Starting with the exterior the xB RS 6.0 get the aforementioned Absolutely Red paint job that just screams I’m hot to all within eyeshot. There is a color matched spoiler wing offered as an option that is a must have. The wheels are shod in exclusive branded Release Series covers that measure 16”. Finishing off the exterior treatment is a custom blacked-out front grille.

The electronics inside the cabin get the rock star upgrade. The dash houses a 5.8” advanced touch screen Pioneer entertainment system. You get an IPod docking station, Bluetooth connectivity, and DVD player. Teens are just about the world’s worst navigators, so the satellite NAV will ensure they do not end up in Canada on accident.

The interior also houses some other great options. There are color tuned seats and upholstery that features black fabric with red accents that match the exterior. The lighting in the interior gets pimped with illuminated lighting that changes colors and lighted door sills. Lastly is the individual numbered holographic badge that signifies the limited edition status of this car.

Priced at around $18,000 (depending on the transmission choice) the Scion xB Release Series 6.0 won’t last long

See Other Cool Scions

The top five auto manufacturers have been around for a very long time.  All have made it through tough economic times, many through the Great Depression. Ford, founded in 1903 is the old-timer, while newcomer Honda started making cars in 1963. It seems obvious that a company that survives for decades, even a century, must be pretty strong and flexible. They’ve adapted to changes in demand, technology and politics and continued to grow overall.

Will there be a 2013 Mazda Miata?

But things have changed. GM and Chrysler have accepted help from the federal government and will need more.  So far Ford hasn’t asked for assistance, but who knows?  Everything depends on how long this recession lasts. Eventually consumers will start buying cars in greater numbers again, but can the automakers survive until then?

Part of the answer depends on which companies are well-run and efficient. Like many companies in other industries, auto manufacturers who once weathered the great depression have become fat during the long periods of plenty. If they can adapt quickly, everyone will benefit in the long run.

Another related piece of the puzzle is about who can innovate quickly. While sales have fallen drastically, there are segments of the market that are doing relatively well. Hybrids, which should have been an economically viable option long before now, are popular. So are well-built cars that last longer and require fewer repairs. Automakers that excel in these areas will have more sales now, which will help them hang on. When the economy picks up again, their sales will be much better than those who lag behind.

So who is doing well right now? Toyota tops the list with 92,775 vehicle sales in the first two months of 2009. Ford comes in second at 84,072.  Rounding out the top 5 are Chevrolet at 75,025, Honda at 63,916 and Nissan at 47,890.  While these figures are around 40-50% lower than the same period last year, if they can reduce their costs enough, these automakers may live to see the end of the recession.

Toyota Prius was named the Top Green Car for 2009.  This is no big surprise, since the Prius has taken this award for the last five years.  With more hybrids coming onto the market, you’d think the Prius would have some serious competition, but so far no one has quite measured up.  (Although the Honda Civic Hybrid is pretty close.) The base model Prius gets 44 mpg, while the Touring gets 42 mpg. That’s especially important now that gas prices are on the rise again.

2009 Pruis Hybrid

Most Bang for the Buck

The Prius also got the top award in the new Most Bang for the Buck category.  For the first time, Consumer Reports has combined owner cost over the first five years with performance and reliability ratings to come up with a Bucks per Bang number.  Toyota Prius Touring Hybrid got $325 bucks per bang.  Compare that to $385 for the Mazda3 Hatchback and $455 for the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Owner Satisfaction

With almost 425,000 car owners weighing in, Toyota Prius takes top honors in the “Would You Buy Your Car if You Had it to Do All Over” test. That pretty much says it all.

2009 Toyota Prius

Price Isn’t Everything

The most cost effective cars are not always the cheapest cars. If a car isn’t well made, it’s going to cost you in repairs and down time. If it has a low resale value, it was more expensive in the long run.  The smart car buyer takes all of these costs into consideration before buying a car.

Source: Consumer Reports, April 2009

I’m a MOPAR guy, have been ever since my dad pulled up in HEMI Orange Dodge Challenger back when I was all of 9.  The sound of that 426 still haunts me…

Fast Forward to 2008 and the SRT guy’s are at it again.  This time they unleash their Street and Racing Technology mantra to the Jeep Grand Cherokee?  Yes, they did.  Just that.  This is my second SRT8 vehicle.  I had an 07 Charger SRT8 and I’ve also had the pleasure of driving a Maggie and a 300 SRT and I must say the Jeep trumps them all.

Not the fastest of the SRT Line up, but definitely the quickest.  We’re talking a blazing 0-60 in a mind boggling 4.8 seconds stock.  That AWD drive and different gearing ratios compared to the other SRT’s make this 4,819 lbs truck do more than just turn eyes.  Yeah, she burns through gas at a horrendous 10 MPG but she also gets me there in style.  Blistering loud style.

I could rave about the racing seats, fiber carbon accents, the MyGig Hard Disc, DVD player, BOSE system, back up camera yadda yadda yadda, but these things are not what makes this truck special.  It’s the fact that it’s the most fun you will ever have driving anything that can be considered an SUV loaded with a stroller, car seats or a beach cruiser.

Who cares that I have two speeding tickets.  Something to be said when your foot commands 420 horses and 425 lbs. of torque.  That M3 won’t know what hit him.  Guy in the Southern California Corvette? Yeah, he won’t know that what just launched past him was in fact, just a Jeep.  Orange County Saleen Mustang?  I won’t even waste my gas…

At the end of the day I thank God for all you Coachella Valley Toyota Prius owners out there.  It’s because of you that I can drive this demon child from hell at downright illicit, immoral speeds.  Yeah, she’s that bad.

Jeep, no longer just Drag Rated, we’re now officially Track Rated as well.

By Dave Herrera