Sexy Aston Martin Vantage a brilliant Le Mans racer ... My appreciation of Aston Martin cars started as a 5-year-old with a little metal Matchbox DB2-4, was enhanced as a teen by watching James Bond mess up the bad guys in his DB5, and finally came full circle when I got to “briefly” test drive... Continue Reading →
2020 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Crew Cab
New engine improves Nissan's compact pickup ... I’d been looking forward to testing Nissan’s 2020 Frontier compact pickup since hearing about its upgrades at the Chicago Auto Show in February, just before the Covid lockdown. A Zoom update this spring further stoked my curiosity. I much prefer compact pickups to the big boys and Frontier... Continue Reading →
2020 BMW 228i xDrive Gran Coupe
Compact 228i gives BMW a true entry-level model ... Back in the day, less than 20 years ago, BMW was known for its 3 Series compact sport sedans and coupes. They were cute, taut, models that were meant to introduce enthusiast drivers to the Bavarian automaker’s wares. The 3 Series was an entry-level sportster that... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Autoart’s 2019 Mercedes AMG GT3
Mercedes AMG GT3 in 1/18 scale; be still my beating heart ... Mercedes-Benz and motorsports have a long partnership, mostly stellar, with oodles of success. Take Team Mercedes’ six straight Formula 1 titles as the most recent mark of excellence. Yet its sports cars have been champions too through the years, a prime example was... Continue Reading →
2020 Nissan Armada Platinum 4WD
Armada a big boat full of performance, luxury ... In some ways you’d think Nissan would own the large SUV market. Its small Rogue is extremely popular as is its mid-size SUV, the Pathfinder. Consider too that Nissan’s large SUV boasts the most power in its class and is one of the lower priced big... Continue Reading →
2020 Subaru Outback Onyx Edition XT
Outback Onyx Edition just another winning Subie wagon ... Subaru’s Outback is as close to a cult car for seniors as is it for middle-agers with a couple of teens still living at home. Its sales just continue to grow, resulting in one parked in nearly every other suburban driveway. Spoiler alert, there’s a 2017... Continue Reading →
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT C Roadster
Mercedes' AMG GT C is a street legal racer … Mercedes-Benz has been dominating Formula 1 racing for six years and it has a long history of dominant race cars dating back to the 1930s. Famous race drivers such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, and now Lewis Hamilton have put Mercedes squarely in the... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Replicarz’s 1966 Indy 500 Lola T90/Jackie Stewart
Replicarz fields another famous Indy 500 racer ... For me, a kid who grew up in Indianapolis watching Lotus and Lola redefine what an IndyCar is during the mid-1960s, these were the most beautiful race cars ever. Loved Indy’s roadsters, but 1966 was just the second year a rear-engine racer won the Indianapolis 500 and... Continue Reading →
2020 Hyundai Sonata Limited Hybrid
New Sonata Hybrid with solar roof panels leads mileage parade … OK, OK, OK, I oohed and aahed so much over the gas-powered 2020 Hyundai Sonata you might ask, how could I be any more enthusiastic for the hybrid version? Well, you asked! First, the Sonata Hybrid is still its same beautiful self as the... Continue Reading →
2020 Hyundai Venue SEL
Hyundai new Venue a primo entry-level vehicle ... If you’re belly-aching about the costs of new cars you obviously haven’t driven a Hyundai Venue. This all new crossover from Hyundai is as good as it gets for entry-level vehicles, the kind recent college grads and others just working their way into our economy can afford.... Continue Reading →