Wild and crazy car colors at the 2014 LA Auto Show

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Most car buyers play it safe when it comes to car colors. White is the most popular exterior color, followed by black, silver and gray. Boring, right? But many manufacturers, seeking to appeal to young buyers, also offer limited edition to full-fledged models with wild color patterns — Plasma Purple to Tangerine Scream and Bronze Fire to Sun Fusion. The new wild and wacky cars colors have been inspired for several reasons, according to several manufacturers’ brand representatives at the2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. “The new colors appeal to younger buyers and those young at heart,” extolled a young man

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Women of the LA Auto Show: Sexy, smart, fun

The tradition of car show product  specialists, including the women of the LA Auto Show, dates to the 1930s. The attractive young women do what they do while standings in front of new model cars. Books have been written about the tradition and a feature about the young women was featured as a segment on National Public Radio. The practice of hiring attractive young women has also been criticized, but the women of LA Auto Show seemingly thoroughly enjoy what they do. The tradition during the recent media days for the event was healthy and well. Toyota to Porsche to

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Michael Schumacher paralyzed, can’t speak, friend says

Philippe Streiff, a former race car driver who has been paralyzed for 25 years following a 1989 crash, said his friend Michael Schumacher is in the same situation and is unable to speak. Schumacher, the legendary Formula One driver, is at home recovering from a head injury suffered in a skiing fall last December in France. Streiff, speaking recently on a French radio station, said: “He (Schumacher) is getting better but everything is relative. It’s very difficult.” According to a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper in England, Schumacher’s family is still confident about the former champion’s future. But the

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2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata: rough, tough roadster endures

Now beginning its second quarter century, the 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata retains its long-time status as fairly priced, fun-to-drive, two-seat sports car. The formula has worked so well, it’s the best-selling roadster in history. The Miata had its top sales year in 2006 (nearly 17,000) with subsequent sales in some years falling drastically. Beyond trim “tweaks,” most notably in 2013, the just-announced 2016 edition is the first new generation in a decade. The car is approaching one million units sold. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The rear-wheel drive MX-5 Miata is equipped with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 167 horsepower.

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2016 Madza lineup set for livestream debut

Mazda North American will livestream its product reveals, including the much-touted, all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 compact crossover utility vehicle, on YouTube ad Ustream, the night before the vehicles’ debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The offsite event at 8 p.m. PST Tuesday (Nov. 18) will also include refreshed versions of the 2016 Mazda6 midsize sedan, the 2016 CX-5 crossover and the 2016 MX-5. All of the new Mazda vehicles – with the addition of Mazda3, Mazda5 and CX-9 – will be on display throughout the run of the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.   Additionally, Mazda will show the

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2014 Kia Optima (hybrid): Sexy, economy, value

You need not look hard to find a sexy, practical sedan these days. If you want the looks of a costly Italian sedan and high fuel economy need look no farther than the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid, which has few changes for 2015. The mid-size front-drive Optima sedan has made Kia a significant player in the U.S. market. The gas-electric hybrid version has helped things along. With racy styling, high fuel economy and reasonable prices, the Optima Hybrid seems as if you can have your cake and eat it, too. Changes for 2014 include front and rear fascia updates that

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Toyota names hydrogen car Mirai, debuts in 2016

Toyota has announced its new fuel cell vehicle will be called the Mirai, and the Japanese manufacturer is hopeful the hydrogen-powered vehicle will live up to the translation of its name — “future.” Toyota President Akio Toyoda revealed the car’s name in conjunction with the company CEO Jim Lentz announcing the expansion of Toyota fuel cell infrastructure investment to five-state in the Northeastern corridor. The Mirai, according to Toyota, will travel as far as 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, refuel in less than five minutes and emit only water vapor. Lentz announced a new commitment to drive

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The Family of Prius, hybrid cars still dominate

The Toyota Prius wasn’t the first hybrid vehicle in the United States. That honor belongs to the Honda Insight. But the Prius, which debuted a few months later, has been the most successful alternative fuel car in the United States — by a substantial margin — since its unveiling in 2000. In the past 15 years, many manufacturers have joined the gas-electric hybrid segment, some offering several varieties of environmentally “green” vehicles. Competition is keen, but the Prius still dominates the segment with Toyota expanding its hybrid offerings a few years ago. The family of Prii (the plural of Prius

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2015 Honda CR-V: SUV segment leader even better

The Honda CR-V has been attractive to Americans since its U.S. debut in 1997. Since arriving about the same time as the rival Toyota RAV4, it’s been among the top-selling small SUVs and is keeping up the pace with major improvements for 2015. Honda was a master at giving its 2015 Fit small car impressive interior room, and it continues its roominess tradition with the new CR-V, which also can be called a crossover vehicle. Despite its roominess, the new CR-V only has a 103.1-inch wheelbase and is about 180 inches long, which allows it to fit in just moderately

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Toyota recall woes continue, this time Camry

Toyota’s decade-long recall crisis has surfaced again, this time involving 361,800 faulty Toyota Camry models in the global market. According to the carmaker, the recall includes three defects primarily in Camry models in Europe and Japan and about 60 units in the United States made between March 2011 and August 2014. Subject to the recalls are 170,000 Camrys to fix a faulty ball joint that could cause a loss of control of the vehicle. Europe accounts for the majority with about 120,000 vehicles, followed by 40,000 in Japan, Toyota detailed. Another recall covers 105,800 Hiace, Regius Ace and Dyna models,

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Toyota Camry: Top sedan through the years

Since its humble debut nearly 32 years ago, the Toyota Camry has been a hit. It wasn’t touted much, but soon after it replaced the Toyota Corona, the public responded. As such, with impressive quality, comfortable ride and durability, the Camry has been near the top or the top-selling sedan in the United States for more than 25 years. It’s been the sedan sales leader for the past 12 years. While impressive, Toyota made several surprising changes across all trims for the 2015 Camry, available at dealers since September. The changes include: a stiffer body, new grille, softer interior materials,

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2015 Hyundai Genesis: A luxury sedan star is born

It doesn’t seem like seven years since the Hyundai Genesis debuted in the United States. But with the redesigned 2015 edition, the underdog luxury sedan has finally arrived. The genesis of the Genesis didn’t start well. From its mid-year unveiling about 6,000 units were sold through the end of 2008. But sales increased to nearly 22,000 in 2009 while the upstart tried to compete in a tough, high-end segment. It features well-respected stalwarts from the BMW 5 Series to the Mercedes E-Class. As years have advanced, the Genesis has remained a steady alternative to the major players. But with its

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Buying A Car? Save Money With A Ford Focus

When you’re looking for a reliable car to run errands in the city with impressive gas mileage and power to perform long distance road trips, consider a Ford Focus. The reliable compact is an ideal starter car. Unveiled for the North American market in 1999, the three generations of the Ford Focus have all proven strong buying choices. As a result, CAR Magazine in the United Kingdom included the Focus in its selection of the 50 Greatest Cars of the Past 50 years. And what better testament to a car than if a Pope chooses to ride in one like

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Five ugly cars easy to like or collect

One of the most entertaining car displays in the nearly yearlong packed calendar of auto shows is the Concours d’LeMons. It’s been held in August the past six years in conjunction with the diverse auto week celebration on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula. It’s also home to arguably the country’s most lofty auto show, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Last year, the Concours d’Lemons expanded to Michigan. Top honor (Worst of Show) was awarded to a 1977 Leata Caballero. Never heard of it? Neither had I. It was made by Stinebaugh Manufacturing in Post Falls, Idaho, and failed. Fewer than 100

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2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC: Big deal compact

Mercedes-Benz is out to make a bigger splash in the compact car market with its 2015 C300 4MATIC sedan. While its styling is sleeker, the new C300 4MATIC (all-wheel drive) is not a sports sedan, although it’s athletic with quick variable-ratio steering, sure handling and confidence-inspiring brakes. Rather, it’s for those who want a responsive in-town car and a solid, luxurious interstate cruiser. My test car had the optional ($1,190) air suspension, which provided an impressively smooth ride. The standard steel suspension setup is all-wheel independent and most likely provides a good ride. After all, this car is luxury oriented.

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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,

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