So you can’t afford this? Buy That!

 

So You Can’t Afford: 2012 Porsche Carrera 911 S

400-hp 3.8-liter flat six
Price: $97,350

The inexpensive imitator: Chevy Corvette

Chevrolet’s Corvette has been competing with the Porsche 911 since it first landed on our shores in 1964. Back in the 1960s, the Vette would smoke the Porsche on any road—as long as that road didn’t twist. Today the sports car icons are much more evenly matched.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette

430-hp, 5900-rpm 6.3-liter V-8
Price: $49,525

Both should hit 60 mph in just a tick over 4 seconds. The Porsche, with its endless new technology like the Dynamic Chassis Control, which replaces the traditional antiroll bars with active ones to get you around corners faster, would probably squeak out a quicker lap time on the track. But is the Chevy less fun? No way. In fact some would argue that with fewer driver technologies, the Vette might be the purer experience.

We’re not expecting to convert any lifelong 911 fans here. Behind the wheel, the Porsche is like a luxury coupe—the interior is gorgeous. The Corvette is as it’s always been: a bit down-market by comparison, especially with its thinly padded thrones. But if what you want is muscle and you don’t care much about the name on the back of the car, you could get the Vette and buy some very nice seats with the $47,825 you’ll save. In fact, you could almost buy another brand new Corvette.
 

So You Can’t Afford: 2012 Fisker Karma
402-hp (drive motors), 260-hp 2.0-liter turbo generator
Price: $96,895

The inexpensive imitator: Chevy Volt

Despite advancements in technology and a rebirth of the electric car, plug-in hybrids are still rare machinery on the streets today. There are only a mere handful for sale by large-scale manufacturers. The Chevy Volt may have been the one to break that ice, but it’s the Fisker Karma that wants to command the room. The Karma’s proportions are sensual and gorgeous, to be sure. And its powertrain will propel the sexy four-door to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Chevy Volt
149-hp (drive motors), 84-hp 1.4-liter generator
Price: $39,995

Both cars are plug-in hybrids. The Volt might be cool and techy on the inside, but it’s no luxury car. It is more efficient, though. The Karma was certified by the EPA for a 52-mpg equivalent. It has an electric range of 32 miles and returns 20 mpg when running on gas. The Volt returns 93 mpg-e, has a 35-mile electric range, and returns a fuel economy of 37 mpg on gas.

The Fisker will certainly be the more compelling vehicle to drive, and the one that draws the larger crowd. But the Volt is backed by one of the world’s largest and oldest auto companies — GM. And that’s comforting when so much of this technology is so very new.
 

So You Can’t Afford: 2012 Land Rover Range Rover
375-hp 5.0-liter V-8
Price: $78,835

The inexpensive imitator: Jeep Grand Cherokee

For more than 60 years, the four-wheel-drive world has been dominated by two brands — Jeep and Land Rover. Yet neither is stuck in the past. Oh no. All Land Rovers use intelligent 4WD systems, and Jeep’s brand stretches wildly from the rugged Wrangler to the compact Compass. But can the top models of each brand be compared fairly, despite a price gap of nearly $50,000? That’s why we’re here.

The Range Rover is more luxurious than the Grand Cherokee by far. The level of craftsmanship and materials on the inside of this British machine rival that of Bentley. The Jeep has moved a large leap forward in this department but, still, you can see where Land Rover’s money went.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
290-hp 3.6-liter
Price: $29,490

When it comes down to hard mechanicals, though, the two 4WDs move closer. Both ride on an independent suspension system. And the Grand Cherokee uses an optional advanced air suspension that mimics the pioneering multiheight system that Range Rover has used since the 1990s. Both vehicles use a 4WD system that can be tailored to suit particular terrains as well.

When it comes to towing, a properly equipped Grand Cherokee can move a 7400-pound trailer. The Range Rover beats that, but by just 316 pounds. Under the hood, the Rover’s V-8 matches up well with the optional Hemi V-8 in the Jeep. But while the $100,000, 510-hp Supercharged Range Rover is still geared for off-road use, the 465-hp SRT8 Grand Cherokee is the closest a driver could come to a Jeep hot rod. And it does so at just $55,295. So for the cost of one Range Rover, you could have one Grand Cherokee for off-roading and another one for the street.
 

So You Can’t Afford: 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560
552-hp, 5.2-liter V-10
Price: $202,000

The inexpensive imitator: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Before you start writing an angry letter, we know: There’s absolutely no similarity between a Mustang and a Lamborghini. The Mustang is a rear-drive muscle car, with a hot V-8 up front and a (cough) live axle at the back end. It’s a ruffian that gallops along on old technology. A Lamborghini is the very definition of Italian exotica. There’s a lightweight aluminum chassis, sophisticated all-wheel drive, and a scalding V-10 hanging out behind your head, ready to wail. It looks more like something developed at Area 51 than any machine Detroit could churn out.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
650-hp 5.8-liter supercharged V-8
Price: $60,000 (est)

But the new 2013 Shelby GT 500 isn’t just any Mustang. Ford has boosted the power by a full 100 horsepower over the last one, up to a staggering 650. That’s even more horsepower than Chevy’s ZR1 Corvette. And though the Shelby weighs about 500 pounds more than the Gallardo, we’d suspect the two wouldn’t be too far apart in a drag race.

Here’s the most interesting part. The Mustang, according to Ford, will hit a clean 200 mph. The advanced, technology-packed Italian supercar will go only 1 mph faster. That’s some serious bragging rights for anyone who ponies up for this Mustang.

 

Vehicle Profile: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

What if you could have the kind of design, quietness and features that distinguish luxury crossovers, plus outstanding fuel economy with the value of a Chevrolet? That would be an amazing combination, and it’s exactly the combination the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox delivers.

Meticulously crafted and tastefully appointed, the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox goes above and beyond by also delivering an impressive 32 mpg in highway driving from its standard, FlexFuel-capable, 182-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Think about that: You can have better fuel economy than many midsize sedans in a roomy, versatile crossover. At a starting MSRP of $23,450, the 2012 Chevy Equinox LS also is priced similarly to a midsize sedan.

From there, you can tailor the Equinox – in LS, 1LT, 2LT and luxurious LTZ trims – exactly to your needs and tastes. All models except LS also offer an available 264-hp V6 engine, for added performance and towing ability, and, all Equinox models offer available advanced all-wheel drive to give you enhanced grip and handling in any condition. A perfect partner for the active adventurer, a properly equipped Equinox can tow between 1,500 and 3,500 pounds, depending on powertrain. With either engine, standard Hill-Start Assist keeps you from rolling backward on an incline until you start to accelerate.

That 32 mpg highway fuel economy from the advanced, direct-injected Ecotec four-cylinder is an eye-opener and a segment best. The 2.4-liter’s 182 hp is better than the 171 hp of the 2012 Ford Escape Limited and the 166 hp of the 2011 Honda Element EX. A key to achieving an outstanding combination of performance and efficiency is the standard six-speed automatic transmission. In simple terms, the more gears (“ratios”) a transmission provides, the more flexible the engine can be in terms of performance and efficiency.

For even more performance, the available 3.0-liter V6 engine, also with advanced direct fuel injection, gives the versatile Equinox an extra boost of performance and fun-driving character. Regardless of which Equinox model you choose, you’ll enjoy the serenity of a pleasingly quiet ride, thanks to premium noise-reduction measures. For example, on 2.4-liter models, Active Noise Cancellation technology cancels out certain powertrain noises.

Whether or not you choose the available all-wheel drive system, the Equinox comes with standard StabiliTrak^® Electronic Stability Control System with Traction Control and rollover mitigation. In the Equinox, StabiliTrak comes with the added benefit of Trailer Sway Control (TSC), which employs both automatic braking, driver alerts and engine torque control, if necessary, if trailer sway is detected. You’ll also appreciate that the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox provides the peace of mind that comes with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” rating.

Another useful feature, a Rear Vision Camera, comes standard on all Equinox models except the LS. With OnStar, which is standard on all Equinox models, the Advanced Crash Response System can summon emergency responders in the event of a collision – even if the driver or passengers are unable to do so.

Step inside the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, and in addition to the upscale comfort and design, you’ll find a key reason for its versatility: The Multi-Flex^® Sliding Rear Seat. All five-seat crossovers let you fold down the rear seats to expand cargo area. The Equinox goes further, allowing you to slide the rear seat eight inches rearward when you want to maximize legroom for rear-seat passengers. “Maximize” is certainly the appropriate term, as the Equinox offers a best in class 39.9 inches of legroom. That makes the available Rear-Seat Entertainment System all the more enjoyable. Or, slide the seat forward to maximize rear cargo capacity of up to 63.7 cubic feet when needed.

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox offers a wide range of standard and available amenities you’d expect from more expensive vehicles. All 2012 Equinox models provide SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and Bluetooth^® for hands-free calling. On upper trim Equinox models, you’ll find standard or available heated front seats, perforated leather seating, a segment-exclusive rear programmable power liftgate, 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels plus a memory driver’s seat and mirror system. The available smart Remote Starting System can also activate the climate control system and, if so equipped, the heated front seats.

For listening pleasure, the available 250-watt Pioneer^® Premium Audio System plays powerfully and cleanly through eight speakers. The standard OnStar system also includes Directions and Connections navigation. With the all-new Chevrolet MyLink Touch, you can use your Bluetooth-paired smartphone to stream Pandora^® and Stitcher^® through the car’s audio system and use Gracenote^® to get song and artist info, and even album art. The system fully integrates contacts from your phone, and the convenient touchscreen lets you control everything through the radio unit, through steering wheel controls or with an advanced Voice Recognition system.

If you think that many of these Equinox features sound like items you’d get in a luxury crossover, you’d be correct. You’ll find them in the Chevrolet Equinox, as well, but without the luxury vehicle price tag. You’ll also get a better warranty than competitors from Honda, Ford and Toyota. The Chevrolet Equinox comes with a five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty; the best those competing brands are willing to offer is 60,000 miles.

Come in and test drive a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, and discover all the reasons why this dynamically styled crossover is so popular.

As of the date of this Posting, Les Mack Chevrolet has over 15 New 2012 Chevy Equinoxs available to you!

 

Encore Crossover to Join Growing Buick Brand

DETROIT – Buick today confirmed the introduction of the 2013 Encore, an all-new, versatile five-passenger crossover set to debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Encore joins a rapidly expanding family of Buick vehicles that has recently seen the additions of the Verano compact luxury sedan, the Regal GS sport sedan, and fuel-efficient eAssist “light electrification” technology on both LaCrosse and Regal.

Encore will offer contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers expect from Buicks today. More details will be made available when Encore is revealed on Jan. 10.

This week, a new Encore tab on www.facebook.com/buick will feature a covered photograph of the vehicle. Each week leading up to the reveal, Buick will uncover a section of the photo. The final image will be revealed the same morning Encore takes the stage at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

About Buick
Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover.