tag:blogs.insideline.com,2009-10-19:/roadtests//7 2012-02-12T16:20:33Z Daily updates on our fleet of cars and trucks Movable Type 4.35-en tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54858 2012-02-12T16:25:00Z 2012-02-12T16:20:33Z

It had been quite some time since I last drove our long-term Kia Optima SX. And you know what? I'd forgotten what a genuinely nice car it really is. I mean it's got the flashy styling that attracts attention...

Mike Monticello tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54809 2012-02-11T11:57:38Z 2012-02-10T22:14:20Z

This might be the single ugliest engine bay in our fleet. I mean, just look at the size of that oxygen sensor. And what's going on with that plastic toupee on the cylinder head? Luckily for the Camry, none...

Ed Hellwig tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54815 2012-02-11T00:11:45Z 2012-02-11T00:32:35Z

It's been almost a week since all those much anticipated Super Bowl car ads aired for the first time. Which one has stuck with you? (Note: I don't have a TV so don't know how often these are airing...

Caroline Pardilla tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54814 2012-02-10T23:37:58Z 2012-02-10T23:40:38Z

The preschool parking lot: it's the social club for minivans and SUVs.

Brent Romans tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54802 2012-02-10T23:27:53Z 2012-02-10T22:58:53Z

By now we know the drill: At the auto shows I'll walk around searching out the cars from our Long Term test fleet that are on the show floor. Not only is it a good look at the show,...

Mike Magrath tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54691 2012-02-10T23:00:28Z 2012-02-10T23:50:44Z

The other day when I had to load a rolled-up 7'9 x 11' rug in our 2012 Nissan Quest, as soon as I hit the open buttons on the key fob for the two sliding doors (two separate buttons)...

Caroline Pardilla tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54811 2012-02-10T22:26:20Z 2012-02-10T22:46:50Z

Our Audi A8 has a feature called Lane Assist. It helps the driver stay in his lane by detecting when he strays and vibrating the steering wheel to get his attention. Great for long drives when you start to...

Donna DeRosa http://www.edmunds.com tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54797 2012-02-10T22:14:42Z 2012-02-10T22:24:01Z

  But many don't. In fact, our 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI is one of the few I've run across with this feature. Wait, what are we talking about? It's the little "D" on the gas station POI list. I noticed it...

Dan Edmunds http://www.edmunds.com tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54795 2012-02-10T19:44:30Z 2012-02-10T21:43:24Z

This notification popped up on the screen in the Explorer last night. It was accompanied by a soothing announcement from Ms. Sync that asked if I would like to check the health of the Explorer. This is part of...

Ed Hellwig tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54796 2012-02-10T19:30:10Z 2012-02-10T19:34:57Z

Hit the jump and this video will walk you through many significant milestones in the long lifespan of the first-generation NSX. Tacked onto the end is the brief video Acura released last month showcasing the new NSX's powertrain and styling. It's worth every second....

Josh Jacquot tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54790 2012-02-10T19:00:50Z 2012-02-10T18:37:47Z

You can get a lot of thinking done in the NSX. A few of our cars are like that. The 911 and Miata come to mind. You don't need the radio, just sounds from the road and engine bay....

Dan Frio tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54791 2012-02-10T18:28:47Z 2012-02-10T18:33:16Z

  Normally, Bluetooth streaming audio is my last choice for audio sources. There are plenty of cars I've driven that have this feature, and most of them sacrifice some sound quality for convenience. Not our BMW X3, though....

Mark Takahashi http://www.carspace.com/mtakahashi tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54786 2012-02-10T18:01:01Z 2012-02-10T18:04:29Z

  It's Friday, so let's have some fun with a Sound Off.  The engine and exhaust noises of our long-term 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 are quite nice. Those sounds are perhaps the best in InsideLine's long-term fleet. Only one other...

Albert Austria tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54249 2012-02-10T17:45:00Z 2012-02-10T17:43:54Z

By request of our reader, commenter and pal subytrojan, a photo of the Nissan Quest conversation mirror. I've probably done him a disservice by shooting an empty cabin, with no perspective of other humans in the bendy glass. Nope....

Dan Frio tag:blogs.insideline.com,2012:/roadtests//7.54761 2012-02-10T14:00:00Z 2012-02-10T02:12:35Z

I had this nice view on my drive home from work the other day, with the sun at the exact wrong angle. And there's the problem with touch screens. Mike Monticello, Road Test Editor @ 9,679 miles....

Mike Monticello