Mazda3 hatch with AWD is sleek, fast and fun ... I’ve owned a couple Mazdas through the years. I’ve liked them for their sporty handling and edgy styling that set them apart from many competitors. The new 2019 Mazda3 Hatchback does nothing to spoil those differentiators, in fact it improves on the looks and upgrades... Continue Reading →
Diecast: NEO’s 1956 DeSoto Firedome
Pink DeSoto Firedome will light up a display case … Pink was a hot color in the 1950s. Think Florida, think flamingos, think the Latin influence of Cuba and Desi and Lucy. Two-tone cars also were all the rage as the nation climbed out of the gloomy war years into the bustling 1950s. So, a... Continue Reading →
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T FWD
Hyundai's Santa Fe should be on your test drive list ... If you’re in the market for a compact crossover there’d better be a good reason you haven’t test driven a Hyundai Santa Fe yet. You’d be crazy not to. The 5-passenger Santa Fe, formerly the Santa Fe Sport, practically sets the bar for this... Continue Reading →
2019 Genesis G70 AWD 3.3T Prestige
New G70 luxury sport sedan delivers kick-butt performance, value … Hyundai cranks up the heat on Japanese and European luxury sport sedan makers with its new “entry level” Genesis G70. It’s long on performance and luxury, but modestly short on price. OK, the tested pearly “Casablanca White” AWD 3.3T model equipped with Prestige and Elite... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Brumm Mercedes W196 and Ferrari 500F2
Brumm's latest among its greatest 1/43 releases … Italy’s Brumm excels at making sharp-looking vintage racers in 1/43 scale at an affordable price. These are fine collectables because they come handsomely packaged, easily stackable, and nicely detailed, often for less than $45. Last issue we told you of the 50th Anniversary release of a slightly... Continue Reading →
2019 Kia Optima SX Turbo
Optima Turbo is comfy, fast, high-value sport sedan for families … If you prefer driving a car rather than a truck or crossover and have been searching for the perfect sport sedan that will fit your budget, yet carry five folks comfortably, look no further. Kia’s Optima SX Turbo wants to be your playmate. It’s... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: NEO 1970 Pontiac GTO, The Judge
The Judge was Pontiac's ultimate torque master … By 1970 the muscle car craze had reached its peak and the Big 3 were mining niches in the muscle car vain with special models to maximize revenue These niche muscle machines were aimed directly at the most extreme torque-loving buyers. Into this world came Pontiac’s 1970... Continue Reading →
2019 Mazda CX-5 Signature AWD
Mazda CX-5 delivers looks, power and sports sedan handling … Mazda may have dumped its zoom-zoom tagline, but the Japanese car maker hasn’t eliminated it from its vehicles, witness the CX-5 compact crossover. While most car makers are happy to offer decent power, meh handling and a useful interior, Mazda doubles down on excellent power,... Continue Reading →
2019 Volvo V60 T6 AWD Inscription
Volvo V60 brings style to station wagons ... Something strange happened as I was testing Volvo’s new wagon, the V60. People waved and gave me an approving thumbs up. A young man yelled to me at the gas station, “awesome car.” I remind you, this was a wagon. Is it possible we’ve started to tire... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Replicarz 1952 Indy 500 Winner, Agajanian Special
New 1/43 Indy Winner a colorful replica of Ruttman's racer … If you’re an Indy 500 nut like me you’ll recognize Troy Ruttman’s name, otherwise he might be a mystery, or vague memory to you. There’s a reason for that. Ruttman won the 1952 Indianapolis 500, but never won another IndyCar race during his long... Continue Reading →