
| The Contour Years |
26 Jul |
Replacing the Ford Tempo is the Ford Contour. It strictly competes with the Honda Accord, the Chrysler Cirrus, the Dodge Stratus, and other compact and mid-size sedans. This vehicle is crafted and manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States and has been made available in a couple of trim levels including GL, LX, and the sporty SE. This vehicle exudes performance, refinement and an overall execution.
This vehicle has a standard dual airbags and optional features comprise of antilock brakes, and traction control. Also, this vehicles other features are bumpers that could withstand a five mph impact, and a base engine that was a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine that could produce 125 horsepower that works well with a 5-speed manual shift or the optional electronic 4-speed automatic transmission.
This vehicle suffered from several mishaps in several of its parts. The automatic transmission had a faulty manual lever position sensor. If the parking brake cables held some ice during the winter month, this will not allow the brake to release. Its dashboard lights were somewhat faulty with the charge warning lights glowing. Since its production in 1995, it already suffered from performance faults. The list included front seatbelt anchor tabs cracking, fuel-tank filler reinforcements leaking, the metal shield on its plastic fuel-filler pipe developing stating charge during refueling that could be an ignition source, passenger airbags inflator body cracking, overheating at head lamp and wiring-harness terminals that could result in open circuit for instrument lights, parking lamps, and tail lamps, front coil springs fracturing as a result of corrosion in several extreme environments, and owner guide manuals not being sufficiently clear.
However, because of these mishaps, the Ford Contour underwent several drastic changes so as to fully facilitate a greater driving experience for its users. In 1995, the Ford Contour reduced its chrome stripes on its bumpers and its body had been colored. The front seats were now recessed in the back so as to improve rear seat leg room. A year after, the traction control and heated mirrors were no longer an option. The remote fuel door release was removed. Made available were interior trunk lights, tilt steering wheels, and power antennas. The year 1997 made the Ford Contour sport new designs in its front and rear ends. The roof line was altered and the rear deck shorted so as to further improve rear seat headroom. For the last year of its production, 2000, each trim level received different changes and restyling.
The 2000 Ford Contour held a DOHC 24-valve V6 engine with aluminum block and heads. It had a Ford EEC-IV engine control system with port fuel injection. It had a power of 170 bhp at 6250 rpm and a capability of 165 lb-ft. of torque at 4250 rpm. It sported a transmission of a 5-speed manual. It held a curb weight of 2910 lb. The Ford Contours wheelbase was 106.5 inches and a length of 183.9 inches.
Ford Parts and Ford Auto Parts provides Ford Contour owners and Ford enthusiasts a complete line of the highest quality Ford auto parts like Ford Countour parts.
Tags: Antilock Brakes, Brake Cables, Chrysler Cirrus, Dashboard Lights, Dodge Stratus, Dual Airbags, Extreme Environments, Ford Contour, Ford Motor, Ford Motor Company, Ford Tempo, Fuel Filler Pipe, Guide Manuals, Head Lamp, Honda Accord, Manual Lever, Manual Shift, Mid Size Sedans, Passenger Airbags, Tail LampsRelated posts
read comments (0)| Mazda Navajo: The Cheaper Twin |
18 May |
Introduced in 1991 and sold only in the United States, the Mazda Navajo is a sport utility vehicle that sported two doors. It was made available as a four wheel drive. The Mazda Navajo has been crafted so as to target the market for sporty SUVs.
In essence, critics have commented that this vehicle is just a Ford Explorer with the brand name changed to Mazda. This vehicle has been offered in two trim levels which comprise of the base and the LX. The trivia is that the entire vehicle was bought from the Ford Motor Company by Mazda and Mazda just added in its own grille, tail lamps and some minor body trim. This makes things easier in differentiating the two mentioned vehicles, the Mazda Navajo has a different grille, different tail lights, as well as wheels because of that very reason. However, comparing the interior of the vehicles, both contained very much the same features except for the seat fabrics and the steering wheel hub which proved to be the only things setting these two vehicles apart.
The Mazda Navajo base sports standard power windows, power locks and power windows. The Mazda Navajo LX trim, on the other hand, adds up other features like extra interior illumination and a steering wheel wrapped in leather. Optional packages for accessorizing and sprucing up the vehicle include luxurious features like air conditioning, a stereo system with cassette deck, a cruise control, sports seats that show off power lumbar adjustment, and a pop up and removable moonroof. Standard features for the Mazda Navajo include a part time electronic Touch-Drive 4WD system, rear antilock brakes that operate only in 2-wheel drives, four wheel anti-lock brakes, and a split folding rear seat.
What have changed for the Mazda Navajo were only a few minor details that gave the Ford Explorer a chance to move up the ranks. The Mazda Navajo received an optional CD player, and new five-spoke alloy wheels. Sales became quite low for this vehicle, thus the company has decided to drop this SUV out of its line up and replace it with the Mazda Tribute. However, in spite of this, the vehicle still held the title of Motor Trend magazines Truck of the Year award for 1991.
The Mazda Navajo has suffered from a poor fuel economy, a not so spectacular ride, and driving noise. However, these were overpowered by the advantages that the vehicle sported. The list includes an excellent acceleration, a spacious passenger and cargo room, 4WD traction, and anti-lock brakes. The Mazda Navajo also would be a better choice if compared with the Ford Explorer. After all, the parts are all the same. It is in the value for money that makes the difference between the two.
Likewise, Mazda Parts and Mazda 323 Parts has a supercharged line up of innovative Mazda auto body parts that play an integral part in any replacement needs for Mazda vehicles. These superior Mazda auto parts could push Mazda vehicles performance to the next level. The best Mazda auto parts are found at Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts online store. The collection includes air intake parts, brakes, climate control, clutch parts, electrical parts, suspension and a whole lot more.
Tags: Alloy Wheels, Antilock Brakes, Base Sports, Cassette Deck, Electronic Touch, Ford Explorer, Ford Motor, Ford Motor Company, Interior Illumination, Luxurious Features, Mazda Navajo, Optional Cd, Optional Packages, Power Locks, Sport Utility Vehicle, Sports Seats, Steering Wheel, Tail Lamps, Two Doors, Wheel HubRelated posts
| Cadillac DTS: Reviving Cadillac Classics |
12 Jan |
The 2006 Cadillac DTS is another addition to the Cadillac brand. Cadillac, which is the brand that is very much associated and connected with luxury, is right on the path of reliving and reviving its products from the past. This new vehicle from Cadillac is a large luxury sedan that promises to provide an excellent performance, just like its ancestors did. It holds the styling that is simply and uniquely a Cadillacs. It also boasts of a new interior, a much refined chassis tuning, as well as having the new NorthStar 4.6 liter V8 engine.
Not only sporting a new interior, the exterior holds such changes as well. This vehicle comes with a new front end sheet metal, grille, fascia, and some high intensity xenon headlamps. Added also to the 2006 Cadillac DTS is a new deck lid, a rear quarter, a rear fascia, and the light emitting diode (or LED) tail lamps. It also boasts of vertically shaped headlamps and tail lamps, an egg crate grille, and a dihedral shaped hood. The interior is very much clean and sculpted with a reliving of the past designs and added up with some contemporary refinement details as well. The new additions for the 2006 Cadillac DTS interior include dual firmness seats that have been purposely crafted and designed so as to provide comfort and support. There also are available real burl wood garnish, a lowered and more forward positioned instrument panel, spaciousness, a new analog clock, soft back urethane surfaces for the instrument panel and upper doors, and an integrated center stack design.
As per safety, the 2006 Cadillac DTS holds features that include dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, antilock four wheel disc brakes, a tire pressure monitor, wiper activated headlights, daytime running lights, and an emergency inside trunk release. The comfort and convenience features for this vehicle include the OnStar assistance system, air conditioning with tri-zone automatic controls including controls in the rear, an interior air filter, a power steering, a tilt steering wheel wrapped in leather and holds climate and radio controls, a cruise control, leather upholstery, an eight way power front bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, a center console, cup holders, a trunk pass-through, heated mirrors with turn signals, power windows, power door locks, a remote keyless entry system, a remote engine start, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, an analog clock, a tachometer, a trip computer, illuminated front visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, a rear defogger, an automatic day and night rearview mirror, a compass, map lights, automatic headlights, and floor mats.
Customers and Cadillac owners can search for discount Cadillac DTS parts and Cadillac auto parts from Auto Parts Discounts secured online store that is available 24 hours a day. The Cadillac parts in Auto Parts Discounts wide collection are absolutely the lowest prices and made from premium quality materials.
Tags: 2006 Cadillac Dts, Analog Clock, Assistance System, Burl Wood, Cadillac Dts, Convenience Features, Curtain Side, Daytime Running Lights, Deck Lid, Disc Brakes, Egg Crate, High Intensity, New Additions, Rear Fascia, Rear Quarter, Stack Design, Tail Lamps, Upper Doors, Wheel Disc Brakes, Xenon HeadlampsRelated posts

