Porsche 944 TURBO, THE REMERGING CLASSIC

The 944 model was a hot hatch produced from 1982-1991 and was based of the 924. The Turbo trim, known also as the 951/952, it was the Porsche model that could take on Corvettes and Ferraris. It competed in SCCA Production Class and Trans Am races. Each year of its production Porsche would make improvements such as engine power, brakes, suspension, and infotainment system. The exterior is smooth, curved with pop-up headlights, a line that extends from the front to back, and a black wing. Its layout is front engine/RWD resulting in almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The combination of engine, aerodynamics, weight distribution, and low center of gravity result in a car that can controls its power. Its stiff yet calm on the road and grips when corning. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, an engaging driving experience is created. It feels mechanical and extremely fun to drive around 3,000rpm when boost is at max. It’s a car that rewards good driving technique. The interior is very simple, composed of materials such as leather, plastic and buttons which are mostly rectangular or circular. Noticeably the steering will that is a rectangle. It might not be the prettiest to look at, but allows for a nice horizontal grip when driving. The seat is low to the floor and holds the driver comfortably. Its multifunction to fit ever driver. Turn signals, wipers, and headlights are hidden behind the steering wheel. Other buttons for climate control and the radio are laid out nicely. As the driver becomes familiar with the car, they easily work everything without taking their eyes off the road. For a car that’s over 30 years old, some of the materials show their age but are not very noticeable. Some plastics have started to crack such as the dash board and some buttons don’t always stop working. Some of the leather has dried up and lost its stitching. Its engineered balance makes it a fun change from modern sports cars. The overall production quality has made it reliable and age well which is a Porsche staple.

The overall driving experience shows why Porsche was one of the best manufactures in the 80s and still is today. Though the 944 Turbo wasn't the fastest Porsche for its time, its shows that a fun, fast, agile sports car doesn't need to have V8 or flashy design. Even in the marketing, Porsche pushed the 944 Turbo as the small kid at school who secretly packs a punch. Its makes the most of a simply and small design setting the bench mark for other cars in its class. It can easily blend into the crowd but also step up to race with competitors. Its returning to the spot light, with some sales reaching up to $80,000. Some might want to keep it as a relic of Porsche's great engineering while others want a classic car they can work on. Over time this will become familiarized with the younger generation and cement its self as one of Porsche's greatest designs.

Written by

Leonardo Camerucci-Gambacorta

2018 AUDI Q5

The ride experience is very comfortable whether you’re in the front or backseat. Front seats have a variety of options for configuration. The backseats can recline and also have the option to be heated. A very nice characteristic that sedans don't usually come with. However, reclining the backseats decreases the cargo space. It’s a perfect vehicle for family trips to the beach or ski resort. The center counsel has buttons to adjust driving mode, climate control, etc. At the top is a 7" screen, which it not touches screen but controlled by a nob right in front of the gear shift. In front of the nob is touchpad that has its own set of buttons for FM/AM radio presets. The touch pad can be used to enter in addresses for GPS. Unfortunately, this is my own personal opinion, the touchpad and screen navigation nob are not favorable to a touchscreen. If the 7" screen was touch, the touchpad and dial just wouldn't be needed. So many car models, some at half the price of the Q5, come with a touch screen. The exterior of the of Q5 is much nicer than its 2017 counterpart. Curves are swapped for corners, new head lights, and front grill make the Q5 look more aggressive and sporty. A sporty, aggressive design is a style that many car manufactures go for today. Though a car might not be fast on a track or straight line, the body of a car can make its present felt on the road and empower the driver. A quick browse online can show preowned Q5s ranging from the high $20,000 to mid $30,000. Miles range from around 20k-50K. If you are searching for a luxury car on a budget check your local or online Audi dealer for a pre-owned Q5.

The 6TH AND 5TH GEN FORD TAURUS

My family owns both the 5G and 6G Taurus SEL. Functioning as our daily drivers they are well deserved of the name 'bull'. It is larger than most sedans, allowing for a large cabin, trunk space, smooth driving experience, and 5-star safety rating. All necessary elements when going to work, getting groceries, or picking up the kids from school. A true work machine that can also lay down the power if you need it to. Our 5G has over 145,000mi and has been put into my care in my final year of college. Overall the 5G has proven to be pretty reliable. The 6G has around 34,000mi, it’s a large improvement over the 5G in almost every aspect. The exterior is redesigned to a much more aggressive and lean body compared to the 5G's curved, bulky body. Both generations share the same declining body line from the back to the front. The interior isn't as spacious as the 5G, the dashboard and center counsel are raised up. The raised dashboard does decrease the field of view. One of the nicest characteristics of the 5G Taurus is the large field of view. You can see the whole road and some more. One of the best improvements is the transmission. The '08 Taurus had a transmission recall because it had jerky shifting. On the lower gears it would shift at strange rpms that would make the whole car jerk. On the higher gears shifting was perfectly fine. Even after getting a new transmission, lower gears shifts aren't the smoothest. The 2017 Taurus's transmission doesn't have any faults of the previous generation. It even allows drivers to shift gears manually through a little button on the gear shift. Both are equipped with a 3.5L V6 built for efficiency and power.

The difference between the two generations is the 5G has independent variable cam timing (iVCT) while the 6G has twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT). The powertrain is used in other vehicles; some models give more powerful configurations. The F-150/Raptor, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda CX-9, and even the Ford GT. Each models' engine is tuned to meet its requirement. The Ford GT gets the 2nd Generation of the Ford Eco Boost (twin-turbo) pumping out 647hp and 550 lb.*ft. If you want a Taurus with an Eco Boost engine, look for the trims 'SHO' (Super High Output), 'Limited', or a used Taurus Police interceptor. 'SHO' is more sports focused while the 'Limited' is luxury focused. The Taurus SHO (2010-2019) gets a 3.5L Eco Boost making 365hp and 350lb*ft. If you are looking to buy a SHO, look for models after 2015 because those did receive mechanical improvement for the engine.

The SHO is considered a sleeper in the car community. It looks like a regular sedan but has a twin turbo V6, All-Wheel-Drive, bringing it from 0-60mph in around 5.5sec. The Ford Taurus ended production in the U.S. at the end of 2019, however China is receiving the 7th Generation Ford Taurus(2016-present) which looks like a mix between a Fusion and Taurus. Ford has discontinued and revived the Taurus before, so maybe there’s a slight chance the U.S.A. will see the return of the 'Bull'.

Written by

Leonardo Camerucci-Gambacorta

Porsche 944 TURBO, THE REMERGING CLASSIC

The 944 model was a hot hatch produced from 1982-1991 and was based of the 924. The Turbo trim, known also as the 951/952, it was the Porsche model that could take on Corvettes and Ferraris. It competed in SCCA Production Class and Trans Am races. Each year of its production Porsche would make improvements such as engine power, brakes, suspension, and infotainment system. The exterior is smooth, curved with pop-up headlights, a line that extends from the front to back, and a black wing. Its layout is front engine/RWD resulting in almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The combination of engine, aerodynamics, weight distribution, and low center of gravity result in a car that can controls its power. Its stiff yet calm on the road and grips when corning. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, an engaging driving experience is created. It feels mechanical and extremely fun to drive around 3,000rpm when boost is at max. It’s a car that rewards good driving technique. The interior is very simple, composed of materials such as leather, plastic and buttons which are mostly rectangular or circular. Noticeably the steering will that is a rectangle. It might not be the prettiest to look at, but allows for a nice horizontal grip when driving. The seat is low to the floor and holds the driver comfortably. Its multifunction to fit ever driver. Turn signals, wipers, and headlights are hidden behind the steering wheel. Other buttons for climate control and the radio are laid out nicely. As the driver becomes familiar with the car, they easily work everything without taking their eyes off the road. For a car that’s over 30 years old, some of the materials show their age but are not very noticeable. Some plastics have started to crack such as the dash board and some buttons don’t always stop working. Some of the leather has dried up and lost its stitching. Its engineered balance makes it a fun change from modern sports cars. The overall production quality has made it reliable and age well which is a Porsche staple.

The overall driving experience shows why Porsche was one of the best manufactures in the 80s and still is today. Though the 944 Turbo wasn't the fastest Porsche for its time, its shows that a fun, fast, agile sports car doesn't need to have V8 or flashy design. Even in the marketing, Porsche pushed the 944 Turbo as the small kid at school who secretly packs a punch. Its makes the most of a simply and small design setting the bench mark for other cars in its class. It can easily blend into the crowd but also step up to race with competitors. Its returning to the spot light, with some sales reaching up to $80,000. Some might want to keep it as a relic of Porsche's great engineering while others want a classic car they can work on. Over time this will become familiarized with the younger generation and cement its self as one of Porsche's greatest designs.

Written by

Leonardo Camerucci-Gambacorta