2013 Ford Escape Titanium 4WD

Titanium edition pricy as a near premium small ute Let’s start with the shocking part, the price. The tested Ford Escape listed at $34,735. Granted this IS the top-of-the-line 2013 Escape Titanium 4WD, but that price is near premium small-ute territory, one where you expect a luxury nameplate. By adding the Titanium moniker it means... Continue Reading →

September 29, 2012 0

Promo model: Nash Metropolitan

In the early 50's most of the car manufacturers were going the "bigger is better" route. Nash Motor Company executives were examining the market to offer American buyers an economical transportation alternative. In came the Nash Metropolitan. Wait a minute, isn't the all coming around again with cars like the Fiat 500 and Smart Car? Same concept,... Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012 2

Art by Design: The Automobile

Since it was nice this past weekend, I hopped on my motorcycle and took a ride to the Wilson Center in Brookfield, WI for an art show. No wait, not just an "art show". Sure they had paintings, which I barely glanced at, but they also had some pretty cool cars which are really rolling... Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012 0

2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SV

Refined family sedan with superb CVT deserves its due As in the political world where the frontrunners get all the hype and some worthy candidates get brushed to the sidelines or back pages, Nissan’s Altima doesn’t always get its due. That may be about to change. The 2013 Altima has been revamped to be slightly wider and... Continue Reading →

September 15, 2012 0

Die-cast: 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500

Shelby Mustang gorgeous in red, well priced There may be something sweeter and more nostalgic than a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500, but I can’t think just what. Autoart outdoes itself with this gorgeous red 1:18 diecast with broad white LeMans stripes nose to tail and at a relatively low MSRP of 164.90. Let’s face it,... Continue Reading →

September 1, 2012 0

2012 MINI JCW Cooper Coupe

Two-seater delivers attitude, power, performance - at a high cost Perfect timing! I had just driven the raciest version of Fiat’s tiny 500, the Abarth, when an even racier MINI Cooper Coupe, the John Cooper Works, or JCW, edition slotted into the test garage. The Coupe is MINI’s new model, with no back seat and... Continue Reading →