CARS WANTED... North
Shore Auto Towing is looking
for scrap cars to supply to the
West and North Vancouver
Fire Departments for use in
training exercises.

Free pick-up of vehicles is
available seven days a week.
Call 985-4099 for details.

DRIVER JAILED... A 32-
year-old North Vancouver
man was recently jailed seven
days in connection with two
charges of driving without a
licence.

Daniel Arthur Webster
pleaded guilty to the charges
stemming from Oct. 7, 1993,
and July 10, 1994, incidents in
North Vancouver City. Judge
Bill Rodgers sentenced
Webster in North Vancouver
provincial court on Aug. 4.

GAS PRICES... The
Canadian Automobile Assoc-
iation (CAA) is warning
motorists that gasoline prices
often rise just before long
weekends, such as Labor Day.
But there are steps you can
take to protect yourself this
weekend, according to the
automobile association.

“As demand goes up, so
does the price,” says CAA
Acting President Richard
Gedding, “but motorists with
plans for the long weekend
can take a few counter-mes-
sures to spare their wallets.” ~
¢ Shop around: Prices are
often tower in certain areas,
especially just outside city
centres. Gas stations with con-
venience stores or car washes
sometimes cross subsidize and
sell gasoline at a lower price
to increase collateral business.
¢ Fill it up early: By filling up

before the weekend, you can.

avoid any weekend price rise.
¢ Buy a lower-octane gas:
Higher-octane gasoline is
more profitable for the retail-
ers, but often adds little to the
performance of the car. Unless
your owner's manual specifies
high-octane gasoline, stick
with regular.
¢ Be more fuel efficient:
Keep your tires properly
inflated and keep your engine
well-tuned. Drive more slow-
ly. Reduce the amount of
weight in your car. These tips
not only save you money, but
are important for safety and
environmental reasons as well,
For more information con-
tact 1-613-226-7631,

STEALING SPREE SEN-
TENCE... A 20-year-old
Vancouver man was recently
jailed 30 days in connecGon
with charges of possessing a
stolen car, stealing a bicyete
and failing to go to court in
North Vancouver.

Richsrd Keaneth Duchene.
also known as Gary Kenneth
Lupack, pleaded guilty to the
charges. Duchene failed to
appear in court on Dec, 29,
1993. He possessed the stolen
ear on Oct. 30. 1993, in North
Vancouver District. And the
bicycle was stolen on Aug. 12,
1992, Judge Doug Moss sen-
tenced Duchene in North
Vancouver provineial court on
July 22.

Submitted photo

THE 71994 Acura Legend coupe is a two-door, front-wheel-drive luxury coupe with a 230-horsepower V6 engine, standard six-
speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, traction control and dual airbags. Base price Is just under $50,000.

Second generation Legend offers more luxury than original

THE ACURA Legend was
the first Japanese luxury car
to land on North American
shores in the late ’80s (the
Toyota Crown notwithstand-
ing) and was soon followed
by Infiniti, Lexus, and
recently, Mazda luxury cars.

Until Acura arrived, the luxury
segment was characterized by
established European and American
brands whose owners were
extremely brand-loyal. American
and European luxury car-makers
had the market mostly to them-
selves.

But with the introduction of
well-built, reliable, reasonably
priced luxury cars from Acura
(Honda) and other Japanese car
companies, the market changed.
Choices snultiptied and quality,
variety, and value-for-money
improved substantially, though the
appreciating value of the Yen has
taken away the price advantage that
Japanese luxury cuts once enjoyed.

The vehicle that started it all was
the Acura Legend, a compact, fromt-
wheel-drive luxury sedan or coupe
noted for its velvety-smooth VO
engine, reasonable price, and fun-
to-drive personality. Legend "27
came along in 1997. Tl was bigger,
heavier, fancier, and more expen:
sive. moving upa few aaiches in
the prestige scale

Now in its fourth year, this see-
ond generation Legend stil offers
the Juxury and refinement of the
original model. but itis a litte less
sporty and i fietle more luxurious,

This Week's lest car is a coupe,
by far the handsomest of the two
body styles.

Subtle sisting changes fave been
inade te the erilie and front and rear
bumpers. but otherwise the rakish,
low -front/high rear deck styling
renntins Ue same as it was in 189],

The coupe conunues to be pro-
pelled by aiongitudinally mounted
3.2-Hitre single overhead cam, 24
valve V6 ergine with 230 horse-

Greg
Wilson

TEST DRIVE

power (30 more than the sedan). A
unique six-speed manual transmis-
sion is standard equipment on the
coupe, but my test car had the
optional four-speed automatic trans:
mission.

This engine continues to provide
scuniess performance, revving
smoothly to its 6.700 cpm redline or
satling along ata feisurely 2.600
rpmiat FOO kin-b ta overdrive, As
before, the free-res ving V6 engine
is the Legend’s strongest point,

The four-speed automatic trans-
Mission has some weak points,
though, Under median to heavy
acceleration, it shifts rather abruptly
from first to second gear, and from
second to third. But under normal
acceleration, transitions are smooth.

And although the automatic
transmission does not have an ever
drive lockout button on the shift
handle. the shilt lever moves hitch
into third with just a kp on the lever

-adifterent method of locking out
fourth gear but with the same effect,

With a front to rear weight bal-
ane of 6G/40, the Legend lacks the
balanced 50/30 weight distribution
of rear-wheel-drive coupes, Though
ithas an independent double wish-
bone suspension, 16-inch alloy

wheels and V-rated Michelin
MXV4 215/55 radials, handling is
nat the Leyend’s forte. It's just too
nose-heavy. Those who want a high
performance touring coupe should
probably look elsewhere.

‘The speed-sensitive. variable
power-assisted steering has a light,
direct feel and a rather strong pull
back to centre position. Disc brakes
on all four wheels with standard
ABS provide excellent braking
characteristics, and traction control.
to prevent front-wheel spin, is stan-
dard on all Legends.

A bright. airy, attractive cockpit
with a sporty flair seats four passen-
gers. The two front passengers have
adequate head and legroom, but rear
legroom is a tight fit if the front seat
is positioned back.

The Legend's rear seating area
accommodates two passengers in
bucket-like suats with a fold-down
cenire armrest. Unfortunately, the
front passenger seat does not auto-
matically move forwards when the
seatback is pulled down, making it
difficult for passengers to squeeze
iO the rear seat,

The rear side windows actually
roll dawn, which is anusaat fora
coupe. Tn this case they roll down
about four-titths of the waty.

Various electrically operated
gatdvels create a secies of whitting
sounds eich time you get in and out

Price as tested: $51.000

Type: two-door, four passenger
luxury coupe

Layout: longitudinal
engine/ront- wheel-drive
Engine: 3.2 titre V6, SOHC (2),
valves. variably induction, pro-
grammed fuel injection
Horsepower: 230 @ 6.200 mpm
Torque: 206 ft-lbs. @ 3.600 rpm
Transmission: four-speed auto-
ukitte (six-speed manual)

Tires: 215/55VR-16

front

of the car. The seatbelt moves in
and out of the way for rear passen-
gers, the tilt steering wheel retracts,
and the door closes electrically.

Standard interior features
include a new electrically operated
tilt/telescoping steering wheel, dual
airbags, climate control, lacquered
medium-dark wood trim on lower
dash and doors. dual seat heaters,
power locks, power sunroof, anti-
theft system, heated power mirrors,
pull-out cupholder, and a Bose
AM/FM sterco cassette system with
auxiliary radio controls in the steer-
ing wheel hub.

i found the heating/ventilation
controls somewhat complicated. For
example, the fan speed button
allows you to increase fan speed but
not decrease it until you reach the
highest speed.

The Legend's trunk is quite big
for a coupe (14 cubic feet) but the
rear seat does not fold down to
increase space.

The current Legend has many
More competitors than it did seven
years ago,

The two-door Legend coupe
goes up against the Buick Riviera,
Cadillac Eldorado touring coupe,
Lincoln Mark VIEL, BMW 325is
and Subaru SVX.

Curiously, neither Leaus nor
latinii have a two-door coupe ia
the Legend's price range.

Wheelbase: 2.830 mm (1114 in
Length: 4.890 mm (192.5 in)
Width: £.810mm (76.2 ind
Height: 1.360 tom (53.5 in.)
Trunk capacity: 399 litres

Fuel consumption: City -— 13.0
L7L00Kon Hyey 9.3 E7L00km
Warranty: Basic 3
yes/60,000km; Powertrain: five
yrs/100,000km

Inquire about the Acura Legend at

Vancouver,