MN Auto Finance - Houston, DistrictofColumbia
Houston, DistrictofColumbia
MN Auto Finance Credit Application
MN Auto Finance Credit Application: Driving Impressions
Compared with the heavy-duty trucks from Ford and Dodge, the Silverado
2500 distinguishes itself with well-weighted steering that provides the
driver with a greater sense of vehicle control. This is a particular
benefit on tight country roads. Although a heavy-duty pickup and its
taut rear suspension will never offer a Cadillac ride, the 2500 is
surprisingly comfortable over long distances. Both engines are strong,
but if you can swing the price premium, the hefty performance and
reasonable fuel economy of the Duramax diesel make it a very tempting
choice.
Contact MN Auto Finance: 2009 Dodge Viper Vehicle Overview
Introduction
When it comes to supercars, European automakers typically represent
refinement, couture style and technological advancement, to the point of
sterility. Here in the States, supercars are comparatively raw,
visceral and rugged to the point of brutality. We're the sledgehammer to
their scalpel, the bucking bronco to their show horse and the Bourne to
their Bond. For better or worse, that's how we roll.
The current, third-generation Viper maintains the excitement and soul of
the 1989 Carroll Shelby-inspired concept, with the obligatory low-slung
body, long hood housing a massive V10, comically wide tires and gruff
side exhaust pipes. The Dodge Viper doesn't ask permission and makes no
apologies. Despite technological advances over the past two decades, the
Viper has just enough safety equipment to make it legal, delegating the
remaining responsibility to the hands and feet of the driver. If the
performance numbers alone aren't enough to cause heart palpitations,
consider that traction and stability control are not available, and
circumstances can go from exhilarating to terrifying in short order.
It is this unfiltered, uncomplicated nature that makes the Viper so
attractive to enthusiasts, hearkening back to eras when drivers were
heroic, rugged and relied on the seats of their pants rather than
electronic aids. For those seeking more comfort, refinement and everyday
driving manners, there are always the Corvette Z06, various European
offerings such as the Audi R8 and Porsche 911, and even Nissan's new
GT-R. However, the 2009 Dodge Viper bests the Z06 in practically every
applicable performance metric and is significantly less expensive than
anything comparable from the Old World. In the end, it comes down to
what you're willing to compromise -- performance or finesse.
MN Auto Finance: Interior Design and Special Features
The 2009 Honda Pilot's interior layout is attractive in the same rugged
way as the exterior, but it drew split opinions among our staff in
regards to whether it maintains Honda's traditional combination of
intuitive controls and high-quality materials. The center stack is
littered with small buttons that are difficult to decipher at a glance,
but some found they become intuitive with repeated use. The main
information screen/navigation system's central control knob and related
buttons are located at knee level, requiring a potentially unsafe
downward glance, but some liked that they fell right at hand level and
could be operated by feel. The new Pilot's dash consists of roughly
textured hard plastic: Some of our editors appreciated the low-sheen
rugged look, while others thought they looked cheap and preferred the
richer-feeling materials found in competitors such as the Hyundai
Veracruz. Gauges are clear and pretty nifty-looking to boot, while the
navigation system is one of the best in the business once you've got it
up and running. The sound quality of the uplevel 10-speaker stereo is
also top-notch.
The ace up the 2009 Pilot's sleeve in this category is its appreciably
roomier third-row seat. There are 1.8 extra inches of legroom back there
relative to the previous Pilot, and Honda claims that a
"95th-percentile adult male" can now ride in the third row without
issue. We're not sure how happy that guy's going to be about it, but
it's true that the new Pilot's third row isn't the penalty box it used
to be. Both the second and third rows are plagued by low cushions,
though, which means that even moderately long-legged passengers will be
forced to adopt a knees-in-the-air riding style. Overall, rival
crossovers like the Flex and GM's Acadia/Enclave/Outlook/Traverse
foursome offer superior third-row accommodations.
MN Auto Finance Information: 2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Vehicle Overview
Introduction
"This thing rides like a truck." That's not a compliment, and it's
usually applied to vehicles with harsh, unsophisticated rides that are
more Conestoga wagon than Cadillac. Buyers of full-size pickups have
long assumed that such discomfort just comes with the territory. The
2009 Dodge Ram could be the impetus for changing those expectations.
For reasons too numerous to list, full-size pickups have always had
leaf-spring rear suspensions, a design that sandwiches strips of steel
together to locate the rear axle and to support the truck's weight. It's
an inexpensive, durable and time-tested design, but it also causes
jerky rear-axle motions that make it difficult to keep the rubber on the
road if the surface is less than glass-smooth. In simpler terms, leaf
springs and respectable ride comfort don't mix.
The 2009 Ram 1500 is the first full-size pickup that throws leaf springs
into the time capsule. Instead, it has a heavy-duty coil rear
suspension that not only results in a remarkably civilized ride, but
also saves weight, enables the fitment of a rear antiroll bar and
improves off-road performance. Don't expect buttery smoothness -- the
springs still need to be sturdy enough to sustain the Ram's massive
hauling and towing capabilities, so some jiggling over bumps and freeway
hop is inevitable. But for a full-size truck, the Ram's relaxed ride is
revolutionary.
Elsewhere, the Ram's 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine receives a boost in power,
clocking in at an impressive 390 horsepower. Fuel economy is better
too, thanks to an improved cylinder deactivation system and a more
aerodynamic body. In fact, the 5.7-liter engine gets the same gas
mileage as the weakling base V6. The Ram's interior has also been
drastically improved, while a number of neat storage options are
introduced. A more traditional crew cab replaces the old Ram's Mega Cab,
after many customers complained that it was just too mega. While
smaller, the new crew cab still boasts limolike rear legroom, though the
storage area behind the backseat has been eliminated.
In sum, we think the 2009 Dodge Ram is a winner, even if the popularity
of full-size trucks is waning. For those who'll still need the
prodigious hauling and towing capabilities of these workhorse vehicles,
the Ram is just as good as, if not better than, the current top dogs,
the Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tundra. It's got all the usual bases
covered, yet it doesn't "ride like a truck." Now that's what we call
progress, particularly given the cutthroat competition in this segment.
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