This week in Car Tech

The Porsche that turned me around
Other than a brief obsession with the 928, I've never been a Porsche fan. Maybe because my first car was a Volkswagen Beetle, or maybe because most Porsches I saw through the years were variations on the 911, which didn't see much change year after year. But a 911 finally made me appreciate Porsche. We got the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet in for review and after driving it extensively over twisty roads, I finally get it. First, I respect the fact that Porsche didn't try and shoehorn in some massive engine, instead refining its flat six to deliver power with efficiency. Few 355 horsepower cars can get better than 20 mpg. And second, the handling was incredibly good due to an all-wheel-drive system and some impressive suspension tech. Take a look at the full review, plus a similarly glowing video review by Brian Cooley. Read the full review

Garmin Nuvi 660
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Garmin Nuvi 350
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TomTom GO 720
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Garmin Nuvi 200
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Magellan Maestro 4250
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2008 Volkswagen Jetta SE
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta offers a lot of good driving gear and a comfortable cabin for a low price in an attractive package. However, its cabin tech options are generally lacking. Read more

Sony CDX-GT420U
If you've got $130 and want a system that plays MP3s from a range of sources, the CDX-GT420U is a good bet. If you're looking for something visually or acoustically refined, look higher up on Sony's model lineup. Read more

Parrot 3200 LS Color
The Parrot 3200 LS Color combines everything we like about previous Parrot devices--including a simple control interface and a great voice recognition system--with a striking color display. The result is an attractive, easy-to-use, aftermarket hands-free calling device. Read more

2008 Ford Mustang V-6 Premium Convertible
While the 2008 Ford Mustang Convertible looks and feels good, it doesn't have much performance to back it up. Its cabin tech gets the job done, but offers only a couple of advanced features. Read more

Survey finds Calif. drivers spotty on cell phone ban
Kevin Massy
Associate Editor
With less than three months to go before the State of California outlaws using a cell phone while driving, nearly half of California drivers are unaware of when the ban kicks in, according to a recent survey. Polling of 400 licensed drivers by Plantronics (a maker of Bluetooth headsets, as it happens) and market research firm TNS found that 44 percent did not know when the legislation goes into effect and that 72 percent did not have "strong familiarity" with what the ban encompasses. Read more

Prius and aftermarket audio
Posted by Paul30a
I want to put a 600-watt aftermarket audio system in my 08 Prius. Can this hurt my car? I would be having the audio run through the 12V battery that is fed by the regenerating hybrid battery. I have heard everything from "you can't do it!," "It will hurt the MPG," to "Yeah sure, just throw it in." I'm trying to find a definitive answer that plagues many people trying to buy a hybrid, or just want to make an upgrade. Thank you, Paul Read more 

• 1. 2008 Audi S5
• 2. 2008 BMW 535i
• 3. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport
• 4. 2008 Cadillac CTS
• 5. 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Quattro
• 6. 2008 Volvo C30
• 7. 2008 Scion xB
• 8. 2008 Saturn Vue XR
• 9. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe
• 10. 2008 Ford Focus SES

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