(Used) Devon test drives the redesigned Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle has always been regarded as a chick car. With a large portion of its buyers being female. Now Volkswagen has decided to change up the Beetle formula. Giving it a more masculine design and a dose of sport to help shape up its new image, but has it worked? Let's find out.

Performance: There's two engines available with the Beetle. A familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 170hp and a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 200hp. Pick of the bunch is the turbo engine. It's the most fun to drive form of the Beetle. There's plenty of punch and fuel economy isn't that much different than the 2.5. 

Ride & Handling: The Beetle features two different rear supsension setups. The turbo forms offer a multi-link arrangement from the GTI. In this form, body sway is well controlled and there's plenty of sideways grip. The lower trims have a more basic rear suspension set up which doesn't feel as sporty as the turbo forms. Both suspensions however offer a firm ride at low speeds and steering is quite slow to react. 

Refinement: The Beetle is generally refined, although the frameless doors generate quite a bit of wind noise. The turbo engine also generates quite a bit of induction roar. The DSG gearbox is generally smooth, but it can be jerky at low speeds. 

Behind the wheel: The Beetle's dashboard has been inspired by the original. This means its taller than in most modern cars and has a squared off front. You can go even further with the retro vibe and have the dashboard painted the same color as the car. All of the switches and controls are clearly laid out and easy to operate. 

Space & Practicality: The Beetle only has four seats. There's plenty of room in the front for people of all shapes and sizes. The back seats however are cramped. The boot is a decent size, almost as much room as you'd find in a Golf. The sloped bootlid makes it difficult to carry tall items. 

Equipment: The Beetle comes with an array of trim levels to choose from. The base trim offers cd-player, air-con, Bluetooth and electronic stability control. Turbo form offers a rear spoiler, 18 inch alloy wheels and sport cloth seats. Top of the range offers an upgraded sound system, navigation system, leather seating surfaces and a sunroof. 

Buying & Owning: The base trim of the Beetle cost a few thousand more than a two-door Golf. So its not really all that cheap to buy and discounts will be hard to comeby as the Beetle was just redesigned. Resale value is too soon rate. Fuel economy is decent which means running costs shouldn't be too bad. 

Quality and Reliability: The Beetle's interior trim feels a bit cheap in some areas. You'll find softer feeling plastics in a Golf, for example the plastics on the center console and around the front center armrest are hard and scratchy. At least most of the switches and controls feel weighty. Underneath, the Beetle shares most of its parts with the Golf, so reliability should be good. 

Safety & Security: The Beetle comes with side-curtian airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. Not to mention the reputation of Volkswagen safety. On the security front, you get an alarm, deadlocks and a visible VIN with plenty of marked parts. 

The redesigned Beetle pushes all the right buttons. The new design is much more sporty, with a more retro interior to match that of the original. However the Beetle once again chooses style over practicality. You can buy a two-door Golf for less money if you want the extra space for rear passengers and boot space. But you'll be missing the point of the Beetle. It's a retro-throw back to the original, offers a nicer interior and is more engaging to drive than the pervious form. If you desire a car that stands out and don't mind the compromised practicality, this car is well worth the look.

Devon's Pick: The Turbo form makes the most sense. It's the most exciting to drive all while being not too much more expensive than the 2.5. Running costs are decent and equipment is also decent. 

Devon M 

(Used) Devon drives a car with "Bling-Bling" factor

Likes: Stylish exterior styling, roomy for eight passegners, available hybrid model, high-class image.

Dislikes: Seriously expensive starting price, and options will send price sky high. Running costs will be high, bulky size makes it a chore to park and live with in urban areas.

The Cadillac Escalade has been popular since its launch in 1999. There has been no other SUV that has gotten as much hype as the Escalade. Appearing in music videos, being mentioned in song lyrics and seen as the vehicle to have by many Hip/Hop Artists and movie stars. But does the Escalade suffer from all style and no substance?

Performance: The Escalade comes with a 6.2-liter eight-cylinder engine. The base trim comes with 403hp, and a two-mode hybrid with 332hp. The pick of the bunch is the base engine output. It's still quite expensive, but is far cheaper compared to the hybrid model. There's effortless power on the motorway and plenty of towing capability. The Hybrid commands a premium price and not much difference in fuel economy. You'll have to do tons of motorway driving to really get your moneys worth.

Ride & Handling: The Escalade has a soft suspension, which does a good job at isolating occupants from most bumps. But it never feels settled on patchy surfaces, and body movements are poorly controlled. The steering has very little feedback, and the sheer size of the car makes driving on narrow city roads hard work.

Refinement: The big engine is hushed at steady motorway speeds. The V8 emits a lovely rumble under heavy acceleration. Road noise isn't a big problem, but the Escalade is about as aerodynamic as a tower block so wind noise intrudes into the cabin at high levels.

Behind the wheel: You sit high in the Escalade, so all round visibility is good. Shorter drivers will have a harder time getting comfortable. Although the pedals adjust for reach, the steering wheel only adjusts for angle. This makes driving position awkward for some. The heater controls are fiddly too.

Space & Practicality: The Escalade has seating up to eight with a well laid out formation. But you won't get three adults in the third row because shoulder room is tight. The boot isn't massive, and the rear seats don't fold flat. You'll have to remove them to get the full cargo capacity.

Equipment: There are four trim levels available. All of them are well equipped, but the options will send the price soaring. Tri-zone climate control, six-disc CD-changer and parking sensors are standard equipment. Satellite navigation system and rear-seat DVD entertainment system are optional.

Buying & Owning: The Escalade has the bling looks that attracts many premier buyers. You'll need their wages to run one, because the Escalade is quite expensive to run. Fuel economy is low, and the price tag is high. Even the hybrid commands a high premium over the the base engine. The V8 engine is thirsty and you'll struggle in large parking lots and tight urban areas. Insurance rates are high, and theft rates are also high for this vehicle. The Escalade won't hold its value as well as its rivals.

Quality & Reliability: The dash plastics feel and look cheap. Some interior fittings feel flimsy and you can hear lots of rattles and creaks when driving over rough surfaces. Reliability of the electronics may be a bit of a worry.

Safety & Reliability: Twin front and side curtain airbags come standard across the range. The side curtain airbags covers all three rows. Stability control helps keep you on the road. Deadlocks and an alarm is fitted as standard.

The Cadillac offers tons of bling in its styling. It's stylish, and has tons of appeal to high class buyers. But one has to ask themself, is it really worth it? There are rivals that are better to drive, easier to manuever and offer far better gas mileage than the Escalade. You'll buy one for the status of wealth, but there are so many drawbacks to consider. High running costs, iffy reliability record all count against it.

Devon M 

(Used) Devon takes a look at a Nissan Murano

Likes: Well equipped, smooth six-cylinder engine, roomy and comfortable to drive.

Dislikes: A bit strange looking, no base engine offered, not as sporty to drive as its looks suggest.

Crossovers are becoming more and more popular. They sit lower to the ground, and offer better fuel economy than many truck-based sport utility vehicles. The Nissan Murano uses the same engine from the 350Z, but has been detuned to 260hp. With so many other rivals catching up to the Murano, will this be a case of old dog old tricks?

Performance: There's only one engine available for the Murano, and that's a 3.5-liter six-cylinder. It's the same engine used in the 350Z, but only produces 260hp. Acceleration is brisk and effortless on the motorway, but the CVT-transmission is reluctant to allow the engine to rev. A base engine would be nice for those who seek the Murano's size, but better fuel economy.

Ride & Handling: The Murano isn't as sporty as the 350Z. The body leans in corners, because the suspension is softly tuned. The steering feels numb, and discourages sporty driving. Even though the car grips really well.

Refinement: The Murano is impressingly refined. THere's very little wind and road noise. The engine has a nice snarl when revved hard, but its never intrusive or loud. On the motorway, the Murano feels very comfortable and well laid back.

Behind the wheel: The steering wheel adjusts for reach and height, and the seats adjust eletrically. You won't struggle to find a comfortable driving position in the Murano. What's more, the layout of the controls is hard to find fault. Only hefty rear pillars let it down, but you do get two parking cameras as an option for limited the limited vision.

Space & Practicality: There's an impressive amount of space for five passengers. There isn't a third row seat option like in some rivals. This isn't a bad thing, as the boot is impressively large. The rear seats fold almost flat with a tug lever to increase space.

Equipment: The Murano comes well equipped for the price. Even the base trim comes with push button ignition, six-disc CD-changer and dual zone climate control. Higher trims offer a glass roof and leather seats. Top of the range offers Xenon-headlamps, chrome wheels and power lift tailgate.

Buying & Owning: The Murano is well equipped for the price. Even the base trim will satisfy most buyers. Strong resale values will help protect your investments. You'll need deep pockets to satisfy the six-cylinder's thirst for fuel.

Quality & reliability: The interior has a sense of logic behind it. Everything feels well laid out, and all the controls feel classy. Some switchgear feel cheap, but they feel sturdy and long lasting. Nissan has enjoy excellent reliability, with much not much worry of the mechanicals.

Safety & Security: Stability control is standard across the range, as well as side curtain airbags. Deadlocks, alarm and engine immobiliser make life for thieves hard.

The Murano is a decent crossover that's classy and well balanced for small families. It's not sporty, and looks the part. This may disappoint some buyers, and the lack of a base engine will put off some buyers. The six-cylinder is nice but some rivals offer lower powered engines to make the price more attractive. If you can overlook these few negatives, you'll find the Murano is a well suited crossover for small families.

Devon M 

Devon test drives an entry-level BMW (Used)

Call it whatever you like. The bottom of the range. The starting point into a luxury brand, or the baby of the BMW line-up. The 1-series is here to give those who can't afford a 3-series coupe reason to to think twice. But does the cheaper cost mean a less meaningful badge? Let's find out. 

Performance: The 1-series misses out on the silky 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's offered in the 3, 5, X1 and X3 range. That's not a bad thing however because you get the smooth 3-liter six-cylinders in both non-turbo and turbo forms. The base non-turbo form of the 1-series produces 230hp. While the mid-range and top of the range offer turbocharged forms of the six-cylinder producing 300hp and 320hp. The base trim is all you'll ever really need. It's quick and easy to drive around town and on the highway. The turbo forms command a higher price tag, but also add more to the fun department.

Ride & handling: The ride comfort is smooth most of the time. Patchy or  uneven road surfaces will upset the ride. Steering and body control are excellent. You can push through in bends with confidence.  If you option for the M-Sport package, you'll get a firmer suspension and larger alloys. This isn't always a good thing as the ride comfort gets overly firm to the point of unforgiving.  The engines are smooth and quiet, even whem pushed hard. Some road noise can be heard at highway speed as well as wind noise around the door mirrors.

Practicality: There is plenty of head and legroom up front. Getting in and out of the back is a bit of a chore. Rear seat space isn't the greatest, but most who will buy this car won't really care too much about that. The dashboard has a BMW minimalistic approach in design. Some of the controls and dials feel a bit below BMW standards. At this price point that can be a deal breaker for some. Given the small size of the 1-series the boot offers decent amount of space.

Equipment: All trims are well equipped. The M-Sport models have body-kit, firmer suspension and larger alloys. Automatic headlights, windshield wipers and sports seats are standard across the range. You'll have to pay extra for comfort access and Xenon headlights.

Buying & Owning: Running costs should be reasonable if you stick with the base trim. The higher the trim you climb the more powerful the engine gets. Which has both positives and negatives. The 1-series will have rock solid resale value just like all other BMW models. Buying one won't be cheap though and discounts are hard to come by.

Reliability & Safety: Some bits and materials used in the cabin feel a bit cheap. This may be a deal breaker for those who are used to a higher standard from BMW. Then again this is a BMW that sits at the 'bottom' of the range. Reliability should be good seeing that BMW has been improving over the years. Six-airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability control all come standard. Deadlocks and a theft deterrent come standard, while an anti-theft alarm is only optional.

The BMW 1-series is the entry level BMW, but offers the dynamics and fun to drive nature of a BMW. The engines are smooth and the handling is BMW sharp. However, some materials used in the cabin feel a bit below BMW standards. Plus the price gap between this and the 3-series isn't huge. There are better and cheaper rivals, but none offer the charm the 1-series offers and that's much better than it's rivals.

Devon's Pick: The 128i makes the most sense financially. It  may seem like the watered down 1-series compared to the turbocharged 135i and 135is. If you are trying to get the 1-series at the most bargain price this is your best bet. Stay clear of the options list and you can get the 128i at a decent price.

Likes: Just as fun to drive as a 3-series coupe minus the price tag. BMW minimalistic approach to dashboard design.

Dislikes: Price can sky rocket quickly with options. Some cabin materials feel a bit below BMW standards.

Devon M

(Used) Devon test drives a Hyundai Tucson

Looking for the best value for money? The Hyundai Tucson maybe one of those vehicles you'd want to consider. But with the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue, Hyundai has a tough gig on its hands.

The standard 2-liter four-cylinder produces 164hp. It's a great engine but feels gutless when you want to really put your foot down. The 2.4 is a much better choice. It produces 182hp and is much more suitable for those who want that extra oomph on the highway. Both engines can be had with optional all-wheel-drive. But we think that it's best to have this with front-wheel-drive unless you really need the extra traction.

If you want fun to drive you best look at the Ford Escape or Volkswagen Tiguan. You won't really find too much thrills behind the wheel of the Tucson. The suspension is geared more towards comfort rather than handling so there's a bit more body roll than we'd like. But at least the ride is smooth and decent around town. Its sad that the suppleness of the ride fades away over rough surfaces. It's not as composed as the class best. The steering is overly light and lacks feedback. At least wind and road noise are well hidden in the cabin.

All the controls are within easy reach of the driver's hand and the driver's seat does offer plenty of support for drivers of all sizes. The rear seat offers ample room and has enough space for five if the passengers are willing to share out the space. Boot space is about average with rivals but its not class leading.

Standard GLS trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, air-con, Bluetooth connectivity for your mobile phone, LED brake lights and six way adjustable driver's seat. You'll have to step up to the SE to get automatic headlights, roof rack, touch screen display and heated side mirrors. Top of the range Limted trim adds leather seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, push button ignition system and windshield wiper de-icer.

On paper the Tucson seems like a good deal. It's priced good and offers the longest warranty on any new car in America. But there are rivals that offer a more engaging driving experience plus resale value on them are much higher. However, if you prefer the peace of mind of a long warranty the Hyundai is a great choice. It's just not the best choice.

Likes: Long warranty. Decent amount of kit for a low asking price.

Dislikes: It's not engaging to drive and resale value should be a bit of a worry.

Devon's Pick: SE trim seems to offer everything that you'll ever really need without over paying. The engine offered is our favorite and the overall packaging is very compelling.

Devon Test drives a Volkwagen Jetta (Used)

The more Americanized Volkswagen Jetta is supposed to appeal more to buyers that haven't considered one before. With a lower asking price, and more interior space. Will the new Jetta offer more value than its keen rivals? The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Performance: The Jetta comes with two engines. A 2-liter four-cylinder with 115hp, and the familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder producing 170hp. The base engine is best avoided. Its sluggish and doesn't offer a fuel economy benefit over the five-cylinder engine. If you're you're after fuel economy or performance. Both the turbo-diesel and turbocharged 2-liter engine from the GTI will be available at the end of the year.

Ride & Handling: The Jetta feels well composed on most surfaces. The ride feels settled and irons out bumps. Although its bigger on the outside, Volkwagen has done a great job keeping the character of the Jetta the same.

Refinement: The Jetta offers a solid engineered feel. There's little wind and road noise at highway speeds. The base engine will fill the cabin with a drone when pushed hard.

Behind the wheel: No matter what driver sits behind the wheel of a Jetta. You'll find the ideal driving position for you. Visibility is good all-round, and the steering wheel adjusts for reach and height. The dash is laid out clearly, but rather bland and traditional. All controls are easy to use.

Space & Practicality: The Jetta is a bigger car. The extra length and width offer more cabin space. With plenty of space for five adults in the rear. The trunk has large and can hold more than the class favorites. The rear seats fold down 60/40 for more space.

Equipment: All Jetta vehicles come well equipped. The base trim loses out on a few features that most may desire, but its not seen as stingy. For a low asking price, you get air-conditioning, remote central locking and a full safety kit. However, alloy wheels aren't fitted on the base trim. You'll need to step up to the higher trims for iPod-connector, cruise control and split-folding rear seats.

Buying and owning: The base trim level is best avoided. The engine doesn't offer enough punch, and feels gutless at times. The trim with the 2.5 liter engine feels well worth the extra cash. If you go any higher, then the Jetta doesn't seem much of a bargain. Fuel economy is decent, and resale value continues to lead rivals.

Quality and Reliablity: The interior doesn't feel up to Volkwagen par, but they look and feel long lasting. Most mechanicals have been tried and tested, so there should be little to no worries. The DSG gearbox may cause some worries in long term reliablity.

Safety & Security: The Jetta comes with a very large safety kit. Side airbags, ESP and anti-lock brakes. Items that are not common among the class favorites. Deadlocks and alarm are fitted as standard.

Likes: Roomy interior and trunk, sophisticated alternate to the class leaders, German engineering at a lower price.
Dislikes: Bland styling inside out, base engine is embarrasing compared to rivals, some options should be standard across the range.
Overall: The more Americanized Volkswagen feel solid in build. With plenty of features for the money. However, you'll have to step up to the higher trims to get items that should be standard across the range. The base engine feels like an after thought, and should be avoided. 

New cars (we sit in & critique)

Toyota Avalon

Likes: The sportiest looking Avalon we've seen in a long time. Interior has improved dramatically as well. We can't wait to see what it's like to drive.

Dislikes: The front grille could have it's own postcode.

Overall: It's a massive step forward for the full-size sedans.



Honda Civic SI

Likes: It's still a special machine to drive compared to the mainstream Civics.

Dislikes: SI isn't available on the hatchback. It doesn't feel particularly faster than the non-SI turbo form.

Overall: A few extra horsepower and firmer suspension goes a long way.



BMW 4-series

Likes: It feels well-balanced and the turbo four-cylinder offers strong performance. It's much sleeker looking than the a 3-series.

Dislikes: The interior is lifted from a 3-series. BMW is stingy with the standard kit.

Overall: The 2-series is lighter and more engaging to drive.



Hyundai Sonata

Likes: It's more efficient, more stylish and more upscale than the previous generation.

Dislikes: It's not as engaging to drive as the looks suggest.

Overall: Value-minded buyers will rejoice with this one.



Smart Fortwo ED

Likes: It's one of the more affordable electric cars on the market. It's actually much easier to live with than the gasoline powered versions.

Dislikes: Limited appeal.

Overall: It's the smartest Smart ever.

Strange foods from around the world (part five) foods that can kill

Fugu

You can eat this dish fried, raw (sashimi), fugu sake, boiled or with miso. The liver and internal organs contain the deadly poison tetrodotoxin. 44 fatal incidents have been reported between 1996 - 2006.



Bullfrog

African nations eat the whole frog, not only the legs. It contains a variety of toxic substances that can cause kidney failure. Young frogs who have not yet started to mate are the most lethal.



Monkey Brain

It can be eaten raw, cooked or baked. It contains an illness called Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob diesase. This can turn your brain into goo and cause death.



Blood Clams

In Shanghai it is only quickly boiled. Contains many viruses and bacteria such as; hepatitis A, E, thyphoid and dysentery. More than 300,000 people were infected and 31 died in Shanghai in 1998. Around 15% of people that eat blood clams get infected.



Pangium Edule

Known as the fruit that nauseates. Eaten only after being boiled without their shells and soaked in water and burying in banana leaves and ash for a month. This dish is poisonous to humans as it contains hydrogen cyanide.

Strange foods from around the world (part four)

Stinkheads

What is up with burying food and digging it back out and eating it? This dish is a king salmon head that’s fermented buried for weeks then dug up and eat as a putty-like mush. Sounds fancy huh?



Shiokara

A dish made of pieces of meat taken from a selection of sea creatures, served in a brown and viscous paste of their own salted and fermented viscera. Yes it is served raw as this is a dish from Japan. I’m going to need a bucket after reading this.



Escamol

‘Insect caviar’, this dish consists of edible larvae and pupae of ants. It’s harvested in tequila and mescal plant. This is considered a delicacy and has the consistency of cottage cheese and a buttery nutty taste? Yeah this is one I’ll skip thanks.

Fried spiders 

Spiders freak me the fuck out! So this dish is what nightmares are made of (to me). It’s prepared by marinating it in MSG, sugar and salt then frying it in garlic. It has more meant on it than a grasshopper, but also has brown sludge in the abdomen which consist mainly innards, eggs and excrement. This just sounds so yummy! 

Sago Delight 

The Jing Leed is just creepy and this is creepier. When it’s eaten raw it is said to have a creamy taste to it, when it’s cooked it tastes like bacon. Seasoned and flavored the same way Jing Leed is and served side by side. It’s another dish that would leave me running for the barf bucket. 

Strange foods from around the world (part three)

Whale

Yes in Japan and well many other countries around the world you can enjoy whale meat. I highly doubt many of you would want to try it considering that it contains a high amounts of mercury and other toxins, which can cause organs to fail and madness. The whale does get its payback.



Cobra heart

They prepare this dish by cutting the cobra open in front of you and putting the cobra's heart into a shot glass that's also filled with blood. Yes, if you are feeling adventurous well this is the dish for you. Blood, meh no thanks!




Kangaroo Meat

Historically the staple meat for indigenous Australians, kangaroo is high in protein and low in fat, making it a pretty healthy choice. It’s gamey in flavour and served in multiple ways, from a simple steak to sausages or burgers. Although some animal groups are against the hunting and harvesting of kangaroos for meat, many ecologists see farming native animals as much better for the fragile Australian rangelands than cattle and say it could massively reduce greenhouse emissions.



Steak Tartare

It’s made up of good quality raw ground beef, served with onions, capers, raw egg and seasoned with Worcester sauce and other condiments, usually with rye bread or fries on the side. I love medium rare to near blue rare meat but I'm not entirely sure yet if I have the 'balls' to try this dish. However, it is certainly one of those dishes that I will try before I die.



Pickled Egg

The name says it all, it's a hardboiled egg that's been left to go cold and stuck in a jar of vinegar. The sour liquid penetrates right to the heart making the powdery yolk in the center very sour. I finally had the chance to try this and yuck! I nearly gagged to death. I will never eat another pickled egg as long as I live.

Strange foods from around the world (part two)

Century Egg

Yeah no thanks!
What is it? An egg that’s rotten to the point that the yolk either turns green or black and the white turns dark translucent brown jelly. It smells strongly of Sulphur and ammonia but most who have tried the dish say it tastes like hardboiled egg. Yuck!

Beondegi 

Mm nothing sounds amazing like silkworm that’s been boiled and/or steamed. Apparently it tastes like wood. Why is this even a dish? 

Witchetty Grub 

What kind of witchery is this? It can either be raw and tastes like almonds or cooked lightly where the appearance looks like roast chicken and the insides has the consistency of scrambled eggs. 

Escargots à la Bourguignonne
Snails cooked in a sauce of white wine, garlic, butter and parsley served in their shells. It is said to have a similar consistency to mussels or clams, few say that it has a rubbery taste. I don’t think I’ll ever try escargot in my lifetime but it doesn’t look as crazy as the rest of the dishes on this list. 

Strange foods from around the world (part one)

Haggis
A sheep’s heart, liver and lungs minced and mixed with onions, oatmeal suet and seasoned with salt and spices cooked inside the animal’s stomach. It doesn’t look bad in appearance until after you’ve read the ingredients and I’m pretty sure some will say no thanks

Tripe

What the fuck is tripe? It’s the stomach lining of various animals with a sponge-like honeycomb texture. The texture of the dish is very strange and not very appetizing. You’ll have to add various sauces to add flavor to it or accompany onions with it. 

Khash 

This dish is probably one of the most gruesome dishes I’ve ever seen. It was considered a winter comfort food but now a delicacy. It’s pretty much stewed cows feet and head. If you can get over the fact that you’re eating with a dish with a grinning dead skull starring at you, more power to you. 

Tuna eyeballs

Japan has many weird dishes and this is clearly one of them. Nothing about eating an eyeball sounds appetizing at all and according to sources it tastes similar to a squid or octopus. I guess there’s none of the gunk normally associated with slicing up eyeballs then? 

Black pudding (blood sausage)
I’ve never tried this dish but from what I’ve heard about it, it’s quite tasty. It’s congealed blood cooked up with various natural flavorings, thickening agents like suet and breadcrumbs and stuffed into a sausage skin. It doesn’t sound like a desert but a very interesting dish worth trying before you die. 

Hakarl
Part of the nope tour is this dish Hakarl. Yes this has to be one of the most vile dishes I’ve ever heard of. Harkal is the rotting carcus of a Greenland or basking shark, that’s buried underground in a shallow pit. It’s pressed with stones so all the poisonous internal fluids drain out and helps make the meat safe to eat. It has the smell of ammonia and a strong fishy-flavor. A known source once explained that this dish was probably the worst she had ever eaten in her life. 

Surstromming

Here’s a great way to really eat alone. Baltic Sea herring fermented with just enough salt to prevent it from rotting. When you open the can it releases a pungent aroma which is why it’s best to eat this dish outside; such a delightful dish. 

[Look back] Saab 9-5 sedan review

Likes: Swedish style inside out, roomy well laid out interior, you'll stand out from the crowd, smooth turbo engines.

Dislikes: May induce sticker shock, some wind and road noise on the motorway, head restraints pushed a bit too far forward.

Saab has been in dire times. With a transition of ownership and many financial problems almost leading to the company's death. But somehow the brand manages to stay alive. The 9-5 is one of the newest Saabs to show the future of the brand, and the direction of the company's styling. Jumping right into the competition with the BMW 5-series and Audi A6. Will Saab be able to keep up?

Performance: There are two engines available for the Saab 9-5. A 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 220hp, and a 2.8-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with 300hp. Pick of the bunch is the 2-liter turbo engine. It's the most engaging to drive, offers decent fuel economy and makes the most sense financially. The six-cylinder offers good pace, but comes at a price that's a little too expensive for some tastes.

Ride & Handling: The 9-5 handles and drives well. The base suspension feels rather softly sprung, so there's a bit of bodyroll. The sport suspension handles well, but the ride comfort is overly firm. The steering doesn't offer as much feel as you'd expect, but its far from disappointing. There's a three-mode electronic suspension system as an option.

Refinement: Wind and road noise is well supressed in town. On the highway, there's a bit of wind and road noise that enters the cabin. This is far from intrusive, and you'll enjoy the 9-5 on long distance driving. Especially on curves with the sports suspension.

Behind the wheel: Saab's interior is designed around the driver. The controls are within easy reach of the finger. Some controls are poorly marked, and are blocked by the gearlever on automatic models. The seats are comfortable, but the head restraints are pushed to far forward. This leaves your neck in a uncomfortable angle.

Space & Practicality: The longer wheelbase means more rear seat comfort than the pervious generation. The cabin is truly enormous, entry into through the rear passenger door is rather low. You'll have to stoop your head down to avoid banging it on the door frame. Rear passenger space is excellent, the the boot is massive. The rear seats fold down to increase space.

Equipment: The base 9-5 comes well equipped. Night panel, electric driver's seat, rain sensors and auto-dimming interior mirror is standard. The six-cylinders offer all-wheel-drive, and the top of the range offers a bodykit with Xenon headlamps and leather sport seats.

Buying & Owning: With Saab's near death in 2010, buying a new Saab seems rather risky. Resale value isn't as strong as its rivals, and finding one won't be easy as Saab isn't currently building any vehicles. But when production restarts, you'll find that Saab's long list of standard equipment is well worth the asking price.

Quality & Reliability: The 9-5 feels well put together. Many materials used feel classy, although some plastics feel hard to the touch. Everything feels quirky like all Saabs should feel. Reliability of the 9-5 has always been higher than the 9-3. So we expect reliability to be about average on the 9-5.

Safety & Security: If there's two things you'll never have to worry about with a Saab, that's safety and security. Side curtain airbags, stability control and anti-whiplash head restraints comes standard across the range. Security provisions include top-notch alarm and immobiliser.

Most people who buy Saab are those who want to stand out against German Rivals. It's distinctly styled, and priced well below that of BMW and Audi. You maybe a little disappointed with this irration of the 9-5. It's not as sporty as the previous form, and the sports suspension has a firm ride. But the 9-5 continues to provide that smile on owners faces that no other brand can provide.

Land Rover (short-drive) which one should we buy?

We're looking to replace our Mitsubishi Outlander Sport with something a bit more posh. The Land Rover Evoque we had wasn't the most reliable but it certainly wasn't that bad to own either. However, we do want to give Land Rover another go. The new Velar and Discovery are two strong considerations.



Land Rover Discovery Sport

Likes: It still lives up to Land Rover reputation for off-road capabilities. There's finally a more powerful engine option. Unique 5+2 seating configuration.

Dislikes: The auto gearbox often doesn't feel on the same page as the engine. We certainly wish there was a diesel engine option. Reliability is still iffy.

Overall: It's Land Rover's best selling model here for good reason.



Land Rover Velar

Likes: The most stylish Land Rover of the range. The interior is stunning to look at with very cool digital displays.

Dislikes: Finicky door handles and infotainment displays.

Overall: It's a home run from Land Rover.



Land Rover Evoque

Likes: A baby Land Rover that's still fully capable off-road. The convertible version is an oddball but we love it. More powerful engine option available.

Dislikes: The convertible is a bit pointless. Rear seat space is on the cramped side.

Overall: The Disco Sport is roomier and cheaper but a convertible SUV makes it even more intriguing.



Land Rover Discovery

Likes: It seats up to seven people. The electric folding seats are pretty cool. The diesel engine has the lowest running costs.

Dislikes: Reliability short-term and long-term still remain iffy.

Overall: It's quite literally our favorite Land Rover of the range.

Devon test drives a BMW 3-series (Used)

You could buy an Acura TSX an Audi A4 or even a Mercedes C-class. There's one car however that manages to stay on top of the crowd and tha'ts the BMW 3-series. It's the best BMW you can buy in the range. It's the most reliable and the most entertaining BMW of the group. So with this new redesign has BMW managed to keep the 3-series recipe in tip top shape? Or has it gone a bit too soft like the 5-series? Let's find out.

Performance: There are several engines to choose from. The base 320 offers a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 180hp. 328 trim adds 240hp from the same 2-liter engine. 328d trim adds a turbo-diesel engine with similar output to the 320 trim. 335 trim which is top of the 3-series sedan range offers a 3-liter turbocharged six-cylinder producing 300hp. Picking between the trims depends on the debths of your wallet. If you stick with either the 320 or 328 trim you'll get a reasonably priced 3-series, only if you stay away from the options list on both trims. We only suggest you opting for the diesel engine if you do tons of highway driving and need the fuel economy advantage. The six-cylinder is fast but also the most expensive of the range. We only suggest opting for this if you want the performance advantage of all other trims. Otherwise sticking with the 328 seems like the smarter choice.

On the road: It's rather disappointing that the standard 3-series doesn't feel as sharp as a BMW should unless you option for the adaptive suspension. This allows the 3-series to handle and drive the way a BMW should. This is a expensive option but well worth the extra money. Steering in the adaptive suspension option is sharper and well weighed. This is why we only suggest a 3-series in this configuration. The 3-series does a good job at isolating you from wind and road noise. The turbo-four-cylinders don't sound very appealing at idle. There's a consistant clatter noise that makes them sound like diesel engines. Even in the diesel configuration there is some clatter that can be heard at idle.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of space five passengers. The steering offers plenty of adjustments along with the driver's seat. The controls on the dash are easy to reach from the driver's seat with many functions operated through standard iDrive infotainment system. The system has been drastically improved and is now much easier to navigate through. There's plenty of space for two in the front and three can easily fit in the back. Although the middleman may not feel so comfortable. The boot offers generous amouns of space also.

Equipment: Entry level 30series gets climate control, alloy wheels and Bluetooh. Each trim offers all-wheel-drive optional as well as Xenon headlamps and parking sensors. You can also option for an M-sport package which gives the 3-series the looks of an M-sport car without the go. The sports suspension that's offered with the M-package has an overly firm ride. We prefer the adaptive suspension.

Buying & Owning: The 3-series seems a bit more expensive compared to its keen rivals. But the turbocharged four-cylinders and even the top of the range turbocharged six-cylinder offers superb fuel economy benefits. Stop/start technology is standard as well to help reduce running costs. Resale value is ultra competitive and should hold up very well when it comes to selling.

Quality & Safety: The materials used inside the cabin are typical BMW classy. It's not as classy as an Audi A4 or Volvo S60 however. Fit and finish is just as good as its keen rivals. Reliability is reasonable but questionable after the warranty is over. Optioning for an extended warranty is highly recommended. All 3-series come standard with six airbags, stability control and dynamic brake control. Traction control comes standard as well as anti-lock brakes. Active lane departure warning is optional as well as an alarm system.

The 3-series seems to be the king of the compact sports sedan segment. Even with rivals such as the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class. If you stay clear of the options list you can get a decently equipped 3-series well worth the money. However, the only downside is the adaptive suspension is an expensive option. It helps the 3-series drive and handle the way a BMW should. Without this configuration the 3-series is disappointing to drive. Plus its hard to justify the premium of the diesel or hybrid models unless you do tons of highway driving to justify the steep price. If you can overlook these few little negatives, the 3-series is worth considering. 

Likes: Strong performance from turbo engines. Good fuel economy. Steering and handling are excellent. Luxurious and spacious cabin.

Dislikes: Without the adaptive suspension the 3-series doesn't handle like it should. The turbo four-cylinders sound like diesel engines at idle. The options send the price into 5-series territory.

Performance: All engines give strong performance. ****
Ride & handling: Handling is sharp with expensive option. ***
Refinement: Some wind noise can get annoying. ***
Reliability: Reasonable but not still questionable. ***
Safety: It's good all round. ****
Behind the wheel: Plenty of room with luxurious interior. ****
Equipment: Decent kit but desirable options you'll have to pay for. ***

Devon M

Food to die for (literally) - Part One

Ackee
This pear-shaped fruit (the national fruit of Jamacia) contains toxins that can suppress the body's ability to release an extra supply of glucose, plunging one's blood sugar level and potentially leading to death.




Japanese Puffer Fish
This fish has a killer taste (literally!). The puffer fish's skin and certain organs contain tetrodotoxin, an extremely poisonous toxin that can paralyze a human and lead to asphyxiation (choking). However fugu, as it is called in Japanese, has been eaten for hundreds of years in Japan, where expert chefs serve it as a delicacy. Chefs that serve fugu must go under extreme training and are licensed to prepare the dish. One trop of the clear, tasteless liquid is enough to kill almost instantly. Those who dine on this deadly delight swear fugu's liver is the most delectable part but it's also the most lethal. It's claimed that some master fugu chefs purposefully allow a tiny amount of toxin to remain in the fish's flesh to cause a tingling sensation on the diners tongue.



Almonds
This popular snack food can not be eaten raw and unprocessed, because the amount of cyanide contained in each of them. New Zealand has banned them and the U.S. monitors the cleaning and heating process of them very carefully. This is why almonds aren't cheap to buy.



Casu Marzu
Want a delectable Italian Herb? Whatever you do make sure that if you're flying to northern Italy that you avoid this dish. Casu Marzu is made from sheep milk cheese that literally contains thousands of fly eggs in the cheese. The result is a maggot-infested, decomposing mess. Some of the finer restaurants that still stubbornly serve this 'treat' provide the diner with a pair of goggles to protect the eyes. Yes it is served in some fine restaurants! The maggots are served alive-- once they die the cheese quicly becomes more toxic. The cheese is so acidic it burns the mouth--the result of rotting cheese having been drenched with hundreds of maggots' digestive juice.

The Wriggling larvae are not digested by the body, but survive the human digestive tract long enough to breed. The aggressive and hungry hatching attempt to eat through the intestinal walls casing intense pain, violent vomiting, bloody stools and even death. ome of the finer restaurants that
Usually.



Sannakji (Live Baby Octopus)
Baby Octopus is considered a delicacy, and many Japanese and Koreans will serve it as a special treat to honored guest who come to dinner. In Korea, "Sannakji" is served live. Ever remember you parents telling you to not play with your food? With this dish you have to fight with your food. The tentacles fight back as you try to eat them. Pieces will crawl up your chopsticks, wrap themselves stubbornly around them. They'll grab onto your nose, lips, teeh gums tongue --even the roof of your mouth-- in a desperate attempt not to go down your throat. When you finally get the rubbery, writhing, squrimming bits down your throat, make sure you've chewed them sufficiently. A significant number of people nearly choke to death on this living dish virturally every day. Some find they've taken too big a "bite" and the tentacles exact revenge by clogging up the diner's throat and cutting off air supply. Sadly, dozens find "sannakji" their last meal.



Cassava
This is one of the world's popular staple food. Cassava is often used to make tropical delicacy in the form of tapioca, starch or flour. If not properly washed or cooked, Cassava leaves and roots contain toxin called cyanide which is fatal to humans even in small doses.



Blood Clams
In China thse clams are only flash-boiled and can contain deadly viruses like hepatitis A, E, thyphoid and dysentery. Because they are only partially cooked, the clams become a dangerous treat.