James Raia

Articles by James Raia

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Jaguar E-Type (XK-E) Named Most Beautiful Car In (London) Daily Telegraph Survey

Several friends have owned or currently own Chevrolet Corvettes. But given the choice, it might be the last car I’d select on The (London) Daily Telegraph’s recently announced list of the “100 Most Beautiful Cars.” I’ve never been a Corvette guy. Among those who appreciate classic automobiles, I’m in the minority, however, particularly among respondents to the London newspaper’s recent survey. Its readers picked the Corvette as the 15th Most Beautiful Car, two positions ahead of the Austin Healy 3000 and one position behind the Alfa Romeo P3 8C. Still, there’s no doubt the Corvette is fascinating and legendary. And it holds its own on the newspaper readers’ top-20 list that includes four Ferrari and four Jaguar selections and three

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Ford, Volvo, Honda, Acura dominate Institute For Highway Safety's 34 Vehicles Top Pick

[ad#post] Winners also have to be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows can significantly reduce the risk of crashing. At the beginning of the 2007 model year, 13 models qualified, but as manufacturers have made changes and introduced new and safer vehicle designs, 10 additional vehicles qualified during the year. Now another 11 vehicles are being added to the list for 2008. Designating winners based on the tests makes it easier for consumers to identify vehicles that afford the best overall protection without sifting through multiple sets of comparative crash test results. Eight vehicles from Ford and its subsidiary, Volvo, make the list of winners for 2008. Seven winners are from Honda and its subsidiary, Acura. For

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Audi A4, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

[ad#post] Not many vehicles in the same class are offered as a sedan, convertible and wagon, and that’s another strong trait for the vehicle often credited with jettisoning Audi out of its sales slump and image problems in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The ’08 Audi remains largely unchanged from 2007. The minor alterations include new bumpers and a new lower side door trim. The A4 is available with one of two engines. A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder produces 200 horsepower and the 3.1-liter V6 has 255 horsepower. My weekly test drive is the 2.0-liter, turbocharged Quattro, Audi’s all-wheel drive system. Audi A4 sedans have either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

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Volkswagen Touareg 2, 2008: Weidel On Wheels

[ad#post] Volkswagen has obviously enjoyed a longer existence than Hitler. The German manufacturer has remained successful mostly through the production of economical vehicles that appeal to the masses. Despite the reputation for building reasonably priced automobiles, Volkswagen in recent years has strayed from its original formula. Consider the Touareg. It’s a sport utility vehicle that shares a lot with the upscale Porsche Cayenne and also shares qualities with a distant cousin, the Audi Q7. The Touareg and the Cayenne were co-developed by Volkswagen and Porsche, and their shared chassis are built at the same plant. Although sometimes identified as the same SUV, the Cayenne has its own engine and is assembled in a different plant. The Cayenne also costs more,

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Ferrari, Jaguar and VW Karmann Ghia (Really!) On London Telegraph's Top-100 car list

[ad#post] But the Ghia had its moments. I once drove it round-trip from Sacramento to Las Vegas and managed to maneuver through heavy rain, strong winds and followed a snow plow over a mountain pass on Interstate 50. A few years into ownership, the Ghia was heavily vandalized and I sold it cheap. Turns out my father had good taste, similar to readers of The (London) Daily Telegraph. In its recently released list of the “100 Most Beautiful Cars,” the VW Karmann Ghia was voted No. 32, finishing better than some Ferraris and eight positions shy of the unique Talbot Lago T150C SS. The London Daily Telegraph’s comment on the Talbot Lago was great, succinct commentary: “Commonly known  as the

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Ford Mustang, Bugatti Share Daily Telegraph's Most Beautiful Car list (No. 60-41)

Several years ago, a friend bought two handmade Bugatti replicas. They’re Bugatti blue, beautiful and pristine miniatures of the real deal. But by their craftsmanship, they’re also a real deal unto themselves and great collectors’ items. [ad#post] Another friend is a Ford Mustang fancier. He bought a new Mustang a few years ago and treasured it. But he sold the car within its first year of purchase because he just wasn’t driving it often enough to justify the joy of ownership. It’s not often the Bugatti and Ford Mustang are discussed in the same automotive conversation. My friends’ tales provide one example. Another mixing of the two diverse cars occurred among readers of the Daily Telegraph, the London-based daily newspaper.

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Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, Chevrolet Bel Air Make Daily Telegraph’s Beautiful Car List (Nos. 80-61)

Car aficionados likely know such unique cars as the NSU Ro80 or the Hispano-Suiza H6. But almost anyone who’s owned a car or whose parents owned a car has likely at least heard of the Chevrolet Bel Air or a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. All four were selected by The Daily Telegraph, the London newspaper among “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars.” The Weekly Driver continues its countdown with the Nos. 80-61 vehicles, and what a diverse group. The newspapers’ readers sent in thousands of votes representing 367 different cars. Each car is represented by a photo and short description. The accompanying text for the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud (No. 65) is typical of the newspaper’s clever style: “The Bentley S2/S3’s

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London Newspaper Selects 100-Most Beautiful Cars (Introduction)

[ad#post] In the automotive world, it’s possible nothing else could gain as much survey attention as asking readers to either tell mechanic nightmare stories or give their opinions on the most beautiful cars in the world. I prefer the latter subject, and it’s what makes a recent survey in The Daily Telegraph in London, England, a marketing wonderment and a journalistic golden nugget. The newspaper simply asked readers to send it their choices for “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars.” This week, the newspaper began counting down the results in reverse order. It’ll be a few more days before the readers’ top choice among thousands of votes for 367 specific models is published. In the meantime, the multi-part article is a

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Volvo P1800 Begins Daily Telegraph's List Of "The 100 Most Beautiful Cars" (Nos. 100-81)

The newspaper commented: “According to one reader, ‘It looks even better when you remove its front and rear bumpers.’ “ Here’s the start of the list, which the newspaper is publishing in 20-choice increments: 100. Volvo P1800 99. Triumph TR6 98. Triumph TR 4/5 97. Triumph Stag 96. Triumph Spitfire 95. Toyota 2000 GT 94. Peugeot 504 Coupe 93. Peugeot 406 92. Nissan 300 ZX 91. Mini 90. Mercedes-Benz Pagoda (W113) 89. Mercedes-Benz 500K/540K 88. Maserati 350 GT 87. Maserati 250F 86. Lotus Europa 85. Land Rover Defender 84. Lancia Aurelia B20 83. Lamborghini Espada 82. Lagonda Rapide 81. Jaguar XK

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AOL has its troubles, but its auto channel is cool

America Online, now officially called AOL, began in 1985. And it has arguably had the most tumultuous tenure of any Internet portal or search engine. The site and e-mail system still has an estimated 10 million subscribers and it likely has an equal number of detractors as it does loyal followers. For me, AOL’s auto section may be its best attribute. It’s comprehensive, offers myriad and often-updated features and the editors’ subject choices are relevant. One regular feature is the site’s top-10 most searched 208 vehicles. I’m not certain how often the list is updated, but here’s the current list, an interesting cross-section of the car-buying public’s interests. 1. Chrysler 300C; 2. Honda Civic; 3. Infiniti G35; 4. Nissan Maxima;

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Acura MDX, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

[ad#post] In some respects, I’m the same way with cars. I’ve experienced good and bad memories in the past decade test-driving all kinds of vehicles. I’ve learned I gravitate heavily toward mid-sized sport utility vehicles like the Acura MDX, among others, since what they offer is usually a good fit for my needs. With that in mind, I revisited the MDX, one of my favorite vehicles, several weeks ago. My only further cemented my like of this stylish SUV and its wonderful handling, powerful engine, high safety scores and solid fuel efficiency. Two years ago, I took a pleasant day trip to San Francisco, where the MDX effortlessly climbed many of the famed city’s steep hills, cruised over the Golden

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GMC Yukon XL, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

[ad#post] Another buddy runs a business that absolutely requires he own a vehicle that seats six or more and can also haul heavy equipment. His choice is also large SUV, which I also understand. But the stay-at-home moms who drop off their lone child to school every morning or the single dad who works in an office and has never contemplated becoming a blue-collar worker, this I can’t understand. Headlines hypothesize gas prices could climb to $4 a gallon this summer. Preposterous? Hardly. Those hefty fill-ups regularly cursed now could seem like a bargain by the time summer arrives. So the idea of owning a school-bus sized SUV, like the 2008 GMC Yukon XL test driven here last week and

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Tata Nano, '79 MG, '82 Ram Charger, '01 VW Jetta: For $2,500, You Make The Call

[ad#post] But since the Tata Nano won’t be available in the U.S., what will $2,500 get a car buyer in this country? The New York Times included an interesting comparison in one of its several detailed pieces on Tata Motors, the Nano’s manufacturer. In describing the cost of the Nano, The Times’ reporter said its $2,500 price is about the same cost as an optional DVD player in a 2008 Lexus LX470. I’ve also done a little comparison shopping. Although the price of the Nano may go down (depending in the manufacturer’s reaction to a new, lower government excise tax), and it can go up with delivery charges and options, here’s what I found on a five-minute search Craig’sList, San

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Chevrolet Malibu (Hybrid), 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The promotion began in earnest during the 2007 World Series and it hasn’t waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that’s a hefty task. With its hybrid version, new for 2008, the Malibu features GMC‘s “mild hybrid system” rather than its dual mode full hybrid system. The hybrid’s configuration is a 36-volt electric motor coupled with a 2.4 liter Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual transmission. Using an integrated starter-generator, mild hybrid approach the gasoline engine shuts off at stoplights or other stopping situations. With its well-touted exterior redesign, the new Malibu also features a sharp new interior that features chrome outlines on gauges, center vents and the console shifter.

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Dodge Avenger RT, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Shopping for a Dodge Stratus and can’t find the 2008 model? Call off the search, the Stratus is no longer part of the Dodge lineup. After selling nearly 100,000 units in 2005, sales of the Status dropped nearly in half in 2006. That was enough to convince parent company Chrysler it was time to pull the plug on the modest, mid-size sedan. It was a necessary if Dodge wanted to stay competitive in the mid-size sedan classification. Dodge filled the opening with the Avenger. It’s a catchier name and Chrysler hopes the vehicle will also attract more buyers. The larger dimensions – 2.5 more inches of headroom, 1.2 inches greater shoulder room, and 2.5 inches higher — are definite factors

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Subaru Legacy, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

[ad#post] When discussing the Subaru lineup the first thing often mentioned is the all-wheel drive capability, because a foul-weather vehicle is always desirable in many regions of the country. Every Subaru is equipped with a traction-grabbing advantage that makes many drivers like me anxious to take a journey into the high country. However, this review of the Subaru Legacy Limited will be restricted to uninspired trips around South Placer County in Northern California. Sound dull? Some weeks are like that, especially the days following Christmas this year when the weather was damp, dreary and staying indoors seemed like a pretty enticing thing at the time. Despite the lack of driving challenge, I did learn more than a few things about

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