24 - Friday, October 4, 1991 — North Shore News — ras Taurus one of smoothest mid-size cars on market From page 23 A 3.8 litre V6 is optional (standard on LX models), and the Taurus SHO has its ‘own 220- horsepower 3.0-litre DOHC V6 engine with a revised five-speed manual transmission. An * automatic transmission is not yet available on the SHO. ‘While the Taurus L and GL models have standard front disc/ tear drum brakes, the Taurus LX and SHO come with four-wheei- ‘disc brakes with an ABS anti-lock braking system. brakes on a skidpad and found that, compared to the traditional ‘disc/drum setup. without ABS, stopping distances were con- siderably shorter and steering con- trol was much better. Another new option this year is variable-assist power steering, a feature which reduces low-speed. steering effort, but firms up steer- lL ed 945 WEST 1ST ST. NORTH VANCOUVER 984-4111 I tested these - ing fee! at higher speeds. During .my road test of a2 Taurus GL model, I found that this is still one of the best han- dling, smoothest, and quietest mid-size family sedans on the market. The standard 3.0-—litre six- cylinder engine with 140 horse- power has considerable low-end terque, and is extremely quiet, vibration-free and comfortable. During highway driving, there is very little mechanical, tire, or wind noise in the cabin. The transmission is also a very sweet unit. . Six years later, the itnmproved Taurus is still a fine car, probably the best all-around dcmestic mid- size car on the market. At press time, the manufacturer’s suggested - retail price for the Taurus L was $17,767, GL $18,588, and: LX * Thousands at color chaces © Ovan-baked finish © Free estimates on codywark © Written guarantee HOURS Mon.-Fri. Sam-6pm HEWS photo Stuart Davis SOMETIMES YOU juet have to get at the heart of a problem. This travei- jer gots right under the hood to sniff out engine prebiems. AUTOMOTIVES Your first car is always the first love THERE ARE many milestones in life: marriage, having children, retirement, and so on. But for teenagers, the one they lock for- ward to most is getting their first car. To 16 and 17-year-olds, having a car means more than just trans- portation, it represents a new sense of freedom and in- dependence. They no longer have to rely on mom or dad to drop them off at a party or take them to the mall; now they are free agents taking one of their first steps into adulthood and respon- sibility. Fortunate are the teenagers who work hard, save money and pay for their first automobiles themselves. It may be easier to have mom and dad pay for it, but the personal satisfaction and sense of achievement they will gain when buying it for themselves canno®. be surpassed. Temagers who just purchased their first cars are easy to spot: They will have wrinkled hands from washing and waxing so fre- quently; they are in and out of the auto parts stores purchasing every accessory known to the car in- dustry; they usually carry a photo of their cars in their wallets and they probably have a subscription = to a car magazine. These young driving enthusiasts don’t even mind the first repair or two. Actually, they find the added responsibility a challenge. The first couple of times stuck in traffic don’t bother them ci- ther, they actually think it’s kind of fun. Teenagers new to driving iove it and probably invented the phrase ‘‘joy ride.’” But at some point it will happen — every young driving enthusiast becomes not-so-enthusiastic about driving anymore. It could be a three-hour line at the department of motor vehicles, or a traffic jam that made them late for work; whatever the cause, they then real- ize why driving is considered a “necessary evil.” Depending on the individual, this transformation could take two months or two years, but it’s bound to happen. In some ways, driving could be compared to romantic love: They are both necessary for most. peo- ‘ple: they both evoke emotions of © pleasure, excitement, anger and frustration; they can both become .. part of your personality and: everyday life; you can have two | cars or two lovers but in both cases it may be tricky; and you. . never, never forget your first. ‘ OCTOBER YEAR END SALE AT SURRARD ACURA tiow is the time te buy your new Acura Burrard fcurs is in a very agreeable moed. {next to Beaver Lumber) | Saturdzey i0am-2pin Vans, trucks and commercial vehicies by estimate. Aust ‘epair and bodywork extra. MAACO Auto Painting & Bodyworks are indapendent franciuses of MAACO Enterprises. Prices & hours may vary. S| f SURRARD ACURA m1 2222 Burrard St., Vancouver pitti tt ii 736-8890 222 all-uk TODAY for FREE-ESTIMATES! 8628 RRR O