James Raia

Articles by James Raia

Toyota, Nissan styles among 7 cars gone in 2015

Some cars, like the Ford Mustang, Volkswagen Beetle and Chevy Impala, have seemingly been around since the model T. It’s what happens when carmakers get lucky. A new car catches on with the public quickly and stays on the market through many generations — like the Mustang — which just turned age 50. And then there are other cars that, for one reason or another, nearly instantly fail like the Fisker Karma, the Finnish electric vehicle. After poor marketing and vast mechanical issues it folded quickly after about one year of abominable sales in 2012. For other reasons, most notably, slow sales, some vehicles or vehicle trims fade at the end of the calendar year after a few years of

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Ten Fun, Affordable Vintage Cars

My father owned a 1962 Corvair Spyder convertible. It was supercharged, had wire-rimmed wheels. And, of course, it was a rear-engine wonder. It was the most unique car my family owned during my youth. We weren’t really a car family. I remember a 1955 Buick, a 1962 Ford Falcon station wagon, a 1964 Ford Galaxie, a 1973 Ford Courier pick-up truck and a 1973 Mercedes-Benz 240D. Somewhere in the mix, we had a Volvo sedan and an AMC Hornet. Nothing fancy. Some good cars, some bad. If given the opportunity, I would own any of them now for nostalgia. Which, of course, is why one reason why vintage cars, rare or otherwise, are a joy. There are plenty of other

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2015 Lexus IS 250: Comfort, control, cool

Following its extensive redesign last year, the 2015 Lexus IS 250 includes a few technology interface updates. But the compact entry-level luxury sedan largely remains a twin of its one-year older sibling. Powered by a 2.5-liter, 24-valve V6 delivering 204 horsepower, the 2015 Lexus IS 250 is offered only with a six-speed automatic transmission, but there’s a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. The Weekly Driver Test Drive While not the fastest nor the most economical, Lexus always does interiors and exteriors right. The IS 250 may be the entry level for the luxury line, but it’s made with top-line materials. Leather, wood and metallic accents are used liberally. And even when plastic is used, it works. The comfort of

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Jim Carrey mocks Lincoln in SNL brilliance

From its debut, the Lincoln MKC commercials featuring Matthew McConaughey driving slowly were an easy target. He speaks nearly inaudibly. He’s seriously contemplating life. And just what is McConaughey doing driving late at night, dressed well but with seemingly no place to go? McConaughey has always been an easy target. He made movies for years while rarely wearing a shirt.There’s his often difficult to understand accent. There’s his overt enthusiasm and chiseled face. And there several lackluster performances in early career movies easy criticize. But McConaughey is now a bonafide movie star with an Academy Award for best actor and several other recent strong films to his credit.But who better than Jim Carrey to poke fun at McConaughey’s demeanor and

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2015 Nissan Versa Note: Inexpensive but not cheap

It doesn’t seem like the Nissan Versa has been around for nine years. What might be the confusion (at least for me) is the Nissan Versa Note (the hatchback version). It debuted in the summer of 2013 as a 2014 model to replace the Nissan Versa hatcback. And with the 2015 Nissan Versa Note, the subcompact already has changes. It’s now also available in SR and SV trims, increasing consumers’ options to five trims. The Weekly Driver Test Drive As an entry-level sub-compact, what exactly can a consumer expect for a vehicle with a base price of $17,530.00? That’s less than half of the average price of new car in the United States. The answer, depending upon trim and option

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Ford F-150 again tops best-selling vehicle list

The Ford F-150 pick-up truck and the Toyota Corolla don’t appear to have much in common. But they do. The Ford-150 had been made for 67 years; the Toyota Corolla is now 43 years old. The two enduring vehicles are perennially on the top-10 selling vehicle list in the United States. Although 2014 totals won’t be tallied until early January 2015, the Ford 150 will again lead the top-10 vehicle sales for the year. It will mark the 44th consecutive year the F-150 will lead truck sales. The Toyota Corolla may not lead the pack, but its enduring popularity is remarkable. Several years ago, it became the best-selling vehicle in history. Here’s a synopsis of the Ford F-150 and Toyota

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2014 Cadillac ELR: What was GM thinking?

Four years after it debuted as a concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2014 Cadillac ELR hybrid was released to the public as General Motors’ latest effort to make its large powerful machines environmentally viable. From its long reputation as a big car acquired only after achieving big success (or to at least give that impression), Cadillac has steadily tried to re-position itself. There may still be older consumers who buy Cadillacs because their fathers and grandfathers did. But what exactly is the target market for potential buyers of the Cadillac ELR? The Cadillac ELR is plush and powerful, but it’s also a plug-in hybrid that, at first glance, and maybe even after a

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Bridging the gap between other models, Porsche has unveiled the second generation of 911 Carrera GTS models in coupe and cabriolet versions and with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The new Porsche model features 430 horsepower from the Carrera S Powerkit which incorporates the Sport Chrono package and Sport Exhaust. The standard PASM active damper system lowers the ride height by 10 mm compared to the 911 Carrera. When equipped with PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung dual-clutch transmission), the 911 Carrera GTS sprints from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds (Cabriolet: 4.0 seconds). Top track speeds for the GTS models range from 187 to 190 miles per hour, depending on drivetrain and transmission. Despite quicker acceleration and higher top

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Honda Odyssey, Ford Flex among 10 best family cars

Minivans take a bad rap. They’re the ultimate family cars and have sometimes been referred to as “loser cruisers” or the vehicles of choice for overprotective soccer moms who carry endless supplies of juice packs. The less-than stellar reputation is unfair, however. Minivans make ideal family vehicles. They’re more economical in some instances than family sedans. And for long vacation hauls, comfort and cargo space are import. TheWeeklyDriver.com’s two favorite family are the Honda Odyssey and Ford Flex. The Odyssey is arguably the most versatile vehicle available in the United States. The seat configuration, high seating and, of course, it’s now famous accoutrement — a portable vacuum cleaner — make it the ultimate family mover. The Flex is likely the

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2014 Toyota Venza: Versatile SUV drives like a car

In the past eight months, the 2014 Toyota Venza and I have become good friends. For one week on each occasion, I’ve had three test sessions with the crossover, sport wagon or small SUV — however the vehicle in properly designated. By any combination and by whatever its name means, the Venza is versatile. It’s a crossover with all-wheel drive, yes. But it’s compact and streamlined like a wagon. And it also has the characteristics of a daily driver sedan. The 2014 Toyota Venza has surprisingly strong acceleration. The result is a combo-car with a combo name. Plenty of theories abound what Venza means, including the Spanish translation, Conquer. Toyota says the vehicle’s name is a compilation of the words

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Favorite fantasy cars, Jaguar XKE to Bugatti Veyron

Maybe just a simple red convertible, any year, any style is your fantasy car? If that’s not good enough, how about a high-performance supercar like a Bugatti Veyron or a even more rare Saleen? Perhaps you’re into vintage cars and long for a 1957 T-Bird, a Gullwing Mercedes-Benz or a pristine Porsche? Or maybe off-the-hook top speed is what you’re seeking and you’ll only settle for a Hennessey. Its Venom GT model last February achieved a record top speed of 270.49 mph at the Kennedy Space Center on the Shuttle Landing Facility’s 3.2-mile runway in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Regardless of your desires, here are 10 fantasy cars. Some are readily attainable without cashing in your 401K. Others are likely out

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2014 Scion FR-S: Best sports car for $25,000?

Now in its second year, the 2014 Scion FR-S coupe is largely unchanged from the debut model. Additional padding has been added to door panels and center console, and there’s now a touchscreen audio system.But the Scion remains unheralded as an entry-level sports car — available only in the United States — and with an odd name that makes sense. The FR-S is the acronym of the car’s platform — Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in only one trim, the four-seat 2014 Scion FR-S features a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine generating 200 horsepower. My weekly driver included a six-speed manual transmission. But there’s also a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters available. Standard equipment includes

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2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: Best car for $25,000?

The Jetta is the best selling Volkswagen and the main reason is its versatility. It’s available in about 40 configurations and trims, including the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. It’s the diesel edition of the mid-size sedan. It features a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder matched with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and 140 horsepower. The Weekly Driver’s Test Drive In the 10 years I’ve written The Weekly Driver coumn, I’ve driven the Volkswagen Jetta TDI several times and each time I’ve been perplexed. Why isn’t this version of the Jetta more popular? Is the stigma against diesel engines strictly based a now former curse? (Remember the Mercedes-Benz diesel sedans in the 1970s? They were loud and spewed a lot of

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10 Best Cars Gone to the Dogs

Traveling with the family dog in the car is great. But some carmakers make it easier and safer than other manufacturers to travel with an animal. A blanket in the back of a station wagon can still work with a calm dog. But it’s not really safe if a driver is forced to stop suddenly. And arguably the bigger the dog, the more difficult it is to accommodate the family pet on a vacation or just on a trio the veterinarian or the local park. Fortunately for all parties involved, an increasing number of carmakers understand. It’s a good thing, too. About 47 percent of households in the United States own at least one pet, according to the American Veterinary

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Best new cars for about $20,000

The average price of a new car in the United States is about $30,000. Doesn’t that still seem like a lot? What if the average car buyer can only afford around $20,000 on a new car? Are there new cars with price tags of $20,000 that are worthy purchases? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose iconic cars are among the best-selling cars in history all have models available for about $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, some worthy automobiles. Here’s a list and a synopsis of two of out favorite cars among the 10 Best New Cars with price tags of about $20,000. To reiterate, that’s about two-thirds of the average cost of a

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What’s in a badge? Everything for carmakers

By any name — badge, emblem, insignia, logo, nameplate — whatever symbol a car manufacturer uses to market and showcase its vehicles means a lot in the automotive industry. Some car badges are globally recognizable, while other a far less well known but remain distinguished among collectors and automotive insiders. A car badge is some ways is no different from a badge on a law enforcement officer. In different ways, it means the same thing — authority. The three-point star of Mercedes-Benz means the authority of the open road and Germany engineering. The Leaping Jaguar is unmistakable as the symbol of the authority of elegance of Jaguar. Corvette has used several different badges, including the one below Not all automobiles

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