Sunday, October 2, 2011

2011 Honda Accord vs. 2011 Kia Optima

It's no secret but the Honda and Acura Examiner is crazy about the 2011 Kia Optima and thinks it stands and the biggest competitor for the 2011 Honda Accord. Well, not yet with driving dynamics but we'll get to that later. (the Kia is Audi-like, the Accord is nimble like a BMW), both have intuitive electronic systems like navigation and voice activation as well as the best leather trimmed interiors in the family sedan class. It is funny, however, that even though our test Optima EX had more "ooh-aah" type features that it cost nearly $28,000 and the Accord SE $23,370 nicely equipped for most people's desires. Really, is every Optima buyer going to demand the (admittedly awesome) dual pane power moonroof, ventilated/heated front seats, the back-up camera and an 8-speaker Infinitiy sound system (the Accord SE's 6-speaker unit was perfectly adequate barring its lack of USB/iPod integration which is available on Accord EX models and above.)

Picture by Todd M. Allen
Quite honestly, the only reason we wouldn't buy the 2011 Honda Accord SE is because it doesn't a USB/iPod integration port which lessens driver distraction as it moves song/album/playlist control to your radio faceplate or even sometimes the steering wheel mounted audio controls. Both Honda and Kia are experts are USB/iPod integration and the Accord really needs to catch up on that game especially considering the hi-tech i-MID super in-car electronics system now in every 2012 Civic. But even priced similarly to the Honda, the Optima doesn't have much of a feature advantage besides the longer warranty and perhaps dual zone climate control. The Accord makes do with regular air conditioning knobs so if things like that sway you, well, that's an insult to the Kia. Because finally it's good enough to be purchased solely on its own many merits. And we are saying that as staunch Honda fans, we just think Kia deserves that same respect from owners when they buy their cars. It's finally their time to get more respect.

To Read the Full Comparison Click Here NOW!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

‘Dancing With the Stars’: Nancy Grace on Dance Floor Drama

analyzing courtroom drama is Nancy Grace‘s specialty, but the legal analyst herself was the focus of major drama on the “DWtS” dance floor when she allegedly had a wardrobe malfunction during an energetic performance of the quickstep. Grace told “Good Morning america” today that she stands behind her denial, issued on twitter, saying she wears an “industrial strength bra.”

“that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Whatever anybody else wants to say, have at it,” Grace said today. “You’d have to see all the precautions that ‘Dancing With the Stars‘ takes so that that sort of thing doesn’t happen. I’m just really surprised that a bra incident would make headlines.”

No matter what did or didn’t happen during that dance, one thing’s for sure — Grace pulled off one of the biggest week-to-week turnarounds in the show’s history with that quickstep, even earning an 8 from notoriously-picky judge Len Goodman.

“that’s what we’re looking for. We’re looking for 8s all the time from everybody,” said Grace’s pro partner tristan MacManus. “So I was delighted to get our first one. Hopefully it’s the first of many.”

MacManus, one of the new male dance pros this season, is determined to make Grace into a real dancer. that means hours upon hours of rehearsals and occasionally butting heads with a stubborn Grace.

“We were still in the rehearsal hall, working until 9:30 last night. When I got home my twins were already asleep, so we’ve been putting in a lot of hours on our next dance. a lot,” Grace said. “I couldn’t expect a better instructor than tristan, but I got to tell you the grunt level is really going up in rehearsals. every time I make a mistake, he goes, ‘Ugh.’ and moves me in the right place. …I hear him go, ‘Ugh.’”

Grace’s response is to roll her eyes, MacManus, 29, joked. “We’re getting on well. We’re working hard together,” he added.

“I knew that it would require a lot of work, but it’s actually grueling. Sometimes five to eight, over eight hours of practice a day. You don’t just get out there and do the quick step like that without intensive preparation, but it’s actually fun,” she said.

Grace and the 10 remaining celebrity competitors take to the dance floor for their third dance Monday night at 8/7c on “Dancing with the Stars.”