CITY LIFE - Car Corner [CITYSunTimes October 2009]

CAR CORNER

Listen to Bill Z. and Cathy D. every Saturday from 6-8pm on KKNT 960AM. To read more in-depth reviews, go to twofortheroadusa.com.

Race Helps Steer Breast Cancer Awareness

race for awareness

This year, a number of courageous women are driving an important cause by getting behind the wheel.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the United States. More than 180,000 women will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and more than 40,000 will die from it.
While family history does play a role in whether or not a woman will develop breast cancer, current research finds that 85 percent of women with the disease actually have no family history of breast cancer. Fortunately, according to the American Cancer Society, when the cancer is confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent.
This October, hundreds of women will join together with their race teams to participate in one of the industry’s largest woman-dominated races to help Cedars-Sinai Women’s Breast Cancer Research Institute.
The Royal Purple Powder Puff Race for the Cure is the largest all-women driver event, which brings teams in from all over the country. All vehicles in the race run a 20-mile Mojave off-road loop and compete with vehicles split up into two different heats. Last year, the race reached an all-time high with more than 160 teams racing and donations of more than $115,000.
The 4th Annual Royal Purple Powder Puff Race for the Cure will take place in Barstow, California, October 9-10. To learn more, visit powderpuffrace.org.

Learn more about local breast cancer awareness events in our October issue, on stands and online.

CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives October 2009
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CITYLife

2009 Toyota Sienna
A minivan with a bit of a fun factor

2009 Toyota Sienna

By Bill Zervakos and Cathy Droz, tworfortheroadusa.com

The Sienna is Toyota’s popular minivan that replaced the innovative, but not-so-popular, Previa as a 1998 model. The first-generation Sienna was based on the Camry platform, and was built on the same assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky. The current second-generation Sienna was unveiled at the 2003 North American International Auto Show and went on sale in April, 2003. The 2009 Toyota Sienna continues primarily unchanged with a few minor updates including a new overhead console, 17-inch alloy wheels available for LE and some new exterior colors.
There are four trim lines from the base CE to the LE, XLE and the Limited with prices starting at $24,540 for the CE and the Limited basing at $35,665. The updated LE Premium package includes a 360-watt JBL Synthesis AM/FM/CD audio system with six-disc changer and six speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and rear-seat entertainment system. The Sienna features Toyota’s Star Safety System, a combination of five safety features standard on Sienna: Vehicle Stability Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist.
Inside, the Sienna feels rich with very comfortable seating areas simulated wood grain trim, and with the power side doors and power tailgate, getting in and out or loading groceries is a breeze. The seven passenger van offers second row index seating where you can have the chairs side by side or separated for a walkway to the rear while the eight passenger configuration allows for a booster seat in the middle of the second row within easy reach of the front seats. The 60/40 split and stow third seats fold flat into the floor allowing for plenty of cargo room. With the rear seat entertainment system, traveling with the young ones is made a whole lot easier than it was in my day and it certainly makes road trips a lot easier for the whole family.
The 3.5-liter, V6 engine is smooth and strong, delivering 266hp and 245 lb-ft of torque and Sienna is rated as a ULEV, Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle with EPA ratings of 17/23. Mated to an ECT-i intelligent electronically controlled five-speed automatic overdrive transmission, the V6 engine moves Sienna off the line quickly and makes passing at speed or handling hills a breeze.
I’ve talked about how much suspension technology has changed over the years and it’s been especially important in the minivan genre, making the ride much more balanced and handling better, which means more secure and responsive. It made driving this minivan a whole lot more pleasurable for me. I am not your prototypical minivan demographic to be sure, but if I were, the Sienna would certainly be on my short list of must-drives. All-wheel drive is optional but at the cost of some fuel economy and a firmer ride.
If you need an all purpose family vehicle, the Toyota Sienna can certainly fill the bill. Big without being bulky, peppy without sacrificing fuel economy, all starting at under $25,000. For more on the Sienna, go to toyota.com/sienna.

CITYLife Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes October 2009