Automotive News, Car Reviews, and Podcast
The biggest automotive news of 2008 remains the ongoing crisis among the “Big Three” manufacturers — General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. But beyond all the serious stuff, there was a lot of fun and intrigue for automotive enthusiasts in 2008. This year marked the sixth full year of The Weekly Driver reviews.
Read morePrice is the over-riding factor for many car shoppers in tough economic times. Getting a “deal” is more important than ever, so one would assume a budget-minded company like Kia would be perfectly positioned.
Read moreConvertibles are mostly two-seat, sports cars and are often a luxury purchase. In recent tough economy times, sales have dropped dramatically and owning an extra vehicle purely for enjoyment isn’t prudent.
Read moreSix years after it was introduced, the Acura TSX remains an unheralded sedan that teeters the fine line between premium compact car and premium sports/performance vehicle.
Read moreThe 2009 Pontiac G8 GT is an affordable full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan with American muscle. It has standard XM satellite radio, and the high-performance G8 GXP makes its debut, featuring a detuned version of the Corvette’s V8 with a sportier suspension and an optional manual transmission.
Read moreHagerty Insurance, the nation’s largest insurance agency for collector vehicles, has compiled a list of the most interesting cars owned in the last century notable presidents as well as candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
Read moreCar & Driver is among the most respected publications in the automotive industry. And each year, the magazine’s highlight issue is its top-10 cars of the year list. With 2009 models fully infiltrating the marketplace and the status of the automotive industry in constant flux, it’s again a good time to note Car & Driver’s selection for 2008.
Read moreThe 2009 Saturn Aura XR is a spacious sedan with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and a substantial list of standard equipment that makes it an attractive alternative to the industry best-sellers. And although I had a prejudice against Saturn as cheap, the Aura grew on me as a respectable family vehicle during my week’s test drive.
Read moreCarMax, America’s largest used car retailer, and Driver’s Edge, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young drivers, have collaborated on a list of the best vehicles for teen drivers. Each vehicle on this list is rated on affordability, style, and has at least a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in each of the past three years. The list, in alphabetical order by manufacturer, includes: Chevrolet Malibu (2008 only), Dodge Caliber (models with optional side airbags and ABS), Ford Fusion, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta. Not a
Read moreIt wasn’t too many years ago $30,000 was the beginning price point for a luxury vehicle. Now, $40,000 is the standard, and that’s where the Acura TL has been perched for the past several years. The TL debuted with the 1996 model, was redesigned in 2004 and for 2009 has its third generation.
Read morePaul Newman, who died Friday at age 83, was an avid auto racing enthusiast. He first became interested in motorsports (“the first thing that I ever found I had any grace in”) while training for and filming Winning, the 1969 movie.
Read moreI’ve often thought if a car can’t be made to operate more economically, it could at least be made to be safer. Japanese automakers have heard me thinking. And Mazda heard me thinking, particularly when I recently drove the CX-9 a few hundred miles during a week’s test drive.
Read moreWhile generally respectful of all Honda vehicles and its upscale luxury line, a recent week behind the wheel of the 2009 Acura TSX made me questioning the current redesign. It doesn’t match some of the high-level competition in the premium compact class.
Read moreThe 2009 Mazda 3 S Grand Touring compact is done right. It’s the summation of years of automotive awards, good reviews, positive ownership experiences — and thus increased sales. Add my impressions to the list of good reviews. This Mazda was the most fun, economy car I’ve driven in a long time and overall one of the best cars I have driven in recent months.
Read moreGeneral Motors has unveiled the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle, the much-anticipated combination electric-gasoline that will be able to run up to 40 miles without using its small gasoline engine to produce electricity. The Volt will be driven by electricity stored in a large T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack running the length of the car. After charging for several hours, the Volt will be able to operate about 40 miles without using gasoline.
Read moreI have a routine when I drive/review cars each week. One step is to ask my friend, Leo Blume, a car lover, what he thinks. We took a drive in the 2008 Buick Lucerne and stopped by his house. He showed me his 1963 Buick. And, boy did he have some things to say. He contributes this review:
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