James Raia

Articles by James Raia

REVIEW: 2014 Honda Crosstour versatile, polarizing

Introduced in 2010 as the Accord Crosstour, Honda dropped Accord from the official name two years later. The 2014 Crosstour still shares its chassis and powertrain with the Accord. But five years into its first generation, it still has its own polarizing identity. Like its predecessors, the 2014 Honda Crosstour has been heavily maligned. Its critics don’t know how to categorize the car. It’s not a wagon, SUV or sedan. It’s category defying and some folks just aren’t comfortable with that. Honda defines the Crosstour as a 5-door hatchback. But its rear hatch design limits available cargo space and it doesn’t have the functionality of a full-blown wagon or more spacious crossover rivals. But so what? It’s a trendsetter in

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Eight diverse 2014 cars for less than $20,000

Consumer Reports has lots of car lists. A recent addition is the best new cars to buy with prices less than $20,000. The eight-vehicle list is varied . . . from an SUV to several sedans, and there are a few surprises. All cars on the list have manual transmissions. An automatic transmission in any of the vehicles would come with a high price. Here’s the list of eight 2014 cars all available for less than $20,000: Vehicle/MSRP/National Market Avg./Potential % Savings/Potential $ Savings Ford Mustang Coupe V6, $23,335, $19,635, 15.9%, $3,700 Jeep Compass Sport 4×2, $19,690, $16,949, 13.9%, $2,741 Fiat 500 Pop, $16,995 $14,990, 11.8%, $2,005 Hyundai Sonata GLS, $22,260, $19,712, 11.4%, $2,548 Dodge Dart GT, $21,990, $16,626, 10.8%,

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2015 Volvo V60 T5: Wagon comeback in a big way

The 2015 Volvo V60 T5 is a new car the United States. It’s been in Europe for a few years, but for the American market it’s unlike any other Volvo wagon. They were previously all built like small passenger tanks and were about as attractive. Volvo stopped making its larger wagons a few years ago. But with the debut of the V60, the Scandinavian-influenced carmaker with parts from Sweden, Germany, Japan, the United States and Canada, could have an entirely new following. The 2015 Volvo V60 resembles its long-ago sibling, the P1800s series, now collectors’ cars. The new offering is still a wagon. But it’s a stylish, sleek wagon with an attractive combination: It’s handsome and versatile. The Weekly Driver

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2014 Cadillac CTS: Smooth, powerful, plush

Now a dozen years old, the Cadillac CTS is a midsize luxury car available as a coupe and sedan. For 2014 and its third generation, the Cadillac CTS (Catera Touring Sedan) has been re-designed inside and out. Throughout its tenure, the CTS has been named to many top yearly car lists, and the 2014 edition has been and will likely add more end-of-the year honors. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan is offered in six main trim levels: Standard, Luxury, Performance, Premium, Vsport and Vsport Premium. The trims are matched to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a 3.6-liter V6 and a turbocharged V6. There are also a2014 CTS coupe, wagon and CTS-V. They were not redesigned for

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Rare Used Cars: 1993 Cadillac Allanté

The Cadillac Allanté, now considered among recent rare used cars, is a two-door luxury roadster manufactured by General Motors. It was designed by Pininfarina of Italy and sold for only seven years despite its superior performance and unique styling. About 21,500 Allanté units were made, equating to slightly more than 3,000 per year. In its final year, 1993, Cadillac made 4,670 Allanté units with a high-end price of $65,000. Originally designed under the code name “Callisto” to compete with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar XJS, the Allanté featured a modified variant of the 4.1-liter V8 used across Cadillac‘s lineup. The Allanté is noted for an unusual production arrangement. Completed bodies — designed and manufactured in Italy — were shipped 4,600

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Most reliable cars: Mitsubishi, Hummer. Really?

Steven Lang has had a unique automotive industry career. For more than 15 years, he’s been a car dealer, an auctioneer and a part-owner of an auto auction. He’s bought and sold cars. And he believes he has a credible list of the 10 most reliable cars — by brand. Lang has seen extraordinary cars and likely some that should have never been sold. He knows cars old and new. And he knows branding from the Lexus motto: “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection to the BMW creed: “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” A contributor to Motoramic, Lang has compiled an top-10 list of the most reliable cars via individual brands.  interesting choices? You bet. The 10th most reliable brand is Mitsubishi.

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2014 Nissan 370Z: Fast, fun, impractical

Now in its sixth year, the 2014 Nissan 370Z is the seventh generation of the Nissan Z-car line that dates to 1969. The 370Z succeeds the 350Z which succeeds five other generations — 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, 280ZX and the 300ZX. The original Z car had innovative good looks for its time, and it was powerful. It didn’t take long for the then Datsun 240Z to become a top seller. In 1972, more than 50,000 units sold in the United States. Fast-forward 45 years since the car’s debut, and the current Z car still has a reputation as a handsome, powerful sports car. The difference: there’s a lot more competition. The Weekly Driver Test Drive My weekly driver was the NISMO

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2014 Hyundai Equus: Luxury, value for comfy sedan

As the flagship model, the Hyundai Equus is the largest and most expensive vehicle in the Korean manufacturer’s lineup. It’s a full-size luxury sedan and it’s named after the Latin word for horse. Hyundai introduced a new version of the Equus on a rear-wheel drive platform in 2009. It’s the carmaker’s direct to aim to compete with the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS. The Weekly Driver’s Test Drive For 2014, the Hyundai Equus isn’t a new generation, but it has substantial revisions. Front and rear styling have been altered. And the instrument panel, control layout and various materials have all been updated. New safety features, include: BlueLink telematics, blind spot and rear cross-traffic alert systems

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Is Jetpack Misleading Users to Promote WordPress.com?

Are you using Jetpack’s publicize feature on your site? Recently while browsing through Facebook, we found several folks sharing links where WordPress replaced the site domain. Along with that, the status also read like this: Michelle Schulp published an article in WordPress. <img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-25095″ title=”Facebook Status being hijacked by JetPack publicize” src=”https://cdn.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/fbstatusjetpackpublicize.jpg” alt=”Facebook Status being hijacked by JetPack publicize” width=”520″ height=”479″ /> This was alarming, so we decided to investigate the issue. When you click on the link, it takes you the website. However when you click on WordPress, it takes you to a WordPress.com signup page on Facebook. <img class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-25087″ title=”Landing page for WordPress.com’s app” src=”https://cdn2.wpbeginner.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/wordpresscom-app.png” alt=”Landing page for WordPress.com’s app” width=”520″ height=”286″ /> We

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Pontiac Aztek: Reviled, revered, cult classic

The Pontiac Aztek is likely the most maligned car in modern history. Like the Ford Pinto, Chevrolet Vega and Yugo it has been described as the ugliest car ever built and the worst car ever made. Sometimes, the criticism cut deep. One reviewer said of the Aztek, said: “The styling of the car is its best feature.” The 2001 Aztek was the most picked on model. It looked like a badly designed space vehicle or a tank that had been totaled. It was rough-edged and gaudy. Still, the Pontiac Aztek had such a rotten reputation, it’s become a cult car. I’ve spoken with two Aztek owners recently who said they wouldn’t trade their Azteks for a new SUV. My second

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Brian Johnson of AC/DC set to host new TV car series

Brian Johnson, the frontman of the band AC/DC, can rock with the best of them. But he can compare car collections with anyone, too, especially his beloved Rolls Royce. Johnson’s passion for vintage automobiles has led to his new gig, host of the new series “Cars That Rock.” The six episode, 60-minute series will start May 8 on Quest, Freeview Channel 38 in the United Kingdom. The Back2Back Productions series will feature Johnson as he pursues his passion of cars. He’ll examine the history of cars, meeting fanatics and of racing. In a video clip of the new program, Johnson details why his Rolls Royce Phantom is his favorite car. The Phantom, he said, is an “absolute 10. To me,

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2014 Hyundai Tucson: Nimble, versatile, no flash

How convenient when the name of a car is easy to decipher. Take the 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The now decade-old sport utility vehicle is named after the city in Arizona, and that makes sense. The compact crossover, like a lot of SUVs, is versatile for active buyers. It’s a daily driver, a weekend getaway car and good for families with kids needing lifts to their activities. It’s ideal for trips to the local market. It fits the lifestyle of Arizona and plenty of other regions of the country. Hyundai has made only two generations of the Tucson, with the second and current generation in circulation since 2010. For 2014, the Tucson has received a few enhancements and the available model

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Range anxiety still deterent in electric car sales

Not too many years ago, the term range anxiety might pertain to a golfer who’s nervous on a driving range or rancher uncertain about spending time on an open range. But with an increasing number of auto manufacturers offering electric options, range anxiety is a major reason why car buyers have been wary of switching from gas powered vehicles. It’s the fear of running out of power and stuck miles from the nearest charging station. According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association, the industry trade organization in Arlington, Va., 71 percent of respondents said range anxiety is a concern when considering purchasing an electric vehicle. And it’s warranted. With more than a dozen mainstream manufacturers offering the

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Happy 25th birthday to the Mazda Miata (video)

Mazda is now officially celebrating the 25th year anniversary of the MX-5 Miata. It was previously known simply as the Miata, and combined by both names it’s the best-selling sports roadster in history. The name Miata derives from the German word for “reward.” The name fits for the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Miata, since it continues the tradition of the classic two-seater. The reward is what Miata customers receive. The Miata has its own personality, but it also pays homage to roadsters of yesteryear like the Triumph Spirtfire, MG MGB, Fiat 124, Alfa Romeo and Lotus Elan. The 2014 Miata, which was refreshed last year, marks the 25th anniversary of the little beast It debuted in 1989 as a 1990 model

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REVIEW: 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid shines

After a redesign last year, the 2014 Honda Accord, now in its ninth generation, remains much the same as the 2013 model — with one exception. After a disappointing debut as a hybrid several years ago, Honda has reintroduced the Hybrid trim. It expands Honda’s alternate engine lineup that also includes the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Civic CNG (Natural Gas). The Honda Accord Hybrid is available in EX, EX-L and Touring trims. There’s also a limited edition plug-in version. The Weekly Driver Test Drive It’s no secret the original Honda Accord Hybrid wasn’t the carmaker’s most popular car. It was no doubt a quality Honda, but fuel efficiency wasn’t as superior as it could have been.

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REVIEW: 2014 Kia Cadenza joins rivals with gusto

Despite the success of the Kia Optima, the South Korean manufacturer still doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. The 2014 Kia Cadenza, a debut vehicle in 2013 as a 2014 model, should provide the carmaker with more respect as an underdog. The Kia Cadenza joins the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus as the trio of South Korean luxury cars sold in the United States. Hyundai owns Kia, and the Cadenza shares a platform with the Hyundai Azera, although the Cadenza is sportier than its cousin. The Weekly Driver Drive It was my second time with Kia Cadenza in recent months, this time with the Limited edition. Like the previous Kia I drove, the Cadenza Limited is the follow-up for the

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