliable engine, the Altima will last for many years to come. Owner surveys reveal that the Altima has very few problem areas even after 100,000 miles. While the V6 version delivers a beefy 270 horsepower, most people will find the 182-horsepower base engine to be just as entertaining. With 45 inches of legroom in the front, even drivers who are well over six-feet tall will fit comfortably.

2014 Subaru Crosstrek

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Very few all-wheel drive SUVs can match the Crosstrek’s 33 mpg highway fuel economy rating. While the Crosstrek may appear small on the outside, there is an abundance of interior room for the family. While the Crosstrek is not capable of towing heavy loads, it is still rugged enough to take on an off-road trail from time to time.

All four of these vehicles are excellent choices for the driver who is seeking a long-term commitment. Every owner can expect great fuel efficiency, excellent resell value, and a satisfying driving experience.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and recent college graduate. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She used www.aircompressorla.com/services/ as a resource for this article. Contact her via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

Side By Side: Nissan 370z vs Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

by Carsurfer Admin on 2012/11/29 in Nissan with Comments Off on Side By Side: Nissan 370z vs Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

Gather round, sports car enthusiasts. Automakers have released their 2013 vehicle lines, and two Japan-based motor companies’ athletic coupes are turning heads on the road. Nissan’s latest release from its legendary Z line, the 370Z, continues the high performance legacy with pure speed and precise handling. Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evo blends under-the-hood excellence with day-to-day dependability to create a rare driving experience. These two go head-to-head in style and performance.

Look

Auto enthusiasts may see a resemblance to the classic Porsche 911 in Nissan’s newest 370Z. Slimmed down from its predecessor, the 350z (currently available through used Nissan dealers in AZ), the 370Z’s body exudes speed. This chic frame is mounted on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and features LED daytime running lights along with traditional headlights. The Z’s cozy interior feels more like a cockpit than a driver’s seat. Contoured padding supports the ideal motion, whether you’re driving an automatic or a manual, and bright gauges help will help you keep hold of the reins.

By contrast, the 4-door Lancer Evo has a more square shape, providing space and convenience for its passengers within a stylish frame. It’s easy to spot a Lancer because of their trademark spoiler, which arches high above the car’s trunk. The body sits low to the ground on 18-inch alloy wheels, promoting road-hugging handling and smooth style.

Performance

Speed is the name of the game for these two bullet racers. The 370Z’s 3.7-liter, 7-speed engine generates 332 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and features the Variable Valve Event and Lift system, which reduces friction and improves performance. The Synchro Match function detects shifts in either direction and matches the speed accordingly, providing smooth accelerations and decelerations. To help drivers to harness this power, the 370Z is mounted on “high response” shock absorbers and anti-lock brakes. Add it all up, and the result is a car that goes zero to 60 in 4.7 seconds with impeccable handling.

Forged from the pits of rally racing circuits around the world, the Lancer Evo is a race car in disguise. Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) affords drivers total control of the 291 horsepower, 2-liter turbo-charged engine. Experience four-wheel handling and a balanced torque split — ideal handling proportions. Lightweight, two-piece brake rotors and an upgraded suspension give you the potential to remain in control at break-neck speeds.

Utility

Nissan seems to have tailored every aspect to create the best driving experience around, but it sacrificed some utility in the process. The 370Z seats two and provides minimal cargo space, so it may not be ideal for families. At an EPA estimated 21 combined miles per gallon, this sporty coup holds its own in terms of gas mileage, so individual passengers can cruise through everyday life in style.

Part of the Lancer Evo’s allure is its versatility. As capable of racing the streets of Monaco as it is picking up groceries, this comfortable sedan will inject speed and style into day-to-day tasks. The Lancer Evo seats five and provides substantial trunk space.

Price

The 2013 Nissan 370Z Coupe starts at $33,120. Find a list of available add-ons on Nissan’s website, and the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo starts at $34,695. View additional features at Mitsubishi’s website.

For a closer look, check out the video below!

The Updated 2013 Nissan Titan Pickup Truck

by Carsurfer Admin on 2012/07/30 in Nissan with Comments Off on The Updated 2013 Nissan Titan Pickup Truck

Nissan’s Titan pickup truck is coming to the end of its lifecycle. A new truck is due out in 2014, one that is expected to bring in new engine and transmission choices, perhaps even additional body styles. The 2013 edition brings in several changes, but before we discuss what those are, let’s take a look at what this truck has to offer the large truck buyer.

Body Styles

The 2013 Nissan Titan is available in crew- and extended-cab styles, with short- and long-bed lengths available. Choose the King cab and your model comes with either 6.5-foot or 8-foot beds. Choose the crew cab and your truck offers either 5.5-foot or 7-foot beds.

Choose the crew cab if four traditional doors suit you or the extended cab with rear hinged doors. The Titan seats up to five or six when a front bench seat is chosen. Four trim levels are offered including the standard S, the upgraded SV, the luxuriant SL or the performance PRO-4X. Every model is available in rear- or four-wheel-drive.

Engine and Transmission

The current Nissan Titan is outfitted with just one engine and transmission choice. This model is equipped with a 317-horsepower 5.6-liter V-8 engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. You get a tow/haul mode with the transmission. Standard towing capacity is 7,400 pounds with maximum towing of 9,500 pounds in select King Cabs and 9,400 pounds in some Crew Cab editions.

The EPA rates the four-wheel-drive Nissan Titan at 12 mpg city, 17 mpg highway. This truck takes regular grade gasoline and has a 28.0 gallon fuel tank. Maximum cruising range comes in at 476 miles or enough to take you from Kansas City to Wichita and back on one tank of fuel.

New for 2013

Changes to the Nissan Titan for 2013 are understated, but still of note. This is the final year of a 10-year product life cycle.

Nissan has been making waves across the world as just recently in some countries is has surpassed popular brands. In Australia Nissan recently bumped off the popular brand Holden to capture one of the top three positions as most popular auto. It’s safe to say that whether you are looking for a new car or just passing by a local car wash Melbourne, Nissan cars will be more visible in practically any country.

This truck brings in a new tailgate design and offers an aerodynamic rear spoiler with an integrated rear view camera. That camera is standard with the SL and PRO-4 editions and is available as part of an upgrade package in the Titan SV.

Exterior changes with the PRO-4 include a satin chrome grille, update graphics, wheel embellishments and skid plate color changes. On the inside, the PRO-4 offers a new logo design, refined embroidery and stitching accents.

Seven new colors are added, with nine now offered. New colors include Cayenne Red and Pearl White, and various black, blue and metallic finishes.

Standard with the Titan S is a 120-volt out that is located in the truck bed, quite useful for powering your tools. Nissan makes this feature available with its PRO-4X and SV editions as well.

Wheel changes to the S and mud guards on the SL are among the exterior enhancements. A set of sliding extended sun visors is now standard across the model line. The steering wheel now features a four-spoke design and various navigation and audio options are now available.

Truck Dimensions

Nissan’s Titan King Cab sits on a 139.8-inch wheelbase and is 224.6 inches long, 79.5 inches wide and 76.6 inches tall. This vehicle weighs from 4,847 pounds and has a payload capacity from 1,900 pounds. King Cab passenger volume measures 112.8 cubic feet.

Titan Crew Cab models weigh from 5,047 pounds and offer from 1,773 pounds of payload. Interior passenger volume measures 125.6 cubic feet.

Popular Amenities

Nissan equips the Titan with various comfort and convenience items. Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, a tilt steering column, a pair of dash-mounted 12-volt outlets, retained accessory power, a digital clock, eight drink holders, an overhead console, an AM/FM/CD system and six speakers.

Upgrades and package options are many, allowing you to configure your Titan in numerous ways. Such options include Bluetooth connectivity, power accessories, front captain’s chairs, upgraded trim, metallic accents, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, XM satellite radio and an input jack.

Titan Miscellany

Nissan outfits the Titan with 18- or 20-inch wheels. A switch-operated 2-speed transfer case is standard with four-wheel-drive models. Rear-wheel-drive models offer a 2-wheel active brake limited slip differential; a 4-wheel active brake limited slip comes with four-wheel-drive models. This truck offers front and rear vented brakes. An electronic locking rear differential is standard with the PRO-4X edition.

Upgrade packages are available with select trim levels. Such packages bring interior upgrades such as leather trimmed seats and adjustable pedals or exterior changes that include a factory installed spray bed liner, lockable bedside storage and fog lights.

Author Information

Photo courtesy of Nissan North America, Inc.