Say what now? That’s right, Motor Trend pitted a 2011 Mustang GT against a 2011 M3. Before seeing the video, and the numbers, you might think that’s absurd. Surely a lowly Mustang can’t even come close to the M3 in performance. You sir, would be dead wrong. Check out one of the key stat comparisons:

1/4 mile times:

M3: 12.8 seconds
Mustang GT: 12.7 seconds

Spoiler: The Mustang is faster, has better brakes, and handles better. Not to mention it costs drastically less. Check out the video below for the full comparison.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Mustang GT vs 2011 BMW M3 is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

According to Ward’s Auto , Nissan may be about ready to shut down Xterra production. Volume of the midsize body-on-frame SUV is down drastically since 2000. That year, Nissan moved over 88,000 Xterras. Through the end of July this year, they’ve sold just 12,000. That’s up quite a bit from last year, but last year was also the worst year in recent memory.

Why the case for alarm? A quote from Larry Dominique, VP of Advanced Product / Product Planning / Strategy is alarming.

With (new U.S. corporate average fuel economy rules) Xterra’s going to be a tough vehicle to keep around.

He’s right, of course. Traditional SUV sales are in the toilet, and manufacturers are moving to the unibody / CUV style vehicle across the board. With the stricter fuel efficiency requirements coming soon, the Xterra doesn’t make much sense.

Would-be Xterra buyers don’t have to leave Nissan, of course. There are plenty of offerings that may make sense, depending on the buyer’s needs. The Pathfinder is really a slightly larger version of the Xterra. Rogue and Murano are car-based CUV’s that could be a good fit.  True hardcore off-road junkies will probably head over to the nearest Jeep dealer and pick up a Wrangler – still the best around for that job.

So, probably no more Xterra in the near future. Will you miss it?

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. Nissan Xterra May be Near End of Road is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Ford has updated the Edge for 2011, but is it enough?

When you look at Ford’s lineup, one thing is strikingly clear – there are way too many midsize CUV type vehicles. In this single segment, Ford current has three entries. That’s not even counting Lincoln versions – this is just the Ford brand. Competing against each other in this segment are the 2011 Edge, Flex, and 2011 Explorer. Granted, Ford did give the Edge some TLC, but there’s going to be some cannibalism here.

Under the hood are three engine choices – a turbo 4 EcoBoost (not yet available), 285 HP 3.5 liter V6, and 305 HP 3.7 liter V6. I’m all for choice, but does it make sense to offer two engines so similar in size and power? Sure, I get that Ford wanted to do something special with the Sport model… and offering the same engine as the base Mustang would seem to achieve that… but at the cost of added complexity.

What is everyone saying about the new Edge? Read on after the jump to find out:

2011 Ford Edge Reviews

TTAC reviews the 2011 Ford Edge and writes – ‘If you’re shopping elsewhere, a Chevrolet Traverse also offers more room than the Edge for less money, and the Honda Crosstour is vastly cheaper with a very similar interior-packaging result. Toyota’s Venza also offers a less expensive alternative that’s bigger inside. It would also be remiss of us not to mention the fact that virtually everybody who chooses a vehicle of this type would be better-served by an actual family sedan.’

Autoblog reviews the 2011 Ford Edge and writes – ‘The Flex, Explorer and Edge are all within $2,000 of each other and offer up similar functionality for under $30,000. With the Explorer having kicked its body-on-frame habit, the parallels between it and the Edge are almost too numerous to count. The real question is whether the Edge will continue to rely on its unique styling to differentiate itself from the rest of the family or if Ford will choose to make one of its crossover entries a new value story.’

Ridelust reviews the 2011 Ford Edge and writes – ‘On wet, winding roads, the AWD in the Edge Sport I drove provided excellent traction. Even under heavy acceleration, mid-corner, the Edge did exactly what I expected it to. Steering feel was noticeably heavier than in the Edge Limited, thanks in part to the AWD layout of the Sport I drove and the class exclusive 22” wheels. I’m not complaining about the steering feel; in fact, I give it a thumbs up for being properly weighted and for providing excellent feedback.’

LLN reviews the 2011 Ford Edge and writes – ‘The 2011 Ford Edge is a tough one for us. We really like its new looks, class-leading technology and improved driving dynamics, but it’s also hard to overlook the cheap-feeling bits. However, on a day-to-day basis, the good will probably far outweigh the bad, and we really like the Edge’s electronic goodies, which can’t be found anywhere else.’

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Ford Edge Review is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2012 Chevy Malibu Spy Shots is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Thank you for inquiring about the Rondo. As the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end.’ But with endings, come new beginnings…

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. Kia Rondo to Exit US Market is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

If you’ve been dreaming of having an Infiniti G in your driveway, but couldn’t quite stomach the $33,250 starting price for the G37 sedan, good news is coming your way.  Starting in September of this year, you’ll start seeing a new G at Infiniti dealers – the 2011 G25, priced from $30,950.

Just like the name implies, the G25 is a full-fledged G-series car, just with a smaller engine.  In this case, a 218 HP 2.5 liter V6.  This engine has been available in Japan for a few years, but not in the US until this fall.

For the base price, you get the small engine, leather seats, 17″ alloys, automatic climate control, HID’s, and a seven speed automatic transmission.  AWD is available (though I’d stick with the standard RWD), as rearview monitor and heated front seats.

Power isn’t everything

The G series has never been all about power.  Granted, the world’s best V6 sits under the hood of the G37, and that helps.  However, style, refinement, and fantastic handling have been huge parts of the G’s success.  Plenty of folks buy for those reasons, and don’t have a need for 300+ horsepower.  The G25 is perfect for these folks.  Not to mention the people who will now consider the G25 thanks to the lower cost of entry.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Infiniti G25 is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Before you say “Zomg not ANOTHER special edition Mustang!?” wait. Did you see that this is a BOSS 302?  A frickin Boss.  And according to Mustang engineer Dave Pericak,

We were either going to do it right or not do it at all – no one on the team was going to let Boss become a sticker and wheel package.

Allright, so the guy in charge can talk a good game.  But did he deliver.

Hell. Yes.

Under the hood is a 440 HP 5.0 Liter V8.  That’s 28 extra ponies from the GT, thanks to more aggressive camshafts and a shiny new intake.  Add an upgraded clutch and a short throw shifter, and there’s no doubt the 2012 Boss will be a beast in a straight line.

But that’s not all.

No, that would be boring, and this car is not.  How about upgraded brakes, a magic adjustable suspension, and the reported ability to top 1.0g of lateral acceleration.  That’s right – it’s faster, stops better, and handles better than the already fantastic Mustang GT.

Wait, what’s that? Quad exhaust?

Sure you say, lots of cars have quad exhaust.  And you would be right.  But how many have two exits in the rear, and two on the side? None that I can think of, which makes the Boss even more special.  Something about getting more of that V8 burble closer to the driver gets my blood pumping.

2012 Boss 302 Gallery

The visual treatment speaks for itself – the 2012 Boss 302 is stunning.  There’s no doubt that the looks are backed up with amazing performance.  What will Ford price this amazing machine at?  No clue just yet.  But I’ll be saving my pennies until then.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2012 Mustang Boss 302 is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

When I say updated, I mean ever so slightly. Nissan didn’t go nuts on the Rogue, that’s for sure. It’s been selling well for them, so there was really no reason to go all out. Plus, the Rogue’s still a young model.

So, what’s new? The front end gets a revised look. The bumper and grille are new, as are the available 18″ alloys. Those, in fact, are outstanding. They look like the Sentra SE-R wheels, but in bright silver instead of charcoal.

2011 Rogue Gallery

The packaging has been completely revamped, but the Rogue will be the same mechanically. Overall, just a nice freshening with no real surprises.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Nissan Rogue Updated is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

Talk about a letdown. Surely you remember the back and forth, and back again when it came to the Volt’s price. First it was under $30k, then over $40k, then low thirties, etc etc. At least that soap opera is over… though I don’t think it’s good news for Chevy or for would-be Volt buyers.

Forty grand buys a lot of car these days – trying to peddle a $41k *base* Volt is a tough pill to swallow, no matter how magical the technology under the hood may be. Surely you remember that the Volt’s closest (though admittedly quite different) competitor, the 2011 Nissan Leaf, starts at just $32,780k – $7k cheaper.

The Silver Lining
Similar to the Leaf ($1999 down, $349/mo), the 2011 Volt is being introduced with an attractive lease program. In the Volt’s case, it’s $2500 down, $350 per month for 36 months. So if you’ll consider a lease, the Volt will run you just $500 more than the Leaf. That’s certainly not enough of a difference to sway you one way or the other – the car itself will be the deciding factor.

The reason Chevy can offer such an attractive lease is because the feds are throwing in a $7,500 tax credit. The full amount is applied to the lease, drastically reducing payments.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. 2011 Chevy Volt Priced from $41000 is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.

With the introduction of the all-new 2011 Explorer, we all knew this was coming. Ford is ending production of the misfit Explorer Sport Trac. Considering how weak Explorer sales have been, and the Sport Trac makes up just a small portion of those… well.. no one is surprised by this announcement. With its odd proportions and oddly short bed, I don’t think this vehicle will be missed by many.

Hi there - could you help spread the word about Houston Cars? This is a new site, and I could really use your help in getting my work out to new readers. If you would send someone a link, email, or even mention it to your friends, I would appreciate it. Another One Bites the Dust: Explorer Sport Trac Dead is a post from: Houston Cars, home of the best darn car reviews around.