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 →
Missing my car guy on Father’s Day
My dad made me the car freak I am today This coming Father's Day will be my first without my dad as he passed away February 14th. At his funeral, I did the eulogy, and after rewriting it a couple of times, decided to go with a car theme comparing his qualities to the window... Continue Reading →
2019 Honda Pilot AWD Elite
Well-rounded Honda Pilot a stellar SUV ... Not that long ago Honda’s Pilot was a boxy ol’ thing that frankly was as stylish as a shoe box jacked up on 20-inch wheels. But like its chief rival, Toyota, Honda seems to have suddenly gotten the word that blah styling doesn’t help you stand out in... Continue Reading →
First Drive: Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Gladiator, more than just another mid-sized truck.
2019 Nissan Altima Edition One
Altima's engine main difference from Maxima … Outside of engines there’s not much difference between Nissan’s Maxima, tested a few weeks back, and the latest version of Nissan’s Altima. The sedans are nearly identical in size now, the Altima actually having a longer wheelbase than Maxima, which used to be the larger of the two.... Continue Reading →
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4WD Double Cab
Tacoma TRD Pro the ultimate Bro Truck ... A 20-something friend assures me Toyota’s Tacoma TRD Pro is a Bro Truck, or what us older guys would have called a boy toy. I know that has other connotations, but you get my drift. This Voodoo Blue TRD model, complete with 4-wheel-drive and in double cab... Continue Reading →
2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure AWD
Practical RAV4 muscles up its exterior ... There’s no denying that Toyota has done well with its RAV4, one of the first small SUV/crossovers on the market, and it continues to be among the most popular in its segment. For 2019 Toyota restyles the RAV4 to give it a more chiseled nose that easily calls... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Automodello 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V
1978 Mark V marked Ford's Diamond Jubilee … For a time in the 1960s and ‘70s luxury meant length in the auto world and there’s probably no finer example than Lincoln’s Continental Mark V. This was the best-selling Mark series Lincoln at more than 228,000 units and was the longest two-door coupe ever sold by... Continue Reading →