Automotive Reviews

New Hip Trash Car In The Movies — Used Dodge Spirit

It’s the vehicle (made from 1990-95) used in the transport of illegal immigrants smuggled across the U.S.-Canadian border in the new movie, Frozen River. Frozen River features the story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom lured into illegal immigrant smuggling when she meets a Mohawk girl who lives on a reservation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border. Broke after her husband leasves with the down payment for their new doublewide trailer Ray teams with Lila, a smuggler. The two begin making runs across the frozen St. Lawrence River carrying illegal Chinese and Pakistani immigrants in the trunk of Ray’s Dodge Spirit. The reason the two women use a Dodge Spirit is because it has big, deep trunk. Beyond

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Cadillac Debuts CTS Sport Wagon For 2010

Cadillac’s upcoming wagon offers ample interior space and includes a range of six-cylinder engine choices, making it a compelling alternative to larger utility vehicles. Based on the hot-selling CTS sport sedan, and a sister vehicle to the CTS Coupe Concept, the Sport Wagon extends the design-driven renaissance of Cadillac. Following this special premiere at Pebble Beach, the CTS Sport Wagon moves to the worldwide auto show circuit this fall – and into Cadillac dealerships in spring 2009. “The addition of this dramatically-designed Sport Wagon is well synchronized with today’s changing consumer tastes as a compelling alternative to SUVs or other larger vehicles,” says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “This is an important step in Cadillac’s ongoing global expansion, and of

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2009 Nissan Murano: Weidel on Wheels

And let’s face it, many auto manufacturers essentially trot out the same vehicles year after year without significant changes. Following its one-year absence, Nissan came out with its 2009 model as a Christmas present and was delivered to dealerships in early January. It was worth the wait, since Nissan addressed a few problem areas. At first glance, the 2009 midsize sport utility vehicle looks like its predecessor — attractive, sporty and efficient in most areas. However, several changes in this year’s Murano add to the value add to the car-based SUV that has always enjoyed a solid reputation since its debut in 2004. The redesign was done smartly by Nissan, which didn’t radically change the Murano’s overall attractive look due

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Papa John's Camaro: It's back so it's free pizza for all, sort of

It all began in 1983. Schnatter’s father, an Indiana bar owner, was on the verge of bankruptcy. Schnatter sold his most valuable possession, a black-and-gold striped Camaro for $2,800 to help his family. With the proceeds, Schnatter bought some equipment and started selling pizzas out of a broom closet of his dad’s bar, digging their way out of bankruptcy one pizza at a time. The side business became Papa John’s, the country’s third-largest pizza chain. But Schnatter (he’s pictured with his Camaro in 1971) lways wanted his Camaro back. And last week, after a nationwide campaign and increasing the reward from $25,00 to $250,000, Schnatter’s bought his car back from its third owner — and everyone is happy. Schnatter is

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Mario Andretti: Still A Driving Force In Motorsports

Nearly 15 years after his retirement from full-time racing, Mario Andretti, at age 68, remains a dominant force. One of only two drivers to win race in the four major motor racing categories — Formula One, IndyCar (USAC), World Sportscar Championships and NASCAR — Andretti was the honored guest last week at the 35th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races and Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca. Andretti, the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), Daytona 500 (1967) and Formula One World Championship (1978), participated in a variety of events during the three-day gathering held in conjunction with Monterey Auto Week. He drove a few demonstration laps in the Lotus 79 in which he won the Formula One Championship, he held

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Audi A8 W12, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review (Video)

The  2008 Audi A8 W12 is the German manufacturer’s powerful top-of-the-line sedan. It’s nearly a small apartment considering its spaciousness, powerful sound system, rear-seat refrigerator and solar sunroof. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I take a look and the luxurious Audi. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The

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Volkswagen Beetle, Kaiser Darrin Shine At Carmel Concours On The Avenue

While soft jazz perfectly set the mood, mellow, daylong crowds gathered along the main artery, Ocean Ave., and its accompanying side streets. It was an ideal outdoor showroom for the second-year event. Porsche and Ferrari were featured Monday and Tuesday multi-marques were presented. I didn’t attend Monday’s festivities, but there were immediate favorites on Tuesday. Tony and Pat Olmo of Monterey, California, presented two Volkswagen Beetles — a 1962 convertible and 1956 deluxe. The 1956, a beautifully hued diamond green, is restored with only German VW parts as is the Pacific Blue convertible. Both cars attracted large crowds with a lot visitors commenting in general terms: “I used to have one of those.” Despite the popularity of the two VWs,

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Monterey Auto Week, 2008: Auctions, Concours & Classics

But there’s plenty else to do, parties to rallys, auctions to the many other concours events that have begun to flourish in recent years. Add it all up, and it’s automotive sensory overload. Last year, I attended The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, at Quail Lodge for the first time. I also spent three three days at the historic races at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey. In addition to meeting car owners and celebrities (including Jay Leno) at The Quail, I reintroduced myself to Bobby Rahal after the Legends of Indy event at Laguna Seca. Years ago, Rahal, the three-time Indy 500 winner, invited me into his motorhome on the infield of Laguna Seca. We  talked about golf for an assignment

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GM Plans To Invest $500 Million For New Economy Car, Cruze

The facility in Lordstown, Ohio, currently assembles the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 and is slated to begin building the Cruze in 2010. The compact car will be officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The Cruze will be launched in Europe and Asia Pacific in 2009 and will also be manufactured in those areas. “Our goal for the Chevrolet Cruze is to lead in fuel economy in this very competitive car segment,” Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a written statement. The Cruze, expected to top 40 mpg, is another example of GM’s commitment to rearrange it lineup as drivers buy fewer trucks and SUVs. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45

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BMW, 128i, 2008: The Weekly Driver (Video Review)

After much anticipation, earlier this year BMW introduced to the United States its 128 series. It’s the German manufacturer’s reasonably priced coupe and convertible, and it couldn’t have been introduced at a better time. From my weekly drive with the 128i convertible and its 3.0-liter, 230-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine, the car is an unqualified success. Videographer Bruce Aldrich and I present another of in the continuing series of new car video reviews. Facts & Figures: 2008 BMW 128i Specification Details Engine 6-cylinder, 3.0L Transmission Automatic (S6) Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy 19 city / 28 hwy / 22 combined mpg Fuel Type Premium Gasoline James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Toyota Prius, VW Jetta Top Only 15 Cars In U.S. Averaging At Least 30 mpg

Chevrolet (Cobalt, Aero) and Honda (Civic hybrid and Fit) each have two vehicles on the list. Six of the vehicles are hybrids and the total of 15 are the only new offerings in the United States averaging more than 30 mpg in combined driving averages. Here’s the list in deceasing order, with city, highway and combined gas mileage averages listed: Toyota Prius (hybrid, 2008, (combined 46 miles per gallon); Honda Civic (hybrid), 40/46, 42 mpg combined; Smart Fortwo, 2008, 33/41, 36 mpg combined; Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2009, 30/41, 34 mpg combined; Nissan Altima (hybrid), 35/33, 34 mpg combined; Toyota Camry (hybrid), 33/34, 34 mpg combined; Mini Cooper, 2008, 28/37 32 mpg combined; Toyota Yaris, 2008 29/36, 32 mpg combined; Ford

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BMW 128i (Convertible), 2008: The Weekly Driver

The 128i offers BMW’s trademark assertive engine, rear-wheel drive and the manufacturer’s signature take-charge steering. The convertible option with a six-speed manual transmission is the only way to really appreciate this BMW. Brand purists may disagree, but the sleek design of the smaller BMW seems ideal for the retractable ragtop. The manufacturer states that the push-button (on the console below the radio dials) convertible system will retract in 20 seconds. But it’s actually a few seconds faster than the estimate. And the reverse operation works just as efficiently. Unlike some convertibles that aren’t particularly handsome with their tops down, the new BMW convertible top fits snugly into the trunk compartment. It gives the vehicle’s contour more style, not the appearance

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Honda Fit, Chevrolet Silverado Most Popular New Cars Among Women & Men

According to a survey detailed on Forbes.com, the most important buying factors for women include: safety, comfort, practicality and value. It’s a much different set of factors for men — power, performance, exclusivity. More than 80 percent of Fit buyers are women. The vehicle with the highest percentage of men buyers (93 percent) is the Chevrolet Silverado (pick-up  truck). Among women and men buyers, there are several lists readily available the top-10 luxury cars purchased by women and women and the top 5 overall cars most often purchased by women and men. Here are the lists: Women (Overall) 1. Honda Fit; 2. Kia Spectra; 3. Hyundai Elantra; 4. Toyota Yaris; 5. Nissan Versa. Men (Overall) 1. Chevrolet Silverado; 2. Ford

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Dubious honors for old Honda Civics, Accords: Thieves' favorite cars

Beauty is in the eyes of thieves. That’s the ruth in terms of stolen cars since the most No. 1 hot-wired car in the United States is a 1995 Honda Civic. According to a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB, the Civic is followed by its older sibling, the 1991 Honda Accord in terms of susceptibility to thieves. According to the report, published in Forbes Magazine, “junkers” like older Honda Civics and Accord are more valuable to thieves because they can easily strip the cars and sell the parts on the street. According to the  NICB, a car is stolen in the United States every 2.5 seconds. Here’s the list of the top 10 most stolen cars

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Chrysler Envisions Electric Car Envi Within Five Years

The new line created last September. Its vehicles are slated to operate on battery power alone for about 40 miles, according to Chrysler. Chrysler is also working on a new generation of hybrid vehicles with lithium-ion batteries that are lighter and store more energy than the nickel-metal hydride batteries now in wide use. Chrysler has not yet announced any partnership for the project or for the development of the batteries. General Motors Corp and Toyota Motor Corp are racing to develop rechargeable hybrid vehicles using lithium-ion batteries. GM’s all-electric Chevy Volt is scheduled to begin production in 2010; Toyota will begin testing a rechargeable version of its Prius hybrid with fleet customers around the same time. Ford is building 20

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Ford Taurus, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Of course, the new name should be recognizable. The Taurus enjoyed an auspicious debut in 1985 as an innovatively designed sedan. It immediately attracted the car-buying public and by 1992 was the top-selling American car. But instead of improving the Taurus, Ford aggressively went after the truck segment. That was successful, but the Taurus died a slow death. It eventually left the Ford lineup and emerged in 2006 as the Five Hundred. The name might not represent the number of vehicles sold, yet the Five Hundred never caught on. When Roger Mulally became Ford’s CEO last September he wanted the recognizable Taurus name revitalized, hence the Taurus X unveiling and elimination of the Five Hundred. While the Freestyle was criticized

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